The quotation from the manual is truly interesting and me too I wasn't able to remember it (only the "high ivory tower" fact). Huge shock it is indeed : but a shock which can bring us to think, and it's one of the (numerous) forces of PSII. For 1989/1990, it's a lot ahead of its time.Genetics and planetary problems and all the kind : the dangers of technology and the danger that a super computer can bring on all humanity.
Never read Asimlov's writings but I'll try it. idem for Ursula K. Le Guin. Thanks for the hints.