Steve Argues With a Computer About Creativity
As he continues to wonder through the park, Steve begins to dream. In his mind, he see a large and gleaming room filled with many high-tech machines. A computer that looks like the HAL 9000 from the movie “2001: A Space Odyssey” dominates the center of the room. Steve goes from one keyboard in the room to another, and types away furiously.
“Come on, computer, give me an idea here!” “I’m sorry, Steve, but that’s not possible.” The computer says in an even droll voice. “Why the hell not?” Steve asks leaning into the screen. “Because I’m merely a machine; creative thought requires an organic computer to originate it.” The computer is clearly not amused by Steve. “Great, cool, where do I get one of those?” Steve’s sarcasm is lost amid the computer screens.
Hal sighs. Hal is neither amused nor impressed by Steve. “Inside that skull of yours, Steve. It’s in your brain.” “What, I have to do all the work? Then what are you good for? Good for nothing pile of junk.” Frustrated, Steve steps back and kicks the computer. “Steve, what are you doing, Steve? Don’t do that.” Steve kicks it again and yells, “I’ll do whatever I want, you’re my computer.” “I think you should take a sedative and sit down for a while, Steve.
You don’t want to do something you’ll regret.” Steve starts to rip the circuit boards out of the computer and tosses them aside. “I won’t regret, I’ll love it! I’m taking out my frustrations on you, my mechanical misfit.” “Steve, put those back. I can feel my mind going, Steve; I’m afraid, Steve, I’m afraid I’ll have to take action, Steve.” Weapons pop out of several compartments around the room and point at Steve.
“What the-?” “Okay, buster, you put those back, or you’re history!” Commands the computer. Steve starts to furiously put the circuit boards back into the computers, changing his tone of voice. “Yes, sir, yes, sir!” Steve wakes up from his daydream at the edge of a duck pond just before walking into the water.