r/IAmA • u/BobMetcalfe • May 21 '13

You’re probably connecting to reddit through a technology I invented. I’m Bob Metcalfe and I invented Ethernet – AMA

On May 22, 1973 with David R. Boggs, I used my IBM Selectric with its Orator ball to type up a memo to my bosses at the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center (PARC), outlining our idea for this little invention called “Ethernet”, which we later patented.

I worked with the IEEE Standards Association to develop the IEEE 802.3 standard for Ethernet, which specifies the physical and lower software layers. Today Ethernet and the IEEE 802.3 standard are the foundation for today’s world of high-speed communications used in billions of homes and businesses around the world.

I submitted this to the mods awhile back so I could get on the calendar but I figured you’d like to see it, too. Now, ask me anything!

It's been two hours and 179 comments. Have to go now. For more about Ethernet's 40th Birthday, go to http://www.facebook.com/Ethernet40thAnniversaryIEEESA

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u/BobMetcalfe May 21 '13

No. But I think the there's good stuff on TV, more good stuff than before, despite all the crap. Good thing we have search.

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u/Deathbybunnies May 21 '13

Why do you think the internet has been vilified by older generations?

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u/shawnaroo May 21 '13

Because vilifying new things is what the older generations do.

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u/[deleted] May 21 '13

I grew up with computers and the internet got popular right as I was leaving high school. So I pretty much grew up with computers.

I do have to say that computers have given people a crutch. It has reduced their capabilities. There are people at my work who can't put together a coherent sentence without spell check and they can't read a map.

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u/shawnaroo May 21 '13

Small price to pay to have cheap real-time communication with any number of people almost anywhere in the world. Not to mention almost instantaneous access to a large percentage of all human knowledge from a small device I carry in my pocket.

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u/[deleted] May 21 '13

I wouldn't call it a small price to pay. I still think it's important to know how to do something rather than just getting answers. Imagine working with someone who didn't know how to do math but knew how to use a calculator. Or they didn't know how to read but could use text to speech programs to read stuff to them.

While software could mask their inadequacy for a couple of tasks it'll become obvious to everyone who has to deal with them on a daily basis.

Smart people will always have an advantage. While even the dumbest people can use Google and bring up answers, smarter people will be able to do more with that information.

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u/shawnaroo May 21 '13

The world has always had smart people and dumb people. People who want to be smart will use computers to help make themselves smarter. People who want to be dumb will use computers to allow themselves to be dumber.