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Writers

Clive Thompson

History Tech

The Code That Controls Your Money

COBOL is a coding language older than Weird Al Yankovic. The people who know how to use it are often just as old. It underpins the entire financial system. And it can’t be removed. How a computer language controls the financial life of the world.

Clive Thompson Wealthsimple Magazine Nov 2020 25min Permalink

History Tech

The Secret History of Women in Coding

Computer programming once had much better gender balance than it does today. What went wrong?

Clive Thompson The New York Times Magazine Feb 2019 35min Permalink

Tech

Learn to Let Go

Duke Nukem 3D made its creators filthy rich. Trying to complete its sequel nearly destroyed them.

Clive Thompson Wired Dec 2009 20min Permalink

Tech

What Is I.B.M.’s Watson?

It’s the furthest artificial intelligence has come. And while the supercomputer may get attention for competing on Jeopardy!, Watson could also change everything from customer service to emergency rooms.

Clive Thompson New York Times Magazine Jun 2010 25min Permalink