Wed. February 20, 2008: Bob Frankston on Seeing the Light: The Simplest Problems are the Hardest
The Center for Research on Computation and Society continues its weekly lunch seminar:
CRCS Privacy and Security Lunch Seminar
Date: Wednesday, 20 February 2008
Time: 12:00pm-1:30pm
Place: Maxwell Dworkin 319
Topic: Seeing the Light: The Simplest Problems are the Hardest
or: Shining Light on the Federal Speech Commission and the Opportunity Dynamic
Speaker: Bob Frankston
Abstract:
A light switch seems very simple — you just turn it on and the bulb
lights. What happens when that relationship is no longer implicit and
we can rethink even the simplest assumptions? Seemingly simple
problems force us to confront our understanding. If we can’t
understand the relationship between a light switch and whatever it is
supposed to do how can we begin to understand the Internet which is
about relationships and not about telecommunications?
When we can decouple systems we have an opportunity to discover new
possibilities yet we can pretend that nothing has changed. We find
ourselves talking past each other. We can’t begin to communicate until
we recognize that we aren’t communicating. Computing and understanding
information should be part of our basic literacy and not just
something done by skilled professionals. How else can we describe and
understand our dynamic and evolving world?
Normally we resolve such conflicts by waiting for a generation to
select for those who understand the new possibilities. Can we do
better?
Bio:
Bob Frankston has been working with computers since 1963. His academic
work involved Multics and the predecessor to the internet. In the
business world, Bob and Dan Bricklin created the VisiCalc spreadsheet
program, known as the first “killer app.” Other adventures in the
software industry include creating Lotus Express, working on early
pen-based mobile computing and playing a central role in making home
networking happen while at Microsoft. He has applied his experience to
understanding the Internet and related policy issues.