This [1] is what Socrates had to say of writing, at least as written by Plato: "He who thinks, then, that he has left behind him any art in writing, and he who

This [1] is what Socrates had to say of writing, at least as written by Plato: "He who thinks, then, that he has left behind him any art in writing, and he who receives it in the belief that anything in writing will be clear and certain, would be an utterly simple person, and in truth ignorant of the prophecy of Ammon, if he thinks written words are of any use except to remind him who knows the matter about which they are written. Writing, Phaedrus, has this strange quality, and is very like painting; for the creatures of painting stand like living beings, but if one asks them a question, they preserve a solemn silence. And so it is with written words; you might think they spoke as if they had intelligence, but if you question them, wishing to know about their sayings, they always say only one and the same thing. And every word, when once it is written, is bandied about, alike among those who understand and those who have no interest in it, and it knows not to whom to speak or not to speak; when ill-treated or unjustly reviled it always needs its father to help it; for it has no power to protect or help itself." The irony of my being able to present this only due to the nature of writing cannot be overstated. At the same time it's the exact scenario described here. The nature of understanding vs the nature of knowing, simply replacing 'computer' with 'one who genuinely knows.' The writings of Socrates/Plato really are quite remarkable. [1] - http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0174%3Atext%3DPhaedrus%3Apage%3D275 http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%...