WarGames — 80’s Style Deep Learning
Shall we play a game?
In 1983, the world was introduced to the newly renamed C++ (formerly known as C with Classes). Coincidentally, we were also introduced to Matthew Broderick. The world promptly forgot, but recursively remembered in 1986 when he was forever renamed Ferris Bueller.
Beuller, Broderick, Mr Jessica Parker, whatever his name was… starred in the movie WarGames. Well, honestly Joshua starred in the movie, Broderick probably qualified more as a supporting actor. His character David is so memorable that Joshua never figures out his name — referring to him as Professor Falken, who in turn is another character entirely.
Of course Joshua is actually a Whopper… er, WOPR. Joshua was also the name of Professor Falken’s son. So you can quickly see how this movie is a rather complex and layered affair. It is the perfect example of Deep Learning. Actually, I still think Dr. Strangelove is — but Kubrick’s film was built with an emergent process. WarGames features that process as its plot. It is surely a bit fanciful, but WarGames was clearly the first popularization of Deep Learning.
WOPR stands for War Operations Plan Response, a name and acronym that only the military could create or love. Coincidentally, 1983 was also the year of the origin of TaB — which stands for Totally Artificial Beverage. To summarize the movie’s set-up very succinctly, David (Broderick) hacks into WOPR, finds Joshua, is mistaken for Falken, and begins WWIII.
The Military Proves To Be Stupid
Through out this movie, the military proves to be incompetent and useless (except for comic relief). This has little to do with our story, just saying.
Well hell, I’d piss on a spark plug if I thought it would do any good! — General Beringer
Enter Deep Learning
To stop World War III, David has to find Falken. Falken, who David originally believes is dead, is actually just hidden. He learns about Joshua, who is dead (this being Falken’s son, not WOPR). Falken teaches David what he has already taught Joshua (WOPR). Falken also teaches Jennifer, what David will eventually need to teach Joshua (WOPR). If that isn’t a complex cluster of states and feedback loops, nothing is.
Fortunately, Tic Tac Toe Is Also Stupid
The movie hinges on a concept in Game Theory of the unwinnable game. It is a reference to Von Neumann’s MAD, an acronym for Mutually Assured Destruction. Von Neumann, who was coincidentally the inspiration for the aforementioned Dr Strangelove, was also center stage during the Manhattan Project and the ensuing Cold War/Arms Race. Thus, this niche 80’s movie is not only themed on Deep Learning, but quite influenced by its Deep History.
After learning that Joshua is learning, David opts to supervise a lesson using Tic Tac Toe. Joshua learns quickly, being an artificial intelligence system way ahead of its time. The lesson emerges. The MAD-ness of the game is realized. Nuclear War averted. Game over man! Wait, that was 1986, too.
