[Ar-list] Continuing dialog

[Lizard]

A quick note on the Matrix issue...the writers missed a very good opportunity.

Why do the machines keep humans around? We're solving a problem for them. 
Each human mind is a node in a network billions strong; the purpose of the 
simulation is not to keep us content, but to provide inputs to the nodes in 
a coded form. A lot of what a human/node does is just busy work, the 
equivalent of running a screen saver, but, every so often, a bit of real 
computing is done.

Why do the machines need humans for this? Because their AI minds can't 
solve the problem, whatever it is. They aren't even sure they understand 
the question.

What IS the problem? It could be "Is there a God?" or "Why is there 
something instead of nothing?" or "What is the meaning of life?" or "How 
high is a mouse when it spins?" or "What is the question to which the 
answer is '42'?". It doesn't matter, really.