Computers are often presented as general purpose tools for thought, creativity, communication or other sorts of human flourishing. And for many of us who work with them, computers are intrinsically interesting puzzle boxes.

But it's important to remember their historical origins and continuing role as practical tools of control. Specifically in two domains: financial and military. Computers aren't being misused or corrupted when you see them employed by accountants and generals. Those are the people who paid for the very first models. Those have always been the primary customers. The rest of us are the strangers misusing their tools.