I don't know what sad soul removed this metaphor from common parlance but based on my research I'm pretty sure the guy who published the first paper about what is now called 'machine learning' algorithms originally called them Pandemoniums, and described all the many weird little decisionmaking subprocesses as demons, and what verb could be better for describing the communication between said demons than shrieking?
I think Selfridge and I would have got along. (Wait, is he still alive? (Oh... he died in 2008.))
I'm seriously not even exaggerating. Shrieking demons. Read my new favourite metaphor for yourself and spread the good word. Or shriek about it to your friends.
PANDEMONIUM: A PARADIGM FOR LEARNING (22 pages, pdf)
P.S. as much as it would break my heart, if Oliver Selfridge was in fact not the originator of this concept, or it's not as fundamental as I suppose, please let me know. Why did we ever stop calling these things shrieking demons?!
P.P.S. obviously I will still call them shrieking demons and advocate for everyone I know to do the same, I just won't be able to wield the full force of history in my advocacy. But that won't stop me.