COMPUTERS IN THE SOCIAL SERVICES: PAPERS FROM A CONSULTATION

Abstract

Of all discoveries and inventions of the past fifty years, information technology is probably advancing more rapidly, and touching more aspects of society as a whole, than any other. Comparisons between the speed with which information technology has been developed and disseminated have been made by a number of observers. Perelman estimates that had the productivity of education increased during the last forty years as did the productivity of computers, a bachelors degree from Harvard could be attained in ten minutes at a cost of ten cents. Similarly, had the airplane advanced at the pace of the computer, the time from the Wright brothers to the Concorde would have been six months (Freedman). Finally, if automobiles had developed like computers you could buy a Rolls‐Royce for $2.75, get 3 million miles to the gallon, and have enough power to drive the Queen Elizabeth II across the Atlantic (Evans).

Citation

(1990), "COMPUTERS IN THE SOCIAL SERVICES: PAPERS FROM A CONSULTATION", International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol. 10 No. 4/5/6, pp. 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb013098