This book is a captivating review of important computing developments. Many things talked about as new today have been around for a long time. Much can be learned from the past. The book also teaches a careful and consistent method that enables the reader to do this kind of work as the need arises. The book suggests the need will arise.
— John Leslie King, Emeritus Professor, University of Michigan
Are you feeling happy about the role of information technology in the world today? You should read this book for a dose of reality. Are you in despair about it? This book is the prescription for that condition, too! Nobody else could cover the landscape as Ron Baecker does.
— Clayton Lewis, Emeritus Professor, University of Colorado Boulder
A remarkable review of how well-intentioned technology dreams can become digital nightmares. Ron Baecker fluently covers contemporary issues like e-commerce, online community, self-driving cars, disinformation, and unemployment, reporting on the history and key personalities, while giving a balanced view so readers can form their own opinions. Then he makes bold recommended actions for readers to help make a better world.
— Ben Shneiderman, University of Maryland
Digital Dreams Have Become Nightmares: What We Must Do works on many levels. First, it provides a fascinating and thorough history of digital technology. Second, it explores the many ways technological advancements have turned against us. Third, and most importantly for me, it provides plenty of proverbial food for thought and ideas. If I was looking for the next “big idea” in digital technology, or to develop an app that helps rather than hinders, this book is a must-read.
— Dwight Wainman, Co-founder and long-time CEO, Caseware International
A thoughtful reflection on what digital technologies have done and might do to society from someone who has been part of the revolution that has taken place over the last half century.
— Joshua Gans, Professor of Strategic Management
and holder of the Jeffrey S. Skoll Chair of Technical Innovation and Entrepreneurship
at the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto
In documenting his personal journey from dreams and exuberant optimism about computer technology to pessimism, nightmares, and fear caused by the growing reality of negative consequences of the invasion of computer technology in all aspects of modern lifer over the past 75 years. Ron Baecker has provided a comprehensive historical sweep of the computer revolution. In Part I he chronicles the high hopes of early developers to create technological solutions to disparities in healthcare and education, to increase creativity, collaboration, and community, and to provide greater power and convenience to all. Part II of the book examines the resulting nightmares of algorithmic injustices, greater inequities, disinformation, loss of privacy, unemployment, increase of monopolistic power, individual psychological damage and the growing threat posed by premature adoption of AI technologies.
Full of engaging case studies and stories of computer pioneers, the most unique aspect of the book is Section III where Baecker lays out a set of concrete actions in work and civic life that can be taken by individuals to protect themselves and society from the negative consequences of unchecked technology.
— C. Dianne Martin, George Washington University and the University of North Carolina
Ron Baecker’s book explains both good and bad attributes of new technology, citing causes and effects, anecdotes, history, and many facts, together with charming illustrations. It stresses making computer science ethical; this foundation for teaching the discipline is usually missing. The book is a significant contribution to the ongoing discussion of practical, useful techniques, as well a cogent analysis of how we got here, where we are, and where we are going.
— Aaron Marcus, user-experience design pioneer, author, and teacher
I have had the pleasure of reading a pre-publication version of Dr. Baecker’s book, Digital Nightmares Have Become Nightmares: What We Must Do, is a significant contribution to the ongoing discussion of practical, useful techniques, as well a cogent analysis of how we got here, where we are, and where we are going. This book can help guide our way through the technological nightmares we experience daily.. In it he lays out a well thought out summary of the great gifts digital technology has brought to society, but then describes the many ways these same gifts have turned malignant.
I paid particular attention to the section on health and medicine. This is because I have found the use of computers indispensable for my own specialty of clinical genetics. Inexpensive DNA analysis depends on computers and is necessary for diagnosing many otherwise confounding cases. Moreover, without computers, extensive searchable genetic disease databases, such as Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man, could not exist. Computers also make possible PubMed and related databases that include virtually all articles published in medical journals which are then searchable by key word.
The internet is also increasingly useful for medical care. Especially during the pandemic, it greatly expanded the reach of tele-medicine. The internet can also unite families who are dealing with similar problems to allow them to share information, solutions, referrals or, importantly, moral support. This is especially needed for families struggling with rare genetic diseases. Computers are also necessary in the technology for genetic engineering — which hold both enormous promise but also engenders complex and daunting ethical dilemmas.
Artificial intelligence, particularly machine learning of pattern recognition, can assist in diagnosis. Already computers are more accurate than lab technicians in diagnosing cancer via Pap smears and more accurate than radiologists in reading certain x-rays. As AI advances, will physicians and patients be prepared to let digital technology take over more and more aspects of medical care?
But there are downsides to the use of computers in medicine. Hospitals and clinics are so reliant on computers that they can be easily victimized by ransomware. Sensitive patient information can be hacked and can be used in a variety of nefarious ways. Fake and misleading medical information abounds on the internet.
These problems do not admit of easy solutions. Some may have technical fixes, but many are inherent in never ending battle between the locksmiths and the thieves. And some, like fake medical information are as much a social problem as a technical one.
Dr. Baecker does offer some possible solutions including future legislation. But in the end, many of his answers come down to an appeal to best practices.
What We Must Do is a useful, very broad and well documented survey of the field. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in learning about the good, the bad and ugly of our increasing reliance on computers and the internet.
— Dr. Gary Feldman, Public Health Officer of Ventura and Riverside Counties in California for over 14 years
Ron Baecker 