The Blurred Lines of Computing: A Discussion on the Complexity of Computers

When walking around the department, colleagues often find themselves discussing computers in a somewhat abstract manner. They rarely talk about the physical devices sitting on desks, and instead focus on what those computers can do and how they perform tasks. This perspective is reflective of the way we think about computing; for us, it's not just about the hardware but rather about the information, data, and processing that occurs.

The distinction between computing as a field and its applications in everyday life is quite clear. While most people associate computers with laptops, iPads, or smartphones, our approach is more nuanced. We consider computing as an invisible force that surrounds us, shaping our experiences and interactions. This invisible presence of computing is what makes it so integral to our daily lives.

One fascinating thought experiment is the "how many computers did you see today" question, which has become a favorite conversation starter. At first glance, this question seems simple enough, but it reveals itself to be much more complex than anticipated. When attempting to calculate the number of computers seen in a given day, one realizes that categorization becomes increasingly difficult. Are we counting devices themselves or the processing they facilitate? Where does the computer reside – within the device or in the place where it's processed?

The complexity of this question stems from our tendency to conflate hardware with software and the tangible with the intangible. This blurring of lines can lead to debates about what constitutes a "computer." Should we count cameras as computers, even if they're just passing by? Is the processing power inherent in any device enough to qualify it as a computer?

The pursuit of an answer to this question becomes more intriguing than its resolution. It's not merely about counting devices but rather understanding the intricate web of computing that surrounds us. As we navigate this complex landscape, we begin to appreciate the nuances and subtleties involved in defining what constitutes a computer.

This discussion highlights our tendency to oversimplify complex issues by focusing on concrete objects rather than abstract concepts. By exploring the boundaries and gray areas surrounding computing, we can gain a deeper understanding of its multifaceted nature. The "how many computers did you see today" question may seem trivial at first, but it serves as a poignant reminder of the intricate dance between technology, data, and our perceptions.

In an age where computing is ubiquitous and often invisible, it's essential to engage with these questions and explore the complexities that lie beneath the surface. By embracing the ambiguity and uncertainty surrounding this topic, we can foster a more nuanced understanding of computing as a force that shapes our world and influences our daily lives.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enwhen you're walking around the department and you talk to your colleagues about computers how are you differentiating between this all-encompassing almost everything's a computer and that thing sitting on your desk behind you with a keyboard on that so we hardly ever talk about computers right so because what we talk about is the things computers do and how computers would do them so so you know and we will often talk about computing not the means through which it's computed okay so for us we're a bit more abstract than that we actually think a bit more about information and data and how it's computed upon and how it's transformed how that's then realized and to particular systems devices becomes a second kind of discussion but surely when your son says to you uh dad can i have a computer for christmas you don't say oh well you've already got one in your library card yeah i wouldn't i wouldn't recommend that as a course of action for any parent we think of these as kind of invisible computers and and the computers that are invisible in our everyday actions obviously the everyday uses of computers people will pull out and show laptops they'll show maybe ipads they'll maybe show shows phones and and that everyday use of computers is is obviously one that most people think of when you refer to a computer i've heard you use this how many computers did you see today question before i know it's quite a favorite conversation starter of yours bearing that in mind i find it hard to believe you've never done the thought experiment or tried to or had have someone try to carry out some research into how many computers did you see today have you never done it i've never found to do i've asked of our students to actually try and calculate that and what's really interesting about this is is um you get results and you get results that vary from the hundreds to the thousands but what you end up with is actually a debate as to does that count and what counts as a computer so is passing a camera seeing a computer where is the computer in that is it in the camera or is it in the place where it's processed so you end up with very kind of detailed kind of categorization debates and these things and actually the point isn't the answer to the question it's how complex it is to get the answer to the questionwhen you're walking around the department and you talk to your colleagues about computers how are you differentiating between this all-encompassing almost everything's a computer and that thing sitting on your desk behind you with a keyboard on that so we hardly ever talk about computers right so because what we talk about is the things computers do and how computers would do them so so you know and we will often talk about computing not the means through which it's computed okay so for us we're a bit more abstract than that we actually think a bit more about information and data and how it's computed upon and how it's transformed how that's then realized and to particular systems devices becomes a second kind of discussion but surely when your son says to you uh dad can i have a computer for christmas you don't say oh well you've already got one in your library card yeah i wouldn't i wouldn't recommend that as a course of action for any parent we think of these as kind of invisible computers and and the computers that are invisible in our everyday actions obviously the everyday uses of computers people will pull out and show laptops they'll show maybe ipads they'll maybe show shows phones and and that everyday use of computers is is obviously one that most people think of when you refer to a computer i've heard you use this how many computers did you see today question before i know it's quite a favorite conversation starter of yours bearing that in mind i find it hard to believe you've never done the thought experiment or tried to or had have someone try to carry out some research into how many computers did you see today have you never done it i've never found to do i've asked of our students to actually try and calculate that and what's really interesting about this is is um you get results and you get results that vary from the hundreds to the thousands but what you end up with is actually a debate as to does that count and what counts as a computer so is passing a camera seeing a computer where is the computer in that is it in the camera or is it in the place where it's processed so you end up with very kind of detailed kind of categorization debates and these things and actually the point isn't the answer to the question it's how complex it is to get the answer to the question\n"