Module # 11(War Games WSU FALL 2014)

I chose to watch War Games, as I have seen the movie before, and since I have been taking this class I figured I could find some more correlation to Friedmans book, and what I have learned to this point.  War Games is about a kid that ends up connecting to a top secret computer named WOPR, which is controlled by the government.  He thinks he is playing a video game, and ultimately starts World War 3.   He accesses the WOPR system by finding a back door password, which is pretty much how hackers access secure systems today. 

I think that there are many forecasts in this movie, much like in the "Logic named Joe" story that we blogged about.  The process of a single human being having complete control over a computer back then was not that scary, but in today's flat world, and with globalized networks, the possibilities are endless, and completely real.  The power of computers, and the way they can control our environment is a very scary notion.  The machine  named WOPR, much like the "Logic" was very intimidating, and almost Godlike.  Computers are much more powerful, and capable of destroying our way of life with the push of a button.  Hackers can create chaos, and a multitude of problems for a society that relies on computers.  Computers run the world, and I've often thought about what would happen if the internet went down, for good.  When I am at work, and the internet is down, I feel helpless, and can not complete my job.  If someone is in the computer business, or IT business, they would be forced to cease work, and the economy would begin a downward spiral.  There are so many scenarios that could occur with computers, that War Games scratched the tip of our current iceburg, but nonetheless, it showed us what could happen.  It is definitely an amazing precaution, and story that showcases what could happen to our society when a computer controls the world.  In today's world, the greatest threat to our networks are viruses and hackers stealing our personal identities and information.  In War Games the passwords that he hacked were very simple, and not encrypted and complex like they are today.  It was very nostalgic to see this movie with huge floppy disks, dial up modems, and realize that is was super technology back then.  The screens, keyboards, and everything about the movie was archaic, but it brought back memories to the time when I thought it was as good as it will ever be.   Of course, today is a different world, where technology changes the way we do everything, and anything. 

     I believe that this world is out of control when it comes to computers, technology, and the way it is taking over the planet.  Whether it is the military, or some militant group in Iraq utilizing it, it can be a very dangerous game, one in which there will be no winner.  War Games is a great depiction of what the world was to become, and how computers can control the world, with a mind of their own.  My favorite part of the movie is when he goes to find Dr. Falkan in the woods, and finds out that his son's name is Joshua.  Also I really like the term Geo Thermo Nuclear War!   I think I am going to use it as my password from now on.....but I did not tell you that....