No-Win Scenario Solution
(Kobayashi Maru Scenario)
Perhaps consider the wisdom of James T. Kirk,
the first captain of the Star Trek Enterprise,
from the movie "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan":
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[Capt. Kirk speaking to Spock]
KIRK: Aren't you dead?
[Spock almost smiles.]
KIRK: I assume you're loitering around
here to learn what efficiency rating
I plan to give to your cadets.
SPOCK: I am considerably curious.
KIRK: They destroyed the simulator room
and you with it.
SPOCK: The Kobayashi Maru scenario
frequently wreaks havoc with
students and equipment.
(dry) As I recall you took the test
three times yourself. Your
final solution was, shall we say,
unique?
KIRK: (solemn) It had the virtue of never
having been tried.
SAAVIK: Sir? May I ask you a question.
KIRK: What's on your mind, Lieutenant?
SAAVIK: The Kobayashi Maru, sir.
KIRK: Are you asking me if we're playing
out that scenario now, Lieutenant?
SAAVIK: On the test, sir. Will you tell
me what you did? I would really
like to know.
[Kirk looks at Bones, who smiles]
BONES: Lieutenant, you are looking at the
only Starfleet cadet who ever beat
the no-win scenario -
SAAVIK: How?
KIRK: I reprogrammed the simulation so it
was possible to rescue the ship.
SAAVIK: WHAT?!
DAVID: (laughs) He cheated!
KIRK: I changed the conditions of the test.
I got a commendation for original
thinking.
(pause)
I don't like to lose.
SAAVIK: Then - you never faced that situation
- faced death...
KIRK: I don't believe in the no-win scenario.
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