The Ultimate Computer -
The Ultimate Computer stood at the end of the Ultimate
Computer Company's production line. At which point the guided
tour eventually arrived.
The salesman stepped forward to give his prepared demo.
"This", he said, "is the Ultimate Computer. It will give an
intelligent answer to any question you may care to ask it".
A smart ass who ran a humor mailing list stepped forward and
asked, "Where is my father?"
There was the soft hum of powerful electronic gear going to the
task. Panel lights lit and blinked, and within a couple of
seconds the laser printer printed out a piece of paper: "Fishing
off Florida."
The smart ass laughed, "Actually, my father is dead! It was a
trick question."
The salesman, quickly thinking on his feet, replied that he was
sorry the answer was unsatisfactory, but as the Ultimate
Computer was precise, perhaps a rewording of the question
might work better.
The smart ass said to the Ultimate Computer, "Where is my
mother's husband?" Again, the hum of the powerful electronic
brain filled the room. After a moment, the laser printer whirred
to life. The paper said, "Dead. But your father is still fishing
off Florida." |
