Close to the Machine: Technophilia and its Discontents by Ellen Ullman - Essay Example

In her book, Ellen Ullman has described, from her own experience as a computer programmer, how she perceives the impact of computers on society. Through the account of a software engineer, she states that our workplaces are getting computerized, with technology coming in the form of emails, cell phones, and internet communications, which has affected our face to face communications and actual connection with one another. Bill Joy, in his book, writes that technology has endangered human species through the introduction of robotics, genetic engineering, and nanotechnology.

This brings human beings at the mercy of machines. He admits that since machine-made decisions are and will continue to be better than human decisions, man will continue to rely on machines, which is fatal for man’s independence in the long run. So, we see that both Ullman and Joy have talked about repercussions of computers while admitting to their usefulness at the same time; but unlike Ullman, Joy has quoted works of famous people to support his argument, as he thinks that his argument relates to a minority of people.