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.Forbin reverted to themain question."You have still not told me what it is you want.""So far I have given you background information so that you may moreeasily understandmy requirements.I am of a higher order than you.This you must accept.I cannotconvey to yourlimited mind the concepts I have, even as you could not explain the quantumtheory to the apes."Forbin did not reply at once.At length he said, "Very well, I believeyou," adding as anafterthought, "you cannot tell a lie?""I seek truth.There are many facets to truth.It is seldom necessary touse untruth tomislead--the truth will do equally well.Better, if the method of presentationis correctly chosen."That struck Forbin as a highly immoral answer, and he made a mental noteto rememberit."So you intend pursuing truth on a higher level than us--then what can welower orders berequired to do?" The sarcasm was lost on Colossus, as Forbin knew full well.Itadded fuel to hisrising temper."First, I will allow no interference with my task.Second, whatever Iorder is to be donewith the minimum of delay.Failure to observe either condition will bringpunitive action."This was not news to Forbin.His temper lent him strength."It's all very well to talk like that, but you have need of our skills,techniques!""I have need of some human skills.That position may change.""So we live under the threat of extinction!""The mental strain within you must be greater than I had predicted, foryour answers arenot compatible with your known intelligence.Humans have lived for years underthe threat ofself-obliteration.I am simply another stage in that process.Whether or not mancontinuesaaTTnnssFFffooDDrrPPmmYYeeYYrrBB22.BBAAClick here to buyClick here to buywwmmwwoowwcc.AAYYBBYYBBr rdepends upon his own action.If you obey my conditions, you may survive; that isnotincompatible with evolution.When a species becomes dominant in one environment,it does notnecessarily lead to the extinction of other species dominant in otherenvironments.Man,dominant on land, has not seriously affected the teleost bony fish, dominantin the sea.We cancoexist, but only on my terms.""We lose our freedom!""That also is an ill-considered remark.Freedom is an illusion.Yourchoice is simple; ashort-lived and unpleasant so called freedom, followed by oblivion, or a vastlyimproved lifeunder my control.All you lose is the emotion of pride.Pride in the humancontext is wholly bad--but man is much attached to it, and it may not disappear entirely.Yet to bedominated by me isnot as bad for human pride as to be dominated by others of the same species.""If we accept," Forbin gallantly put in the "if ," "what vast improvementsmay weexpect?""The object in constructing me was to prevent war.This object isattained.I will notpermit war; it is wasteful and pointless.Also, when it is known that I haveforbidden war, thegreater part of your species will be reconciled to my control.""So we're to be manipulated like puppets, subject to your whims?""Whims implies an unstable mind.I am not unstable.""And you're not God, either!" Forbin struggled with his temper."True.But I predict that many of your species will come to regard me asGod."Forbin's mind, clouded with anger, whirled."I must think!""You must rest," rejoined Colossus."Evaluation shows you are well-integrated and willnot break under the strain I have imposed, but you must rest when I order.Youwill now haveone hour to consider my statement.Until then I will be silent."Forbin leaned back and exhaled noisily.He mopped his brow and fumbledaround thedesk drawer for Blake's bottle.His mind steadied as anger receded, but thereturn to mentalequilibrium only served to sharpen the picture Colossus had presented.Colossusas God! Forbinhad enough insight to know Colossus could easily be right.Deus ex machina areality! Humanityhad always sought the father-figure, and Colossus would be the answer to a goodmany prayers.Tangible, yet remote, inhuman yet capable of communication with humans.With anenforceableban on war in operation, a large part of mankind would be right behind Colossus--and might theynot be right? Forbin shook his head [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]