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Historical Studies in Computing, Information, and SocietyThe Time of Computers: From Babbage and the 1830s to the Present

Historical Studies in Computing, Information, and Society: The Time of Computers: From Babbage... [This chapter argues first that Babbage and Lyell developed a similar, machinic view of human and natural time, with the difference engine for Babbage being at the center of this conceptualization. This view involved the smoothing of time socially and naturally to create a form of stasis. Second, it maintains that the ever-faster time of the computer, prefigured by Babbage, has led to the historical creation of a new ontological level at which events occur well below the threshold of human perception – and that this new level is associated with a drive to stasis.] http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png

Historical Studies in Computing, Information, and SocietyThe Time of Computers: From Babbage and the 1830s to the Present

Part of the History of Computing Book Series
Editors: Aspray, William
Bowker, Geoffrey C.
Historical Studies in Computing, Information, and Society — Jan 2, 2020
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14 pages

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Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Copyright
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2019
ISBN
978-3-030-18954-9
Pages
1 –15
DOI
10.1007/978-3-030-18955-6_1
Publisher site
See Chapter on Publisher Site

Abstract

[This chapter argues first that Babbage and Lyell developed a similar, machinic view of human and natural time, with the difference engine for Babbage being at the center of this conceptualization. This view involved the smoothing of time socially and naturally to create a form of stasis. Second, it maintains that the ever-faster time of the computer, prefigured by Babbage, has led to the historical creation of a new ontological level at which events occur well below the threshold of human perception – and that this new level is associated with a drive to stasis.]

Published: Jan 2, 2020

Keywords: Temporality; Difference engine; Analytical engine; Ontology; Industrial Revolution

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