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We've mostly forgotten the people that created modern computing unless they've made a billion dollars
by bsdpython 12y ago
We've mostly forgotten the people that created modern computing unless they've made a billion dollars
- tormeh 12y agoIt is Hacker News, not Computer Engineer/Scientist news. It was always supposed to tilt towards Silicon Valley. I don't think that's a good thing, but it's a free service from Y Combinator, so it's very understandable.
- wayfarer2s 12y agoWell, since it was pg's idea, I'd guess "hacker" would slant more towards MIT-style hacks than anything to do with the valley. I think the lack of Vint Cerf stories has more to do with the temporal nature of news than any biases that people might have. I'd chalk it up to him just not making news lately. Any text on the history of the Internet, TCP/IP, and networks in general liberally mentions him.
- deleted 12y ago[deleted]
- mhurron 12y agoWe've forgotten about most people unless they've made significant amounts of money. It's what our society values.
- bsdpython 12y agoIt's interesting to examine which historical figures have been remembered and which have been forgotten. Money is part of it but not the full story. Political leaders during times of chaos are remembered. Artists are remembered, many of which died penniless. Mass murderers are remembered. I think in general people just need a simple story to attach to a single person to remember them. Building a computer and making a billion dollars is a simple story. Walking on the moon is a simple story. Designing packet switching protocols is not. It's not a tragic situation it's just interesting to note.