Our class discussion this week, like many of our past discussions, seemed like a tailored argument for a liberal arts education. Our discussion focused on operating systems, which, on its face, is a straightforward computer science concept to be understood and then applied. However, even a concept as technical and practical as the development of operating systems is a product of social circumstances and even an opportunity for applied theory. What struck me most about the article I read, a fairly dry explanation of the evolution of operating systems, was the economic forces that shaped the trajectory of software development. Apple competing with Microsoft, motivated by the tastes of the consumers. Without a doubt, there are countless economic forces at play.
More directly, one article applied Marxism to software, crafting arguments about human species being, the impacts of labor, and humans as inputs rather than individuals. Maybe considering operating systems, with their full context and implications, is not as straightforward as a series os inputs and outputs. In fact, in considering this computing principle, the interdisciplinarity is overwhelming
I also found that our discussion Monday, as with most of our discussions, was tailor made for a liberal arts education. It has been fascinating to consider social implications of technology and the way credit is assigned within the digital era. I was also fascinated by the economic forces at play, especially because it wasn’t readily apparent to me my first read for Monday. Much credit is given to what is financially successful. In the case of the O’Reagan reading, it really felt as though he passed over some of the accomplishments of Apple to highlight Microsoft and the fact that Windows was more commercially viable, or at least permeates the market more. This is all to say that it would seem profitability is valued more than actual technological development. Something could be more groundbreaking, but too confusing for the masses to understand and suffer because of it. Basically, some developments don’t matter as much if there isn’t money to be made.