SOLVED. Adult Sci-Fi. Computers with personalities bickering with one another. Browsed early 1970's. [s]

[Denis]

Problem is, I never read the book itself, only an excerpt from a review of it. I have the impression it was written by a pretty well-known and respected author. The excerpt concerned three computers who were all programmed to have differing personalities and definite likes and dislikes. They were named George (average guy), St George (rather sickeningly nice), and Martha (bitchy and argumentative). They were all programmed to dislike cats. There was a sequence in which Martha says (yes, they can speak) to St George, "Have a cat," to which St George replies, "No, thank you," and Martha replies, "Have another cat." I expect this will be an easy one for somebody, but I guess my terms are too general for a successful search. Thanks to all.

[SamSpayedPI]

Michael Crichton's The Terminal Man

HELP?
YES, I WOULD LIKE TO HELP YOU.
HAVE A CAT.

Richards winced. Cats were programmed to be something that both George and Martha disliked. Giving George a cat was a very hostile move.

THANK YOU
HAVE ANOTHER CAT.
THANK YOU YOU ARE VERY KIND.
HAVE ANOTHER CAT.
NO THANK YOU.
DON’T YOU LIKE CATS?
YES BUT I HAVE ENOUGH CATS.
HAVE A GORILLA.

[Denis]

Thank you a thousand times! Is it worth the read? Sounds like a pretty complicated plot, although I used to find Crichton pretty readable.
Moderator, I've forgotten how to move this thread to the "Solved" folder. Thanks!

[SamSpayedPI]

You're welcome -- glad you found your book!

I never read it, so I can't help you there (I found it through a search: ["have another cat" & robot] @ https://archive.org). It's possible that your library has an electronic copy (mine does) so it would at least be at no cost (other than time). Or you can read it on the Internet Archive or Open Library.

[Denis]

Good idea, thank you.

[Kris]

Glad you found your book, Denis. I moved your thread to a Solved folder by clicking the small "edit" link after the header/topic title. This only works on the full Desktop website - not the Mobile website or app.

[Denis]

Thanks, Kris. Will try to remember next time.

[Bargle]

Denis wrote: "Thank you a thousand times! Is it worth the read? Sounds like a pretty complicated plot, although I used to find Crichton pretty readable."

I liked it. It was the first book of his I read.

[Denis]

Thank you, Bargle. I think I'll look into it.