Although machines have been around for a long time and people have adapted easily to living with most of them, they haven't yet learned how to live in harmony with the newest of these: the personal computer. 【B1】This is so because the widespread use of the personal computer is a relatively new phenomenon.
There was the widely publicized case of a family man who became so absorbed in his computer that he spent long hours with it. 【B2】Of course, if he was spending long hours with his computer, he was spending less time with his family. And if his wife needed to see him, he was unavailable. She became so upset by this state of affairs that she delivered an ultimatum (最后通牒), declaring that unless he spent fewer hours with the machine and more with her and the family, she was going to divorce him. This issue became so serious that the couple had to go to a doctor to resolve it. 【B3】The fortunate result was that the husband reduced the time he spent with the computer, and the marriage was saved.
【B4】Personal computers may cause people to become isolated from one another since work can be done at home alone. In this case, there may be no need for offices, or for that matter, for any other central gathering place. Universities, or even cities, could be abandoned. Moreover, if what is now recorded on paper is recorded in the computer instead, people will have no reason to use any paper whatsoever: no money, receipts, letters, newspapers, magazines, books, and so on. 【B5】If this happens, there will be no need to go to the bank, the bookstore, or the library. Will people then be isolated in their separate homes-alone with their computers and their families, apart from fellow workers, readers, or students?
This is so because the widespread use of the personal computer is a relatively new phenomenon.