I think I think, therefore, I think I think I am, I think.
In part 2 he wonders if society could survive The Replicator,and guesses people would adapt.There was a 1950s or so SF short story about that.In the story two copying machines just show up someplace.They look like two plates on a platform with a button and a warning.(Use with care? Not responsible for misuse? I can't remember.)Anything on one platform is duplicated on the other, except for living creatures. They're copied dead.The first thing copied, of course, is the other copier. Eventually there are millions of them.Money becomes valueless as it's all assumed counterfiet. In the story they switch to checking accounts.I think it was a test of the human race conducted by aliens. The correct answer was to smash all the copiers.The humans instead adapted.Can anyone name the story, authorand year?
Business as Usual, During Alterations, Ralph Williams, 1958.As me another one, Magnus.
Thanks.... I just reread it on line.Mr. William's short story instantly duplicated out of nothing.The story didn't mention all the garbage thatwould be generated.Geesh! DAILY trash pickup would be required!THE Aliens should have showed up the next weekoffering to lease unduplicatable dispose-alls.The 'something for nothing' part of the storyrubs me the wrong way.It shouldn't.Isn't 96% of the universe God-knows-what?THAT could be where the machines got theirworking mass.
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In part 2 he wonders if society could survive The Replicator,
and guesses people would adapt.
There was a 1950s or so SF short story about that.
In the story two copying machines just show up someplace.
They look like two plates on a platform with a button and a warning.
(Use with care? Not responsible for misuse? I can't remember.)
Anything on one platform is duplicated on the other, except for living creatures. They're copied dead.
The first thing copied, of course, is the other copier. Eventually there are millions of them.
Money becomes valueless as it's all assumed counterfiet. In the story they switch to checking accounts.
I think it was a test of the human race conducted by aliens.
The correct answer was to smash all the copiers.
The humans instead adapted.
Can anyone name the story, author
and year?
Business as Usual, During Alterations, Ralph Williams, 1958.
As me another one, Magnus.
Thanks.... I just reread it on line.
Mr. William's short story instantly duplicated out of nothing.
The story didn't mention all the garbage that
would be generated.
Geesh! DAILY trash pickup would be required!
THE Aliens should have showed up the next week
offering to lease unduplicatable dispose-alls.
The 'something for nothing' part of the story
rubs me the wrong way.
It shouldn't.
Isn't 96% of the universe God-knows-what?
THAT could be where the machines got their
working mass.
Post a Comment