July 2019 - Members - lists.sigcis.org

Alan Turin in new £50
by Bernardo Batiz-Lazo 15 Jul '19

15 Jul '19

In case you missed it Bernardo Bangor (Wales) Bank of England’s PR note: Introducing the face of the new £50 note - the father of computer science, Alan Turing.” Find out more http://bankofengland.co.uk/thinkscience <https://t.co/pO7eu9nfHT> #Turing50 <https://twitter.com/hashtag/Turing50?src=hash> #ThinkScience <https://twitter.com/hashtag/ThinkScience?src=hash> pic.twitter.com/RLmXD0QUQY <http://pic.twitter.com/RLmXD0QUQY>

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Revision of Digital History?
by Richard Vahrenkamp 12 Jul '19

12 Jul '19

Does digital history need to be rewritten? The standard stories about digital computers have some gaps, as they do not explain that the aircraft industry mainly used electronic analog computers. The standard stories play out more in the academic milieu of Philadelphia and Princeton, while the USA had experienced a turning point in technological history in 1945 with the development of jet-powered fighters, numerous rocket projects and the electronic analog computer, with the arms industry experiencing a tremendous upswing. CalTech graduate engineers Simon Ramo and Dean Wooldridge became the leading figures in the West Coast Atlas rocket project, but remained unknown in digital computer literature. They operated large computing labs on the West Coast. I have explored this scenario in my essay: The Computing Boom in the US Aeronautical Industry, 1945-1965, In: ICON - The Journal of the International Committee for the History of Technology, volume 24, 2019, pp. 127–149. An extended version is available at: www.vahrenkamp.org/files/Vahrenkamp_Computing_Boom_WP5_2018.pdf My paper also interprets three texts from the period 1960 - 1989, which attribute the newly developed missiles to the digital computer without even acknowledging the role of the analog computer. The texts thus lay the foundation for the myth of the digital computer. John von Neumann's position on the analog computer has not been clarified. In the vicinity of the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, the Office of Naval Research had awarded a major project to the electronic analog computer in the laboratories of RCA (Typhoon Project). In addition, John von Neumann was a member of the Teapot Committee, which steered the development of the ballistic long-range rocket Atlas, which informed him very well about the use of electronic analog computers for construction and simulation in the Atlas rocket project. In his research projects the solution of differential equations played an important role (in his meteorology projects and in the projects in Los Alamos), for which the electronic analog computer would have been an ideal instrument. At the end of the 1940s, this type of computer was widely used and readily available in the USA. Why John von Neumann did not use this computer is an open question. There is no doubt that John von Neumann did not want to develop the digital computer to calculate very large prime numbers or to support the administration of banks and insurance companies, but to solve differential equations. Like the trajectory of rockets, the trajectory of grenades can be described with differential equations. Why the proving ground in Aberdeen wanted to develop a digital computer and not fall back on the available analog computers is still an open question. With kind regards from Berlin Richard Vahrenkamp -- ******************************************** Prof. Dr. Richard Vahrenkamp Logistik Consulting Berlin Phone 0177- 628 3325 E-Mail: Vahrenkamp2016(a)gmx.de Web: www.vahrenkamp.org Trendelenburgstr. 16 14057 Berlin *********************************************

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How the Department of Defense Bankrolled Silicon Valley
by Bernardo Batiz-Lazo 10 Jul '19

10 Jul '19

Might be of interest - in case you missed THE CODE Silicon Valley and the Remaking of America By Margaret O’Mara Reviewed by Stephen Mihm (Georgia) https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/09/books/review/the-code-margaret-omara.html <https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/09/books/review/the-code-margaret-omara.html> Best Bernardo Bangor (Wales)

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Assistant Professor: Society and Ethics in Data Science (JPF02161)
by Frett, Dianna 09 Jul '19

09 Jul '19

Hello: I am writing to ask that you post/distribute our Faculty Ad for Assistant Professor: Society and Ethics in Data Science (JPF02161) Full Ad: Assistant Professor: Society and Ethics in Data Science Job #JPF02161 * Social Sciences - COMMUNICATION * Halıcıoğlu Data Science Institute - HALICIOĞLU DATA SCIENCE INSTITUTE RECRUITMENT PERIOD Open date: July 1st, 2019 Next review date: Monday, Jul 15, 2019 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee. Final date: Tuesday, Oct 15, 2019 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled. DESCRIPTION The Department of Communication<http://communication.ucsd.edu/> within the Division of Social Sciences at the University of California, San Diego and Halıcıoğlu Data Science Institute (HDSI)<https://datascience.ucsd.edu/> are seeking to make a joint appointment at the Assistant Professor level, to begin Fall 2020 in the following area: Society and Ethics in Data Science. This is a shared appointment between the Department of Communications and Halicioglu Data Science Institute (HDSI) with teaching and service responsibilities evenly distributed between the two units. The Department of Communication will be the candidate's home department and will oversee the process of appointment and future review. Moreover, this search is part of an ongoing cluster hire, sponsored by the Institute for Practical Ethics (IPE)<http://ipe.ucsd.edu/>and focused on the social implications and ethics of science, technology and medicine. It is expected that the successful candidate will participate in relevant activities of the IPE. The candidate will also engage in social science research and teaching on the power, peril and promise of data science/artificial intelligence with a focus specifically on how, in what ways, to what ends and with what consequences the infrastructures and methods of data analytics are reshaping social life, political institutions and processes and ethical regimes. Completion of PhD in a social science field or a PhD in computer science by date of hire or completed now is required. Candidate is also required to have significant training in social science identified by degrees and/or multiple years of work experience. Data Science has emerged as an area central to advances in our understanding of nature, improving the quality life and a healthy society. Data collection, stewardship and analyses are already integrated into the infrastructure for commerce, healthcare, governance and education. The ubiquitous practical uses of digital data have raised awareness of the need to further develop the underlying scientific, technological, social and ethical basis for understanding and exploiting data. HDSI is a new strategic academic institute tasked with hosting and coordination of Data Science research and education activities at the University of California, San Diego. Among HDSI academic programs are the Data Science major and minor currently with nearly 600 undergraduate students. The Department of Communication brings multiple disciplinary traditions and methodologies to bear in the study of communication as an institutional, technological, cultural, architectural, and cognitive phenomenon, inextricably anchored in and shaped by questions of democracy, diversity, social justice, and social change. The University of California San Diego is committed to academic excellence and diversity within the faculty, staff, and student body. We seek candidates who will maintain the highest standards of scholarship and professional activity and make a strong and meaningful contribution to the development of a campus climate that supports equality and diversity. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and based on published University of California pay scales. To ensure full consideration, all application materials must be submitted electronically by October 15, 2019, at the following link - https://apol-recruit.ucsd.edu/JPF02161. UC San Diego is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer with a strong institutional commitment to excellence through diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. JOB LOCATION La Jolla, CA LEARN MORE More information about this recruitment: http://datascience.ucsd.edu<http://datascience.ucsd.edu/> REQUIREMENTS Document requirements · Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V. · Cover Letter - A two to three page cover letter · Statement of Research - Statement detailing your research interests. · Statement of Teaching · Statement of Contributions to Diversity - Applicants should summarize their past or potential contributions to diversity. See our Faculty Equity<http://facultydiversity.ucsd.edu/recruitment/contributions-to-diversity.html> site for more information. · Writing sample(s) - Writing sample(s) up to 50 pages total. Reference requirements * 3 required (contact information only) Also, here is the link to the Ad posting - https://apol-recruit.ucsd.edu/JPF02161. Once you have distributed, can you send me a copy as proof of the distribution? Kindest regards, Dianna Regards, Dianna Frett Interim AP/HR Manager Halıcıoğlu Data Science Institute University of California, San Diego 9500 Gilman Drive| La Jolla, CA 92093|MC 0555 (O) 858.246-3040 (E) dfrett(a)ucsd.edu<mailto:dfrett@ucsd.edu> (W) http://datascience.ucsd.edu<http://datascience.ucsd.edu/>

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CBI Newsletter - Spring 2019 issue
by Charles Babbage Institute 09 Jul '19

09 Jul '19

Charles Babbage Institute University of Minnesota Dear CBI Newsletter reader: The Spring 2019 issue (Volume 41, Number 1) of the Charles Babbage Institute Newsletter is now available. Please follow one of the links below to view it. HTML: http://www.cbi.umn.edu/newsletter.html PDF: http://www.cbi.umn.edu/about/nsl/v41n1.pdf * * * * * * The CBI Newsletter is published semi-annually. If you wish to have your email address removed from the notification list, please send an email message to cbi(a)umn.edu with "newsletter unsubscribe" in the subject line.

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Invitation - HSS Collections, Archives, Libraries, and Museums Caucus (CALM)
by Benjamin Gross 08 Jul '19

08 Jul '19

Hello all, This invitation might be of interest to those attending the History of Science Society's upcoming meeting in Utrecht. Best wishes from Kansas City, -Ben Gross Benjamin Gross, PhD Vice President for Research and Scholarship Linda Hall Library of Science, Engineering and Technology 5109 Cherry Street Kansas City, Missouri 64110 816.926.8718 grossb(a)lindahall.org<mailto:grossb@lindahall.org> www.lindahall.org<http://www.lindahall.org/> You are cordially invited to the inaugural meeting of The Collections, Archives, Libraries, and Museums (CALM) Caucus at the 2019 Annual Meeting of the History of Science Society Friday, July 26, 2019 12:00-13:00, Drift 21, Rm. 006 Utrecht, the Netherlands The Collections, Archives, Libraries, and Museums Caucus aims to provide a space for scholars interested in the history of collection-based institutions or efforts to mobilize collections to explore the history of science, technology, and medicine in new and creative ways. The CALM Caucus will also serve as a venue where experienced professionals can provide guidance and support to scholars seeking to pursue careers as curators, librarians, or archivists. In this organizational meeting, the CALM Caucus will focus on gauging broader interest in these topics and how best to address them at future HSS conferences. For further information, contact Pedro Raposo (praposo(a)adlerplanetarium.org<mailto:praposo@adlerplanetarium.org>) or Ben Gross (grossb(a)lindahall.org<mailto:grossb@lindahall.org>).

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Announcing Launch Issue of ROMchip: A Journal of Game Histories
by Laine Nooney 01 Jul '19

01 Jul '19

Hi all, I'm very delighted to announce the launch issue of *ROMchip: A Journal of Game Histories*, cofounded by myself, Henry Lowood, and Raiford Guins. *ROMchip *is an online, hybrid-audience scholarly journal, a platform designed for the advancement of critical historical studies of games (digital, electronic, and analog). You can check out our first issue here <http://romchip.org/index.php/romchip-journal/index> You can read our newsletter here <https://mailchi.mp/78bdc0c8e2d6/romchip01> You can learn more about *ROMchip *here <http://romchip.org/index.php/romchip-journal/about> *ROMchip *is also accepting content! We publish traditional peer reviewed articles, interviews and oral histories, and "object lesson"-style short essays on historic game artifacts. You can learn more about our content types at our FAQ <http://romchip.org/index.php/romchip-journal/faq>. We are open to submissions from scholars across all disciplines, as well as independent researchers, journalists, designers, enthusiasts--anyone invested in taking games seriously. Cheers, Laine Nooney <http://www.lainenooney.com/> MCC <http://steinhardt.nyu.edu/mcc/> @ NYU <http://www.nyu.edu/> Assistant Professor -Need to make an appt? Click, don't email: https://bit.ly/2GIHuK0 -Probably typed by voice recognition, so please cherish typos

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