1. Why is the book titled "Soul of a New Machine"?
The title of the book, "Soul of a New Machine", could have two layers of meanings. The book illustrated a story of how a team of a leader and his young engineers create a new 32-bit minicomputer that met a seemingly impossible deadline and insufficient resources, ensured qualities, and brought new business opportunities. Thus the first layer of meaning could be the "soul" of the new computer is the team of the leader and his engineers. My IT colleagues always comment, "computer never make mistakes; human does." This shares the same opinion from a different angel. Because computer will only operate at human's order (i.e. logic), with its unexciting 1s and 0s, but with accuracy and speed that human cannot beat. In the events that hardware fails, files or database corrupt, one could still argue that it is the fault of the human's design or the manufacturing machines/materials which were also designed by human being. For years, sci-fi movies and novels never ceaze to amaze audience with new, exciting stories of how machines/computers gain intelligence, and become to think and act like human. Examples are: "Artificial Intelligence: AI (2001)" directed by Steven Spielberg, "I, Robot" (2004) starring Will Smith. Could it really happen someday? At least stories described by some sci-fi movies and novels years ago have come true today, for example, NASA's recently sent Mars exploration rover may help justify "Mars Trilogy" written by Kim Stanley Robinson (1994).
Business is a team sport, IT business is without exception. In the deeper layer, the key to make a successful new computer does not always rely on technologies or individual intelligence, but rather, it depends upon how the leader manage his staff and resources, how he makes the team share his vision, believe and support his judgement and decision, while still leaves space of democratics, creativity and respects, i.e., macro-manage. From the MBA courses I took prior to entering IT field, leadership and management is always an art; it takes time and efforts; and the quality of the management usually determines who wins the game. Thus the "soul" of a new machine may suggest the leader of a team or an organization.
2. How would you characterize Tracy Kidder's writing style?
Pulitzer Prize winner Kidder applies his hands-on style of journalism to an examination of a group of engineers of Data General design and build a new 32-bit minicomputer in just one year. Kidder's professional observation technique and descriptive writing style help build vivid portraits of the key characters, their sensitive relationships, dramatic organizational behavior, and a preview of this world in the late 1970s. Being one of the first books to describe the inner workings of the technology groups, Kidder did a good job making the technical context easy to digest for non-technical readers. An interview to Kidder helps to understand the hardwork underneath a good book. This is one of the best non-fiction "novel" that i ever read. It also reminds me another book (although a fiction indeed) I read during my MBA years, "The Goal" written by Eliyahu M. Goldratt and Jeff Cox, which illustrates state-of-the-art economic theory through the story of how a UniCo plant manager re-engineer plant operations to save his factory.
3. Who is your favorite character and why?
The book illustrates the life of the modern engineer by taking a glimpse into the mysterious motivations, the quiet revelations, and the spectacular devotions of engineers, and, in particular, of Tom West. As described by Wired article revisiting the book and the team after twenty years, "West is the project's enigmatic, icy leader, the man whom one engineer calls the 'prince of darkness,'" but who quietly and deliberately protects his team and his machine against "the scarce resources, the raw conflict of a corporate environment, and political wars" to fight over every circuit board and mode bit. The striking character depiction leads the story, embracing "power plays, the passion, and the burnout."
Comments
1.
I think the title of the book reflects the magnitude of what the computer represents to an industry, its employees, and especially to the creators of the machine. As in other industries, lead management spend envision a new product and then initiate the plans to proceed with production. The end result yields a new product. In this book, Kidder did not give the reader any indication to believe the minicomputer was merely a new “product” on the line. As the reader, at times I was persuaded by the thought of the computer having more abilities than possible; at times it almost seems as thought the computer has a functioning “human like” personality of its own. Most importantly, the soul of the machine refers to the core of engineers in their quest to compete with DEC. It refers to their dedication and investment as the teams work together to create a new computer.
2.
Kidder’s writing style is creative, imaginative, and descriptive.
As the reader, I can visualize the building, basement and office cubicles Kidder describes in the book. Throughout the text, I was able to picture the characters and how they each interacted with each other. Kidder was able to include a serious tone to the story yet at times incorporate humor and sarcasm.
3. I favored the “Microkids” characters in this story. Their inexperience in the industry kept them from enduring the comments and jokes directed towards them. I liked their foresight into the project.