"Jack McKinney - Kaduna Memories" - читать интересную книгу автора (McKinney Jack)

living machines unknown to one another invariably terminate in misunderstanding. A case in point is the
one in which an extraterrestrial arrived on Earth in a faster-than-light vehicle accompanied by a police
robot-machine. The XT, if you recall, made as if to present an Earth representative with a giftтАФ"
"That's a very interesting perspective, REC," Bulkroad interrupted. "But the case you refer to is an
alternative-reality program, if I'm not mistaken."

REC considered it. "I believe you're correct, Emeric, although I don't understand the relevance of the
objection."

Bulkroad smiled, wrinkling space-pale skin beneath prominent cheekbones. By all indications, REC
could not differentiate between historical reality and what he termed alternative-reality
programsтАФcinematic art, by and large. When REC'S cybergenius creators had first raised the question
of how the AI, as an emerging intelligence, would be able to distinguish between electronically entered
data and real dataтАФthat which entered through REC'S sensory scannersтАФEmeric had warned them
against the inclusion of any differentiating programs.

Let's not forget that we want to create a thinking being, not another algorithmic monstrosity,
Emeric had told them.

REC'S reality mix, as Emeric saw it, was no different from that which had dominated humankind's
thinking for the last century. And with the concept of "Machine Mind"тАФa consensual
cyber-realityтАФback in the fore of research once again, there was every reason to encourage just such a
mad mix of modes and formats.

Emeric wanted REC to be as human as possibleтАФa sentient machine capable of delving into matters of
mind; not just another superintelligence outfitted with broad-spectrum scanners and parsing processors
programmed to grapple with Earth's territorial and environmental dilemmas.

"I take it you would have done things differently, REC."

REC'S yes-light brightened. "I would certainly caution-now that the entity is in captivityтАФagainst
subjecting it to any Earth-televised programming. The results invariably prove fatal. In addition, we can't
rule out the possibility that the entity's fellow beings may come in search of it. Another case in point is that
in which an XT stranded on Earth was lured into protective custody by three young candy-bearing
children whoтАФ"

"Would you like to meet this creature, REC?"

REC'S emotion-indicators flared perceptibly. "Are you suggesting a journey, Emeric?"

Bulkroad made a thick line of his lips. Motion was one of the AI's principal preoccupations. REC
wanted desperately to move about in the world, to see things for himself. "I'm afraid I can't arrange a
journey at this tune, REC. But I can arrange to have the extraterrestrial brought to you." Bulkroad almost
pitied him his immobility.

REC'S normally rich baritone voice was flat when he replied. "Is it conversant with any of the Earth
languages at my disposal?"

Emeric shook his head. "However," he added, "I could furnish you with a full support team of parsing
assistants, massively parallel processors, decryptors, translation programsтАФanything you think you'll