| Computers Don't Argue | |
| Author: | Gordon Dickson |
| Language: | English |
| Genre: | Science Fiction |
| Published In: | Analog Science Fiction and Fact |
| Publication Type: | Magazine |
| Publisher: | Condé Nast Publications, Inc. |
| Media Type: | Print (magazine) |
| Pub Date: | September 1965 |
"Computers Don't Argue" is a 1965 science fiction short story by American writer Gordon R. Dickson, about the dangers of relying too strongly upon computers. It was nominated for a Nebula Award in 1966. Dickson borrows the basic premise and general structure of James Thurber's 1949 The New Yorker story "File and Forget" (which chronicles the author's losing battle seeking to return some unwanted books sent him by his publisher), but instead of humor weaves his rendering into a dark and forbiddingly cautionary tale.
The story is told in the form of correspondence.
Walter A. Child of Panduk, Michigan has a disagreement with his book club in Chicago, Illinois over a damaged copy of Kim by Rudyard Kipling (cost $4.98) that was sent to him. He returns it, asking for a replacement. Instead, he is sent a copy of Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson. He returns it, requesting that the matter be settled. Instead, he receives a second, automated notice.
He replies saying that the book club now owes him money. He receives a third letter and his reply to it is not read. His account is then turned over to a third party collection agency, increasing the amount owing to $6.83. A second letter ups it to $7.51 and a third to $10.01. Child responds with a letter explaining the matter, but the agency does not believe him and threatens legal action.
The matter goes to small claims court in Illinois, the amount having increased to $15.66. A duplicate judgment is passed the next day in Michigan. However, the amount owed and the statute number are transposed on the punch card.
Child sends a letter that he will visit the book club offices personally and settle the matter himself. Meanwhile the transposed amount is interpreted as Statute 1566, relating to criminal matters. Since no such statute exists, it is changed to 1567 (kidnapping). The changed punch card is then incorrectly interpreted to relate to the kidnapping of a child named Robert Louis Stevenson by a person named A. Walter and an arrest and hold warrant is issued.
Child is arrested at the book club offices. The judge requests more information, since a trial transcript is missing from the record. He specifically requests if the victim, Robert Louis Stevenson, was harmed. The request returns that Stevenson is deceased, having died at age 44. The reply omits the date of death, simply replying that the victim is dead. A personal reply to the judge mentions that the victim was slain and mentions a possible gang connection.
Child's lawyer believes him, but Child is sentenced to execution, for first-degree murder in connection with the death of a kidnap victim. Since no previous trial transcripts are available, the judge is forced to rely on the computerized records.
Since all records have been computerized, appeal time has been cut to five days, and ten for it to be acted upon. Instead of appealing, he appeals to the governor for a pardon. The governor is out of the country and slow to respond. Child refuses an offer by the warden to let him escape, believing that the pardon will arrive in time.
The pardon is issued by the governor, but a post office routing number error causes it to arrive too late.[1]
The story was read on Mindwebs in 1978.