Communications of the ACM
Innovation Is Overrated: A Provocation
Digital innovation is not working in the interest of the whole of society. It is time to radically rethink its purpose without…
From ACM Opinion
The Nsa's Crypto "breakthrough"
One difficulty of reporting on spy outfits like America's National Security Agency is the veil of secrecy they operate behind.
From ACM Opinion
The STEM Crisis Is a Myth
You must have seen the warning a thousand times: Too few young people study scientific or technical subjects, businesses can't find enough workers in those fields...
From ACM Opinion
It's a Myth That Entrepreneurs Drive New Technology
Images of tech entrepreneurs such as Mark Zuckerberg and Steve Jobs are continually thrown at us by politicians, economists, and the media.
From ACM Opinion
Go Ahead, Mess With Texas Instruments
Last year, while cleaning out the basement of my childhood home, I discovered a plastic storage bin marked "Calcusoft." Inside were piles of notebooks filled with...
From ACM Opinion
Choosing Real-World Impact Over Impact Factor
My annual report for the 2012-13 academic year stares at me from an undisturbed corner of my desk.
From ACM News
Think You Can Drive a Bulldozer?
As he closed the door, leaving me alone at the controls of a 41,000-pound bulldozer with list price of nearly $432,000, a Komatsu Ltd. executive shouted, "No worries...
From ACM Opinion
Madden Turns 25: How the Video Game Sacked Its Rivals
The year was 1988. George Michael's "Faith" was top of the pops. "Roseanne" was the number-one show on TV. Bruce Willis, starring in "Die Hard," still had hair.
From ACM News
How a Look at Your Gmail Reveals the Power of Metadata
Sometimes you have to give up a little privacy in order to find out how much—or how little—privacy you really have.
From ACM Opinion
Visit to the World's Fair of 2014
The New York World's Fair of 1964 is dedicated to "Peace Through Understanding."
From ACM Opinion
The Real, Terrifying Reason Why British Authorities Detained David Miranda
Last Sunday, David Miranda was detained while changing planes at London Heathrow Airport by British authorities for nine hours under a controversial British law—the...
From ACM Opinion
State of Innovation: Busting the Private-Sector Myth
Images of tech entrepreneurs such as Mark Zuckerberg and Steve Jobs are continually thrown at us by politicians, economists and the media.
From ACM Opinion
On the Symmetry Between Microsoft and Apple
I am not a tech industry maven, so I am busy coming up to speed on the implications of the Ballmer resignation.
From ACM News
In Markets' Tuned-p Machinery, Stubborn Ghosts Remain
A generation ago, when the stock market crashed on Oct. 19, 1987, the Nasdaq stock market appeared to have done much better than the New York Stock Exchange.
From ACM Opinion
What Snowden and Manning Don't nderstand About Secrecy
As an old reporter who has from time to time outed classified information, I have watched the cases of Bradley Manning and Edward Snowden with professional interest...
From Communications of the ACM
What to Do About Google?
Whether it is acting as a conduit, an editor, or an advisor, the search engine should put user interests first.
From Communications of the ACM
Software and Souls; Programs and Packages
How can historians tell stories about software without focusing solely on the code itself?
From Communications of the ACM
The Other Side of Language
The conversation for action gives a framework for completing professional actions effectively.
From Communications of the ACM
Research and Practice: The Curious Case of 'Small' Researchers-Practitioners
Seeking a more efficient combination of the best elements of the research and practice communities in small organizations.
From Communications of the ACM
An Interview with Hadi Partovi
The Code.org founder discusses his first program, inspirations, and "seizing the day."
From Communications of the ACM