Part 92 (2/2)
You can't touch a network Sure, you can touch the computer, the netire, you can touch the bits and pieces that make up the Network, but you cannot touch the Network The Network exists as a synergistic byproduct of many dissimilar and physically isolat- ed devices”
”I must admit Spook”
”That's Mister Spook to you earth man,” joked the Spook ”Sorry, continue”
”I could probably nickel and dime you into death by boredouable and better relegated for a long evening of total disagreement For the sake of world peace I will not press the issue now”
”How very kind,” et out of here, take a walk, and I'll continue your education”
If anyone else spoke to Scott so derogatorily, there would be instant conflict The Spook, though, didn't raise the defense mechanism in Scott Spook was actually a likable fellow, if soant
They walked back down Nieuwezuds Voorburgwal and Beursplein very slowly The Spook lit up another joint
”What's this,” said Scott appreciatively, ”an endless supply?”
”When in Rorand boulevard was a saht life The train station was still a hub of activity in the winter darkness of early evening
”So look at the Network You can cut off its tentacles, that's better than legs and feet in this case, and they will reappear, reconnect so bypasses trouble spots, self diagnostics help the Network doctors, priority and preferences are handled according to a clear set of rules”
Spook waved his hands to reinforce his case
”That's, ah, quite, ah, a theory What do the experts say about this?” Scott was teetering on the edge of partial acceptance
”Experts? We're the experts That's e hack, don't you see?” The ansas so obvious it didn't deserve a question
”Now, I can only speak for anis The network, the sponta- neously grown inforanism that covers most of the planet Earth I believe that is why all hackers start hacking Innate curiosity about the way things work Then, before our eyes, and behind the back of the world, the planet gets connected, totally connected to each other, and we haven't examined the ramifica- tions of that closeness, computer-wise that is That's e do” The Spook sounded satisfied with his explanation
Scott thought about it as they crossed Kerksplein and over canals to the Oude Zijds Voorbugwal Was the Spook spouting off a lot of rationalized bullshi+t or were he and the likes of hiical sociolo- gists to five billion clients? If a netas alive, thought Scott, it was alive in the sense that a town or village is alive, as the sum of its parts As a society is alive If the colobal village, as are thousands of other coht that not be considered a society? Communications are indeed different, but Scott remem- bered that Flatland was considered a valid society with a unique perspective on the universe Is it any different than the tele- phone, which connects everyone on the planet? shi+t, Spook wal, and a few blocks down the canal Scott saw a concentration of bright lights ”What's that?” He asked
”Poontang,” the Spook said lasciviously
”Say wha?” Scott asked
”This is horny Heaven, Ode to orgasm, Pick a Perversion” The Spook proudly held his arht District,” Scott added dryly
”Don't take the romance out of it, this is sleaze at it's best
Believe me I know” Somehow Scott had no doubts With the way Spook was passionately describing the specific acts and services available within the 10 square block hotbed of sex, Scott knew that the Spook was no novice They grabbed a couple of Heinekens from a bar and slowly strolled down one side of the carnal canal
”I was going to go to the Yab Yub tonight, but since you've never been here before, I figured I owed you a tour”
”Yab Yub? Aest bestest baddest whorehouse in Amsterdam,” said Spook exuberantly
”OK, fine, and this is”