1982 BGGS Magazine

1rlHIIE: UNOCNOWN CCI'fHZIE:N Suddenly, it occurred to me - the identity of the unknown citizen ... Only a small group of lowly parents and friends celebrated his birth over a hundred years ago. The conception had been a surprise in itself, and when he eventually entered the world, after months of gestation, it was an unexpected event. They were uncer tain of how he would fulfil their expectations, his ancestors being of noble but eccentric origins. However, they resolved to teach him what they knew and then, it depended on him to explore further. He was to be called Mark I. It became evident that Mark I was a child prodigy but with certain idiosyncrasies. Like other infants, he had established his own language. This consisted of two particular sounds, strung together in various combinations, and he refused to think or talk in any other way. His parents tender heartedly submitted to his whim and decided to learn Mark I's form of speech themselves so as not to isolate him totally. However, his parents' colleagues would not spoil him in such a way and they forced Mark I to accept some aspects of conventional communication. Thus, a language was devised for him which was a compromise between that of Mark I's and society's. - · Surprisingly it was the normal, everyday conversation he found the most difficult. Otherwise, Mark I showed exceptional ability in the language of mathematics, science and logic, for his memory was outstanding. His teachers marvelled at his progress in these areas, especially when he began to solve problems in seconds that they could not do without days of calculations. Recognizing his efficiency, his parents proudly permitted Mark I to join the workforce on the condition that there be one lump payment in advance, then Mark I's board and keep for the length of his contract. Immediately he was in great demand. As he was not very sensitive to heat or cold and could work speedily for long hours without rest, provided he had ample food, there were a great variety of positions he was available for. These tended to be the tedious or dangerous jobs few people accepted but Mark I felt no like or dislike. "' · He could also manage several types of work simultaneously. In one particular case, he sat on a desk in a school office and recorded all the facts about the eight hundred students, while later he was being manipulated by an inexperienced senior class into helping them with Accounting. Thus Mark I possessed the rare qualities of total dedication to work, versatility and almost unfaltering obedience, that predictably gained him popularity in wide circles. Though he still suffered from the communication problem, Mark I made his vast amount of knowledge accessible to anyone who was willing to learn the compromised language. Many people did consult him and they found his answers very satisfactory. However, he was not accepted by all. There were those whose jobs and status he was usurping, that found him excessively and radically competent. They saw him still as a child and did not believe in his infallibility. Such an

unpredictable infant, they reasoned, could not have emerged into a true citizen, who never transgressed the law, never participated in a strike and never asked for a wage rise. Nevertheless, the government welcomed Mark I. After all, their aim was to remake society into a super efficient machine turning smoothly on a populace of dutiful cogs - what better a citizen then than Mark I ... the computer? It was a pity they had never recognized him as part of their community before .. . Yes, I see now Mark I for what he is, what he has become. He fitted well into the trend of dehumanization in our world. Or perhaps he was the cause of it? As the great grandchild of the electronic valve, the grandchild of the transistor, the silicon chip evolved, Mark I became more human, sapping mankind of its innate emotions, instincts and power. Insidiously he wormed himself into our favour by flattering our egotistical natures. We admired him and in turn, admired ourselves because this mine of potential knowledge, which obsequiously complied with our every wish, was incarnated from us. Side by side, we worked together - he carried out the groundwork and all the boring, bureaucratic tasks that seemed to restrict our lives, while we harvested the results and lived more leisurely. He was always there, even to bear the brunt of human errors, such as when a nuclear power station was mistakenly predicted to be on the verge ofexploding. The guilt which flashed throughout the world settled on Mark 1, the scapegoat, a member of society who unfailingly contributed his share, and more, to life. Gradually though, we admitted Mark I could not be wrong. Before any decision was made, he was asked to give his opinion and this consistently turned out to be the best. Thus, he developed a cult of worshippers . The unknown citizen had been elevated to the throne belonging to the second Messiah, or so his most ardent devotees declared. They believed he promised salvation for mankind; Mark I could cure all, solve all and answer all in just a few seconds. However, there is now uncertainty among the present · heads of state and they are attempting in some way to condemn and destroy Mark I. He has gained too much of the authority that should be rightfully theirs. There may be one who will betray him. Nevertheless, I doubt that he would die and leave us forever. We cannot live wthout "Him". In the sky there is the satellite, in the office there is the memory bank of employees, in our living room there is the video game, in our bedroom there is our visual telephone, on our wrist there is the electronic watch, in "His" brain, is the control of our life or death . Note: The first real computer was the Manchester University Mark I made on June 21, 1948. Initially it was built with an electronic valve, then a transistor was. used and today, the silicon chip is the main working component. The computer works on a system of binoury nufubers (l or 0) but can translate a simplified form of English words and symbols into its own "language." Winnifred Lee 75