The Year Was 1950
A 7 minute read
Note: If this is the first A Short Distance Ahead post you are reading, please note that the essay format was intended to be experimental and has evolved over time. Specifically, later posts include proper names and places, and in general are written in a different style and format.
The year was 1950.
A question was posed by one of the two and a half billion humans inhabiting the planet at that time: Can machines think?
This particular human was a mathematician who had devoted himself to the study of numbers and the abstract rules that governed their behavior.
Fourteen years earlier, this mathematician had imagined a new kind of machine. A machine that could be programmed to perform any task able to be described using a set of simple, well-defined instructions. This idea laid the foundation for the development of modern computers and algorithms. It “broke the distinction between numbers that mean things and numbers that do things,”1 and paved the way for the digital age that transformed every aspect of humanity.
But, by the year 1950 the mathematician had come to believe the most fundamental scientific question was “the puzzle of mind and matter” and “intelligent machinery.”
The Turing Test
Ultimately, in an attempt to answer this question he proposed a test, based on a simple yet profound idea, inspired by a game. A machine and a human would engage in a conversation, with a third party who was tasked with determining which was which. If the machine could fool the third party into believing it was the living being, then it could be said to have achieved a form of intelligence.
The paper, and the test, sparked a wave of excitement and curiosity among generations of thinkers and builders. It shaped the trajectory of technological development for decades to come, leading to both great advancements and profound questions about the nature of intelligence and the relationship between the creators and their creations.2
Technology
Meanwhile, multiple projects, some that the mathematician had personally contributed to, others taking place an ocean away, continued to develop prototypes of mechanical creations that would become fundamental to future computer designs. One early mechanical creation that continued to operate over the course of 1950, was originally known as The Baby. This Baby was not a biological offspring, but rather a machine that could store and process information in ways that had never been achieved before. These developments underscored a broader shift from purely academic and experimental machines to practical, commercially viable computers, laying the groundwork for the modern computing industry.3
Politics
Also in the year that was 1950, humans found themselves embroiled in a series of conflicts and upheavals. In one region, a violent clash erupted between two groups who had long been divided by an invisible line. This conflict drew in other powerful factions from across the planet, each seeking to support their allies and further their own interests.4
Meanwhile, in a region that had come to be defined as one of the most powerful nations, many fell under the sway of a charismatic leader who stoked fear and suspicion of those who held different beliefs. This leader and his followers sought to root out and punish those they perceived as a threat, leading to a period of great uncertainty and distrust.5
In another part of the planet, a vast and diverse group of humans came together to form a new kind of collective, one in which all members had an equal say in the decisions that affected their lives. This new collective faced many challenges, but it represented a significant step forward in humans ongoing quest for self-determination.6
Amidst these upheavals, a respected mediator who’s grandmother had been born into slavery, was recognized for his efforts to bring peace to a land long divided by conflict and mistrust.7
Yet even as this mediator was celebrated for his efforts, another region far away was codifying a system of separation and oppression based on the exact arbitrary physical characteristics that made his award extra notable, as he was the first human with Black skin to be recognized in such a way.8
Meanwhile, in the aftermath of a great and devastating conflict that had engulfed much of the planet, a group of visionary leaders from various nations came together to propose a new path forward. They recognized that the root cause of their past conflict lay in the long-standing rivalries and competitions between their nations, particularly over the control of vital resources and industries. A proposal was made that the nations of the region should come together and pool their resources — an act that would rely heavily on the burning of ancient, fossilized remains to power their societies.9
Environment
And across the ocean, the powerful nation sounded an alarm about the dangers of the very same practice. A group warned that the byproducts of burning these fossilized remains were slowly poisoning the air that sustained all life on the planet, and that urgent action was needed to address this growing threat. The two moments, though seemingly disconnected, were in fact deeply intertwined, as the humans struggled to balance their desire for growth and advancement with the need to protect the web of life that sustained them.10
Science
As some humans sounded the alarm about the dangers of poisoning the air they breathed, others were making groundbreaking discoveries about the very fabric of life itself. One group of curious minds uncovered the intricate dance of light and molecules that allowed certain organisms to harness the energy of the distant star, transforming it into the building blocks of life. This process, fundamental to the planet's delicate balance, held clues to humans’ own origins and the interconnectedness of all living things.11
Meanwhile, another group of thinkers was grappling with the complex interactions between individuals and groups, seeking to understand the balance that allowed societies to function and thrive. They discovered that there were certain principles that governed these interactions, a kind of equilibrium that could be achieved through strategic decision-making and cooperation.12
At the same time, yet another group of researchers was peering deep into the very code of life, uncovering the elegantly simple rules that governed the pairing of tiny building blocks to create the vast diversity of living things on the planet. This discovery would have profound implications for humans understanding of themselves and their place in the larger web of life.13
And, in a remarkable feat of ingenuity and compassion, a group of healers successfully transplanted a vital organ from one human to another, offering hope to those suffering from debilitating illnesses. This breakthrough, along with ongoing efforts to develop new treatments and vaccines for deadly diseases, represented humans tireless quest to alleviate suffering and extend the boundaries of what was possible.1415
Each breakthrough brought humans closer to a deeper understanding of themselves and their place in the larger tapestry of life, even as they continued to face the challenges and consequences of their own progress.
Culture
Also in the year that was 1950, humans found solace and inspiration in the stories and creations of their own kind. One group of storytellers crafted a tale of a young female who, with the help of a magical guardian, overcame great adversity to find love and happiness. This story, told through a series of moving images and sound, captivated the hearts and minds of many and became a beloved part of humans’ cultural heritage.16
Meanwhile, another storyteller began to share the daily adventures of a group of small, round-headed children, using simple lines and shapes to convey the joys, sorrows, and absurdities of life. These characters, with their gentle humor and relatable struggles, quickly became a fixture in the lives of many, offering a source of comfort and laughter in uncertain times.17
At the same time, a visionary writer created a fantastical world filled with talking beasts, magic, and a great lion who ruled over all. This world, accessible only through a mysterious portal, captivated the imaginations of young and old alike, offering a glimpse into a realm where good and evil battled for supremacy and where even the smallest and most unlikely of heroes could make a difference.18
As these stories and characters took hold in humans’ collective consciousness, a new form of communication was also taking hold. Moving images and sounds, transmitted through the air and into small boxes in people's homes, began to shape the way humans saw themselves and the world around them. This new medium, with its power to inform, entertain, and persuade, would have profound implications for society.19
Economy
And, in a development that would have far-reaching consequences for the economy and way of life, a small group of individuals introduced a new way to exchange value and purchase goods and services. This small, rectangular object, embossed with a unique symbol and a promise to pay, would revolutionize the way humans bought and sold, paving the way for a new era of consumerism and material abundance.20
Philosophy
Finally, in the year that was 1950, some thinkers turned their attention to the fundamental questions of existence itself. One such thinker, a brilliant mind who had long grappled with the nature of knowledge, reason, and human understanding, was recognized by his peers for his contributions to humans' intellectual heritage, and his tireless efforts to shed light on the most profound questions of philosophy and to challenge the very foundations of human beliefs.21
At the same time, another group of thinkers was exploring a new way of understanding the nature of existence, one that placed the individual at the center of their own universe. These thinkers argued that humans alone among all living things, possessed the power to create their own meaning and purpose in a world that was ultimately indifferent to their fate. This philosophy, which came to be known as existentialism, challenged them to confront the fundamental absurdity of their existence and to embrace the freedom and responsibility that came with being alive.22
And then, a short distance ahead, came the year 1951.
Turing’s Cathedral, George Dyson
Computing Machinery and Intelligence, by A.M. Turing
Not a 7 minute read, hah. But loved the way you laid it out, I was forced to click on every link and learn more, a lot more.
Brilliant, David. I’m so excited to read what’s to come. Read it with grandson Kyle (17) who also found it fascinating.
I appreciate the format you have chosen.