Computers aren't as powerful as the people that use them.

     Computers have become the foundation of Western life. In fact, they're also acting as Westernizing agents as the "non-Western" parts of Asia, South America, and Africa all become more advanced, albeit at different rates. Computers are quickly becoming extensions of people's will. they can be used to communicate and create; they can be used to manipulate and kill. Is this truly unnatural? Are computers making us less human?

     Computers are simply acting as catalysts, allowing quicker and stronger actions to be taken by their users. For instance, wars are almost always won by the side with the most advanced equipment. The Europeans conquered America and Africa with guns against the native's arrows. Today, America is fighting its wars with Predator and Reaper drones against Al Qaeda's supply of Cold War era Soviet weapons. Computers only make it easier to learn, speak, and kill; they haven't given us these skills. 

     People are afraid of computers bringing about a polarized society, but this is natural progression. Apparently, people worry about a two class system emerging with the growing prevalence of computers: a system divided by whether or not one owns a computer. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your position), this is bound to happen. Not because of the nature of the computer, but because of the nature of capitalism. Once again, computers are just going to accelerate a natural phenomenon, in this case the division of socioeconomic classes.

     In short, computers are part a serious cultural shift in the Western world, but they are not the cause. The cause, instead, is basic human nature as we try to solve our own problems as easily and efficiently as possible.  Thus, though it pains me to say it, it is unlikely we will be able to solve the "problems" that coincide with the use of computers.

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