Letters: Mar. 31, 1997

(3 of 4)

I enjoyed your article about the upcoming rematch between champion Garry Kasparov and Deeper Blue, the world's best chess-programmed computer [TECHNOLOGY, March 10]. Once again I'll be rooting for man over machine. However, you referred to Kasparov as a "genius geek." I believe America is alone in its insistence on viewing chess players as geeks. In many parts of the world, Kasparov enjoys a status equal to that of Michael Jordan or Joe Montana in the U.S. I hope you will get over the childish geek thing in your future coverage of John Wayne's favorite game. DAVID WRIGHT Sacto, California

Of course, the machines will win--eventually--given enough time and money. But Kasparov has invested only part of a lifetime and minimal funds in his achievements--and he can do a lot more than play chess. How much time and money have gone into developing a computer program that can compete with him in this one tiny niche? JOHN DAY Columbus, Ohio

SHOCKING IDEA

The deregulation of the electric utility industry [BUSINESS, March 10] has got to be the stupidest idea since the government broke up the world's finest phone company--no, even more stupid! What value can a power company in another state offer the consumer? Only large corporate users benefit from the economies of scale that deregulated competition brings. All that extra paperwork costs something, and the expenses will fall on small users--the poor and the frugal. I bet my electric costs next year will look more like my telephone bill--or even my water bill, of which actual usage is less than 20% of the total. Bleah! TOM PITTMAN Spreckels, California

I disagree with your assertion that people "probably couldn't care less where the power was generated." The growing number of utility "green pricing" programs is evidence that many people do care and will pay a premium for renewable energy, even if it comes on top of an already high electricity rate. The future for renewable-energy technology, such as wind-generated electricity, is bright. LAWRENCE W. MILES Bellevue, Washington

As you noted, consumers will wonder what is the "wisdom of tampering with an industry that provides electric power that is among the cheapest and most reliable anywhere." We take this point to heart in Florida, where our electric prices are right at the national average. There is a real danger in trying to impose a one-size-fits-all federal solution on the electric utility industry. The complex decisions involved in deregulation are best decided at the state level. What works in a high-rate region could be disastrous in lower-rate regions such as the Southeast. Utilities support competition and consumer choice. But as with any market offer, "Buyer beware!" TIMOTHY L. GUZZLE, CEO Teco Energy, Inc. Tampa, Florida

A BRIGHT AND HEALTHY SON

I was out of the country on a trip to the Amazon and so have only just now read the commentary by James R. Gaines about the murder of JonBenet Ramsey [ESSAY, Jan. 20]. In this piece, Gaines referred to the fact that I and Roald Dahl decided to leave Manhattan after our son Theo was brain damaged in a car accident. After Theo was injured by a taxi, we had years of sleepless nights not knowing how it would come out. But I think that your readers should know that my son is exceedingly bright and healthy and normal in every way. PATRICIA NEAL New York City

WHITE HOUSE SLEEPOVERS