Shalmaneser (Stand on Zanzibar)

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Shalmaneser

A liquid hydrogen cooled megabrain computer reputed to be capable of "consciousness".

Shalmaneser itself is a compact 18" tall and has a diameter of 11" at its base. It is a Micryogenic device designed and maintained by the General Technics Corporation.

Shalmaneser is considered part of the "Thecapex" group. Thecapex stands forTHeoretical CAPacity Exceeds (the human brain). As a megabrain unit, Shalmaneser is the theoretical equivalent of 1000 human brains.

However, whether Shalmaneser is truly sentient is still a much debated point. Since it is such an efficient information handling device, it is difficult to ascertain whether Shalmaneser is conscious or simply clever.

When Shalmaneser was asked this question, the megabrain replied that "any response [it] could give (affirmative or negative) could not be confirmed by external events." By the laws of logic, this would make its answer (and the original question) meaningless.

Shalmaneser was the first computer capable of using normal spoken English in co.nversational tones, but is usually too busy to engage in idle co.nversation.

Shalmaneser handles all Scanalyser broadcasts, including Mr. and Mrs. Everywhere. Remaining capacity is rented to whoever who can afford it. Although Shalmaneser has little spare time, the computer is popularly rumored to have a girlfriend, the legendary Teresa.

Of course, critics of Shalmaneser abound. Religious zealots are, unsurprisingly, in the forefront, especially the Dinive Daughters. And Shalmaneser wasn't overlooked by contemporary society's foremost critic and analyst, Chad C. Mulligan, either:

"Shalmaneser that real cool piece of hardware up in the GT tower. They say he's apt to evolve true consciousness one day. Also they say he's as intelligent as a thousand of us put together, which isn't really saying much. Because when you put a thousand of us together look how stupidly we behave." (The Hipcrime Vocab by Chad C. Mulligan.)

See Also: Science.

Stand on Zanzibar by John Brunner

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Shalmaneser