2.9 Summary

In this section, I started by emphasising the fact that the computer, which has become more or less omnipresent in modern society, is a tool like any other.

I went on to look at the special nature of that tool, establishing that its function is to capture, store, present, exchange and manipulate interesting aspects of the world.

I then introduced the idea of two contrasting realms: the analogue world we inhabit and the digital interior world of the computer. When we capture features of the analogue world, we transport them across the boundary between these two worlds – the theme of this course.

Finally, I pointed out some of the dangers that can arise from the capture, storage and manipulation of digital information.