Spot on, yeah. Although as pointed out just above, this wasn’t actually Weizenbaum’s position. But in an era of letters to the editor, perhaps using a little rhetorical trickery to preempt a two-month-long back and forth might be excusable. It’s a strawman nonetheless; but this letter is a screed.
It’s sarcasm. The question asks for unwarranted precision and the response is a joke.
Imagining a guy who asks me a dumb question so I can let everyone know how I’d mock them with a joke answer.
“Pray tell mr Babbage…”
Spot on, yeah. Although as pointed out just above, this wasn’t actually Weizenbaum’s position. But in an era of letters to the editor, perhaps using a little rhetorical trickery to preempt a two-month-long back and forth might be excusable. It’s a strawman nonetheless; but this letter is a screed.