What is an Algorithm?

Expanding the horizons of computer intelligence – mimicking human understanding in more realms – is one of the grand challenges in science. I.B.M.’s Watson and Google’s algorithm makeover highlights not only the accelerating pace of human progress, but also how much remains to be accomplished.

Steve Lohr, “Google Schools Its Algorithm: Programmers Try to Retool Software To Understand Human Language, and Then to Outwit It and Outsmart it.” New York Times, January 6, 2011

What is an algorithm?

Some sort of logical rhythm?

A kind of cerebral biorhythm?

Beats me- But I’ll go out on a limb.

Even If I appear technologically dim.

It is Google and IBM’s Watson,

Trying to human brains outrun.