5.0544 Computers in Literature (3/54)
Elaine Brennan & Allen Renear (EDITORS@BROWNVM.BITNET)
Thu, 19 Dec 1991 17:26:50 EST
Humanist Discussion Group, Vol. 5, No. 0544. Thursday, 19 Dec 1991.
(1) Date: Wed, 18 Dec 1991 11:42 EDT (7 lines)
From: Len Bliss <BLISSLB@APPSTATE.BITNET>
Subject: Computer in HITCHHIKER'S
(2) Date: Wed, 18 Dec 1991 10:44 EST (36 lines)
From: Jim Wilderotter -- Georgetown Center for Text and
Subject: computers in literature
(3) Date: Wed, 18 Dec 91 16:49 GMT (11 lines)
From: George Aichele <0004705237@mcimail.com>
Subject: Hitch-hiker's Guide
(1) --------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Wed, 18 Dec 1991 11:42 EDT
From: Len Bliss <BLISSLB@APPSTATE.BITNET>
Subject: Computer in HITCHHIKER'S
The computer in HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY was "Deep Thought"
Len Bliss
(2) --------------------------------------------------------------41----
Date: Wed, 18 Dec 1991 10:44 EST
From: Jim Wilderotter -- Georgetown Center for Text and
Subject: computers in literature
To answer the question about the computer in the
_Hitchhiker's_Guide_To_The_Galaxy_, yes there were
several computers.
The first one encountered is the _Hitchhiker's_Guide_To_The_Galaxy_
that Ford Prefect carried everywhere with him until he passed along
to Arthur Dent when they materialized on the Vogon ship.
The second computer was asked to determine what the answer to the
question of "Life, the Universe, and Everything" was. It determined
that the answer is actually "42". However, the computer could not
tell the people what the question was, but it could help them design
another computer which could devise this answer.
This "other computer" was designed and built. This computer was so
large that some ape-like, carbon-based lifeforms (humans) decided
to make it their home (Earth).
However, only seconds before it could announce what the question to
"Life, the Universe, and Everything" is, it was destroyed by the
Vogon Construction crew to make way for a new super-space highway.
Jim Wilderotter
Georgetown University
----------------------
P.S..FOR ANYONE WHO HAS NOT READ THE SERIES YET:
For anyone who has not read this series yet, do not fear, this
material is not a spoiler, for the information about is not actually
what happened in the book, but prior to it, and is given as part
of the background in the story.
(3) --------------------------------------------------------------21----
Date: Wed, 18 Dec 91 16:49 GMT
From: George Aichele <0004705237@mcimail.com>
Subject: Hitch-hiker's Guide
The question was, "What is 9 times 5?" The answer came (as I recall) from
an "organic computer" composed of all life on Earth. (How does it feel to
be a transistor?) Other computers in HHG: the intelligent spaceship (the
Heart of Gold?), the sarcastic robot. What a great series!
Regards,
George Aichele