Computers Should Be Uniters Not Dividers: A Vision of Computer-Enhanced Happy Future

This manifesto provides a vision of how computers can be used to bring people together, to enhance people’s use of their natural creativity, and thus, make them happier. Computers could be uniters but they are dividers. Computer networks connect people from all over the world. This should make people feel closer to each other – but instead, it divides. In the past, when there were only a few TV channels, a few famous books, a few new movies, people had a common ground, something to talk about and discuss. Not anymore. In the US, Democrats watch their own news, have their own chat groups, Republicans have their own, Democrats and Republicans rarely engage in discussions. People who collect stamps chat together, people who love ballet chat together, different interest groups rarely mingle. A scientist goes to a conference abroad. He or she does not need to (and probably does not want to) get local news: if there are no familiar US channels on the hotel TV, there is always a computer access. But maybe divisions are good? Maybe nothing is wrong with this division, maybe people are happy this way? Not really. Many people – especially after having achieved a certain level of success – are bored; see, e.g., [9, 13]. Talking only to people who share