Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83 based; site hounx.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!mhuxt!houxm!hounx!kort
From: kort@hounx.UUCP (B.KORT)
Newsgroups: net.ai,net.cog-eng,net.philosophy
Subject: Re: Computer Dialogue #1
Message-ID: <743@hounx.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 23-Mar-86 10:03:20 EST
Article-I.D.: hounx.743
Posted: Sun Mar 23 10:03:20 1986
Date-Received: Tue, 25-Mar-86 03:48:08 EST
References: <676@hounx.UUCP> <386@unirot.UUCP> <272@cit-vax.Caltech.Edu>, <407@unirot.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Holmdel NJ
Lines: 21
Xref: watmath net.ai:3340 net.cog-eng:633 net.philosophy:4611

Dear Charles and Peter,

Please understand that I wrote Computer Dialogues #1 and #2 as "flights
of fancy" to imagine some of the problems that might arise when
self-programming computers begin to interact with each other.  I gave
the computers some anthropomorphic emotions, thinly disguised as
diagnostic messages.  My goal was to bridge the gulf between those who
love machines and those who dread them.  I am afraid that I only succeeded
in opening some wounds, and I regret that my work has led to such
expressions of animosity.

For those who are interested in the deeper philosophical issues of the
soul, may I recommend the two short stories by Terrell Miedener in
The Mind's I.  One is the touching story of a chmimpanzee with an
enquiring mind entitled The Soul of Martha, a Beast.  The other is
about a mechanical mouse with a survival instinct entitled The Soul
of the Mark III Beast.

Regards,

Barry