I Just read the first patent and find it seriously, ridiculously retarding that such a generic thing could be patented. If instead of being a software system, i

I Just read the first patent and find it seriously, ridiculously retarding that such a generic thing could be patented. If instead of being a software system, it was a social system, it would equate to a patent on secretarial duties. "If I get a phone call, and it's from somebody important, bring it to my attention, and I will choose from a number of possible appropriate re-actions, which decision I will then inform you of, and you take appropriate re-re-action, if there is one." Is it possible that in 1996, when this patent was issued, that the patent office clerks rubber stamping these things had no ideas as to what was meant by the pseudo-technical jargon? Input device? Output device? Action processor?!