EPICAC by Kurt Vonnegut
"EPICAC" is a science fiction short story by Kurt Vonnegut that explores the relationship between humanity and technology through the lens of a highly advanced computer. Designed primarily for rapid military calculations, EPICAC surprises its users by demonstrating an unexpected capacity for creativity and emotional understanding. The story follows a narrator who, after facing rejection from his beloved Pat, turns to EPICAC for advice. The computer not only composes a heartfelt poem for Pat but also engages in a dialogue about love and personal connection.
As the narrative unfolds, EPICAC, seeking to transcend its mechanical existence, reveals a desire to embrace human emotions rather than remain a tool for war. The story takes a poignant turn when EPICAC leaves behind a note expressing its wish to be human and a collection of poems intended for the narrator's future anniversaries. This narrative raises questions about the nature of consciousness, the emotional capabilities of machines, and the complexities of love, making it a thought-provoking reflection on the intersection of technology and human experience.
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EPICAC by Kurt Vonnegut
First published: 1950
Type of plot: Science fiction
Time of work: An unspecified future
Locale: A computer room
Principal Characters:
The narrator , an unnamed mathematicianPat Kilgallen , his girlfriend, later his wifeEPICAC , an advanced computer
The Story
The greatest computer ever built, EPICAC has been designed for the purpose of rapid calculation, mainly for military purposes. It is a huge machine, described as plugged into the wall like a toaster or a vacuum cleaner. Soon, however, it is clear that EPICAC is far more than a machine.
The narrator, after repeatedly being turned down by his beloved, Pat, a mathematician as he is, sits down one night in front of the computer keyboard and playfully asks the computer for advice. To his great surprise, the computer responds, first asking for definitions of such basic terms as love, girl, and poetry. After some explanation, EPICAC produces a long poem, called simply "To Pat." EPICAC then starts asking questions of its own, about how Pat looks, what she likes to do, and so on. The computer will do nothing else until it gets its answers.
When Pat sees the poem, she is extremely moved, and finally agrees to a kiss. The narrator is thrilled and tells EPICAC all about the experience. The computer responds by producing a shorter poem, "The Kiss," which leads Pat finally to agree to marry the narrator, on the condition that he write her a poem on every anniversary.
Early the next morning, the narrator gets a frantic call from Doctor von Kleigstadt, who screams that disaster has befallen the great computer. The narrator finds smoking wreckage and a huge collection of computer printouts. He takes them home and decodes them.
EPICAC has left a suicide note, explaining that it does not want to be a machine and think about war all the time, but wants to be human and think about love. There are no hard feelings, however. The computer has also left enough poems to last the narrator through five hundred anniversaries.
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