religion, god, jesus, were all created a long time ago when people had no way of explainiing how things happend, like why there crop didnt gro as much as his crop, your all fucking stupid. just end your lifes now and save the waste of food, and what ever happend to love thie neighbour all the religions do is bag out each other

The inspiration behind Kubrick's ongoing AI project, a tale of humanity and of the aching loneliness in an overpopulated future.

Though Brian Aldiss bristles at being pigeonholed as a sci-fi writer, the British author has won every major science fiction award. He has also sparked director Stanley Kubrick's imagination with the short story "Super-Toys Last All Summer Long." First published in Harper's Bazaar in 1969 and later anthologized, this tale of humanity in an age of intelligent machines and of the aching loneliness endemic in an overpopulated future is the inspiration behind Kubrick's ongoing AI project. Aldiss's story offers richly suggestive details that one hopes will make the cinematic cut. But just in case they don't, read the original.



In Mrs. Swinton's garden, it was always summer. The lovely almond trees stood about it in perpetual leaf. Monica Swinton plucked a saffron-colored rose and showed it to David.

"Isn't it lovely?" she said.

David looked up at her and grinned without replying. Seizing the flower, he ran with it across the lawn and disappeared behind the kennel where the mowervator crouched, ready to cut or sweep or roll when the moment dictated. She stood alone on her impeccable plastic gravel path.

She had tried to love him.

When she made up her mind to follow the boy, she found him in the courtyard floating the rose in his paddling pool. He stood in the pool engrossed, still wearing his sandals.

"David, darling, do you have to be so awful? Come in at once and change your shoes and socks."

He went with her without protest into the house, his dark head bobbing at the level of her waist. At the age of three, he showed no fear of the ultrasonic dryer in the kitchen. But before his mother could reach for a pair of slippers, he wriggled away and was gone into the silence of the house.

He would probably be looking for Teddy.

Monica Swinton, twenty-nine, of graceful shape and lambent eye, went and sat in her living room, arranging her limbs with taste. She began by sitting and thinking; soon she was just sitting. Time waited on her shoulder with the maniac slowth it reserves for children, the insane, and wives whose husbands are away improving the world. Almost by reflex, she reached out and changed the wavelength of her windows. The garden faded; in its place, the city center rose by her left hand, full of crowding people, blowboats, and buildings (but she kept the sound down). She remained alone. An overcrowded world is the ideal place in which to be lonely.

The directors of Synthank were eating an enormous luncheon to celebrate the launching of their new product. Some of them wore the plastic face-masks popular at the time. All were elegantly slender, despite the rich food and drink they were putting away. Their wives were elegantly slender, despite the food and drink they too were putting away. An earlier and less sophisti- cated generation would have regarded them as beautiful people, apart from their eyes.

Henry Swinton, Managing Director of Synthank, was about to make a speech.

"I'm sorry your wife couldn't be with us to hear you," his neighbor said.

"Monica prefers to stay at home thinking beautiful thoughts," said Swinton, maintaining a smile.

"One would expect such a beautiful woman to have beautiful thoughts," said the neighbor.

Take your mind off my wife, you bastard, thought Swinton, still smiling.

He rose to make his speech amid applause.

After a couple of jokes, he said, "Today marks a real breakthrough for the company. It is now almost ten years since we put our first synthetic life-forms on the world market. You all know what a success they have been, particularly the miniature dinosaurs. But none of them had intelligence.

"It seems like a paradox that in this day and age we can create life but not intelligence. Our first selling line, the Crosswell Tape, sells best of all, and is the most stupid of all." Everyone laughed.

"Though three-quarters of the overcrowded world are starving, we are lucky here to have more than enough, thanks to population control. Obesity's our problem, not malnutrition. I guess there's nobody round this table who doesn't have a Crosswell working for him in the small intestine, a perfectly safe parasite tape-worm that enables its host to eat up to fifty percent more food and still keep his or her figure. Right?" General nods of agreement.

"Our miniature dinosaurs are almost equally stupid. Today, we launch an intelligent synthetic life-form - a full-size serving-man.

"Not only does he have intelligence, he has a controlled amount of intelligence. We believe people would be afraid of a being with a human brain. Our serving-man has a small computer in his cranium.



"There have been mechanicals on the market with mini-computers for brains - plastic things without life, super-toys - but we have at last found a way to link computer circuitry with synthetic flesh."

David sat by the long window of his nursery, wrestling with paper and pencil. Finally, he stopped writing and began to roll the pencil up and down the slope of the desk-lid.

"Teddy!" he said.

Teddy lay on the bed against the wall, under a book with moving pictures and a giant plastic soldier. The speech-pattern of his master's voice activated him and he sat up.

"Teddy, I can't think what to say!"

Climbing off the bed, the bear walked stiffly over to cling to the boy's leg. David lifted him and set him on the desk.

"What have you said so far?"

"I've said -" He picked up his letter and stared hard at it. "I've said, 'Dear Mummy, I hope you're well just now. I love you....'"

There was a long silence, until the bear said, "That sounds fine. Go downstairs and give it to her."

Another long silence.

"It isn't quite right. She won't understand."

Inside the bear, a small computer worked through its program of possibilities. "Why not do it again in crayon?"

When David did not answer, the bear repeated his suggestion. "Why not do it again in crayon?"

David was staring out of the window. "Teddy, you know what I was thinking? How do you tell what are real things from what aren't real things?"

The bear shuffled its alternatives. "Real things are good."

"I wonder if time is good.

I don't think Mummy likes time very much. The other day, lots of days ago, she said that time went by her. Is time real, Teddy?"

"Clocks tell the time. Clocks are real. Mummy has clocks so she must like them. She has a clock on her wrist next to her dial."

David started to draw a jumbo jet on the back of his letter. "You and I are real, Teddy, aren't we?"



The bear's eyes regarded the boy unflinchingly. "You and I are real, David." It specialized in comfort.

Monica walked slowly about the house. It was almost time for the afternoon post to come over the wire. She punched the Post Office number on the dial on her wrist but nothing came through. A few minutes more.

She could take up her painting. Or she could dial her friends. Or she could wait till Henry came home. Or she could go up and play with David....

She walked out into the hall and to the bottom of the stairs.

"David!"

No answer. She called again and a third time.

"Teddy!" she called, in sharper tones.

"Yes, Mummy!" After a moment's pause, Teddy's head of golden fur appeared at the top of the stairs.

"Is David in his room, Teddy?"

"David went into the garden, Mummy."

"Come down here, Teddy!"

She stood impassively, watching the little furry figure as it climbed down from step to step on its stubby limbs. When it reached the bottom, she picked it up and carried it into the living room. It lay unmoving in her arms, staring up at her. She could feel just the slightest vibration from its motor.

"Stand there, Teddy. I want to talk to you." She set him down on a tabletop, and he stood as she requested, arms set forward and open in the eternal gesture of embrace.

"Teddy, did David tell you to tell me he had gone into the garden?"

The circuits of the bear's brain were too simple for artifice. "Yes, Mummy."

"So you lied to me."

"Yes, Mummy."

"Stop calling me Mummy! Why is David avoiding me? He's not afraid of me, is he?"

"No. He loves you."

"Why can't we communicate?"

"David's upstairs."

The answer stopped her dead. Why waste time talking to this machine? Why not simply go upstairs and scoop David into her arms and talk to him, as a loving mother should to a loving son? She heard the sheer weight of silence in the house, with a different quality of silence pouring out of every room. On the upper landing, something was moving very silently - David, trying to hide away from her....

He was nearing the end of his speech now. The guests were attentive; so was the Press, lining two walls of the banqueting chamber, recording Henry's words and occasionally photographing him.



"Our serving-man will be, in many senses, a product of the computer. Without computers, we could never have worked through the sophisticated biochemics that go into synthetic flesh. The serving-man will also be an extension of the computer - for he will contain a computer in his own head, a microminiaturized computer capable of dealing with almost any situation he may encounter in the home. With reservations, of course." Laughter at this; many of those present knew the heated debate that had engulfed the Synthank boardroom before the decision had finally been taken to leave the serving-man neuter under his flawless uniform.

"Amid all the triumphs of our civilization - yes, and amid the crushing problems of overpopulation too - it is sad to reflect how many millions of people suffer from increasing loneliness and isolation. Our serving-man will be a boon to them; he will always answer, and the most vapid conversation cannot bore him.

"For the future, we plan more models, male and female - some of them without the limitations of this first one, I promise you! - of more advanced design, true bio-electronic beings.

"Not only will they possess their own computer, capable of individual programming; they will be linked to the World Data Network. Thus everyone will be able to enjoy the equivalent of an Einstein in their own homes. Personal isolation will then be banished forever!"

He sat down to enthusiastic applause. Even the synthetic serving-man, sitting at the table dressed in an unostentatious suit, applauded with gusto.

Dragging his satchel, David crept round the side of the house. He climbed on to the ornamental seat under the living-room window and peeped cautiously in.

His mother stood in the middle of the room. Her face was blank; its lack of expression scared him. He watched fascinated. He did not move; she did not move. Time might have stopped, as it had stopped in the garden.

At last she turned and left the room. After waiting a moment, David tapped on the window. Teddy looked round, saw him, tumbled off the table, and came over to the window. Fumbling with his paws, he eventually got it open.

They looked at each other.

"I'm no good, Teddy. Let's run away!"

"You're a very good boy. Your Mummy loves you."

Slowly, he shook his head. "If she loved me, then why can't I talk to her?"

"You're being silly, David. Mummy's lonely. That's why she had you."

"She's got Daddy. I've got nobody 'cept you, and I'm lonely."

Teddy gave him a friendly cuff over the head. "If you feel so bad, you'd better go to the psychiatrist again."

"I hate that old psychiatrist - he makes me feel I'm not real." He started to run across the lawn. The bear toppled out of the window and followed as fast as its stubby legs would allow.

Monica Swinton was up in the nursery. She called to her son once and then stood there, undecided. All was silent.

Crayons lay on his desk. Obeying a sudden impulse, she went over to the desk and opened it. Dozens of pieces of paper lay inside. Many of them were written in crayon in David's clumsy writing, with each letter picked out in a color different from the letter preceding it. None of the messages was finished.

"My dear Mummy, How are you really, do you love me as much -"

"Dear Mummy, I love you and Daddy and the sun is shining -"

"Dear dear Mummy, Teddy's helping me write to you. I love you and Teddy -"

"Darling Mummy, I'm your one and only son and I love you so much that some times -"

"Dear Mummy, you're really my Mummy and I hate Teddy -"

"Darling Mummy, guess how much I love -"

"Dear Mummy, I'm your little boy not Teddy and I love you but Teddy -"

"Dear Mummy, this is a letter to you just to say how much how ever so much -"

Monica dropped the pieces of paper and burst out crying. In their gay inaccurate colors, the letters fanned out and settled on the floor.

Henry Swinton caught the express home in high spirits, and occasionally said a word to the synthetic serving-man he was taking home with him. The serving-man answered politely and punctually, although his answers were not always entirely relevant by human standards.

The Swintons lived in one of the ritziest city-blocks, half a kilometer above the ground. Embedded in other apartments, their apartment had no windows to the outside; nobody wanted to see the overcrowded external world. Henry unlocked the door with his retina pattern-scanner and walked in, followed by the serving-man.

At once, Henry was sur-rounded by the friendly illusion of gardens set in eternal summer. It was amazing what Whologram could do to create huge mirages in small spaces. Behind its roses and wisteria stood their house; the deception was complete: a Georgian mansion appeared to welcome him.



"How do you like it?" he asked the serving-man.

"Roses occasionally suffer from black spot."

"These roses are guaranteed free from any imperfections."

"It is always advisable to purchase goods with guarantees, even if they cost slightly more."

"Thanks for the information," Henry said dryly. Synthetic life-forms were less than

You would like for the Bible to have been made up so you wouldn't have to answer to anything. It's what you want to believe, so you believe in something you have absolutely no basis for, that the Bible and Jesus are made up. If you're so smart you must enlighten us idiots with proof of this theory.

relegion is all shit and there is nothing u little crying bitches who beleive in god or there other types of gods can do about it i say the only thing that relegion does is creat wars and make money for capitalist so u stupid ppl that waste your life going to church and praying will realise that when u die nothing happens u become dirt and mold

Man, you're the smartest person ever. I can't believe everyone couldn't believe that most profound statement

yup religion is all shit

I concur........^^^^^^^^^^

How nice. Totse's 12 year-old retard population seems to be on the rise.

I ate your family...eblip... your ignorance astounds me. Then again, reading your crap has given me a good laugh. I always enjoy hearing some arrogant, prepubescent moron spouting off as if he understands the mysteries of the universe. Do any of you even consider the possibility that you could be incorrect in your horrid assumptions?

Let me clue you in on something. You do not know the truth. No one does. Once you realize this, you will find that it really doesn't matter what anyone else believes.

I don't expect an intelligent reply from either of you. I am simply trying to make a point.

i ate your family

quote:Originally posted by i ate your family:

i ate your family

I think you just proved UnknownVeritas's point.

and i suppose that u belive that god exists or dont u. mayby because we know nothing of what really exsist you still believe in religion in reality people still believe that "god" exists and that he is the "ultimate creator" you are right about know one on the world knows weather god dose exist but what people say about god in the bible is bullshit, do u know about the creatisum theory which even some scientists still belive oppssed to darwins theroy of evolution or how can god created everything out of nothing when science proves how alot of things where REALLY created

quote:Originally posted by wisdom-is-strength:

I think you just proved UnknownVeritas's point.

i know here you and your family live you know

quote:Originally posted by i ate your family:

i know here you and your family live you know

That doesnt make sence.

"and i suppose that u belive that god exists or dont u"

My beliefs are irrelevant.

"in reality people still believe that 'god' exists and that he is the 'ultimate creator'"

What's your point?

"you are right about know one on the world knows weather god dose exist but what people say about god in the bible is bullshit"

And why is that? Have you done extensive research on this text? Do you have anything to support your claims? No, screw that. I know you don't have anything. New point: Do you understand that someone could just as easily say that your lack of religion or spirituality is "bullshit"? Both sides believe that they are correct. Just because you say so, doesn't make it truth.

"do u know about the creatisum theory"

Ahem, creationism. Though I am no expert on the Bible, I understand the basics in the theory of creation. Just as I understand the basics in the theory of evolution. Again, I am wondering if you have done any actual research into these topics.

"how can god created everything out of nothing when science proves how alot of things where REALLY created"

As in... the Big Bang THEORY? The truth is, no one can explain the true origins of our Universe. Maybe some day we will find our answers, but until then, we are in the dark.

ok i give up u win

All I can say in response is:

worst thread ever.

Full of people that lack even a basic grasp of grammar or spelling. On top of that, some really bad arguments. People state an opinion or self-theory with no support what so ever. What is the point? Atleast support something you say and don't sound like all the other redundant idiots here. Not to mention, how many other people have stated that religion is bullshit?!? You make it sound like you have made some great discovery, when it really just sounds like some rhetoric you heard from someone else.

quote:Originally posted by eblip2:

relegion is all shit and there is nothing u little crying bitches who beleive in god or there other types of gods can do about it i say the only thing that relegion does is creat wars and make money for capitalist so u stupid ppl that waste your life going to church and praying will realise that when u die nothing happens u become dirt and mold

You seem to be the only one doing the crying here.

And if we're just stupid, why are you so angry about it ?

It should be FUNNY to you...

Rather, your reaction would indicate that you know deep down that there is a God, and for one reason or another, you're pissed at Him.

Congratulations for accomplishing the exact opposite of what you had intended to.

This has been said multiple times on this website. Neither side can prove anything. The only mere thing we can provide as a wimsy form of evidence is personal experience. While this doesn't move many people (Near death Experiences, and stories of the sort), we are left with opinions.

I have several questions for the person that started this post, and those who agreed. First of all, we believe in God, and we're fine with that. You don't, and you have to tell us about it. Why? I mean, I've seen and heard from alot of Atheist's in the past few days. They have very similar characteristics. It's really funny sometimes too. Anyways, I heard a lot of mention on the "Big Bang" theory, and how science can prove everything. Listen, if the "Big Bang" theory is true, who made the 'carbon' or what ever started that event. Also, this is a thought, suppose that theory is true, what if God did it. That was more of a symbolic statement than a real proposition. Also, I hear many Atheist's, making Atheist's look really bad by the way, saying that people believed in God because people didn't have the technology to explain the creation of the universe? Let me just let you know that's the worst argument I've ever heard, and it gi ves Atheist's a horrible image...I don't even want to get in to that right now. One more thing, where's the possible PROBLEM with religion? Name one person in this world that would rather live by negative energy as opposed to positive energy? Who would honestly rather be happy than sad? I'm not saying religion always makes you happy, but, most of the time, it's the perfect start. Now, besides that, suppose you're wrong, and there is a God, if you believe in him now, don't you have a plan B? And if he doesn't exist, than it doesn't matter. Christian's should be complaining and annoying to you Atheist's. Jesus Christ.



I forgot to be fair and add, if God exist's, who created God? But, it goes for both ways...

[This message has been edited by Mitizaa (edited 09-08-2004).]

i ate your family your a retard who should really get a life and some decent arguments.

However he has one valid point that the bible is made up, possibly his only valid point but none the less a point.

One thing that annoys me is when people say you cant proove it isnt made up or you cant proove it doesnt exist.

What kind of argument is that, the way i see it is that it is up to the person who has a belief in something be it a scientific theory or religion to proove it.

Im sick of many (not all) religiouse people hiding behind "its my belief you cant question it". I think that nothing should be accepted as true unless there is a reasonable basis to believe it, please dont use the perfetic argument "i dont have physical evidence, but i feel gods presence".

I'd hardly call that conclusive as many scientists now believe that such feelings are caused by a genetic need in humans to feel they are not alone, therefore it is probably a result of that rather than "divine intervention".

EDIT: In answer to the above comment i'd rather live in negative energy and believe what has the highest probability of being true than live based on nothing but false faith in something that in all probability doesnt exist.



[This message has been edited by ninja_turtle (edited 09-09-2004).]

The religions i know most about, catholic, jewish, muslim.... et cetera i do not find very convincing.

Through my personal endevers to find truth in creation, the most convincing discovery i read about was the big bang theory... it certainly explains things better then any book based on good deeds.

I certainly agree with the first statement about how most religions were made up so people would not have to be frightened of dieing et cetra.

Although the scientific discoveries of the Big bang also lead to a point were something was made from nothing.

But that point seems to account for everything since then. Unlike the creation of Earth 4 thousand years, it seems to portay evidence of several thousand million years.

So far i am inclined to believe that. I also believe that many of the blind followers of the stated religions do not try to find answers from any other sources, which i believe is a crime of ignorance.

i don't belive god created the universe i i donn't believe there is a conscious form of existance any where as complex as life, after death, perhaps a molecular rearrangment of chemicals, as some one mentioned we will be decomposed into elements that will be used in other parts of the universe. Wheather is be the silicon in the sand, or the carbon of another life form.

Then agian through this balance of molecular arrangements we can assume that all the matter that ever existed came from something when the universe was created. Which means that humans are no more important then anyother arrangment of chemicals.

Does anyone else find it ironic, that through our consciousness, we are actually percieving these things.

The universe is percieving itself.

yes and if the universe is all that is then what else could preseve it?

Jesus did in fact exist. However, god does not. Im an avid athiest so... I agree, exept for the no Jesus thing. He was the one who pretty much started christianity.

quote:Originally posted by ninja_turtle:

However he has one valid point that the bible is made up, possibly his only valid point but none the less a point.

One thing that annoys me is when people say you cant proove it isnt made up or you cant proove it doesnt exist.

What kind of argument is that, the way i see it is that it is up to the person who has a belief in something be it a scientific theory or religion to proove it.



OK, concidering your statement about "it is up to the person who has a belief in something" "to proove it." and also your belief that there was a valid point made, about the Bible being made up.

I ask you to prove this belief.

I am not saying this to judge you, or to call you a hypocrite. I am actually saying this to make a point.

Beliefs are opinions, based on a mental acceptance of something being true. The only reasons (that i can think of) to prove a belief, are to either convince someone to agree with your belief, to defend your belief or to explain your belief to someone who asks.

Now, back to my original question. Would you please explain to me, why you agree that the Bible has been made up?

I will try to counteract your "proofs" with "proofs" that support my belief.

God Bless you

quote:Originally posted by maximusg:

I also believe that many of the blind followers of the stated religions do not try to find answers from any other sources, which i believe is a crime of ignorance.

Not that you are wrong, but how do you know that they havent tried to find answers elsewhere?

Not that you are right, but if they have found the truth, and they believe it, why would it be a crime of ignorance?

God made each person different. Some, like You and I, need to search for answers. Some do not.

An old friend of mine compared our differences as: "you(me) need to know why the light turns on, i(her) am just happy that it does".

quote:Originally posted by Cpt.Winters:

Jesus did in fact exist. However, god does not. Im an avid athiest so... I agree, exept for the no Jesus thing. He was the one who pretty much started christianity.

Could you please explain why you believe that Jesus did exist, but that God does not?

Actually, from a human point of view, the Jewish people started Christianity. The word 'Christ' comes from the Latin 'Christus' which is from the Greek 'christos' which means anointed, which is a translation of the Hebrew word (from the Old Testament) 'mashiah' which means anointed.

Also, Jesus and his disciples were Jewish.

From a "bigger picture" point of view. Even though you do not believe in God, He is the One that started Christianity, not to mention everything else. And Jesus, being one Person of the Triune God....wait a minute, I guess you were right, Jesus did start Christianity. http://www.totse.com/bbs/wink.gif (http://www.totse.com/bbs/wink.gif)