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Subject: Re: A 2005 Summary of the Debate About Kasparov and Deep Blue II

Author: Lar Mader

Date: 10:12:52 04/30/05

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I think this is in many ways a pretty nice summary.  Also, I think that most if
not all of us would agree with most of what you have said here.

To summarize perhaps a little more succinctly:

I think most people agree that the IBM team behaved badly at this event (but
perhaps Kasparov did too).  To make this event the best that it could be, in the
interests of the experiment, Kasparov's state of mind/performance, and the
overall quality of chess, it would have been preferable if the IBM team could
have been more forthcoming about addressing Kasparov's concerns.  However, on
the flip side, doing so would run contrary to their own interests in winning.

I think that the point of disagreement lies with how _far_ one thinks that the
IBM team's obligations to Kasparov and the Experiment should extend.  And you
may be right that there may be a cultural difference here.  I believe your
position is that these obligations are so fundamental that ignoring them is
tantamount to cheating on behalf of the IBM team.  I think the people who
disagree feel that IBM wasn't _required_ within the context of the rules of the
match to take care of the needs of Kasparov or the Experiment (perhaps because
so much was riding on the win/loss outcome, and they think that this was first
and foremost a competitive event).

It is ok to disagree about this.  I think your position holds people to a
somewhat higher standard where a little bit of care beyond simply winning at all
costs is expected.  This is an admirable quality to wish for in people.  I think
Americans are often indoctrinated into a capitalistic ideology that teaches
people that it is ok to maximize self-interest at all costs  :(

Respectfully,

-= Lar



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