Я, Робот
The Evitable Conflict
Wedon’thavetoeatyeastliketheEasternboys,andwedon’thavetoworryaboutthestaledregsofthelastcenturylikeyouNortherners.
"We’vewipedoutthetsetseflyandtheAnophelesmosquito,andpeoplefindtheycanliveinthesunandlikeit,now.We’vethinneddownthejunglesandfoundsoil;we’vewateredthedesertsandfoundgardens.We’vegotcoalandoilinuntouchedfields,andmineralsoutofcount.
"Juststepback.That’sallweasktherestoftheworldtodo.-Stepback,andletuswork."
Byerleysaid,prosaically,"ButtheCanal,–itwasonschedulesixmonthsago.Whathappened?"
Ngomaspreadhishands,"Labortroubles."Hefeltthroughapileofpapersskelteredabouthisdeskandgaveitup.
"Hadsomethingonthematterhere,"hemuttered,"butnevermind.TherewasaworkshortagesomewhereinMexicoonceonthequestionofwomen.Thereweren’tenoughwomenintheneighborhood.ItseemednoonehadthoughtoffeedingsexualdatatotheMachine."
Hestoppedtolaugh,delightedly,thensobered,"Waitawhile.IthinkI’vegotit.-Villafranca!"
"Villafranca?"
"FranciscoVillafranca.-Hewastheengineerincharge.Nowletmestraightenitout.Somethinghappenedandtherewasacave-in.Right.Right.Thatwasit.Nobodydied,asIremember,butitmadeahellofamess.-Quiteascandal."
"Oh?"
"Therewassomemistakeinhiscalculations.-Oratleast,theMachinesaidso.TheyfedthroughVillafranca’sdata,assumptions,andsoon.Thestuffhehadstartedwith.Theanswerscameoutdifferently.
