What hath the Computer given Us?

There are two ways of looking at this question - from inside the Computer (the hard way) and from outside it (the easy way).

The easy way is given by The Rise and Fall of American Growth, one of the books I am reading. It notes that the discovery of the computer, has not contributed to the rapid growth that happened from 1870-1970, where everyone benefited from the many innovations happening during that time. No one can argue with this conclusion.

The hard way is getting inside the Computer, and figuring out just what makes it so successful for - Apple, Amazon, Google and Microsoft. And for people like me, who have joined the Computer Revolution. We have a different view of things - and can feel the excitement of creating a new world, for ourselves. It may also be profitable, but that is a side-effect.

It is easy to divide the Computer Ecosystem into two groups  - the money-oriented and the technology-oriented. The two coexist, but uncomfortably.

This can be seen clearly, by looking at Facebook - a very popular, and profitable company, that forms a big part of many people's lives. With a multitude of problems, many of which cannot be solved. Because it tries to keep its feet in both camps - the money-oriented, and the people-oriented. The two do not mix very well.

The Computer has brought out, in bold relief - a very old problem, between getting rich, and being good. God and Mammon. Basically, a religious problem.

With a new wrinkle - People have realized the advantages of not being, and they have switched to this modality, with a passion. As far as I know, there is no solution to this, because it is not recognized as a problem.