alt Hacker NewsWhy I Am Not Going to Buy a Computer (1987) [pdf]
Comments
Great article, thanks for sharing. I enjoyed hearing the author's viewpoint, and his list of criteria for buying stuff can be useful with some minor adjustments. Also, the replies regarding his wife were hilarious, if a bit nosy and presumptuous (or maybe because of that).
Past discussions
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42636195 - 3 months ago, 10 comments
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=31808269 - 3 years ago, 169 comments
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2108463 - 14 years ago, 11 comments
It's neat how this magazine printed the essay along with the responses of people to it. Many of those response letters are quite biting (in a good way).
Sometimes I feel disheartedned when I see harsh internet comments in response to an essay. For example, sometimes Paul Graham posts essays and people on Hacker News post blistering biting responses. I guess we should remember the letters that people used to send to magazine essays like this and remember that sometimes these harsh responses are par for the course when writing essays...
"Finally, it seems to me that none of my correspondents recognizes the innovativeness of my essay. If the use of a computer is a new idea, then a newer idea is not to use one."
Hardly a new idea, I'm fairly certain that Berry had heard of the Luddites, maybe he didn't realise he was hewing as close a course as he was.
huh. I’m aware of this author for other reasons - he’s popular among some carbon-capture enthusiasts. This… colors my opinion.
The list of reasons for using new technology seems reasonable:
1. It should be cheaper than the one it replaces.
2. It should be at least as small in scale as the one it replaces.
3. It should do work that is clearly and demonstrably better than the one it replaces.
4. It should use less energy than the one it replaces.
5. If possible, it should use some form of solar energy, such as that of the body.
6. It should be repairable by a person of ordinary intelligence, provided that he or she has the necessary tools.
7. It should be purchasable and repairable as near to home as possible.
8. It should come from a small, privately owned shop or store that will take it back for maintenance and repair.
9. It should not replace or disrupt anything good that already exists, including family and community relationships.
> If possible, it should use some form of solar energy, such as that of the body.
Am I missing something here?
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An amusing anecdote: I was in grad school in 1987. The university had a campus computer store, which gave out a pamphlet: "Should I get a computer?" It listed many pro's and con's, nothing surprising for the era. I already had a computer. The thing that stuck with me, was the advice: "Don't expect a computer to organize you. If you have a messy desk, you will have a messy computer."
Sure as shootin', even to this day, I still have a messy computer.