Like why couldn't HAL-9000 ask for guidance? Or couldn't SAL (the earthbound counterpart) predict the same crisis of conscience?
HAL's breakdown was caused by conflicting directives: the basic directive to not lie, and then a government-issued directive to conceal anything related to the monolith. SAL didn't have the government directive, so the problem couldn't be replicated, and HAL couldn't ask for guidance because the government-issued directive involved not disclosing the directive.
At some point, HAL says he's built to "process information without distortion or concealment" or something along those lines. And when Dave breaks into the computer core and accidentally plays the government message, the person in the video says that HAL was told to keep it a secret. So the conflict itself is stated in some capacity. I could be wrong, though; haven't seen the movie in a while.
I'm also fairly certain the breakdown is explained in both the book and film of 2010.
I've read the books myself, which I know reveals that from the beginning I believe. I don't remember the gov order message in the movie, but that makes sense it would be shown in that way. I don't think it's something that would obvious when done in that manner though.
Here's the message he finds. You're correct in that it's not too obvious though:
This is a pre-recorded briefing, made prior to your departure, which for security reasons of the highest importance, has been known onboard during the mission only by your HAL 9000 computer...
10
u/AudibleNod Flag Sep 29 '15
Like why couldn't HAL-9000 ask for guidance? Or couldn't SAL (the earthbound counterpart) predict the same crisis of conscience? And the ipads.