rituals for computer operation                     
                                                              
#.#..#.... ---------------------------------------- ..#..##...
#.#.##...#                                          .##.#.#..#
#.#..#..#. the  computer  is a very common  tool in ..#.#.#.#.
#.#.##.##. the futures, and  in some ways even now. .##.#.#.#.
#.#..#..#. its job  is to  do vast amounts of small ..#.#.#.#.
#.#.##.##. calculations in a short amount  of time. .##.#.#.#.
#.#..#..#.                                          ..#.#.#.#.
#.#.##.##. most  work on the  principles of  posing .##.#.#.#.
#.#..#..#. the  problem  on  a hilbert plane, which ..#.#.#.#.
#.#.##.##. is  then  folded  out of  causality,  so .##.#.#.#.
#.#..#..#. that  daemons  can  solve  the   problem ..#.#.#.#.
#.#.##.##.    without affecting real life. (these   .##.#.#.#.
#.#..#..#. daemons  are  under  contract  with  the ..#.#.#.#.
#.#.##.##.         computer manufacturer.)          .##.#.#.#.
#.#..#..#.                                          ..#.#.#.#.
#.#.##.##.   it's commonplace for programmers and   .##.#.#.#.
#.#..#..#. clerks to pray to the  "gods"  of  their ..#.#.#.#.
#.#.##.##. computer, or  to  the daemons doing  the .##.#.#.#.
#.#..#..#. work,   for  a  quick  and  fault   free ..#.#.#.#.
#.#.##.##.                operation.                .##.#.#.#.
#.#..#..#.                                          ..#.#.#.#.
#.#.##.##.      some ubiquitous and generally       .##.#.#.#.
#.#..#..#.    non-controversial rituals include:    ..#.#.#.#.
#.#.##.##.                                          .##.#.#.#.
#.#..#..#.      --# light a scented candle #--      ..#.#.#.#.
#.#.##.##.        --# for quiet and calm #--        .##.#.#.#.
#.#..#..#.                                          ..#.#.#.#.
#.#.##.##.     --# recite a mantra or other #--     .##.#.#.#.
#.#..#..#.    --# reassuring message to make #--    ..#.#.#.#.
#.#.##.##.     --# the computer comfortable #--     .##.#.#.#.
#.#..#..#.           --# and at ease #--            ..#.#.#.#.
#.#.##.##.                                          .##.#.#.#.
#.#..#..#.     --# some like to say a brief #--     ..#.#.#.#.
#.#.##.##.     --# prayer for solace, to be #--     .##.#.#.#.
#.#..#..#.   --# left alone during their work #--   ..#.#.#.#.
#.#.##.##.                                          .##.#.#.#.
#.#..#..#.   --# offer a cup of steaming tea #--    ..#.#.#.#.
#.#.##.##.     --# or a meal to the machines #--    .##.#.#.#.
#.#..#..#.     --# (sometimes, by fey rules, #--    ..#.#.#.#.
#.#.##.##.     --# the daemons are allowed #--      .##.#.#.#.
#.#..#..#.       --# to respond to this) #--        ..#.#.#.#.
#.#.##.##.                                          .##.#.#.#.
#.#..#..#. ---------------------------------------- ..#.#.#.#.
           ...-.     .   --.   .            -.   .-           
           .     ..     .     .      .     ..     .           
           .            .                  ^      .           
                               .                              
                                                              
                                                              
           would    you    consider    code    golf           
           to    be    a     kind     of    prayer?           
           as   in,   you    make   a   convoluted,           
           intricate,   beautiful,    and   useless           
           artifact.  as  in,  you're   using  your           
           skills    to    ask    for    something,           
                                                              
           ...i'd  ask   for  a  handful  of  bugs?           
                                                              
           code    has    bugs,    lots    of   it.