This presentation addresses three basic social issues generated by the computer revolution. The first section, "Money Matters," focuses on the economic effects of computer technology. These include the replacement of workers by fully automated machines, the threat to professionals posed by expanded access to specialized information, and the growing gap between the "haves" and the "have nots" that is a likely consequence of advances in information technology. The second section, "Who's in Charge?", addresses questions of control posed by advances in artificial intelligence and "ultra intelligent machines" (UIMs). Several possible approaches to controlling the development of such technology are discussed, along with the inherent limitations of such attempts at control. The final section extends this discussion into descriptions of personal encounters with machines, ranging from psychotherapy programs to the emotional effects of competing with computers in games. Finally, the potentially detrimental or beneficial effects of computer interaction on the development of children and adolescents are noted. (TE)