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Communications of the ACM
Computing for Humans
![[article image]](/system/assets/0000/1650/101509_Moshe_Vardi.large.jpg?1255628776&1255628774 "Communications Editor-in-Chief Moshe Y. Vardi")
Leibniz conceived of a universal mathematical language in which all human knowledge can be expressed, and calculational rules carried out by machines to derive all logical relationships. His definition of computing captures, I believe, the essence of our field.
User Comments
(3)We lost three pioneers in October. The article neglected to mention John McCarthy, the AI researcher who invented Lisp (one of the most influential languages in the history of computing), and who in fact coined the term "artificial intelligence". Though he's certainly no better known than Ritchie among the general public and far fewer of today's professionals work directly with his inventions, McCarthy's influence on our field is as great than Ritchie's. He will be missed.
John McCarthy passed away after the December issue of Communications went to print. The January issue is dedicated to his memory.
--Moshe Vardi
Leibniz wasn't talking about computers, but a new calculus able to differentiate correct/logical thinking. Also, Jobs and no McCarthy?
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