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1989-04-05
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************************
* *
* NEW AGE COMPUTING? *
* ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ *
* HARRY WARREN *
* ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ *
************************
How do you describe the New Age phenomena? It ranges from Alternative
medicine and psychology to every fringe occult belief including one heck
of a lot of pseudo science.
Generally New Agers distrust technology unless it helps them in the
justification of their own beliefs. In computing we have a lot of
philosophic drivel been spoken about Virtual Reality systems and their
potential in consciousness expanding activities. Most of it comes from a
sub set of the 1960's Acid head culture who got into computing and speak
in terms not far from Timothy Learys " Turn on tune in..drop out" way of
avoiding normal reality with all its problems and hassles. Undoubtably
the movie "THE LAWNMOWER MAN" will cause a lot of people developing a new
techno fear of computers.
Remember the tabloid stories back in the early Eighties about how
addictive Space Invader machines were? complete with comments from pop
psychologists about how they damaged school kids minds and made them
arcade junkies! I expect we will see a lot more rubbish been published in
a similar manner about Virtual Realty when it becomes more available. So
how can the New Age relate to the ST? just think of all the computer
prediction programs for sale. Pop into your local W.H.Smith and eyeball
the small ads pages of the popular Astrology mags. and you will find ads
for computer predictions of your future and even personality asessments
using computer based Graphology programs.
Having recently attended an Alternative health exhibition in Dublin I was
surprised at the number of computers in use. A lot of folk who would
refrain from the use of regular medical practice and would run from the
sight of an aspirin seemed quite happy to have computers used for
diagnosing their health problems. In this instance the computer bolstered
the image of some of the practioners who were otherwise sadly lacking in
any bonafide medical qualifications.
First and foremost I have seen enough odd ball phenomena to know that
science has'nt got a handle on everything but at least as the current
paradigm it explains reality in most instances. When it comes to health
serious problems can be misdiagnosed by unqualified people with fatal
results. A lot of the Therapies on display could at least have a placebo
effect which would have positive results at least with psychosomatic
illnesses.
The only time I ever felt like kicking the ST into touch was when I seen
two been used in the following instances.
The ST featured in some pretty dodgy diagnostics. On one stand. I asked
the practicioner how his machine worked. He was a delightful Californian
propellerhead with glasses perched on the end of his nose who could manage
to clack his open toed sandles to beat of the background muzak ,New Age of
course!. He claimed his gizmo would give a complete body check and
printout my personal vitamin and enzyme requirements. After attempting to
blind me with pseudo-science and convince me of a quantom physical
relationship with his software and equipment he attached electrodes to my
fingers and to my head.
The software had a graphical display of the body which with some tuning of
an interface device changed colour and highlighted sections to suggest
various ailments.
According to my friend I was suffering from early onset arthritis in my
back for which of course he was selling a cure, for only £40 worth of
pills and potions. Either the guys head was wired to the moon or he was
out to make a quick buck. I declined the offer.
A year ago I had life saving surgery which involved removing various
internal chunks and touch wood,metal,glass you name it I hav'nt looked
back. Not a hint of this from the ST though and pretending to be clueless
about electronics I was given a rap about how the interface gizmo was
developed during the American space program for diagnosing astronauts in
orbit out of reach of medical practioners.
He kindly allowed me to examine his break through device I discovered it
to be a simple galvanometer and temperature sensor. How you could deduce
anything in relation to health with his set up is beyond me in fact I
think the software was not even been driven by the interface! Still it was
interesting to see the ST being used in a novel manner. The amount of
gullible people in evidence who were only too willing to part with their
money was amazing. I asked one lady why she had faith in the diagnosis and
she said " But it's a computer you see! a mere doctor can have an off day
but computers are so intelligent!!" After picking my jaw up off the floor
I once again marvelled at female logic and exited stage left over to an
astrology stand.
A Star 24 pin printer chattered away while a STE ran some astrology
program giving newspaper style forecasts with a health angle for a quid a
go. As a sideline you could have your personal "Biorhythm Profile" on a
monthly basis for a monthly fee. Biorhythms is a concept that was invented
late in the 19th century. The idea being that our body goes through three
precise cycles regardless of our age and sex ,physical at 23 days,
emotional at 28 days and a intellectual cycle every 33 days. A little work
with your desk accessory calculator will show at the age of 58 years and
67 days you will have the best day of your life!
I recognised the Biorhythm software as being a piece of P.D.! The
astrology program was probaly P.D. as well. Nice work if you can get it!
The exhibition was an interesting diversion on a Sunday afternoon with the
added bonus of finding the ST's been put to totally useless good use.
*********THE END*********