Machines and Thought

Talk nice to the machine, and never let it know you're in a hurry.

   The brain collects information, processes it and conjures up abstract thought, which is called a product of the mind. Some might also call it insight, intuition, or a sixth sense. Some might use the term inspiration, which is derived from the root "spirit."
   But where is the disconnect between brain and mind? The brain is a physical collection of cells and synapses, just as a computer is a collection of microchips and electronic pathways connecting the memory chips. Both work on a form of electricity -- electrons moving from one place to another.
   So if a human brain can use its physical stuff to access an abstraction called a mind, and call it inspiration -- even spiritual -- likewise a computer, using similar equipment, can do the same.
   Therefore, machines can think.
   The human mind organizes data and images using information stored in the brain memory. Computers use data and images stored in its memory, and can create new concepts and images. Initially, this has been done with human intervention and encouragement. Perhaps in the near future, machines will think on their own, without human intervention.
   Or perhaps they already do.
   Already, computers have defeated chess masters at the board game. Fiction writers have created stories about computers that have minds of their own and get together with other computers to take over worldly things. Remember Hal, in the book and movie "2001, A Space Odyssey"?
   The book was written by Arthur C. Clarke, and the move was directed by Stanley Kubrick. Both came out in 1968 -- nearly 50 years ago.
   Ask any auto mechanic or supermarket cashier whether the machines they deal with sometimes seem to deliberately delay and frustrate human intentions.
   Talk nice to the machine.