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Computers for Cynics 0 - The Myth of Technology

TheTedNelson · commentary · Watch on YouTube

History of computingTech pioneers & interviewsGUI, HCI & interface history

What it is

The opening episode of Ted Nelson's Computers for Cynics series, in which he casts doubt on conventional accounts of computer basics. He argues that conventions and packaging are mistaken for technology.

Why Hacker News recommends it

HN likes it for Nelson's habit of reframing computing history so that past decisions look arbitrary.

  • 3 people recommended it
  • 3 different months
  • 0 strong recommendations
  • first 2013, last 2024

What HN commenters said

  1. “I love the Ted Nelson”

    Ted Nelson's cynical series on computing.

    sideb0ard, 2016-10 · Recommendation · in “Ask HN: What's your favorite tech talk?”

  2. “Ted has a knack for reframing things in ways that make the arbitrariness of certain historical decisions clear”

    Ted Nelson reframes technology history, showing how arbitrary past decisions were

    enkiv2, 2018-04 · Recommendation · in “Ask HN: What is your favourite tech talk?”

  3. “a wonderful Ted Nelson series on YouTube that explores that kind of thing in more depth”

    Ted Nelson series exploring interface ideas in depth

    drewcoo, 2024-05 · Recommendation · in “The accidental tyranny of user interfaces”

Excerpts from Hacker News comments, linked to the originals. Summaries and labels were written by a language model from those comments.

Topics: ted nelson, history of computing, user interfaces, hypertext, critique of technology

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