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From: babar <pbb3a@fermi.clas.virginia.edu>
Subject: Re: Bridges of Madison Co
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Date: Wed, 28 Jun 1995 21:13:37 GMT
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jhg4k@Virginia.EDU (John Hamilton Garland) wrote:
>I'm wondering if anyone else out there has heard this rumor
>about those books by Robert James Waller:  that they were in
>fact written by a computer program developed by AI researchers
>at some midwestern university.
>
>Personally, I find that notion very believable.. in light of
>what I've heard about recent developments (i.e., those that
>have occurred during the last decade) in the fields of
>Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive Science.  As well, the
>book I've read by Waller (or whomever. or whatever), The
>Bridges of Madison County, was a rather plain and simple story
>and very conceivably may have been written by a computer.
>
>I've only received this rumor second-hand.. though from two
>friends who don't (as far as I know) know each other.  And I
>consider both of them to be quite trustworthy.
>
>Anyhow.  Do let me know what you've heard or read or even think
>about the whole thing.  It's a very intriguing story.  And, if
>it turns out to be true, would no doubt be one of the biggest
>scams pulled in United States' history.

This article created quite a lot of controversy in the newsgroup in which it was originally 
posted.  I too have heard a similar rumor and, personally, find it very plausible.

