--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The programmed computer has all the…" description: "\"“The programmed computer has all the fascination of the pinball machine or the jukebox mechanism, carried to the ultimate. Fourth”\" — Frederick P. Broo..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/80a/frederick-p-brooks-jr-11230_computers_the-programmed-computer-has-all-the-fasc_1393325.jpg" --- # The programmed computer has all the fascination of the… ![“The programmed computer has all the fascination of the pinball machine or the jukebox mechanism, carried to the ultimate. Fourth” quote by Frederick P. Brooks Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/80a/frederick-p-brooks-jr-11230_computers_the-programmed-computer-has-all-the-fasc_1393325.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/80a/frederick-p-brooks-jr-11230_computers_the-programmed-computer-has-all-the-fasc_1393325.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/80a/frederick-p-brooks-jr-11230_computers_the-programmed-computer-has-all-the-fasc_1393325.jpg) > ““The programmed computer has all the fascination of the pinball machine or the jukebox mechanism, carried to the ultimate. Fourth”” [Frederick P. Brooks Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-p-brooks-jr/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote likens computers to simple amusement devices, suggesting that even as they become more complex, they retain a playful, almost trivial allure. **In simple terms:** Computers are fascinating like games, even when advanced. Key Takeaway Recognize the human fascination with technology. Themes technology human nature design complexity Mood reflective analytical Type observational critical When to use this quote - software development - product design - education - marketing - gaming Key Concepts automation entertainment user experience Questions to Reflect On - How does this view affect design choices? - Do we risk underestimating computing power? A Different Perspective The analogy may oversimplify the profound impact of computing. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Computer Fascination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/computer-fascination-4862472/) [Computers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/computers/) [Fascination Pinball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fascination-pinball-4862471/) [Pinball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pinball/) [Pinball Machine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pinball-machine-1189324/) [Programmed Computer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/programmed-computer-3571759/) [Technology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technology/) ## Related quotes > [I am learning slowly to bring my crazy pinball-machine mind back to this place...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/i-am-learning-slowly-to-bring-my-crazy-pinball-machine-mind-back-to/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [Tokyo's like a huge pinball machine. The first time you're there, and you don't understand what's going on, it's like 'ding ding ding ding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaspar-noe/tokyo-s-like-a-huge-pinball-machine-the-first-time-you-re-there-and/) [Gaspar Noe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaspar-noe/) > [Nobody trusts anyone, or why did they put tilt on a pinball machine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-mcqueen/nobody-trusts-anyone-or-why-did-they-put-tilt-on-a-pinball-machine/) [Steve McQueen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-mcqueen/) > [Why do people in ship mutinies always ask for "better treatment"? I'd ask for a pinball machine, because with all that rocking back and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-handey/why-do-people-in-ship-mutinies-always-ask-for-better-treatment-i-d/) [Jack Handey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-handey/) > [The coolest thing, and I have it at home, is a huge Hulk Hogan, normal-sized pinball machine. 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This is the user whose needs are poorly met…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-p-brooks-jr/the-metaprogrammer-who-uses-one-or-especially-several-applications-as/) [Frederick P. Brooks Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-p-brooks-jr/) > [“The big change has been in the hardware/software cost ratio. The buyer of a $2-million machine in 1960 felt that he could afford $250,000…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-p-brooks-jr/the-big-change-has-been-in-the-hardware-software-cost-ratio-the-buyer/) [Frederick P. Brooks Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-p-brooks-jr/) > [“The job done least well by project managers is to utilize the technical genius who is not strong on management talent.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-p-brooks-jr/the-job-done-least-well-by-project-managers-is-to-utilize-the/) [Frederick P. Brooks Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-p-brooks-jr/) > [“I have long enjoyed asking candidate programmers, "Where is next November?" If the question is too cryptic, then, "Tell me about your mental model…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-p-brooks-jr/i-have-long-enjoyed-asking-candidate-programmers-where-is-next/) [Frederick P. Brooks Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-p-brooks-jr/) > [“Reducing the role conflict. The boss must first distinguish between action information and status information. He must discipline himself not to act on problems…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-p-brooks-jr/reducing-the-role-conflict-the-boss-must-first-distinguish-between/) [Frederick P. Brooks Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-p-brooks-jr/) > [ “Lehman and Belady have studied the history of successive releases in a large operating system.\[6\] They find that the total number of modules increases… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-p-brooks-jr/lehman-and-belady-have-studied-the-history-of-successive-releases-in/) [Frederick P. Brooks Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-p-brooks-jr/) > [“Because ease of use is the purpose, this ratio of function to conceptual complexity is the ultimate test of system design. Neither function alone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-p-brooks-jr/because-ease-of-use-is-the-purpose-this-ratio-of-function-to/) [Frederick P. Brooks Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-p-brooks-jr/) > [“...give a great deal of attention to keeping his managers and his technical people as interchangeable as their talents allow. The barriers are sociological...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-p-brooks-jr/give-a-great-deal-of-attention-to-keeping-his-managers-and-his/) [Frederick P. Brooks Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-p-brooks-jr/) > [“The computer has brought a similar fluidity to many other media: artistic drawings, building plans, mechanical drawings, musical compositions, photographs, video sequences, slide presentations,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-p-brooks-jr/the-computer-has-brought-a-similar-fluidity-to-many-other-media/) [Frederick P. Brooks Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-p-brooks-jr/) > [“As time passes, the system becomes less and less well-ordered. Sooner or later the fixing cease to gain any ground. Each forward step is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-p-brooks-jr/as-time-passes-the-system-becomes-less-and-less-well-ordered-sooner/) [Frederick P. Brooks Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-p-brooks-jr/) > [“Finally, a manager's documents give him a data base and checklist. By reviewing them periodically he sees where he is, and he sees what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-p-brooks-jr/finally-a-manager-s-documents-give-him-a-data-base-and-checklist-by/) [Frederick P. Brooks Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-p-brooks-jr/) > [“Indeed, the cost-performance ratio of the product will depend most heavily on the implementer, just as ease of use depends most heavily on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-p-brooks-jr/indeed-the-cost-performance-ratio-of-the-product-will-depend-most/) [Frederick P. Brooks Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-p-brooks-jr/) > [“Hustle provides the cushion, the reserve capacity, that enables a team to cope with routine mishaps, to anticipate and forfend minor calamities. The calculated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-p-brooks-jr/hustle-provides-the-cushion-the-reserve-capacity-that-enables-a-team/) [Frederick P. Brooks Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-p-brooks-jr/) > [“I do not believe we will find the magic here. Program verification is a very powerful concept, and it will be very important for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-p-brooks-jr/i-do-not-believe-we-will-find-the-magic-here-program-verification-is/) [Frederick P. Brooks Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-p-brooks-jr/) > [“By the architecture of a system, I mean the complete and detailed specification of the user interface. For a computer this is the programming…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-p-brooks-jr/by-the-architecture-of-a-system-i-mean-the-complete-and-detailed/) [Frederick P. Brooks Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-p-brooks-jr/) [Explore all 61 Frederick P. Brooks Jr quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-p-brooks-jr/) ## More Computers quotes > [I don't understand why we're all connected wirelessly via a little machine that goes in our pocket, to everybody in the world, and you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-m-chu/i-don-t-understand-why-we-re-all-connected-wirelessly-via-a-little/) [Jon M. Chu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-m-chu/) > [“Probably it goes without saying, but time machine guys don't get a lot of action. Had a one night stand with something cute a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-yu/probably-it-goes-without-saying-but-time-machine-guys-don-t-get-a-lot/) [Charles Yu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-yu/) > [The time that one gains cannot be accumulated in a storehouse; it is contradictory to want to save up existence, which, the fact is,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-de-beauvoir/the-time-that-one-gains-cannot-be-accumulated-in-a-storehouse-it-is/) [Simone de Beauvoir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-de-beauvoir/) > [Issac:"I dislike living in a world without Augustus Waters." Computer: "I don't understand-" Issac: "Me neither. Pause](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/issac-i-dislike-living-in-a-world-without-augustus-waters-computer-i/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [“Note found in the patron suggestion box: "You have SIGNS up near the computers that say BE QUIET, but people don't be quiet. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-sheridan/note-found-in-the-patron-suggestion-box-you-have-signs-up-near-the/) [Gina Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-sheridan/) > [“You weren't born to be a cog in the giant industrial machine. You were trained to become a cog. There's an alternative available to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/you-weren-t-born-to-be-a-cog-in-the-giant-industrial-machine-you-were/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [If you stood me in a costume next to a computer graphic of the same-looking character, I think there would be a difference. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warwick-davis/if-you-stood-me-in-a-costume-next-to-a-computer-graphic-of-the-same/) [Warwick Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warwick-davis/) > [The corporate state is an immensely powerful machine, ordered, legalistic, rational, yet utterly out of human control, wholly and perfectly indifferent to any human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-a-reich/the-corporate-state-is-an-immensely-powerful-machine-ordered/) [Charles A. 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No…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cjs-hayward/alan-turing-proposed-the-turing-test-a-computer-is-intelligent-if-you/) [CJS Hayward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cjs-hayward/) > [Computers can be taught that certain tune or certain chords changes will sound pleasant together, but I don't think it's going to reach a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bonobo/computers-can-be-taught-that-certain-tune-or-certain-chords-changes/) [Bonobo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bonobo/) > [Can you imagine any better example of divine creative accomplishment that the consummate flying machine that is a bird? The skeleton, very flexible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-murchie/can-you-imagine-any-better-example-of-divine-creative-accomplishment/) [Guy Murchie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-murchie/) > [“According to this model, human beings are, at least in one aspect, sensation-receiving machines; and although our receptory apparatus is competent to select and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cruce-stark/according-to-this-model-human-beings-are-at-least-in-one-aspect/) [Cruce Stark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cruce-stark/) > [As in any machine, all the wires must be connected to the mains through one main wire. In the same way, you all must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nirmala-srivastava/as-in-any-machine-all-the-wires-must-be-connected-to-the-mains/) [Nirmala Srivastava](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nirmala-srivastava/) [Browse all 9,389 Computers quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/computers/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The programmed computer has all the fascination of the pinball machine or the jukebox mechanism, carried to the ultimate. Fourth”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Frederick P. 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