For computer communications, computers talk in little bursts.

In the earliest days of humanity, when the first sounds were formed into words, there was a mysterious power in the act of speaking. Speech—the ability to communicate ideas, emotions, and thoughts—was the key that unlocked the gates to civilization. Through speech, human beings could share their visions, their desires, and their dreams. It is through continuous conversation, through the ebb and flow of words spoken between one soul and another, that knowledge was passed down, and the foundations of culture were built. Yet, in this modern age, a new form of communication has arisen—one that, though powerful, is not like speech at all. Bob Kahn, a pioneer in the world of computer communication, captured this truth when he said, "For computer communications, computers talk in little bursts. They're not continuous like speech."

Kahn’s words reflect the profound difference between human speech—a flowing, continuous stream of thought—and the way that computers communicate. Human communication, whether through spoken word or written text, is a constant, ever-evolving dialogue, where the flow of ideas is continuous, nuanced, and layered with emotion. It is a reflection of the human condition, where thoughts come in steady streams, often overlapping, correcting, and expanding. In contrast, the communication between computers—those tools that now serve as our windows to the world—is vastly different. The signals that pass between machines come in short, bursty intervals, quick flashes of data that carry information but lack the rhythm and continuity of human conversation. The world of computers speaks not in the fullness of language, but in brief exchanges, akin to the sharp calls of distant birds, echoing through the silence.

Consider the story of the ancient Greeks, who, with their great minds, sought to understand the very nature of language and communication. Aristotle spoke of language as the bridge between the mind and the world, a means to express the ideas that arise within us. Yet, even in their deepest contemplations, the Greeks could not have imagined a world where words would not flow freely between minds. The rise of the telephone, and then the internet, marked a shift—an era in which language would no longer be as fluid as water, but as sharp and fragmented as light reflected through glass. Kahn’s observation about computers speaks to this very shift. The continuous conversation of the human mind is now intertwined with the bursts of electronic communication—and these two forms, though linked by technology, are not the same.

In the same way, the printing press once disrupted the flow of knowledge. In ancient times, knowledge was passed orally from teacher to student, from generation to generation. Speech was the continuous thread that bound the wisdom of the past to the present. But with the arrival of the press, knowledge was fragmented. Books were produced in bursts, in finite copies that reached many but did not carry the immediacy of spoken word. Yet, despite this fragmentation, the printing press also brought new power—new possibilities for sharing ideas, spreading wisdom, and shaping civilizations. So, too, does the rise of computers—their bursts of communication may lack the flow of speech, but in their ability to carry vast amounts of information across distances in mere moments, they open new doors to connection and progress.

The lesson that Kahn’s words impart is clear: human speech is an uninterrupted river, while computer communication is a series of fleeting waves, brief flashes of information that come and go. But this does not diminish the power of the machine. Just as the printing press transformed knowledge into a physical form that could be reproduced, computers turn information into a virtual form, allowing us to communicate across great distances, to share knowledge, and to create new realities. Communication in the digital age may no longer be as continuous as speech, but it is still a powerful force—one that shapes how we learn, work, and connect.

Thus, the practical action for us in this age is to understand that language comes in many forms, and that computers—despite their bursts of communication—offer us the chance to expand our reach and to share our thoughts and ideas in new ways. We must learn to adapt our way of thinking to the bursts of digital data that flow through our world. While the rhythm of our speech may remain constant, the way we exchange ideas has changed, and it is our duty to learn how to engage with these bursts of information in ways that enrich the world. Let us not cling to the past, but embrace the new forms of communication, knowing that knowledge, whether spoken or transmitted in bursts of data, remains a tool for progress, a bridge between minds, and a gift to future generations.