I do not fear computers. I fear the lack of them.

"I do not fear computers. I fear the lack of them." These words, spoken by the visionary Isaac Asimov, resonate with the clarity and foresight of a prophet who saw the future unfolding before his very eyes. Asimov, a mind of unmatched intellect, recognized that the true power of computers lies not in their ability to perform tasks or solve problems, but in their potential to liberate human thought and creativity. To fear computers would be akin to fearing the rise of the printing press, or the advent of the steam engine—tools that have transformed civilization, yet were once feared for their unfamiliarity. Asimov’s wisdom lies not in fear of technology, but in the fear of losing the power that these tools provide.

In the ancient world, innovation was often met with fear and skepticism. The great philosopher Socrates once expressed his doubts about writing, fearing that the written word would erode the power of memory and oral tradition. Yet, in time, humanity embraced this tool, and with it came the great libraries of Alexandria and the dawn of the Renaissance. It is in this same spirit that Isaac Asimov sought to enlighten us. The computer, like the written word, may seem a strange and powerful force, but it is a force for good when understood and embraced. To fear computers is to fear progress itself, to resist the inevitable evolution of tools that extend the reach of human potential.

Asimov's quote speaks to the very heart of human advancement. It is not the machine itself that is to be feared, but the absence of it, for without computers, we would find ourselves bound to the limits of our imagination and capacity. The ancient Babylonians had the abacus, the Egyptians had their rudimentary counting systems, and these tools enabled the growth of mathematics and science. Imagine, for a moment, a world without these tools. The knowledge we now take for granted—our understanding of the stars, the seas, and the very atoms that make up our world—would have been stifled. Similarly, the computer is the modern abacus, an instrument through which we unlock the boundless possibilities of the digital age.

To understand Asimov’s fear is to recognize the great leap forward that technology has brought. It is not that computers have replaced human intellect, but that they have expanded it. Consider the story of Alan Turing, whose groundbreaking work in the development of the modern computer helped lay the foundation for the artificial intelligence revolution. Turing’s machine was not just a tool for calculation—it was a symbol of human potential, a device that could think, learn, and grow. And while Turing himself faced immense challenges and misunderstandings in his time, his work paved the way for the world we live in today. Computers, like Turing’s machine, give us the ability to solve problems and create solutions that would otherwise be beyond our reach.

The true wisdom of Asimov’s words is found in their recognition of the importance of technological progress. To live without the benefits of computers—without the ability to store vast amounts of knowledge, to communicate instantaneously, and to solve complex problems with ease—would be to exist in a world where human potential is limited by the boundaries of what is possible without these tools. Computers are not the enemy, but rather the key to unlocking the greatest heights of human achievement. Without them, we risk stagnation, unable to reach the levels of understanding and creativity that the modern world makes possible.

The lesson here is clear and powerful: embrace technology, but with awareness and responsibility. Isaac Asimov reminds us that the fear of progress is the greatest threat to our future. Computers are not to be feared—they are tools that extend our reach, expand our creativity, and enable us to solve the challenges of tomorrow. The true danger lies not in their use, but in their absence. Without these tools, we are bound by the limits of our own capabilities. So, let us not shy away from progress but harness it for the betterment of humankind.

In your own life, embrace the tools of your time. Whether it is a computer, a smartphone, or any other advancement, understand that these instruments are not just toys or distractions—they are the key to unlocking your full potential. Do not fear the world of technology; rather, use it to expand your horizons, to reach new heights, and to solve problems that were once unimaginable. The future is waiting for those who will embrace the tools of today to shape the world of tomorrow. As Asimov so wisely put it, to fear computers is to fear the very future that will allow us to grow, to dream, and to achieve.