Standards in Artificial Intelligence

[AI Nut]

Phil Norman wrote:
> 
<<<snip>>>
> >Oh ye of little vision.  Hard to believe you are in such an advanced
> >field.  Why???   Why indeed -- because it is THERE!
> 
> The answer "because it's there" is usually a synonym for "because
> I enjoy the challenge" (case in point - the climbing of Everest
> (IIRC)).  "Because it's there" is quite possibly the lamest excuse
> it is possible to give - it doesn't take much thought to come up
> with a better, more accurate answer.
> 
> It also doesn't make much sense.  Have you ever been to Finland?
> Probably not, but it's THERE, and not too difficult to get to.
> 
> Cheers,
> Phil
> 
> ...or snack lunch in the hall...

Ah, Phil.  Just to let you in on a little secret:
the phrase "because it's there" signifies
1) man's quest for adventure,
2) our innate desire to explore the unknown,
3) the thrill of discovery,
4) the satisfaction of broadening mankind's knowledge, and
5) the enormous satisfaction of meeting a race-class challenge.

Among many others.

AI Nut