All Roads Lead to Cornithaca

“Kafka Kraze AI Maze”

In a British sit-com – an employee is helped to simulate illness with a bit of soap for his mouth, and an onion to put under his arm. When it doesn’t work; he gives back the onion and is told he should have peeled it first. “You didn’t tell me” he says. “Well it’s common sense ain’t it” he’s told “nobody puts an onion under their arm without peeling it first.” That’s how I feel about Artificial Intelligence. • When my land-line deteriorated into a loud hum and a hash of static; I shouted through the noise to a computer for a service appointment – and then two computer follow-up calls to confirm that I still wanted the appointment – and nobody showed up. So I went through it all again. And again. In an online “chat”; I was told that all the appointment “tickets” had been somehow erased; received assurances – nobody showed up. I made more attempts – at least 8 frustrating hours. • Then one day; the hum and static suddenly stopped – a technician called and said he had fixed a problem that he found on the line – he was never informed of a complaint. • The hum in the line has started up again — should I try to make an appointment?