Computers Aren't African Enough


I stumbled across a Brian Eno quote that I use frequently to describe my frustration with computers and interfaces.

"The problem with computers is that there is not enough Africa in them. This is why I can't use them for very long. Do you know what a nerd is? A nerd is a human being without enough Africa in him or her. I know this sounds sort of inversely racist to say, but I think the African connection is so important. You know why music was the center of our lives for such a long time? Because it was a way of allowing Africa in. In 50 years, it might not be Africa; it might be Brazil. But I want so desperately for that sensibility to flood into these other areas, like computers."

This came from an interview Kevin Kelly conducted with Eno for a Wired Magazine piece a few years back. Wired 3.05: Gossip is Philosophy

Amen