Dickeson--Warm Fuzzies vs. Cold Pricklies

Six months ago, I read Ray Kurzweil's "The Age of Spiritual Machines" (Viking Press, 1999) and shook my head in disbelief, even though his forecasts have been remarkably accurate. Machines more intelligent than humans? Come on, Ray!

Six months later, I'm not so sure. It's a quiet battle of humans against digits we're just beginning to wage. The weapons are Warm Fuzzies against the digital, Cold Pricklies. Think about it. Isn't it wonderful to be in a world where the battle is fought by out-nicing the competition to retain traditional markets?