Computers, Espionage and Sabotage

Chapter 7 of Giles Slade's book Made to Break, was a condensed version of Computers by Eric Swedin and David Ferro. It presented the development of newer technological advancements that replaced older ones. The general theme of copying inventions and competing between innovators was discussed by Slade. The ongoing theme of obsolescense, of course, carries through the chapter as tangible learning toys and pinball machines become obsolete and replaced by computer games and programs. The virtual reality that Nolan Bushnell mentions in the end of the chapter is thought of brightly by the progressive thinking of Eric Swedin and David Ferro who would also agree that  "We are going to have to live and be comfortable and maneuver in a computer environment" (pg 224).

The waste that accumulates through the repetitive introduction and obsolescence of computer devices, essentially named e-waste, is discussed in chapter 9. The poisoning of groundwater through PBT'sand disposal of hazardous wastes prove to be a more dangerous than the wastage of time and energy. "EPA tracked hazardous waste from electronic products... to have a substantial increase over the 1.8 million tons of e-waste produced in 1999."(pg 262). The contributing factors of this increasing amount of e-waste is the previously mentioned cycle of conspicuous consumption and planed obsolescence (pg 254).Slade believes that the dangers of toxic waste will eventually result in the adoption of "design strategies that include not just planned obsolescence but planned disassembly and reuse as part of the product life cycle" (pg 281). In this way, the idea of technophiles as mentioned by Niel Postman in Technopoly is supported by Slade because he is ultimately saying that Americans will never end the obsolescence of electronic devices because, as Postman says, Americans are"lost by our immersion in a computer culture"(Postman 122).

The "Weaponizing Planned Obsolescence" towards the USSR was an interesting part of the end of this book. Espionage in general is an exciting topic and the fact that the USSR moles were sent to the US is a testament to the quality of advancements made by the US. Obsolescence of older computer technology in this case is not a negative thing when taking into consideration that it is being replaced by a more advanced technology. Gus Weiss's idea expressed by his quote:"We could take it a step further. We could shake their morale completely by making some of the stolen items malfunction in spectacular ways."( pg 254) was ingenious and effective.  With so much copying and competing going on within the borders of the US, it is no surprise that foreign countries like USSR tried to do the same.

And so, the reading of Made to Break by Giles Slade is finished and I am more aware of obsolescence in America. Like the way Neil Postman explains what we must do about the awareness of technopoly in America, I will acknowledge Obsoescence in America and not deny but consume in moderation and recycle when I can.