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Article: CONVERSATIONS WITH MY COFFEE MAKER
- Article from:
- The Boston Globe (Boston, MA)
- Article date:
- November 14, 1994
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 1994 The Boston Globe. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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I had been reading Roger Penrose's new book on the science of
human consciousness and wanted to discuss it with my wife.
"Not now," she said, "I'm watching television."
So I stretched out on the couch and tried to join in. The last
thing I remember before drifting off to sleep was a commercial for a
Black & Decker coffee maker: "The coffee maker that's capable of
intelligent thought at 7 a.m."
I awoke at seven, still eager to discuss Penrose's book. My wife
was asleep upstairs. I made my way to the kitchen and engaged our
coffee maker in conversation.
"What do you think of Roger Penrose's contention that computers
will never become conscious?" I asked.
"Who is Roger Penrose?" the coffee ...