[IP] Joseph Weizenbaum, computer pioneer and critic, dies in Berlin (fwd)

[David Farber <dave@farber.net>]

________________________________________
From: Seth Grimes [grimes@altaplana.com]
Sent: Saturday, March 08, 2008 2:01 PM
To: David Farber
Subject: Joseph Weizenbaum, computer pioneer and critic, dies in Berlin (fwd)

From the CPSR list, possibly for IP reposting?

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sat, 8 Mar 2008 10:57:01 -0800
From: Terry Winograd <winograd@cs.stanford.edu>

It is a loss to all of us. Joe pointed all of us in the direction that
CPSR has taken. I was reminded of awarding him the CPSR Wiener award 20
years ago.  What I said then still applies:
http://www.cpsr.org/prevsite/cpsr/weiz.html

To quote Joe:

"Perhaps the computer, as well as many other of our machines and
techniques, can yet be transformed, following our own authentically
revolutionary transformation, into instruments to enable us to live
harmoniously with nature and with one another. But one prerequisite will
first have to be met: there must be another transformation of man. And it
must be one that restores a balance between human knowledge, human
aspirations, and an appreciation of human dignity such that man may become
worthy of living in nature."
--t

On Sat, Mar 8, 2008 at 8:08 AM, Doug Schuler <douglas@scn.org> wrote:

> According to the EE Times
> (http://www.eetimes.com/news/latest/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=206902354)
> Joseph Weizenbaum died on March 5. He was a dedicated and compassionate
> defender of humanity. In terms of technocratic critique he provided
> important lessons for the generations that followed him.  I hope that
> his wisdom is not entirely lost as the human enterprise moves into the
> 21st century.
>
> -- Doug
>
> Also see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Weizenbaum
>
>
> EE Times: Latest News
> IT pioneer Joseph Weizenbaum dies
>
> Christoph Hammerschmidt
> EE Times Europe
> (03/07/2008 4:35 AM EST)
>
> MUNICH, Germany b Computer pioneer and philosopher Joseph Weizenbaum
> (85) has died in Berlin. The scientist and MIT professor emeritus was
> known for his critical position towards the impact of information
> technology to society.
>
> Born in Berlin to Jewish parents, Weizenbaum had emigrated in 1936 to
> the United States. After having contributed to the development of the
> first analog computers and participating in the design of the first
> digital computers for banking applications, Weizenbaum in 1963 took a
> position at the Massachussetts Institute of Technology (MIT); from 1970
> he was professor for computer science. Among his major achievements were
> studies over the SLIP programming language and research on basic
> software technologies which today are in widespread use such as garbage
> collection algorithms.
>
> One of his most influential works was the development of the natural
> language processor ELIZA which is said to be one of the early
> breakthroughs for Artificial Intelligence. In this context, he developed
> a program simulating a conversation between a physician and a patient.
>
> Shocked over the fact that many test series participants were unable to
> determine they in fact were communicating with a computer and openly
> divulged most intimate details of their life, Weizenbaum developed a
> more critical and reserved posture towards information technologies and
> turned into an inconvenient admonisher. He co-founded the Computer
> Professionals for Social Responsibility group. Until his death, he also
> was Chairman of the Scientific Institute of Electronic Business in
> Berlin.
>
> In 1996, Weizenbaum moved to Berlin. On March 5, he died in consequence
> of apoplexy.

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