Computers as Tools

Knowledge and tools have transformed human life. In industrial societies a small percentage of people can produce enough food for everyone. Automobiles, railroads, airplanes and their associated infrastructure enable easy and quick transportation anywhere. Telephones and email enable easy communication with anyone. Television, radio and the World Wide Web provide quick access to information about important and trivial events everywhere. Household machines and the food distribution network have greatly reduced the amount of time devoted to cleaning and food preparation. Medicine has greatly reduced the risk from a wide variety of diseases, and increased the average human life span.