As We May Think

Vannevar Bush’s landmark article, As We May Think, published in 1945 in the Atlantic Monthly, is considered by many as an essay very much ahead of its time. While others were thinking of the war’s aftermath, Bush thought far far ahead, of how science and technology can help shape the future at hand. Very truly so, it took decades for people to recognize the genius behind this essay. Only when gadgets such as the personal computer, and concepts such as hyperlinking were introduced, that people truly recognized the magnificence of the ideas of Bush.

Bush begins his article by posing a challenge to his fellow scientists. At that time, war was just about to end. He asked them what objectives would be worthy of their best. It was a very valid question, especially for people coming from war. After a long time of being in such state, what lies ahead? Is it right to just let things be as they were before the war? Or is there a need that should be addressed, more urgently than merely goi...