Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
“You were lost and scared, and he seemed to know what he was doing, right?” Winsome
asked.
“Yeah, I guess so.”
“Sweetie, the Wandering Salesman is a salesman . He has to visit many places to buy and
sell,” Winsome said. “And it's his job to convince people.”
“Eponymous said that it made sense, though.”
“The Salesman's algorithm makes sense for him , but maybe not for you. It's tempting to
jump on the first answer that comes along. But a lot of the time, it's not the best. That's why
you have to keep your head on.”
“Why didn't anybody say anything?” Laurie asked.
“Because it's up to you to ask the right questions,” Winsome replied. “No one is going to live
your life for you, girl.”
“But I asked everyone how to get home!”
“No, it sounds like you drifted away from your real goal. By the time you got to Rustic, you
didn't ask how to find Hamilton. You asked him how to find a short path through all the
towns in Userland.”
“Wow, you're right.” Laurie looked down at her lap. “I feel really stupid now.”
“Nah, don't feel bad. Everyone makes that kind of mistake.”
“They do?”
“You have no idea,” said Winsome. “Algorithms don't just happen in turtles and ants and
coins. They also happen inside your head, and those are the hardest to get right.”
“I still don't know how I'm going to get home.”
“Neither do I. But asking the right question is a good start. And as long as you're here, you
might as well be useful.” Winsome pointed out the window to a tall white tower on a hill.
“Do you see that lighthouse?”
“What about it?”
“Would you like to go up to the top? The view is amazing.”
“Well . . . sure! That sounds like fun,” Laurie said.
“Great. Take this.” Winsome handed her a heavy wooden box. “I need you to deliver it to the
lighthouse keeper.”
“What is it?”
Search WWH ::




Custom Search