Thats odd, since Harlan Ellison claims it is ultimately an optimistic tale in favor of humanity. Ellison writes in his memoir about the story, "Yes the fate AM

Thats odd, since Harlan Ellison claims it is ultimately an optimistic tale in favor of humanity. Ellison writes in his memoir about the story, "Yes the fate AM has in store for Ted is monstrous, depressing, and downbeat. But the sub-text clearly shows that Ted has outwitted the computer; he has defeated the amoral and inhuman aspects of the human race that were programmed into the machine and which brought the world to its end." ... "we are prefectin our courage,and transcendent in our nobility..." Granted, I also think Ellison can be pretty full of himself, but the message is there nonetheless.