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From: ins_bbdg@jhunix.UUCP (James T. Kirk)
Newsgroups: net.startrek
Subject: Re: Mark Leeper's third "Most Human" article
Message-ID: <2078@jhunix.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 3-Mar-86 21:34:19 EST
Article-I.D.: jhunix.2078
Posted: Mon Mar  3 21:34:19 1986
Date-Received: Wed, 5-Mar-86 06:21:41 EST
References: <4474MIQ@PSUVMA> <2054@jhunix.UUCP>
Organization: Honest Jim's Used Heavy Cruisers
Lines: 37

[replace this line with your favorite redshirt]
In article <2054@jhunix.UUCP> Ken Arromdee writes:
> In article <4474MIQ@PSUVMA> miq@psuvm.bitnet.UUCP writes:

>>   There is a major hitch here-- the fact that a piece of logical machinery,
>>in doing the most logical thing, is perfectly predictable.  This would spell
>>doom in any battle or conflict, whether in space or on a chessboard.

> No.  There are situations where the most logical thing to do is to make a ran-
> dom decision, for precisely the reason that it's less predictable--making the
> unpredictable decision has a higher probablilty of producing the desired
> result than any predictable decision.  If a machine makes a predictable 
> decision in such a situation, it isn't "doing the most logical thing".
> Kenneth Arromdee
I disagree.  If two giant computers were playing chess, both had equal
information, and both had equal capabilities, then both would be able to
figure out all possible moves, all possible consequecnes of all possible 
moves, all possible consequenses to all possible consequences, etc.  Then, 
each would try to find the most advantageous moves possible.  
Therefore, the one who moved first, should win, since he chooses the most 
advantageous move with which to open.  Similarly, if two gigantic battle 
computers were working on ships, the battle would never exist, since each 
computer would be working on the best time and the most advantageous plan 
along with the most favorable situation, while also computing what the other 
computer would be computing, trying to second-guess it, and work *that* 
into the situation.  If you're curious for further explination, see the Dr. 
Who episode entitled "Destiny of the Daleks" with Tom Baker.

  Sorry if I've rambled, but I wanted to explain it without missing a nuance.
-- 
Lad, you're gonna need somethin' ta wash thaet down with.  Y'ever try any
Saurian Brandy?

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