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Many of us remember that old 1968 movie, when Hal (the computer) refused to open the pod bay doors. I can remember seeing that movie while I was in grad school, and thinking how improbable it was, but lo and behold, it is happening all around us. Just try to do a bank transaction when the computer system is down. Or buy something in a store where all the workers are too young to remember how to do math manually, when the computer system is down. And now the government can't issue work visas because the computer balks. Has Hal actually taken over in 2015? Is a computer running our government. That certainly appears to be the case, because apparently no human was capable of overruling the computer in this case.
The U.S. State Department this week resolved a computer hardware failure that had prevented agricultural workers from entering the United States, worrying local produce growers about whether they would be able to harvest their crops.
The fix came in time for the farmers to save most of their vegetables, but yields may be lower than expected because weeds had more time to grow.
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Many of us remember that old 1968 movie, when Hal (the computer) refused to open the pod bay doors. I can remember seeing that movie while I was in grad school, and thinking how improbable it was, but lo and behold, it is happening all around us. Just try to do a bank transaction when the computer system is down. Or buy something in a store where all the workers are too young to remember how to do math manually, when the computer system is down. And now the government can't issue work visas because the computer balks. Has Hal actually taken over in 2015? Is a computer running our government. That certainly appears to be the case, because apparently no human was capable of overruling the computer in this case.
The U.S. State Department this week resolved a computer hardware failure that had prevented agricultural workers from entering the United States, worrying local produce growers about whether they would be able to harvest their crops.
The fix came in time for the farmers to save most of their vegetables, but yields may be lower than expected because weeds had more time to grow.
Now that would really be bad news in many cases. One would hope that there would be a backup plan in place, but I would be surprised if there is in most industries. We are probably 1 potent computer hack away from a terrorist attack that would bring virtually everything in this country to a standstill.
Even most of the newer farm tractors and various ag equipment will not work at all, if the computer malfunctions, and most of them are vulnerable to hacking over the Internet. That applies to all of the recently manufactured trucks and cars, too. Most of them are GPS-equipped, and they could be controlled from anywhere in the world.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
I read every one of Isaac Asimov's books and then started The Ring series, Silverberg (I think)? I still look for good ones but they aren't easy to find. My step-daughter, a PhD and an English teacher is also a Sci Fi fan.
Sheila W
To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did.
A person who never made a mistake never tried something new. Einstein
Have you picked up a copy of Magazine of Science Fiction & Fantasy or Asimov's Magazine? It's all short stories and novellas from up and coming sci fi writers. I've read some real gems.
You've probably read this one but I enjoyed A Canticle for Leibowitz. I also really enjoyed Alas, Babylon and just finally finished Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep. Suprisingly, I couldn't put down The House on the Strand (I'm usually not into time travel novels). Do you have any recommendations? I'm always looking for a good book.
Has Hal actually taken over in 2015? Is a computer running our government. That certainly appears to be the case, because apparently no human was capable of overruling the computer in this case.
