True Names

[Nikita]

Re: True Names

Is there some reason you directed this to me, or was it just a mistake?

He probably just hit reply on the latest post, to add his post to the conversation. You just happened to be it. I don't think he understands the thread and wanted to add his "name". I can see it as a simple mistake. English is obviously not his first language and is probably doing better than we would trying to join and post on a forum entirely in his language. I am soft hearted I suppose. No one should have to be a baby sitter but I don't want to see the baby out with the bathwater either.

[TheCotMan]

Re: True Names

Based on information we can see, the guy is "from" a country where English is not the first language spoken by most members of the population.

[bascule]

Re: True Names

One of my earliest influences was Frederic Brown, in a story called (go figure) "Etaoin Shrdlu." It was about an intelligent linotype.

I really liked Frederic Brown's "Answer":

Dwan Ev ceremoniously soldered the final connection with gold. The eyes of a dozen television cameras watched him and the subether bore throughout the universe a dozen pictures of what he was doing.
He straightened and nodded to Dwar Reyn, then moved to a position beside the switch that would complete the contact when he threw it. The switch that would connect, all at once, all of the monster computing machines of all the populated planets in the universe -- ninety-six billion planets -- into the supercircuit that would connect them all into one supercalculator, one cybernetics machine that would combine all the knowledge of all the galaxies.
Dwar Reyn spoke briefly to the watching and listening trillions. Then after a moment's silence he said, "Now, Dwar Ev."
Dwar Ev threw the switch. There was a mighty hum, the surge of power from ninety-six billion planets. Lights flashed and quieted along the miles-long panel.
Dwar Ev stepped back and drew a deep breath. "The honor of asking the first question is yours, Dwar Reyn."
"Thank you," said Dwar Reyn. "It shall be a question which no single cybernetics machine has been able to answer."
He turned to face the machine. "Is there a God?"
The mighty voice answered without hesitation, without the clicking of a single relay.
"Yes, now there is a God."
Sudden fear flashed on the face of Dwar Ev. He leaped to grab the switch.
A bolt of lightning from the cloudless sky struck him down and fused the switch shut.

[Thorn]

Re: True Names

He probably just hit reply on the latest post, to add his post to the conversation. You just happened to be it. I don't think he understands the thread and wanted to add his "name". I can see it as a simple mistake. English is obviously not his first language and is probably doing better than we would trying to join and post on a forum entirely in his language. I am soft hearted I suppose. No one should have to be a baby sitter but I don't want to see the baby out with the bathwater either.

The intent was to give him the benefit of the doubt, so that's why I asked him. If it was a simple mistake, then no harm, no foul.

However, judging by a three other posts he made after this, his asshat potential is moderate to high.

[shrdlu]

Re: True Names

I really liked Frederic Brown's "Answer":

...and thanks for reminding me of it. He was just a class act.

BTW, I now possess the Vernor Vinge "True Names and the opening of the cyberspace frontier" which has contributions from Timothy May and Patti Maes, in addition to True Names itself, and a host of other folk as well. It looks to be very cools, and I look forward to reading it.

[moleprince]

Re: True Names

If you're looking for more Vinge and less commentary, you could pick up the True Names: and Other Dangers collection.
http://www.amazon.com/Names-Other-Da...7980619&sr=8-2

I'm ordering it as we speak, actually.