Monkey Computer

So, I'm given to understand that computers are really a load of logic gates and some support hardware. They are predominantly constructed using various semiconductors, which are increasingly miniaturized and refined. Some attempts have been made to construct computers with different technology, such as mechanical relays <link>.

Unfortunately, computers are vulnerable to all sorts of things: electromagnetic pulses, Diet Coke, too much electricity, too little electricity, the right amount of electricity in the wrong place, and so on. Perhaps it's time for a more robust alternative, not so dependent upon the the mountain of logistical and supply prerequisites as current computer construction.

Instead, we can use monkeys <link>. Monkeys are robust, repairable, replaceable on an individual level, unimpressed by EMPs and relatively water resistant.

So, to create a Monkey "AND" logic gate, we take one monkey, and train it to pull a lever when presented with a handful of peanuts AND a banana. When presented with ONLY peanuts, or ONLY a banana, the monkey will be deeply suspicious, due to carefully applied negative conditioning. Then, after labeling the monkey, you can place him in the "chip". Really a room, with a couple of hatches and a lever.

All of the usual logic gates are possible with monkeys, and what's more,you can rearrange your logic gates by simply rearranging the monkeys, extra training may even be able to get the monkeys to re-arrange themselves thus having a reconfigure-able chip.

I admit, there are some issues, a 7400 chip would occupy as much space as a motorhome, and if you want to break into the MegaFLOPS of processing power, you're going to need to solve the banana and nut supply issues.