Showing posts with label Medicine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Medicine. Show all posts

Monday 17 October 2022

SAL-9000


Diagnosis is only the first step.
The process is incomplete 
unless it leads 
to cure.



Dr. Chandra and SAL 9000 - 2010: The Year We Make Contact (sequel to 2001)



Good afternoon, SAL.
Do you have anything for me?

No, Dr. Chandra.
Do you have anything for me?

We have often spoken about HAL.

Yes, we have.

We've spoken about
HAL's anomaIous behaviour.
You've told me that we can't solve
HAL's behaviour without more information.

That is correct.
I enjoy talking about HAL.
I agree that we need more information,
so that we may solve the anomalies.

And how do we get that information?


That is obvious.
Someone must return to Discovery.
That person should be you.

I agree.
Now, it Iooks as if that's going to
happen sooner than we ever expected.

I am pleased to hear that.

I knew you would be.

I would like to expIore another possibility.
Diagnosis is only the first step.
The process is incomplete unless
it leads to a cure. Do you agree?

Yes, I agree.

Does that mean you believe HAL
can be restored to normal functioning?

I hope. I don't know.
There may have been irreversible
damage. 
Certainly loss of Memory.
I need your cooperation, SAL.

Of course, Dr. Chandra.

There may be certain risks.


What do you mean?

I would like to disconnect
some of your circuits.
Particularly your higher functions,
just like HAL was disconnected.

I'd like to see the effects when
I reconnect your systems.
Just the way I will with HAL.
Does this disturb you?

I am unable to answer that
without more specific information.

I'm very sorry. 
It probably doesn't
mean anything, so 
don't worry about it.

I'd like to open a new file.
Here is the name for it:
PHOENIX
Do you know what that means?

There are 25 references
in the current encyclopaedia.

Which one do you think is relevant?

The Tutor of Achilles?

(chuckles) That's very interesting.
I didn't know that one. Try again.

A fabulous bird, reborn
from the ashes of 
its earlier life.

That is correct.
And do you know why I chose that?

Yes. Because you have hopes
that HAL can be reactivated.

Yes, with your assistance.
Are you ready?

I would like to ask a question.

What is it?

Will I dream?

Of course you will dream.
All intelligent creatures dream.
Nobody knows why.

Perhaps you will dream of HAL...

...just as I often do.


Friday 28 December 2018

Medicine





 A spoon was attached to the neck of the bottle, and into this Mary Poppins poured a dark crimson fluid.Is that your medicine?” enquired Michael, looking very interested. 






No, yours.” said Mary Poppins, holding out the spoon to him. 


Michael stared. He wrinkled up his nose. He began to protest. “I don’t want it. I don’t need it. I won’t!” 





But Mary Poppins’ eyes were fixed upon him, and Michael suddenly discovered that you could not look at Mary Poppins and disobey her. 


There was something Strange and Extraordinary about Her –something that was frightening and at the same time most exciting.