One day, in line at the company cafeteria, Joe says to
Mike behind him, "My elbow hurts like hell. I guess
I'd better see a doctor."
"Listen, you don't have to spend that kind of money,"
Mike replies. "There's a diagnostic computer down at
Wal-Mart. Just give it a urine sample and the computer
will tell you what's wrong and what to do about it. It
takes ten seconds and costs ten dollars. A lot
cheaper than a doctor."
So, Joe deposits a urine sample in a small jar and takes
it to Wal-Mart. He deposits ten dollars, and the
computer lights up and asks for the urine sample. He
pours the sample into the slot and waits.
Ten seconds later, the computer ejects a printout:
"You have tennis elbow. Soak your arm in warm water
and avoid heavy activity. It will improve in two weeks.
Thank you for shopping @ Wal-Mart."
That evening, while thinking how amazing this new
technology was, Joe began wondering if the computer
could be fooled.
He mixed some tap water, a stool sample from his dog,
urine samples from his wife and daughter, and a sperm
sample for good measure. Joe hurries back to Wal-Mart,
eager to check the results. He deposits ten dollars,
pours in his concoction, and awaits the results.
The computer prints the following:
“1.
Your tap water is too hard. Get a water softener. (Aisle
9).
2. Your dog has ringworm. Bathe him with anti-fungal
shampoo. (Aisle 7).
3. Your daughter has a cocaine habit. Get her into
rehab.
4. Your wife is pregnant. Twins. They aren't yours. Get
a lawyer.
5. If you don't stop playing with yourself, your elbow
will never get better!
Thank you for shopping @ Wal-Mart.”