I have listened to a recording of a session of Paranoia that keeps talking about "Friend Computer". And Google search confirms that this seems to be a common way to refer to the computer.
But the Wikipedia page about Paranoia only ever refers to "The Computer". A discussion on its talk page says that "Friend Computer" is "one of the names by which the ruling AI is known".
So my question is: is there any difference between "Friend Computer" and "The Computer"? Or are they both referring to exactly the same thing, and both can be used completely interchangeably?
Best Answer
They are interchangeable except in terms of nuance. This is like asking "Is Mao (Tse-tung) really called Mao or Comrade Mao?" Well, both are frequent appellations, but you generally use Comrade Mao when you're on board with the whole Communist program. Similarly, The Computer is The Computer. Alpha Complex propaganda insists "The Computer Is Your Friend." So when talking to The Computer, or where The Computer might hear, it's appropriate to say Friend Computer. If you are in your treasonous secret society anti-Computer cell, you probably would just say "The Computer" or some other more negative appellation.