The Ultimate Computer stood at the end of the Ultimate Computer Company's
production line, at which point the guided tour eventually arrived. The
salesman stepped forward to give his prepared demo. "This", he said, "is the
Ultimate Computer. It will give an intelligent answer to any question you
may care to ask it".
At which time a Smart Alec stepped forward - there is always one - and spoke
into the Ultimate Computer's microphone. "Where is my father"? he asked.
There was a whirring of wheels and flashing of lights that the manufacturers
always use to impress lay people and then a little card popped out. On it
were printed the words "Fishing
off Florida". Smart Alec laughed. "Actually", he said, "my father is dead"!
It had
been a tricky question!! The salesman, carefully chosen for his ability to
think fast
on his feet, immediately replied that he was sorry the answer was
unsatisfactory,
but as computers were precise, perhaps he might care to rephrase his
question and
try again? Smart Alec thought, went to the Ultimate Computer and this time
said,
"Where is my mother's husband"? Again there was a whirring of wheels and a
flashing of lights. And again a little card popped out. Printed on it were
the words:
"Dead. But your father is still fishing off Florida."
production line, at which point the guided tour eventually arrived. The
salesman stepped forward to give his prepared demo. "This", he said, "is the
Ultimate Computer. It will give an intelligent answer to any question you
may care to ask it".
At which time a Smart Alec stepped forward - there is always one - and spoke
into the Ultimate Computer's microphone. "Where is my father"? he asked.
There was a whirring of wheels and flashing of lights that the manufacturers
always use to impress lay people and then a little card popped out. On it
were printed the words "Fishing
off Florida". Smart Alec laughed. "Actually", he said, "my father is dead"!
It had
been a tricky question!! The salesman, carefully chosen for his ability to
think fast
on his feet, immediately replied that he was sorry the answer was
unsatisfactory,
but as computers were precise, perhaps he might care to rephrase his
question and
try again? Smart Alec thought, went to the Ultimate Computer and this time
said,
"Where is my mother's husband"? Again there was a whirring of wheels and a
flashing of lights. And again a little card popped out. Printed on it were
the words:
"Dead. But your father is still fishing off Florida."
