Each generation faces its own challenges, which are not only about current potential but are also a sign of the time. Defeating them is a part of the existing paradigm. Today, we are primarily focused on the development of information technologies that revolve around several topics: virtual reality, big data, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and so on--our challenges and our paradigm. In the 1960s, the challenge was to conquer outer space and land a man on the moon. It was a huge challenge, not only technically but above all logistically--the Apollo program moonshot.

Thomas Haigh is well aware that comparing these two types of challenges can lead to depreciating what science and technology achieved in the 1960s. Bearing in mind this fact, he declares his strong opposition: he does not agree to comparing modern computer challenges with the moonshot, because the landing of a man on the Moon was not only an important triumph of engineering, but above all was a great success of management. The Apollo program did little in the sense of technological progress, but it exerted great influence on the contemporary position of man and made everyone aware that we are capable of doing great things. The contemporary challenges faced by information technology (IT) companies in Silicon Valley cannot be compared to this achievement; they have a different character, and treating them like moonshots (as suggested by Google, for example) is unacceptable.

To get to know Haigh’s arguments--and to decide whether you agree with him or not--read this article.