It is hard to overstate technology's pervasiveness and power in modern, technologically oriented societies such as those found in Western Europe, North America, and Japan. A little reflection reveals that no area of human life in modern societies is left untouched by today's technology. Monsma, Stephen V., ed., Responsible Technology: A Christian Perspective (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1986), 2.

The modern electronic computer is certainly one of the most influential inventions of the twentieth century.

Computers have entered almost every arena of human society. They operate in our homes, our workplaces, and our schools. They come in so many shapes and sizes that it is sometimes difficult to recognize them: while laptop and desktop computers are commonplace, computers can also be found in home electronics, automobiles, airplanes, automatic teller machines (ATMs), security systems, and many other devices and situations. Many of the world's societies depend heavily on computers in the operation of their transportation systems, commerce, utilities, law enforcement, governance, and more.