(As of May 2002, not really a discussion guide, just a couple of observations.)

The Chocolate paper is the first of a series of readings that will appear near the end of the term, all on the subject of pragmatic ways of coping with complexity in systems. The series will end with Lampson's paper, "Hints for computer system design". These pragmatics are intended to be a complement to the generalities that were the topic of the first week's lectures.

Chocolate is an example of fail-safe (or fail-soft, take your choice) design, as defined in chapter 7.

Another example, said to be found in the U.S. Navy Flight Manual:

        If you are lost,
               Climb
               Conserve
               Confess

In addition to having significant wisdom to communicate, the Chocolate paper also is worth pointing out as a nice example of effective written communication.