Mechanical Thinking

Re “Birth of a Thinking Machine,” June 21: Until they can intelligently articulate feelings associated with the sting of poverty, contribute to a discussion about how to alleviate world hunger and then join in efforts to clean up our polluted oceans, this project will continue to be a $50-million drain on us all. What a shame that the brilliant people behind Cyc did not spend 500 person-years and invest $50 million trying to solve the most basic problems of humanity.

Erik Theodor Johnson

Santa Barbara