About Me
Education
Achievements
My Homeland
Places I travelled
My Interests
For Employers
Any Comments, or want to get in touch?
An extract from Arthur C Clarke's '2001: A Space Odyssey'
In this extract, Bowman and Poole are the two astronauts in their mission to reach Jupiter. 'Hal' is the main intelligent computer that controls the whole mission, navigation, and even has the power to navigate the ship itself and complete the journey without any human. But, how far does 'Hal' go and use its power, can it use its power to turn against the captain and crew...?
'The AE 35 unit has failed, as I predicted.'
'Let me see the alignment display.'
For the first time since the beginning of the voyage, the picture had changed. Earth had begun to drift from the cross-wires; the radio antenna was no longer pointing towards its target.
Poole brought his fist down on the alarm cut-out and the wailing ceased. In the sudden silence that descended upon the Control Deck, the two men looked at each other with mingled embarrassment and concern.
'Well I'm damned,' said Bowman at last.
'So Hal was right all the time.'
'Seems that way. We'd better apoplogise.'
'There's no need to do that,' interjected Hal. 'Naturally, I'm not pleased that the AE 35 unit has failed, but I hope this restores your confidence in my reliability.'
'I'm sorry about this misunderstanding, Hal,' replied Bowman, rather contritely.
'Is your confidence in me fully resotred?'
'Ofcourse it is, Hal.'
'Well, that's a relief. You know that I have the greatest possible enthusiasm for this mission.'
'I'm sure of it. Now please let me have the manual antenna control'.
'Here it is.'
If you have not read the book, and happened to show some interest in the last 30 seconds by reading the above, then why not get a copy? I am sure you will enjoy it. You can also watch the movie directed by Stanley Kubrick now available on DVD.
