According to Justin Francazio, who recently wrote to Pulk-Pull*, there is a character named Marvin the Paranoid Android in the series of books titled The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. The book also mentions myxamatosis, according to Francazio.
You can visit the BBC web site on The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. There is also an entry (with links) on Marvin the Paranoid Android in the Wikipedia. These same references are discussed in this blog, Polytropos.
3 replies on “Message 142: Paranoid Android”
not only is Marvin n the Guide, but there is a section about certain people being the “first against the wall”. “off with his head!” is a reference to Lewis Caroll’s “through the looking glass”.
Furthermore, Zaphod Beeblebrox says “OK, Computer” in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy at least five times, while talking to Eddie the onboard computer.
42 is answer! =) Great website, Joseph =)