- Wednesday, January 28, 1998
- 12:30 PM–1:30 PM
- Covenant Fine Arts Center Auditorium
Clifford Stoll discusses "Silicon Snake Oil: A Skeptical View of Computing."
Widely known as an astrophysicist turned computer wizard, Clifford Stoll cracked an Internet spy ring and chronicled his world-famous hacker chase in his best-selling book, The Cuckoo's Egg. Despite, or because of, his love for computers, Dr. Stoll challenges what he calls overblown claims for what they can and will do for humanity. His latest book, Silicon Snake Oil: Second Thoughts on the Information Highway is an argument for weaning away from one's modem rather than giving blind acceptance to the digital wonderland. Blessed with a brilliant wit, Dr. Stoll provides balance to some claims that computers are essential, infallible, and will, in fact, someday define and control every aspect of our lives.