you mean the ability to accept and process information, and manufacture
self-improving rules for problem-solving based on that information, then the
answer is yes, the Taloids can do that—but so can any of the so-called smart
machine tools in a modem automobile factory, an editor-transcriber computer, or
any reasonably proficient chess-playing program that learns. The difference is
merely one of degree, according to Dr. Goodmay, and not anything fundamental.
But if by think you mean the ability to imagine, create, aspire to greater
things, see the world through emotion-tinted glasses, and all the other things
we take for granted when we apply the word to people, then the answer is no way.
People can externalize aspects of their own thinking and project them into
Taloids in much the same way as children can convince themselves that the
computers they talk to at home are really alive and understand what the kids are
saying.”
Before Zambendorf could recover from the shock of what he was hearing, the
picture changed to show himself with Osmond Periera, walking along a corridor
inside the Orion and disappearing through a doorway. He couldn’t remember when
the shot had been taken—it could have been from any time in the voyage. The
commentary resumed, “Another person who’s spending a lot of time looking for
answers to the same question is Karl Zambendorf, seen here with Dr. Osmond
Periera, the Orion’s principal investigator of the parapsychological sciences.”
Zambendorf choked over the mouthful of coffee he had been about to swallow; the
screen showed him apparently discussing experimental procedures and nodding at
Periera, who was holding a clipboard in front of panels of flashing lights and a
computer console. The voice went on, “After the encouraging results of the
experiments performed during the voyage and after arrival at Titan to assess the
effectiveness of extrasensory communications away from the terrestrial
environment, the Austrian psychic and other experts with the mission have been
examining the possibility of probing whatever emergent Taloid psyche might exist
by means of what are called psychodynamic sympathetic resonances, or what
amounts to the same thing, mind reading.” Now Zambendorf was being shown with a
set of wires and electrodes taped around his forehead and temples, staring, with
an expression of deep concentration, at a wall of equipment racks. That was an
old shot from the early part of the voyage. It was a stunt he had pulled to
demonstrate how he could alter the readings of a mass spectrometer by changing
its magnetic field profile through mind power; in fact Thelma had simply kicked
the leg of the table supporting the chart recorder and produced an abnormal
trace at a moment when everybody’s attention had been on Zambendorf. The view
switched to one of a Taloid surrounded by electronics equipment and recorders,
which Zambendorf recognized as part of Dave Crookes’ setup for capturing Taloid
speech and facial patterns at the first meeting in the desert. The two shots had
been taken months apart, but the continuity of the TV presentation suggested
they were closely connected parts of a single process.
“This is insane!” Zambendorf protested. “I don’t know anything about this. I’ve
never tried any mind reading of Taloids.”
The commentary went on: “Preliminary results were negative, however. Zambendorf
was unable to detect any trace of the energy patterns that characterize
intelligent mental activity, a certain degree of which, he says, he has no
trouble picking up even from higher animals such as primates, whales, and some
species of monkeys, dogs, and cats.”
“Lies! Lies! Lies!” Zambendorf shouted. “I said no such thing. They’re more
intelligent than that stupid woman!”
“But the scientists out at Titan are not about to give up yet. According to Dr.
Periera, a whole new technique might have to be developed for tuning into
holoptronic minds. In any case, even if everything does turn out to be the way
it looks at present and there aren’t any minds on Titan to tune into,
nevertheless, Zambendorf thinks it might be possible to link human minds into
Taloid sensory systems and use them as free-moving vehicles for remote
perception.” The newscaster lowered the sheet and concluded with another smile
from the screen, “There, wouldn’t that be great—send your own Taloid wherever