Computers Quote by Herbert A. Simon
“I realized that you could formulate theories about human and social phenomena in language and pictures and whatever you wanted on the computer, and you didn't have to go through this straitjacket, adding a lot of numbers.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Sciences of the Artificial, 1969
Complex phenomena can be modeled using language and visuals without heavy numeric constraints.
In simple terms: Ideas can be expressed without extensive math.
Key Takeaway
Use diverse representations for modeling.
Themes
creativity
modeling
interdisciplinary
Mood
inquisitive
analytical
Type
theoretical
practical
When to use this quote
- research design
- education
- software development
Key Concepts
cognitive science
information theory
visualization
Questions to Reflect On
- What benefits arise from visual or linguistic modeling?
- When is quantitative analysis still essential?
A Different Perspective
Non‑numeric models may lack precision in some fields.
