Computer quotes for your database

Though most of my columns deal with the origins of words, phrases and old sayings, on a few occasions I have devoted columns to another linguistic subject that fascinates me ‘ quotations.

It’s been quite a while since the quotable phrases of famous, and sometimes not so famous, individuals have made an appearance in What’s the Word, so I thought it might be a change of pace from my usual fare to do a piece on quotations.

What really set me on this path was a phone call from my friend Judy Fabri, who works at the Chamber of Commerce. ‘I have a quotable quote for you,’ said the redoubtable Judy. ‘It’s from my husband Andy. It goes: ‘A man is a fool who does not smile on purpose.’ I like it,’ Judy added, ‘Don’t you’?

Indeed I do Judy. There are levels upon levels of meaning in that one if you give it some thought. Kudos to your hubby.

And now that we have a tasty morsel of wisdom from a local personage, let’s have a look at some other individuals who have something to say that others felt could bear repeating.

Recently I found a wonderful Web site called, somewhat self-servingly I suppose, ‘BrainyQuote,’ located at www.brainyquote.com. What I love about this site is the fact the quotes are not only broken down alphabetically by author, but also by subject. It’s an endlessly entertaining site to browse and I encourage those who love quotations to pay the site a visit.

Here are just a few samples of the fascinating quotations featured on the site. When I first visited BrainyQuote I quickly noticed there was a topic called ‘Computers.’ I immediately wondered what kind of famous quotes there were on that subject, and who the heck made them. Well it turns out everyone from writers to politicians have spoken out on the ubiquitous machines which have changed our society, and our lives, in so many ways, both good and bad.

Here are a few of these:

‘ ‘I do not fear computers. I fear the lack of them.’ ‘ Isaac Asimov, writer. (Me too Mr. Asimov. Well, at least until the darn thing crashes in the middle of an important assignment.)

‘ ‘I think it’s fair to say that personal computers have become the most empowering tool we’ve ever created. They’re tools of communication, they’re tools of creativity, and they can be shaped by their user.’ ‘ Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft. (Maybe Bill, but sometimes it feels like they are shaped more by the folks who write the software.)

‘ ‘Computers are useless. They can only give you answers.’ ‘ Pablo Picasso, artist. (Wow, never thought about it, but that’s basically true isn’t it?)

‘ Computers make it easier to do a lot of things, but most of the things they make it easier to do don’t need to be done.’ ‘ Andy Rooney, commentator. (What’s he know? Everyone knows he’s a curmudgeon. I confess I just put that in so I could use the word ‘curmudgeon.’)

Since I’m on the subject, in a way, here are a few quotes on technology in general, and the Internet in particular:

‘ ‘The Internet is the most important single development in the history of human communication since the invention of call waiting.’ ‘ Dave Barry, columnist. (So true Dave, oops, hold it, I’ve got another call.)

‘ ‘If we continue to develop our technology without wisdom or prudence, our servant may prove to be our executioner.’ ‘ Omar N. Bradley, soldier. (Amen to that Omar.)

‘ ‘The Internet is a great way to get on the net.’ ‘ Bob Dole, politician and product spokesman. (Uh, go Bob. Maybe this Internet thing is a little too hard for you, unlike some other things.)

Charlie Johnson is news editor of the Standard. He can be reached at 473-2191.