A computer lets you make more mistakes faster than any invention in human history — with the possible exceptions of hand guns and tequila.
A computer won't clean up the errors in your manual of procedures.
A distributed system is one in which the failure of a computer you didn't even know existed can render your own computer unusable.
As far as we know, our computer has never had an undetected error.
Computer science only indicates the retrospective omnipotence of our technologies. In other words, an infinite capacity to process data (but only data — i.e. the already given) and in no sense a new vision. With that science, we are entering an era of exhaustivity, which is also an era of exhaustion.
Computers are useless. They can only give you answers.
Computers in the future will weigh no more than 1.5 tons. [Quoted in Popular Mechanics 1950]
Computers WORK, people THINK.
Control over computing belongs with users.
Electronic aids, particularly domestic computers, will help the inner migration, the opting out of reality. Reality is no longer going to be the stuff out there, but the stuff inside your head. It's going to be commercial and nasty at the same time.
I am not the only person who uses his computer mainly for the purpose of diddling with his computer.
I do not fear computers. I fear the lack of them.
I have always wished for a computer that would be as easy to use as my telephone. My wish came true. I no longer know how to use my telephone.
I really don't care that I don't have what's current because whatever is at the moment, it will be infinitely better in a few months and even better months later.
I see no reason why anyone would want a computer in their home.
I think there is a world market for maybe five computers.
If builders built buildings the way programmers wrote programs, then the first woodpecker that came along would destroy civilization.
If you don't know how to do something, you don't know how to do it with a computer.
It is hardly surprising that children should enthusiastically start their education at an early age with the Absolute Knowledge of computer science; while they are unable to read, for reading demands making judgments at every line. Conversation is almost dead, and soon so too will be those who knew how to speak.
Man is a slow, sloppy and brilliant thinker; the machine is fast, accurate and stupid.