Running head: THE IMPACT OF COMPUTERS ON SOCIETY 1

Makhanu Gellus

Information Technology

24th May, 2018

THE IMPACT OF COMPUTERS ON SOCIETY 2

The Impact of Computers on Society

There is no doubt that computer invention was one of the most significant milestones the

world has ever made. Today the world is living in the computer age. It is important to note that

the life of each individual in the world is affected on a daily basis by the use of computers. Even

for those living in the most remote areas of the world, they cannot deny that computers have had

a significant impact on their lives at some point in life. Most of the current developments around

the globe have been made possible through the use of computers. From education to health, to

banking, to world trade, to communication and many other fields, it is true that computers have

changed the entire face of the world in the last few decades and the world can now be referred to

as a global village just because of this great invention. Every field is now using computers for

various functions. This paper examines the invention of computers and research that led to

commercial production of these devices. It further explores how computers work and the

numerous impacts it has had on different fields of the society.

History of the development of computers

It is difficult to tell the exact time for the invention of the computer because the machine

developed over the years to be what the world sees today. It is, however, worth noting that the

very first forms of computers developed out of necessity with the purpose of solving some of the

most challenging issues that faced the world during the times. For instance, in the 1880s, the

population of the United States had grown so large that it could take over seven years to tabulate

census results. There was, therefore, a gap that the government wanted to fill by searching for

better ways of doing such jobs faster than the manual method. It led to the development of punch

card based computers. They were, however, huge and would take up all the space in the office

rooms. It is where the whole idea of computers started from (History.com, 1951). It is therefore
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vital to have an overview of the entire evolution process. However, the first commercial

computer was developed in 1951 by the Universal Automatic Computer (UNIVAC). It marked a

significant step in the history of the evolution of computers. It marked the beginning of

commercial production of computers. It started with a contract between UNIVAC and the Census

Bureau of the United States. According to the New York Times, the machine was a mathematical

genius standing eight feet tall with the ability to classify average citizens according to their sex,

marital status, age group, residence, employment, education and many other classifications. The

development of this machine started during the Second World War that saw numerous

advancements in the field of technology. It made higher speeds of processing possible during the

war that resulted in the Bureau of Census developing interest in the machines.

The chief designers of UNIVAC were John W. Mauchly and J. Presper. They had during

the war developed ENIAC that was a general purpose computer used on a large scale at the

University of Pennsylvania. They however left in 1946 to venture into the manufacture of

commercial computers. It is after doing developments on the computers that they landed a

contract with the Census Bureau of the United States. After undergoing tests, the machines

proved their reliability especially with the ability to convert data to magnetic tapes from punch

cards. They could also handle large amounts of commands at the same time and were efficient in

printing massive amounts of information with no errors during the 1950 census and the 1954

economic census.

How computers work

One cannot see the working of the computer from the outside. It basically converts data

input into data output through its central center known as the central processing unit (CPU). This

area is highly complex with extensive sets of electronic circuits that execute stored instructions
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of programs. It is like the heart of computers, and all computers must have this unit, and it is

made of two parts that are, the arithmetic or logic unit and the control unit. The control unit uses

signals in directing the whole of the computer system in carrying out or executing stored

instructions of programs. It, however, doesn’t take part in the execution of program instructions

but instead directs other system parts to implement these instructions. The Arithmetic Logic Unit

(ALU) on the other hand performs logical and arithmetic functions through its electronic

circuitry. The unit performs all the four arithmetic calculations namely subtraction, addition,

multiplication, and division. Arithmetic unit also compares letters, numbers and other special

characters. It tests for three significant conditions namely equal to, less than or greater than a

condition. It is, however, important to note that computers have both primary and secondary

storage.

The CPU has a very close connection both with primary and secondary storage. It

interacts with the main memory which is primary storage to refer to instructions and data. Even

though memory is not part of the CPU, memory of the computer is discussed in the context of

the central processing unit. During execution of a program, the control unit temporarily holds

data. The secondary memory, on the other hand, holds data either permanently or semi-

permanently on optical or external magnetic medium. All these parts work together to compound

the four primary functions of computers that are input, output, processing and storage of

information. Input involves the transfer of data into the computer system. It may include input

devices such as the mouse, keyboard, and scanner or through loaded programs like a compact

disc. Output is the information a computer displays for the user from its system. It can be

through the monitor or even through other graphic displays for instance speakers or printers.

Processing involves manipulating or controlling what the computer does to the information and
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the whole system. Finally is the storage function, whereby the computer either stores information

permanently or temporarily. Storage takes place in the hard disks installed in the computer or on

other external devices.

The impacts of computers on society

Computers have had profound impacts on the society. These include both the negative

and positive effects. However, the positive effects outdo the negative ones considering the

improvements and developments the world has experienced over the years since the invention of

computers. First, computers have transformed the science field. Scientists have for decades used

computers in development of theories while at the same time collecting, analyzing, testing and

exchanging information through electronic means with their colleagues around the world. The

use of powerful computers in the generation of detailed studies on calamities such as earthquakes

and how to mitigate their effects could not be possible without the use of computers. They are

also useful in the investigation of medical conditions while at the same time developing

medicines and procedures to handle these conditions. The use of computers in the medical field

has transformed the medical area as the manner in which practices operate these days has

improved medical care (Granot, 2013). Computers have made the patient-health practitioner

interaction simpler, improved keeping of medical records and finally improved the treatment and

diagnostic technologies. They have also improved administrative functions in the medical field.

For instance, the payment process is also easily done electronically.

Education is another area that has substantially been impacted by computers. Today

students use the internet that is useful in providing the required information in their schoolwork

while teachers utilize computers to enhance lessons. One of the greatest impacts on education is

the globalization of education. Computers have made it possible for students and instructors
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around the world to interact through technologies such as video conferencing. These

technologies can even pair students and teachers both from different countries. Distance

education is now possible and students can take their classes over the internet without having to

travel to attend lessons in far places or during bad weather (Krendl & Clark, 1994). It has

improved the education field with students and teachers conducting better research on areas that

were impossible in the, for instance, they can easily talk to people in space.

Finally, computers have contributed to globalization making the world more of a global

village. The world has now interconnected culturally making a homogeneous community. Every

part of the world has access to information. It is now easier and possible to know what is

happening in other parts of the world like other continents far away from the United States. With

the power of the internet, it is easier to discuss the same matters with people from other places of

the world. The availability of this information with easy accessibility has encouraged cultural

integration and homogenization thereby increasing communications and interconnectedness.

Globalization has also encouraged competition in the business world. Online markets promote

competition of goods around the world more fairly. Companies now can connect with their

customers directly, therefore, eliminating the cost associated with keeping of salespeople and

other middlemen in business. It has the effect of increasing the availability of products and

services in the market and at a more affordable price. Computers have increased the availability

of labor in the world. For instance, in the banking world, all the data entries can be done at a

fraction the cost of workers (Levy & Murnane, 2005). However, this is one of the flaws of

computerization since it has played a considerable role in the increasing unemployment cases in

different countries.
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On the negative, computers have contributed to some of the cultural challenges around

the world. Such issues include racism, hate groups, and terrorist activities. Through the internet,

people can spread racist messages around the world and hate messages against specific groups

and cultures. Cyber terrorism is another huge problem the world is currently struggling to deal

with (Brickey, 2012). It involves the use of the internet in conducting violence that in some cases

threatens lives, leads to physical harm and at times lead to loss of life. These terrorist activities

are likely to lead to massive loss of life, worldwide chaos and even result in damage when they

hack into highly critical infrastructures.

In summary, efforts to invent the computer started in the 1880s with the United States

trying to find solutions to challenges like conducting census. However, the first commercial

computer appeared in 1951 when the Census Bureau of the United States made a deal with

UNIVAC. It meant a significant step in the evolution of the computer and the later versions

developed to be what the world enjoys today. Working of computers starts with the central

processing unit which processes data through its two, main parts that are the control and

arithmetic unit. The primary functions of computers are input, processing, output and storage of

information. The mostly impacted areas by computers are education, the health sector, and trade.

Computers have also made globalization possible integrating the world into a single small

village. On the negative, computers have promoted terrorism, increased unemployment, racism,

and hate between groups. Despite the few flaws of computerization, the developments it has

brought to the world have in many ways made life better than in the past.
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References

Brickey, J. (2012). Defining Cyberterrorism: Capturing a Broad Range of Activities in

Cyberspace. Retrieved from https://ctc.usma.edu/defining-cyberterrorism-capturing-a-

broad-range-of-activities-in-cyberspace/

Granot, R. (2013). Computer Technology in Medical Practice and Its Impact on the Delivery of

Health Care. Legal and Forensic Medicine, 1783-1804. doi:10.1007/978-3-642-32338-

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Krendl, K. A., & Clark, G. (1994). The impact of computers on learning: Research on in-school

and out-of-school settings. Journal of Computing in Higher Education, 5(2), 85-112.

doi:10.1007/bf02948572

Levy, F., & Murnane, R. J. (2005). How Computerized Work and Globalization Shape Human

Skill Demands. ResearchGate. Retrieved from DOI:

10.1525/california/9780520254343.003.0008

UNIVAC computer dedicated - Jun 14, 1951 - HISTORY.com. (14). Retrieved from

https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/univac-computer-dedicated