The computer industry began with home-brew boxes that everyone had to program for themselves, but that was a huge hassle. The computer revolution didn't explode until the first Macintosh arrived, with its point-and-click simplicity. Clive Thompson More Quotes by Clive Thompson More Quotes From Clive Thompson The things kids can do on screens can be really delightful - if they are age appropriate. But no, they shouldn't spend all their time on a screen; they should split up their time doing multiple, different things. Clive Thompson doing things age time Tip-of-the-tongue syndrome is when people almost remember something but need a computer, or someone else, to help them find it. The problem is, our brains have always been terrible at remembering details. They were like that way before the Internet came along. Clive Thompson internet remember people way There's nothing wrong with talking out loud in public, but there is something wrong with the government sucking up all those utter instances in a database just in case they maybe want to bust you in five years. Clive Thompson nothing you government talking When you're an expert in a subject, you can retain new factoids on your favorite topic easily. This only works for the subjects you're truly passionate about, though. Baseball fans can reel off stats for their favorite players, then space out on their own birthday. Clive Thompson new you space birthday Novelists in particular love to rhapsodize about the glory of the solitary mind; this is natural, because their job requires them to sit in a room by themselves for years on end. But for most of the rest of us, we think and remember socially. Clive Thompson rest job mind love Transactive memory works best when you have a sense of how your partners' minds work - where they're strong, where they're weak, where their biases lie. I can judge that for people close to me. But it's harder with digital tools, particularly search engines. Clive Thompson best me you work Railing at scientists for massaging tree-ring statistics won't stop the globe from warming if the globe is actually, you know, warming. Clive Thompson stop know you statistics Politicians or pundits can distort or cherry-pick climate science any way they want to try and gain temporary influence with the public. But any serious industrialist who's facing 'climate exposure' - as it's now called by money managers - cannot afford to engage in that sort of self-delusion. Clive Thompson money serious science way Insurance firms have always carefully studied real-world data to figure out what, precisely, constitutes a risky activity. Clive Thompson insurance always activity data Why are online games so addictive? It's mostly the narcotic appeal of 'leveling.' Clive Thompson appeal why online games The genius idea of industrialism was the concept of the Model T: In exchange for something cheap and well-made, we'd forgo unique, lovely design. Clive Thompson lovely design genius unique America has always had tinkerers, including just about any teenager who ever hot-rodded a Camaro. Clive Thompson just who always america
