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.