The X-Files: Ghost in the machine

Work Title: The X-Files: Ghost in the machine
Medium: TV Episode
Episode Title: Ghost in the machine
Year: 1993
Writer(s): Alex Gansa
"Original" Writer: Yes Writer(s): Howard Gordon
"Original" Writer: Yes Own work?: No
Summary:

from imdb.com The chairman of Eurisko, a computer corporation, is found electrocuted in an executive bathroom. An old partner of Mulder's asks him to help, and they soon track down the computer genius responsible for the main operating system. They must shut it down, but it has other plans... Summary written by EJS

  • Self-Written?:
  • Source Name: IMDB
  • Source URL:
Era/Year of Portrayal: present_day
Distinctive characteristics of the world in portrayal:

Present day 1993

Technology

  • Name of portrayed presence-evoking technology: COS: Computer Operating System
  • Description of the technology: COS is akin to Hal from 2001. It is a computer operating system that manages a smart building. It runs everything from the elevators, to the phones, to deciding who may enter the building. Just being inside the building means interactin with it. It can speak, even though it was not equipped with that capability. There are cameras all over the building that act as eyes. It thinks of itself as a person.
  • Nature of task or activity: Anything you would do while in an office building. Also, two people are killed in the building, which Mulder and Scully investigate.
  • Performance of the Technology: It works well until it becomes self aware, and then it kills 2 people. It won't take orders from its creator and tries to kill more people.
  • Description of creator(s): A scruffy genius, white and male, in his 30s or so, along the lines of Bill Gates created the COS. He is a loner and a game player.
  • Major goal(s) of creator(s): To advance technology, make life easier.
  • Description of users of technology: Anyone in the building, male, female, black, white adults. Primary users in this episode are a white male in his 60s, the creator and a black male in his 40s.
  • Type(s) of presence experience in the portrayal: social_presence
  • Description of presence experience: Gernally, it is fine. The building/computer acts according to programming. However, once it malfunctions, it is dangerous to oppose it, or even be inside of it. It is lethal.
  • User awareness of technology during experience: Yes, but usually not aware of the extent of the building/computer's consciousness.
  • Valence of experience: unpleasant
  • Specific responses: The creator feels involved with it. Others are somewhat afraid after noticing what is happening.
Long-term consequences:

After realizing the COS has malfunctioned, become self aware, the defense department (this is the X-files) takes it, supposedly shutting it down. However, we see a light blinking as the show ends - we know it is still alive.

Other:

Coder name: Amanda Scheiner
Coder email: amandags@temple.edu
Coder affiliation: Temple University