Riding the Digital Dragon

 Riding the Digital Dragon

In the world of computing it is often said “you are either a 1, or a Zero.” In the world of computers there is a very big difference between being a “1” and being a “Zero.” If an office PC needs repair, either you can repair it, or you cannot. If a $200,000 server goes down and your losing money by the second, either you can get the server back online, or you can’t. Again, there is a very big difference between being a “1” or a “Zero”, in the world of computing.

Interesting enough, about the first month or so of every modern-day introductory computer programming course you will learn almost exactly what Aristotle taught his logic students 2,400 years ago in ancient Athens. Modern computer programming logic has been improved and refined over the many centuries since Aristotle’s time. Today, digital computer programming is more akin to doing a Calculus math problem, than doing the Algebra and Geometry of ancient Athens.

Dragons, along with wolves, owls, and unicorns, have traditionally been associated with magic and sorcery. As creatures of magic, the dragon does not usually retain any moral aspects or ethical dimensions. However, here in the West the dragon is usually identified with snakes and serpents. Snakes, serpents, and dragons are usually associated with archaic evil and original sin, which certainly retains a negative moral and ethical aspect. The modern symbols for medicine, retail, the U.S. dollar, and mathematical-pi symbol can all have a negative connotation. Even the letter “S” has the hissing sound of a snake when phonetically pronounced. The various symbols incorporating the “S” have historically been associated with river waterways and Moon lunar-worship.

The semiconductor, which is vital to computers and other digital electronic devices, is a crystal that functions differently given a certain electrical charge or current. The semiconductor crystal can contain metals and other impurities to alter the electrical conducive state. It is not much of an exaggeration to say the Digital Personal Computer is powered by crystal-technology originating in ancient and prehistoric times, that has been refined over the many centuries.

Riding the Digital Dragon can be quite exhilarating, and also very dangerous. It takes a person to the very limits of reason and faith, and challenges a person to go further. It makes a person believe he/she is capable of doing much more, if you only try. However, caution should certainly be taken when Riding the Digital Dragon, as the power increases, so do the temptations for errors and wrong-doing. A person should be well-centered, emotionally secure, spiritually grounded, and psychologically level, before attempting to Ride the Digital Dragon. Many before have fallen victim to that old serpent. In the world of computing, you are either a “1” or a “Zero.”