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About this quote

What does it mean?
Hopper notes that life seemed simpler before complex systems became prevalent after the war.
In plain terms
Technology and systems made life more complicated after the war.
What can you take from it?
Recognize how systems change daily life.

Where it applies

  • studying tech history
  • discussing modern life
  • analyzing change

Putting it to work

  • simplifying processes
  • understanding legacy systems
  • evaluating tech impact

Questions to consider

  • How have systems changed your life?
  • Is progress always an improvement?

Another view

Simplicity before the war is a subjective memory not a universal fact.

More from Grace Hopper

  1. At the end of about a week, I called back and said, 'I need something to compare this to. Could I please have a microsecond?'

    Permalink to quote #7
  2. I had a running compiler and nobody would touch it. [:] they carefully told me, computers could only do arithmetic; they could not do programs.

    Permalink to quote #9
  3. In total desperation, I called over to the engineering building, and I said, 'Please cut off a nanosecond and send it over to me.'

    Permalink to quote #6

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