How we cite our quotes: All quotations are from 2001: A Space Odyssey.
Quote #1
The hominid pack returns to the watering hole. This time, they're armed with bone clubs, and when a rival hominid attempts to attack, they beat him to death.
During the first rumble in the not-jungle, the hominids fled because they didn't want to fight the rival group. Armed with bone clubs, they are able to manipulate the environment—i.e. increase the momentum and force of their swing—to gain the upper hand in the second not-jungle rumble and win back the watering hole.
Quote #2
SMYSLOV: Oh, are you? Dr. Floyd, I hope you don't think I'm being too inquisitive, but perhaps you can clear up the big mystery about what is going on there.
FLOYD: I'm afraid I don't know what you mean.
In the future, we have the same scene as the watering hole rumble, only more sophisticated. What's manipulated is not a tool but information. Floyd, having the information, ultimately wins this one.
Quote #3
AMER: In talking to the computer, one gets the sense that he is capable of emotional responses. For example, when I asked him about his abilities, I sensed a certain pride in his answer about his accuracy and perfection. Do you believe that HAL has genuine emotions?
Does HAL really have emotions? Are his emotions genuine or a way for us to manipulate ourselves into interacting with him in a certain way? Are they simply a method of interfacing with a computer, like a mouse or touch screen? Ultimately, we never get a clear cut answer to this question, forcing us to question whether this is a case of mass self-manipulation on humanity's part.