My favorite exchange in Star Trek:
MCCOY: Did you see the love light in Spock’s eyes? The right computer finally came along. What’s the matter, Jim?
KIRK: I think that thing is wrong, and I don’t know why.
MCCOY: I think it’s wrong, too, replacing men with mindless machines.
KIRK: I don’t mean that. I’m getting a Red Alert right here. (the back of his head) That thing is dangerous. I feel. (hesitates) Only a fool would stand in the way of progress, if this is progress. You have my psychological profiles. Am I afraid of losing my job to that computer?
MCCOY: Jim, we’ve all seen the advances of mechanisation. After all, Daystrom did design the computers that run this ship.
KIRK: Under human control.
MCCOY: We’re all sorry for the other guy when he loses his job to a machine. When it comes to your job, that’s different. And it always will be different.
KIRK: Am I afraid of losing command to a computer? Daystrom’s right. I can do a lot of other things. Am I afraid of losing the prestige and the power that goes with being a starship captain? Is that why I’m fighting it? Am I that petty?
MCCOY: Jim, if you have the awareness to ask yourself that question, you don’t need me to answer it for you. Why don’t you ask James T. Kirk? He’s a pretty honest guy.
