Jake McAllister

Mr. Allen
2/18/14

Can artificial Intelligence and Human Engineering be the answer to (how do I put this?)
underachieving people in our society? Is it safe and really worth it? In the story, "Flowers for Algernon"
by Daniel Keys, a 37 year old man named Charlie Gordon underwent a procedure that could triple his
intelligence. But the end result of the experiement turns out harmful to Charlie and his future because
he starts to mentally deteriorate after quickly gaining so much intelligence.

The experiment has made Charlie's life worse. After the procedure, Charlie became gradually
intelligent, and was able to understand things he hadn't even comprehended before. However, over
time his mental state returns back to how he was before the operation. Charlie is being tortured by the
fact that he cannot understand things he was able to understand a week earlier. Also, he is troubled by
the fate of Algernon the mouse, and what it could mean for him. After Algernon's intelligence decreased
and he was not able to solve the puzzle to get his food, he perished. In addition, Charlie began to cut
people out of his life. On a day that Charlie was depressed, he stayed in his apartment all day. When
there was a knock at the door, Charlie peered through the peep hole on the door and saw it was Miss
Kinnian, she asked if she could come in, but Charlie angrily yelled "No!" and told her to "Leave me
alone." Charlie must have been feeling depressed and didn't want Miss Kinnian to see him like that. This
was one of his, "Darkest Hours." Because of the experiment, Charlie has been put in a tough situation,
after becoming so intelligent, he realizes that he is becoming dull and mentally handicapped again. He is
also suffering from the fact he can't change what is happening to him.

Charlie's self-confidence has also deteriorated, along with his intelligence. When Charlie arrived
at work one day after the operation, he was approached by his boss, Mr. Donnagan. Apparently, all but
one worker in the factory signed a petition demanding Charlie to be fired. Charlie has no job and is still
not fitting into society even after the operation. This was one of the many reasons he even considered
the operation! I don't know about you, but if I were Charlie, my confidence would be hurt. Furthermore,
Charlie is unable to communicate. I don't mean he is unable to speak, but he is unable to communicate
clearly about daily subjects and events. For example, when Charlie asked Miss Kinnian on a date, he is
unable to "break the barrier" and really connect with her. Also, another example of his lack of
confidence, is that towards the end of the story, he relies on luck and says "I have my rabbits foot, and
luky penny- maybe they will help me." (Keys 124) [Sic]

Many people may think the experiment has benefited Charlie because of his gain in morals.
Even before the procedure, Charlie displayed self-motivation and it doubled after the operation. He also
gained a "never give up" spirit and an ability to read other's body language. These might be a few
benefits, but all the harmfulness outweighed them. This experiment has not benefited Charlie at all, he
will lose all the knowledge and morals he obtained. For example, in Charlie's progress report titled July
28, "I dont know why Im dumb agen or what I did wrong maybe its becaus I dint try hard enuff." (Keys
124)[Sic]. His grammar is back to where it was before the operation. It's like his grammar and
punctuation called a cab and left the ballpark! In the end, this did nothing but hurt Charlie emotionally.

The experiment did not benefit Charlie what so ever. He won't remember anything he learned
academically or even the morals and street smarts he obtained through the experiment. So long story
short, the procedure has just harmed Charlie. He became mentally unstable towards the end of the
story and was not able to handle his emotions well at all. Artifical Intelligence and Human Engineering is
not the answer. We don't know the side-effects that may occur. In my opinion, thats the cheap and easy
way out. People should learn and and push themselves to achieve the intelligence they desire.