Question

Why was the invention of programming more important than the development of hardware for the evolution of computers?
Why do you think that Xerox failed to exploit the graphical user interface and instead let Steve Jobs and Apple use it to capture the personal computer market?
Like other inventions, how was the personal computer shaped by the time and place it was first developed?Did social media, such as Twitter and Facebook, “cause” the Arab Spring uprisings? Why or why not?
The Chinese government is determined to control social media in the country; do you think that they will succeed, or are modern communications technologies inherently democratic?

Answer 1

The reason behind programming being more important than hardware development is the enhancement programming brings into the hardware as well. Programming has the power to increase computing power of not only computers but also the internet. It has helped in speeding up the processes related to input/output of a machine. Things like automation, management of processes, collection of data, calculations, computations, data analysis, etc. are all dependent on programming.

=========================================

One of the reasons behind that is that Xerox focused more on star workstations. However, it was expensive and the file system of Xerox faced many issues. It was used by office workers only. Engineers hardly got to use it. At that time, it was hard to educate the market to adapt to an interface, a subject so different for the generation.

=========================================

Personal computers have advanced and evolved tremendously over the time. The first computer produced heat in huge amounts and there was a need for big cooling units. The size of the screen was also very large. The inner workings were complex and memory was used in the form of magnetic drums. Over the years, the size of computers reduced and memory was used as one circuit chip with many transistors on it. These computers could also create networks that lead to the evolution of the internet.

Social media has played an important role when it comes to Arab spring. In countries like Syria, it is dangerous for journalists because of the controlling media. It is hard to monitor internet activities and social media posts. But social media did help in the uprising of it. It posed danger to autocratic parties.

==========================================

Social media is a good way to promote democracy. Many social media sites are banned in China. There are several domestic and political reasons behind that. Social media is related to democracy. But the bond is strong in countries with low income. Social media impacts democracy in a positive and negative way. There are also sides of polarisation. Users are often kept in an information cocoon and sometimes it is hard to believe what is true and what is not. Social media can be seen as work in progress. If the fragmentation and extremism is taken away, it can help promote democracy.