Well, this was done in order to achieve the maximum conservation of our life support capabilities, basically food and air. Now the three hybernating crew members represent the survey team. And their efforts won't be utilized until we're approaching Jupiter.
Dr. Poole, what's it like while you're in hibernation?
Frank Well, it's exactly like being asleep. You have absolutely no sense of time. The only difference is that you don't dream.
As I understand it, you only breathe once a minute. Is this true?
Frank Well, that's right. The heart beats three times a minute. Body temperature's usually down to about, um, three degrees centigrade.
Frank Umm...anyway, Queen takes pawn. OK?
Bishop takes Knight's pawn.
Frank Hmm, that's a good move. Er...Rook to King One.
I'm sorry, Frank. I think you missed it. Queen to Bishop Three. Bishop takes Queen. Knight takes Bishop. Mate.
Frank Ah...Yeah, looks like you're right. I resign.
Thank you for a very enjoyable game.
Frank Yeah. Thank you.
I hope the two of you are not concerned about this.
Yeah. I'd like to ask you a question, though.
How would you account for this discrepancy between you and the twin 9000?
Well, I don't think there is any question about it. It can only be attributable to human error. This sort of thing has cropped up before, and it has always been due to human error.
Frank Listen HAL. There has never been any instance at all of a computer error occurring in the 9000 series, has there?
None whatsoever, Frank. The 9000 series has a perfect operational record.
Frank Well of course I know all the wonderful achievements of the 9000 series, but, uh, are you certain there has never been any case of even the most insignificant computer error?
None whatsoever, Frank. Quite honestly, I wouldn't worry myself about that.
Well, I'm sure you're right, HAL. Uhm, fine, thanks very much.
Frank [Dave and Frank are in the D pod, out of earshot of HAL.]
Well, what do you think?
I'm not sure. What do you think?
Frank I've got a bad feeling about him.
Frank Yeah, definitely. Don't you?
I don't know. I think so. You know, of course though, he's right about the 9000 series having a perfect operational record. They do.
Frank : Unfortunately, that sounds a little like famous last words.
Yeah, still it was his idea to carry out the failure-mode analysis, wasn't it?
Frank Hmm.
...which should certainly indicate his integrity and self-confidence. If he were wrong, it would be the surest way of proving it.
Frank It would be if he knew he was wrong.
Frank But Dave, I can't put my finger on it, but I sense something strange about him.
Still, I can't think of a good reason not to put back the number one unit and carry on with the failure-mode analysis.
Frank No, no, I agree about that.
Well, let's get on with it.
Frank OK. Good luck, Dave.
Frank Let's say we put the unit back and it doesn't fail, huh? That would pretty well wrap it up as far as HAL is concerned, wouldn't it?
Well, we'd be in very serious trouble.
Frank We would, wouldn't we?
Frank What the hell can we do?
Well, we wouldn't have too many alternatives.
Frank I don't think we'd have any alternatives. There isn't a single aspect of ship operations that's not under his control. If he were proven to be malfunctioning, I wouldn't see how we would have any choice but disconnection.
I'm afraid I agree with you.
Frank There'd be nothing else to do.
It would be a bit tricky.
Frank Yeah.
We would have to cut his higher-brain functions...without disturbing the purely automatic and regulatory systems. And we'd have to work out the transfer procedures of continuing the mission under ground-based computer control.
Frank Yeah. Well that's far safer than allowing HAL to continue running things.
You know, another thing just occurred to me...Well, as far as I know, no 9000 computer has ever been disconnected.
Frank No 9000 computer has ever fouled up before.
That's not what I mean...Well I'm not so sure what he'd think about it.
The sixth member of the Discovery crew was not concerned about the problems of hibernation, for he was the latest result in machine intelligence: The H.-A.-L. 9000 computer, which can reproduce, though some experts still prefer to use the word mimic, most of the activities of the human brain, and with incalculably greater speed and reliability. We next spoke with the H.-A.-L. 9000 computer, whom we learned one addresses as "Hal." Good afternoon, HAL. How's everything going?
Good afternoon, Mr. Amor. Everything is going extremely well.
HAL, you have an enormous responsibility on this mission, in many ways perhaps the greatest responsibility of any single mission element. You're the brain and central nervous system of the ship, and your responsibilities include watching over the men in hibernation. Does this ever cause you any lack of confidence?
Let me put it this way, Mr. Amor. The 9000 series is the most reliable computer ever made. No 9000 computer has ever made a mistake or distorted information. We are all, by any practical definition of the words, foolproof and incapable of error.
HAL, despite your enormous intellect, are you ever frustrated by your dependence on people to carry out actions?
Not in the slightest bit. I enjoy working with people. I have a stimulating relationship with Dr. Poole and Dr. Bowman. My mission responsibilities range over the entire operation of the ship, so I am constantly occupied. I am putting myself to the fullest possible use, which is all I think that any conscious entity can ever hope to do.
Dr. Poole, what's it like living for the better part of a year in such close proximity with Hal?
Frank Well it's pretty close to what you said about him earlier, he is just like a sixth member of the crew. You're very quickly get adjusted to the idea that he talks, and you think of him, uh, really just as another person.
In talking to the computer, one gets the sense that he is capable of emotional responses, for example, when I asked him about his abilities, I sensed a certain pride in his answer about his accuracy and perfection. Do you believe that Hal has genuine emotions?
Well, he acts like he has genuine emotions. Um, of course he's programmed that way to make it easier for us to talk to him, but as to whether or not he has real feelings is something I don't think anyone can truthfully answer.
