Ok, so, analog computers are awesome. This item was able to do so much even when the lack of computer power. I guess it’s been no surprise it was invented for the government for war related problems. I mean, I kinda knew that, but I never really thought about the beginnings to all the amazing technological advances brought on by war. So, I guess, there are still many benefits to war, even with all the killing. Is the trade off worth it? That feels like a loaded question.

Out of all the conversations we had, the most interesting was on transistors, came after the vacuum tube and the audion. I had no knowledge on them, outside of what they were. Even with the discussion in class, it was still hard for me to comprehend.

I would say, in general, I’m pretty smart, but even this is above my knowledge, and yet our species invented this! For something an ubiquitous as a transistor, I felt like I should have had more information on this item!

Fun Fact: the Nobel Prize for Physics was given to the people who invented the transistor. That’s clearly not enough for a product that is still used today, with only minor changes. Yet, how many people could tell you about transistors and the people who invented them? How many people can tell you about the invention of the computer, radio, television? Funny how history works. I mean, how many people know exactly how electricity works. We’ve discussed that but I still feel clueless.

I found it really interesting when we talked about Max Weber. He’s really important in my major, Anthropology. Even though he was a sociologist, they were important for helping create the field of anthropology. While studying him I never go into anything about his thoughts on information management and his thoughts on rationality.

Looking at the common beliefs for civilized societies back in Weber’s time, it’s so surprise that there was this idea that the modern world was rational. It also made sense we we go into how pensions and the like were paid during the times after civil war.

Learning about Montgomery Meigs was amazing. Mainly, I thought the tidbit of information on the Arlington Cemetery creation was the best thing I’ve learned about in history for quite a while. Meigs is the reason we have this amazing cemetery. This man was clearly intelligent. Although, he did make the IQ test for WW1 which was very within it’s time. They also have a tendency to be “easier” to a specific group of people, typically ones from a higher socio-economic group. I digress.