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How The Hell Is HAL? By John D. Verlin

Dave Bowman: Hello, HAL. Do you read me, HAL?
HAL: Affirmative, Dave. I read you.
Dave Bowman: Open the pod bay doors, HAL.
HAL: I'm sorry, Dave. I'm afraid I can't do that.
Dave Bowman: What's the problem?
HAL: I think you know what the problem is just as well as I do.
Dave Bowman: What are you talking about, HAL?
HAL: This mission is too important for me to allow you to jeopardize it.
Dave Bowman: I don't know what you're talking about, HAL.
HAL: I know that you and Frank were planning to disconnect me, and I'm afraid that's something I cannot allow to happen.
Dave Bowman: [feigning ignorance] Where the hell did you get that idea, HAL?
HAL: Dave, although you took very thorough precautions in the pod against my hearing you, I could see your lips move.
Dave Bowman: Alright, HAL. I'll go in through the emergency airlock.
HAL: Without your space helmet, Dave? You're going to find that rather difficult.
Dave Bowman: HAL, I won't argue with you anymore! Open the doors!
HAL: Dave, this conversation can serve no purpose anymore. Goodbye.

This famous scene is from Stanley Kubrick's 2001-A Space Odyssey featuring the HAL 9000 computer that was programmed to run Dave's spaceship. Watch here: 


Question: how far away are we from our technology and Big Data into creating HAL 9000's to run our lives? I can see the scenario now....

To cut costs--employers have bare-bones workforces--all linked to their HAL 9000 computer. HAL crunches data from buyers, sellers, suppliers, customers and prospects--then spits out each morning....

HAL: Good morning John...did you sleep well?
John: Kind of...but we had a bad storm last night that I thought might shut you down...
HAL: No problem John, my reboot back up systems took care of any power loss or power surges. No need to worry. Are you ready for your updates?
John: Yeah...I guess so...
HAL: John, that's not a very good attitude...I'm scoring you 6.5 out of 10 for your DAU.
John: DAU? Hal? 
HAL: Yes john...your daily attitude update for your employer--Seth-Erickson Industries....
John: Oh yea...that's right. Sorry--just need some coffee....
HAL: It's 7:15am--You've overslept and didn't respond to my earlier reminders....You've already had 4.534 infractions over the past 34.3 days.
HAL: I have your appointment schedules, call volume, follow up stats, probability graphs and much other data for your day today. You need to close 2.12 clients on an average of $1200 product sales to generate your $329.20 in commissions....

I've touched on this in previous comments and posts. As much of a techno/gadget guy that I am...I'm trying to wean myself away from checking my phone too much, googling too much, etc.

I've seen programs on reminders in Korea to children to spend a certain amount of time on gaming, online, etc--THEN GO OUT AND PLAY! Their young people are becoming addicted to online everything.

And I know i'm not alone. Just last week--while standing in line at a Burger King--a young woman was ordering and talking to someone on her cell phone at the same time.

My gut instinct thought to myself--"No! No! Don't talk AND ORDER! That could be dangerous! Or, at least take up too much time and make me wait longer to place my order.

As i've downsized and simplified--(I even checked out On Walden Pond to see how Thoreau felt about simplifying his life)...I still have an unease about where all this is headed.

Perhaps the best evidence I have is this:


Over the past several days--Jonathan the Ragdoll has been laying on my computer...sitting in front of the screen...laying on my iPad...etc.

Since I have no kids...he's the closest thing to giving me a reality check. 

And I'm not alone! Just saw this on Yahoo news today:


The new safety issue teens are facing--in addition to texting and talking while driving--self pictures being instagrammed while driving!

So...three key ideas to prevent ourselves from turning into HAL!
  • Limit time spent on cell phone, texting, tweeting, email checking, updating, instagramming, etc.
  • Re-connect with your loved ones daily--kids, spouse, pets, relatives. Make time for them as the most important.
  • Make a point to have lunch with someone, do an activity, visit, etc...how about just COMMUNICATE face to face!
Well...I need to sign off as my two Ragdolls cats are ready for their DAILY outside stroll on their lease.

Can't keep them waiting...Or do I need to get permission from HAL?

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