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The good news about computers is that they do what you tell them to do. The bad news is that they do what you tell them to do.
Ted Nelson
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Computers are reliable but also rigid, executing commands exactly as given without consideration for context or nuance.

This quote highlights the dual nature of computers: on one hand, they are dependable tools that follow our instructions precisely, providing efficiency and accuracy. On the other hand, this same quality can be a drawback, as computers lack the ability to interpret commands beyond their literal meaning, potentially leading to unintended outcomes if not managed carefully.

Themes

ComputersTechnologyInstructionsAutomationReliability

In practice

Example use cases

This quote is perfect for a presentation on computer programming ethics.

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Quote by Ted Nelson | QuoteProject