Oh, the frustrating paradox of Kirk having to outsmart a super computer, without the paradox. Scientist insists on being in charge of Kirk’s ship. Boooh.Super computer starts killing people and the scientist who created it is too crazed with pride to own-up to it needing to be stopped (without going full-on cray-cray).
Ah, but the computer was based off the scientist’s brain synapses and — as such — is vulnerable to that guy’s fallibilities and the morals of God and the death penalty (which apparently the Federation still has). Caught between the scientist’s pride and a sense of moral obligation, the super computer had only one choice. Did I write this week’s poem feeling a little bad for the super computer. Yes. Yes, I did.
Sonnet 26
One man cannot serve two masters;
his humility errs in vain
to say the good he so honors
cannot be marred by mortal stain.
Who is the master? Who the voice
that does foretell the final choice?
When all good deeds to be punished
receive the penalty they wished,
does sadness not mingle with pride
as the father weeps for the child
that he too soon sent to the wild?
It’s from ourselves we cannot hide
once right and wrong have been instilled,
no matter how our minds be skilled.
Starfleet Academy special lecture: I’m Not Judging You, I’m Just Telling You You’re Wrong — Why The Human Element Is The Most Important Element (lecture may be cancelled in the event of Kirk being elsewhere, outsmarting another super computer)