"Beam Me Up Scotty"

I was a big fan of the original Star Trek series even though I believe it was already in re-runs by the time I started watching it. It seems so stupid now to watch it but at the time there were some cool things. One thing I remember vividly was the idea of communicating with the ships computer with voice commands. I remember thinking what an impossible and far fetched idea that was. The other day I spent 5 minutes on the phone talking exclusively to a computer about our home phone problems. They give you a choice, human or automated, and I chose the machine. Together we defined the issue and scheduled a repair time. Today a man came and fixed it but I think it was only because they don't allow computers to drive yet. Amazing!

You regularly hear people complaining about not being able to talk to a real peron but I truly find some distinct advantages in automated systems. You don't have to get angry because the computer doesn't care anyway and in turn you can say anything you like to the computer including telling it to eff off, and all you'll get is "Sorry, I didn't understand that."

For me the issue is emotion versus logic. Give me a practical, factual, logical discussion over a passion filled one anytime. How much pain do we cause ourselves and those around us when we let our emotions dictate our actions? We think things, say things and do things that we regret and often take so much effort to fix. Maybe the Vulcans have it right?

Then again???

"Live long and prosper."---Mr Spock

love
peter