This is a website that traces the birth of the computer. The event that really propelled computer technology forward, interestingly enough, was the cracking of Enigma (a German device that predicted where the Nazis were headed) by the Bletchley Team in Britain. Because of this event, as well as the work done prior to this event, the computer as we know it (as well as the Internet) was born. "Cracking the Code" ultimately gave the UK & America the tools needed to progress their technology ten-fold, and that is because they had to in the midst of the war. If they didn't, the Nazis would have killed many more people than what is currently recorded, and could have possibly won the war.
So...here's the question: without the race science adopted by Hitler, and the very highly demanded work of the Bletchley team, do you think we would have computers like ours today? If so, would they be as advanced as they are? Was this war worth the technology it bore? Why or why not?
-Julie
Really tough thought provoking question Jules!
ReplyDeleteI think, unfortunately, tragedies serve as a push for greater technology. After the 9/11 terrorist attacks - we enhanced our airport security technology and took other means to ensure the safety of mankind. While, I wish we could enhance technology without such events - advancements such as the ones that came from Hitler's regime, only come as a demand. And in the case of tragedy - we demand protection and security.
These are very good questions Julie and I do believe that technology would have progressed overall in due time; however, it would seem that the extent to which it has comes directly as a result from warfare. Since the atomic bomb and the Cold War that immediately followed after WWII, nations around the world have progressed so rapidly to protect themselves that now have the power to launch a bomb far more destructive than the atomic bomb dropped in Japan. And while I do understand that no nation would want to endure the tragic events that happened in Japan during WWII. The unrelenting need for every nation to arm themselves remains, but at what cost? Advancements in technology has influenced our thoughts that has removed our humanity. Weapons that have developed due to advancements in technology serve no other purpose than the destruction of others and ourselves. In that sense, I do not feel that war is worth the technological advancements that it came from. If we acknowledge that technology has impacted our lives to the extent that we are now numb and are no longer capable of being empathetic to other people, then has technological advancements really worth all the modern conveniences we have today? And does that justify the many lives lost during wars? If we were not as advanced as a nation because of technology; we would probably be less distracted and more focused on how to preserve our environment, engaged more with our neighbors, and eat healthier foods(preservative-free & pesticide-free). The question for me is "Would life be so tragic if technology were not as advanced because of warfare?" and my answer would be, absolutely not.
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