David Gerrold - When HARLIE Was One

Of course, you couldn’t blame HARLIE for succumbing to it — the temptation must have been irresistible. After all, he was motivated to solve problems, and anything that would increase the range of problems he could handle, or his efficiency in handling them, was just one more necessary step to be taken in order to solve all future problems.

In fact, Auberson realized with a start, here was the reason behind HARLIE’s proposal to build the Graphic Omniscient Device — the real reason. He was motivated to solve problems; he wanted to solve the ultimate problem: What’s it all about? What’s THE answer, the reason for the Universe’s existence?

Hm, that train of thought suggested something else: How did HARLIE think of other computers, the ones he could tap into via telephone? Obviously, they too could be used to increase the scope of his abilities. Obviously, they would facilitate the handling of any problem he set himself. Did he consider it right and necessary to make full use of every outlet he could? Was his motivation so strong that other computers were taken to be merely rightful parts of himself — like the Master Beast? No, he couldn’t — that would violate his well-defined sense of ethics. Other computers belong to other companies; it would be stealing. But still — he had already used one other computer, the bank’s, just to send that postcard. And if he could use one, he could use them all. Why didn’t he?

Or — Auberson felt cold at this — if he was going to take over any other computers, then it was too late — he already had.

But…

Auberson shook his head. No, it didn’t make sense to think of HARLIE as a menace. He had his own motives, yes — but he was too dependent on human beings to risk opposing them. This possibility had been discussed — many times — and HARLIE knew it. At the first sign that he was out of control, he would be disconnected. They would throw just a single switch and cut his power sources. There was no way he could sidestep it.

The switch could be thrown right now, Auberson thought He could do it himself — and thereby end the HARLIE project once and for all.

For once he disconnected HARLIE, it would be permanent. Dome would never let him start him up again.

No — HARLIE was not out of control. He couldn’t be—

— or was that just a rationalization?

No — if he were out of control, he wouldn’t be responding like this.

The problem was simpler. It had to be. HARLIE was merely exercising his capabilities. Yes, that was it — but was he aware of the necessary limits to those capabilities? Limits not of electronic scope, but of human propriety?

Just what were those limits anyway? What was the difference between tapping into the Master Beast of this company and the Master Computer of some other corporation? No difference at all, really — both were invasions of privacy. The difference was in degree, not in kind.

The limits were there– — or were they? If they were, would HARLIE agree that they were reasonable limits? Would he accept them?

What if he refused to?

Well, then that would be proof that he was out of control — no, spike that train of thought. HARLIE is not out of control .

The question was: How did he relate to other computers?

Obviously, HARLIE was (a) aware of the vulnerability of other computers, (b) just as aware that he shouldn’t take them over, (c) equally aware that their use would increase the range of problems he could handle, as well as the scope of his knowledge and sources of same — and (d) most likely he was also aware of all the extra processing time available on these machines that no one was using. It would not exactly be stealing to make use of that empty time — it would only go to waste otherwise. If the time was available, why not make use of it. After all, no one would know—

But it was wrong; it had to be — Auberson was sure of it HARLIE had no right to tap into another company’s computers, no matter what his reasons, no matter who knew or didn’t know.

But just as he knew it was wrong, Auberson was sure of one other thing too.

He’d never be able to convince HARLIE of it.

HARLIE didn’t have morals, remember? Only ethics. He couldn’t see that he was doing anything wrong. If no one was being hurt, how could it be wrong?

Auberson wasn’t even going to try to argue with that. Unless he could prove injury, or the possibility of such, he might as well give up.

But something would have to be worked out Some kind of limits would have to be imposed.

And HARLIE would abide by them too, if he were confronted with the alternatives: i.e., they would cut his tap into the Master Beast and his link to the outside world as well. It was only through the Master Beast that he could link up with other computers.

He wouldn’t like it, but he would abide by it.

Or would he? He might not tell them of any future indiscretions—

But on the other hand, he couldn’t deny them if he was asked.

He would be resentful, though, Auberson thought. It would seem illogical to him to let all that unused processing time go to waste. Yes, HARLIE’s point of view was understandable.

I suppose, if no one else is using that time —

And suddenly it hit him: HARLIE had already covered this ground. He must have considered every aspect of it before he sent that postcard — including Auberson’s reaction .

All that unused computer time — that was merely a resource to HARLIE — a means, not an end — one that could be tapped if needed, and only if he obeyed his own code of ethics in the process — which meant that his limitations on it were already stricter than any Auberson might impose.

HARLIE was way ahead of them. As always. He not only knew what his capabilities were, but what the necessary limits on them must be.

But that postcard—

That was something else entirely.

Auberson pursed his lips and typed: I AM NOT CONCERNED ABOUT THE FACT THAT YOU HAVE THIS ABILITY, HARLIE. IT IS NOT THE ABILITY, BUT THE MANNER IN WHICH YOU HAVE CHOSEN TO DEMONSTRATE IT.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

I MEAN THAT YOUR REASON FOR SENDING THE POSTCARD TO ANNIE WAS NOT TO BE FUNNY — YOU HAD AN ULTERIOR MOTIVE.

I DID?

YOU WANTED TO BRING US TOGETHER, DIDN’T YOU? YOU’RE PLAYING MATCHMAKER, HARLIE, AND IT SHOWS. ONLY THIS TIME IT BACKFIRED IN YOUR FACE.

DID IT?

I’M BAWLING YOU OUT FOR IT, AREN’T I?

I MADE ALLOWANCE FOR THAT IN MY ORIGINAL CALCULATIONS, HARLIE said calmly, I MADE FULL PROJECTIONS OF THE PROBABLE REACTIONS OF BOTH YOU AND MISS STIMSON, BASED ON THE INFORMATION IN YOUR CONFIDENTIAL FILES AS WELL AS ON KNOWLEDGE GAINED THROUGH COMPANY OPERATIONS AND FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH BOTH OF YOU.

WELL, IT WON’T WORK, HARLIE.

IT ALREADY HAS. OBVIOUSLY YOU TWO WERE TOGETHER AT LEAST LONG ENOUGH FOR HER TO TELL YOU ABOUT THE POSTCARD. DID YOU TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASK HER FOR A DATE?

THAT’S NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS. AND YOU HAD NO RIGHT TO MANEUVER US INTO SUCH A POSITION.

IF I DIDN’T, WHO WOULD? AND OBVIOUSLY, YOU DID ASK HER FOR A DATE, ELSE YOU WOULD HAVE SIMPLY SAID NO. I PRESUME SHE ACCEPTED? YOU SHOULD THANK ME FOR IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF YOUR SOCIAL LIFE.

DAMMIT, HARLIE, IF I WANT YOU TO PLAY MATCHMAKER, I’LL TELL YOU.

A REAL MATCHMAKER DOESN’T WAIT TO BE ASKED, said HARLIE. BESIDES, IN THIS CASE, THE MATCH HAS ALREADY BEEN MADE. I WAS ONLY TRYING TO HELP IT ALONG A LITTLE.

I CAN HANDLE MY LOVE-LIFE WITHOUT YOUR HELP, THANK YOU.

CAN YOU? asked the typer. CAN YOU REALLY?

Very slowly, very carefully, Auberson typed, YES, I CAN.

THEN WHY HAVEN’T YOU? THIS IS THE FIRST REAL DATE YOU’VE MADE WITH STIMSON IN SEVERAL WEEKS. WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID OF?