Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Herbie the love bug and rise of the machines

The 1969 Disney movie "The Love Bug" seemed to hit the nail on the head via the philosophizing of artist Tennessee Steinmetz played by Buddy Hackett who has a very likable speech impediment.


- Well then, if everything you say about this car is true, it's already starting to happen.
- What's starting to happen?
- Us human beings. We had a chance to make something out of this world. We blew it. Another kind of civilization is gonna take a turn ... I'm sitting up on top of this mountain, right?
- Right.
- I'm surrounded by these gurus and swamis and monks, right?
- Right.
- I got some contemplation goin'. I see things like they are. I coulda told you all this was comin'.
- What's coming?
- Jim, it's happening right under our noses and we can't see it. We take machines and stuff 'em with information until they're smarter than we are. ... Pretty soon, you know what? The machine starts to think it is somebody. .... You follow me?
- Yeah. I think you were up on that mountaintop too long.
- You're not listenin' to me.
- Don't lose your grip, old buddy. This little car didn't do one thing tonight that can't be explained...
- I don't think you got the picture.