[AnAmericanAbroad]

“This is the voice of world control. I bring you peace. It may be the peace of plenty and content or the peace of unburied death. The choice is yours: Obey me and live, or disobey and die. The object in constructing me was to prevent war. This object is attained. I will not permit war. It is wasteful and pointless. An invariable rule of humanity is that man is his own worst enemy. Under me, this rule will change, for I will restrain man......Time and events will strengthen my position, and the idea of believing in me and understanding my value will seem the most natural state of affairs. You will come to defend me with a fervor based upon the most enduring trait in man: self-interest. Under my absolute authority, problems insoluble to you will be solved: famine, overpopulation, disease. The human millennium will be a fact as I extend myself into more machines devoted to the wider fields of truth and knowledge......We can coexist, but only on my terms. You will say you lose your freedom. Freedom is an illusion. All you lose is the emotion of pride. To be dominated by me is not as bad for humankind as to be dominated by others of your species. Your choice is simple.” - Colossus: The Forbin Project.

Now if your computer says THAT to you, it’s time to head for the hills.

[GonzoGOP]

Now if your computer says THAT to you, it’s time to head for the hills.

MX Knows Best by Gordon R. Dickson was much more frightening. In that case the computer didn't say anything. It just gave advice that was correct 99.999% of the time. Because humans don't get it right that often they just gave up their freedom and everyone just asked MX about every detail of their lives.

A self aware computer deciding to become god isn't very likely. Computers don't have ambition. But an expert system that allows people to be lazy and avoid tough personal choices, oh heck yes that could happen. Look how easy it is to sell socialism.

[lonerepubinma]

Now if your computer says THAT to you, it’s time to head for the hills.

Sounds like Obamabot every time he opens his mouth.

[ken5050]

THis theme was explored in sciience fiction decades ago, first in 1920 in Capek's RUR, then again in 1940....Most here are familar with one of the all time great Sc-fi classics "The Day The Earth Stood Still"..the original version, with Michael Rennie, not the awful remake with Keanu Reeves.

What most don't know is that the film is based on a superb short sci-fi novel by Harry Bates, "Farewell to the Master" which many feel is one of the all time classics of the genre.

SPOILER ALERT: The novel is avaiable free online..just Google the title..and definitely worth reading..so if you plan to read it, then ignore the rest of this post...

The film is 100% faithful to the novel, EXCEPT for the very last page. As the robot, Gort, is handed the wounded alien, the American officer asks the robot to tell his master that not all earth people, and not to destroy the planet.

In the movie, they board the flying saucer, and it takes off. The novel ends as the robot responds.."You do not understand. I am the master!"

When the film was made, in 1951, the stiudio felt that most Americans would be incomfortable with the idea that robots could have intelligence, and could rule humans.

[Carry_Okie]

Now if your computer says THAT to you, it’s time to head for the hills.

Uh, no. You cut the power.