Philosophy on Blissful Ignorance Has Flaw

“Ignorance Is Bliss in the High-Tech Marketplace” (Dec. 29) by columnist Michael Schrage argues that technological ignorance is the dominant driver of the computer industry, and the changing nature of the consumer demands simplicity because we do not have the knowledge, skills or patience necessary to use computers.

However, there is a fundamental flaw in his philosophy toward information technology. Computers are just a tool; they are not the purpose of the user’s intent. Rather, they are “enablers”--they allow people to better perform the tasks they are educated for. The role of understanding the sophisticated computer environment is for software engineers who create the user interface.

Engineers use computers to test the structural rigidity of materials based on sophisticated mathematical models without developing a physical prototype. Marketing experts use computers to map demographic, psychographic and purchase behavior data to create customer categories, and then develop products these customers are most likely to purchase based on that data. The home consumer uses simple software packages to create cash-flow statements in order to better manage his or her personal finances. In each of these examples, the chore of understanding the fundamentals of arrays, macros and batch files is completely irrelevant to the user’s intent.

Given that the purpose of computers is to put the right information in the hands of the user in order to facilitate his or her work, and the role of creating a user-friendly environment is reserved for software engineers, the consumer’s “technological ignorance” must be the appropriate driver of the computer industry.

BYRON P. QUINONEZ

Huntington Beach