[Let’s Live with Them – Essay Questions and Answers
By Garry Kasparov
📝 1. How did Kasparov’s experiences with chess computers change his attitude towards machines?
In “Let’s Live with Them,” Garry Kasparov explains how his experiences with chess computers taught him the value of working with machines.
In 1985, he played against 32 chess computers at the same time and won every game. Computers were much weaker then. However, technological progress soon made them powerful opponents.
Kasparov faced IBM’s supercomputer, Deep Blue, in 1996. Playing against it made him uncomfortable because he could not read its emotions or body language. Although he lost the first game, he won the match. In 1997, he lost the rematch.
This defeat helped him develop a new understanding. He realised that a machine’s victory was also a victory for the humans who created it. He also learned that people must face their fears to benefit from technology.
Kasparov then explored cooperation between humans and computers. In 1998, his idea took shape as Advanced Chess, in which players could use computer assistance. He wanted to combine human experience and judgment with machine speed and memory.
His journey shows a change from competing against machines to working with them. He encourages us to accept technology and use it to achieve greater things.
📝 2. Explain the importance of cooperation between humans and machines in “Let’s Live with Them.”
Garry Kasparov’s “Let’s Live with Them” presents cooperation between humans and machines as a way to achieve better results. He believes that their different strengths can support each other.
Machines can calculate quickly, examine many possibilities and store large amounts of information. Humans bring experience, understanding, creativity and a sense of purpose. Combining these abilities can be more useful than depending on either side alone.
Kasparov developed this idea through Advanced Chess. Players used computers to help them make decisions. A freestyle chess tournament in 2005 provided an important example. Two amateur American players using three ordinary computers defeated stronger opponents. Their success came from their skill in using the machines effectively.
This taught Kasparov that a good method of cooperation matters greatly. Having the strongest computer or the best player does not automatically ensure success.
He also discusses online translation. Machines provide a translation, while humans use their knowledge to understand and correct it. This shows that human–machine cooperation already exists in everyday life.
Kasparov therefore asks us to develop better ways of working with technology. Such cooperation can help us solve difficult problems and turn our dreams into reality.
📝 3. What message does Kasparov give about facing technological change and dreaming big?
In “Let’s Live with Them,” Garry Kasparov encourages us to face technological change with courage and ambition. He believes that fear should not prevent us from using intelligent machines.
People often see technology as a threat. They worry that machines will take away jobs and replace human skills. Kasparov understands this fear because he experienced it while competing against Deep Blue.
However, his defeat did not end his interest in chess or destroy the game. Instead, it encouraged him to explore new possibilities. He learned that accepting change can lead to fresh opportunities.
Kasparov explains that technological progress will affect every profession. As machines take over certain tasks, humans must learn new skills and accept more difficult challenges. We should continue to improve technology and guide it towards useful goals.
He also highlights human qualities such as understanding, purpose and passion. Our value does not depend only on being better than machines at a particular task.
Kasparov ends by asking us to dream big. We should use machines to help us achieve those dreams. His message is to overcome fear, remain willing to learn and approach the future with hope.]
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[Prepared by Sindhu P, HSST English, GGHSS Kallai.]