Does Computer Science Need Computers?

In popular culture, computer science is practically synonymous with programming. There are obviously branches of computer science in which computer hardware and software are essential, such as in the design of operating systems or the study of memory management. But in the theoretical side of the field, researchers need not ever touch a real, physical computer. Do computers play an essential conceptual role in that kind of theoretical work?  On this episode of The Quanta Podcast, host Samir Patel wades into an age-old debate with writer Ben Brubaker: If computer science isn’t about computers, then what is it about? This topic was covered in a recent story for Quanta Magazine.   Each week on The Quanta Podcast, Quanta Magazine editor-in-chief Samir Patel speaks with the people behind the award-winning publication to navigate through some of the most important and mind-expanding questions in science and math.