Answer

By Fredric Brown

Level: Intermediate and up (Read the story adapted for pre-intermediate level here)

Listen to this story here

Note to reader: This story was written in the 1950s, when the first modern computers were just being developed and before the internet was invented. Therefore, the words “computer” and “internet” had not yet become common words for these devices. In this story “sub-ether” is like a super internet for the universe and “supercalculator” and “cybernetics machine” are what we would call a “computer”.

Dwar Ev ceremoniously soldered the final connection with gold. The eyes of a dozen television cameras watched him and the sub-ether bore through the universe a dozen pictures of what he was doing.

He straightened and nodded to Dwar Reyn, then moved to a position beside the switch that would complete the contact when he threw it. The switch that would connect, all at once, all of the monster computing machines of all the populated planets in the universe—ninety-six billion planets—into the supercircuit that would connect them all into one supercalculator, one cybernetics machine that would combine all the knowledge of all the galaxies.

Dwar Reyn spoke briefly to the watching and listening trillions. Then after a moment's silence he said, "Now, Dwar Ev."

Dwar Ev threw the switch. There was a mighty hum, the surge of power from ninety-six billion planets. Lights flashed and quieted along the miles-long panel.

Dwar Ev stepped back and drew a deep breath. "The honor of asking the first question is yours, Dwar Reyn."

"Thank you," said Dwar Reyn. "It shall be a question which no single cybernetics machine has been able to answer."

He turned to face the machine. "Is there a God?"

The mighty voice answered without hesitation, without the clicking of a single relay.

"Yes, now there is a God."

Sudden fear flashed on the face of Dwar Ev. He leaped to grab the switch.

A bolt of lightning from the cloudless sky struck him down and fused the switch shut.

Vocabulary:  To help learners fully understand the audio and transcript, most vocabulary that might be unknown for this lesson’s level is provided. Vocab in bold is more useful for learners at the lesson’s target level. Try to choose 8 to 10 new words to learn from the story (in general, it’s best to try to learn no more than 8-10 new words a day).

Definitions are written with the help of various sources including  Merriam-Webster’s Learner’s Dictionary

Ceremoniously: formal and serious: suitable for a ceremony.

To solder: a mixture of metals that is melted and used to join metal parts together.

Ether: the air: the sky: used especially when describing electronic signals that travel through the air or space.

Dozen: a group of 12 people or things.

To bore: to move forward steadily.

Universe: all of space and everything in it including stars, planets, galaxies, etc.

To nod: to move your head up and down as a way of answering “yes” or of showing agreement, understanding, or approval.

Switch: a small device that starts or stops the flow of electricity to something (such as a lamp or a machine) when it is pressed or moved up and down.

To throw a switch: to move a switch up or down in order to turn something on or off.

Circuit: the complete path that an electric current travels along.

Cybernetics: the scientific study of how people, animals, and machines control and communicate information.

Galaxy: any one of the very large groups of stars that make up the universe.

Mighty: having or showing great strength or power.

Surge: a sudden, large increase.

Hum: to make a low continuous sound.

Flash: to appear quickly or suddenly.

Panel: a flat surface where the controls of a vehicle, machine, etc., are located.

Hesitation: to stop briefly before you do something especially because you are nervous or unsure about what to do.

Click: to cause (something) to make a short, sharp sound.

Leap: to jump or to move quickly.

To grab: to quickly take and hold (someone or something) with your hand or arms.

To fuse: to join or become joined because of heat or a chemical reaction.

To shut: to become closed.

Discussion Questions:
1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of computers becoming more intelligent?
2. Will machines ever become more intelligent than humans?
3. Do you think a computer could ever become almost like a ‘god’: almost all knowing and all powerful?
4. If a computer could be created like the one in the story, what do you think it would do and how would it act?
5. What question would you ask the supercomputer in this story?