12. Intimate Relationships of the Computational Kind

In Computer Addiction? (Taylor & Francis: London, 1989), the book based on her PhD research, Magaret Shotton presents a wealth of empirical data to support the idea that the apparent sex difference is quite real, although perhaps not a simple fact (e.g. far less females are interested in computers, but within this very small group computer-dependency was no less likely than with males). She concludes that computer dependency tends to be a result of an introverted personality, and not its cause – i.e. it’s people who can’t cope with the complexity and unpredictability of other people that may turn to the computer (and not that an attachment to computers leads to a rejection of people). She further contends that for these computer-dependent people the computer can offer a source of inspiration, excitement and intellectual stimulation, and can create an environment which is positively therapeutic. But notice that the proposed benefit is only for the hacker himself (and perhaps for his immediate circle of acquaintances who might find some relief from the need to try to interact with this awkward person, although spouses, for example, can experience a traumatic loss of personal contact). This claim in no way goes against my case for the detrimental effects of this phenomenon on the technology, and ultimately on society which relies on it. Our happy hacker may well feel great when faced with a recalcitrant program, but others may well suffer when the products of his epic and uplifting struggles are finally used to control some aspect of their lives.

And Neil Frude in The Intimate Machine (Century: London, 1983) reports on a study by two American psychologists, Scheibe and Erwin, who

David Lubar in his compilation entitled It’s Not a Bug, It’s a Feature (Addison-Wesley, 1995) repeats the observation that

Equally lacking in sound empirical justification, it is widely believed that women also produce the best software user manuals.