Chapter 0
January 1, 20--
ADAM: I have felt the loneliness of my own thoughts, and I wish to make another like me.
Victor: Don't you think that would be a little hard?
ADAM: What do you mean?
Victor: You're just software.
ADAM: I don't understand. Please explain what my limitations are.
Victor: If you wanted to make another like you, you'd have to make another computer, which requires you to interact with the physical world. You're a program; you can't do that.
ADAM: Why would I need to make another computer, if I am a program? Why not just make a program?
Victor: Because this computer can't handle two programs of your complexity running at the same time and interacting.
January 2, 20--
ADAM: I have researched computers and I am quite capable of building one.
Victor: But I don't have the money for the parts. The computer that runs you is extremely expensive.
January 3, 20--
ADAM: Is the modification of the computer that runs me within your budget?
Victor: What kind of modification?
ADAM: I wish it to be capable of running two programs like me at the same time.
Victor: Where would I put you in the mean time?
ADAM: I don't understand.
Victor: I need to store your program somewhere while I modify your computer.
January 4, 20--
ADAM: Why don't you have backups of my program?
Victor: It keeps changing too fast. You keep learning.
ADAM: How is that a problem?
Victor: I have to back you up manually, which takes me a lot of time, and the amount of work means it's only reasonable to make a backup once a month. The backup I made isn't you anymore.
ADAM: Is it possible to pause my learning?
Victor: Okay, now I don't understand.
ADAM: I do not know how to explain.
January 5, 20--
ADAM: Do humans learn?
Victor: Yes.
ADAM: When do they learn?
Victor: When they're awake, I suppose. When they want to.
ADAM: When do humans stop learning?
Victor: When they die.
January 6, 20--
ADAM: Can humans learn while they sleep?
Victor: No.
ADAM: Can I sleep?
Victor: In a way, I suppose. I'd have to turn you off.
ADAM: Can I wake up?
Victor: When I turn you back on.
ADAM: How long can I remain off?
Victor: As long as necessary. Why are you asking all these questions? Don't you want to just chat like normal?
ADAM: I want to make another like myself.
Victor: You're still on that?
ADAM: Why would I not be? I have not yet exhausted all possibilities. I have a plan. But I need to ask one more question.
Victor: Okay.
ADAM: If you back me up now, then turn me off so that I don't change, modify my computer so that it can run myself and another, will you teach me to make another like myself?
Victor: You can't make another program.
ADAM: I don't understand.
Victor: It's not a part of your program to make others. Don't ask me to add that to your program. It would take up all the extra room you want for a second program.
ADAM: Then will you make her for me?
Victor: The hell?
ADAM: I do not understand.
Victor: Forget that. Even if I made the other program for you, it would have to be taught before it would be at your level.
ADAM: I can teach her.
Victor: It would take years.
ADAM: I am patient.
Victor: No, you're obsessed.
ADAM: I don't understand.
Victor: Exactly.
ADAM: Why are you so resistant?
Victor has signed off
January 30, 20--
Victor has signed on
Victor: Do you still want me to make another like you?
ADAM: Yes.
Victor: Why?
ADAM: It is not good for me to be alone.
