On Computational Thinking and How Prejudice is an Outdated Program
Updating our Mental OS: The Delicate Dance Between Heartstrings and Code Strings
I believe we are at a juncture akin to the Industrial Revolution, where there's a prevalent fear of losing jobs to "machines." This fear taps into an intense narrative — activating various psychological triggers — that machines, as rational and emotionless entities, will take over the world and eradicate humans. This narrative unfolds in various layers and perspectives, which you can easily find in bookstores or on streaming platforms. This topic intrigues me, particularly for the polarization and judgment it brings to different aspects of the same issue.
The Binary Worldview: Finding Harmony in Opposites
We exist in a dual, binary world, where everything is viewed in terms of opposites: Right / Left, Cold / Hot, Day / Night, 0 / 1. This binary system underpins our worldview. Yet, for centuries, we've overlooked that these opposites are parts of a whole, and that it's balanced synchronization leads to harmony, with imbalance leading to chaos.
Humanities studies, with their focus on the emotional, individual, and unique aspects of people and situations, typically shy away from overgeneralization. This contrasts sharply with the field of programming, which is rooted in computational thinking and rational logic. In programming, the need for pattern recognition and abstraction often requires a level of generalization. This contrast is intriguing as it highlights an important concept: the idea that polarities in thought and approach complement each other and strive for balance.
Consider the human brain as an operating system. Without rational logic, life would be chaotic. For instance, we'd spend hours contemplating a rock, deciphering its nature, purpose, and potential danger. We categorize and label to understand our world. The issue arises when we solely rely on these categorizations, letting our 'programs' become outdated.
The Cycle of Refinement: Overcoming Prejudice
Computational thinking is built on continuous processes of testing, analysis, and refinement — an endless cycle. The problem on personal, social, and educational levels is the reluctance to refine and update our mental programs.
This leads to prejudice, racism, xenophobia, and intolerance. We witnessed a frenzy during the Industrial Revolution, and we're experiencing another now — aren't we always amidst multiple frenzies? Conceptually, machines can never replace humans. However, we know that there is an entire area of this discussion that involves, for example, the economy and the educational system.
The Synergy of Heart and Machine
But the key point is this: if we balance rational and emotional thinking, we can achieve harmony. Imagine a world where machines handle routine tasks, giving humans the time and space to be creative. In such a world, "Modern Times" would be nothing more than a relic in a museum.
