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b_b  ·  4640 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: A 1956 enceclopedia's view on the computer
There are a couple really awesome excerpts here. First, the thing about evolution. The whole raging debate about whether its appropriate to teach evolution is pretty modern. Before there was a mass conservative media to gives these nuts a voice it was a more isolated problem.

Second, I love this:

    If the computer were to end up and remain in the hands of a small elite, e.g. of a dictator, [the computer's] power will make the common man powerless and utterly submissive. And this tyranny will be introduced under the guise of the advancement of human well-being.

Perhaps its not the dictator, but the US. Drones, anyone? What about secret tapping by the NSA? Both (and other examples) seem to fit this prediction.