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"I do think there is a link in that in both cases, writing fiction or writing a computer program, at any given moment you're focusing on a very specific and particular thing—one word, one line of code, whatever."
- Neal Stephenson
 |
| Toy Testing Dummy | ||
| A child-sized device used to test suspect toys. |
The Terran Bureau of Import Standards had one essential job; to make sure that toys from those rebellious outer planets and moons didn't try to sneak in some kind of weapon disguised as a toy.
| "Do you believe there's anything in this caution, or is it more paranoia about "alien milieux?"
Pinario said, "It's justified, especially where children's artifacts are concerned." A few hand-signals, and a slab of wall exposed a side room. Propped up in the center was a sight that caused Wiseman to halt. A plastic life-size dummy of a child, perhaps five years old in appearance, wearing ordinary clothes, sat surrounded by toys. At this moment, the dummy was saying, "I'm tired of that. Do something else." It paused a short time, and then repeated, "I'm tired of that. Do something else." The toys on the floor, triggered to respond to oral instructions, gave up their various occupations, and started fresh. "It saves on labor costs," Pinario explained. |
| From War Game,
by Philip K. Dick. Published by Galaxy Publishing in 1959 Additional resources -
|
They force the toys to go through their entire repertoire; experts view the tapes if it becomes necessary.
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