...computer technology functions more as a new mode of transportation than as a new means of substantive communication. It moves information-lots of it, fast, and mostly in a calculating mode. The computer, in fact, makes possible the fulfillment of Descartes' dream of the mathematization of the world. Computers make it easy to convert facts into statistics and to translate problems into equations. And whereas this can be useful {as when the process reveals a pattern that would otherwise go unnoticed}, it is diversionary and dangerous when applied indiscriminately to human affairs.
According to Neil Postman in his book "Technopoly: The Surrender of Culture to Technology," computer technology primarily serves as a fast method for transporting large amounts of information rather than fostering genuine communication. This technology aligns with Descartes' vision of a mathematically structured world, enabling the transformation of data into statistics and problems into equations with ease. While this capability can uncover hidden patterns, it often detracts from deeper human understanding.
Postman expresses concern that the indiscriminate application of such computational methods to human issues can lead to significant oversights or misunderstandings. As reliance on this quantitative approach grows, it risks oversimplifying complex social matters and diverting attention from critical qualitative aspects of communication, ultimately threatening the depth of cultural discourse.
