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Being friends with George

B

Blue Velvet

Moderator emeritus
Original poster
Jul 4, 2004
21,929
265
Rollo Carpenter's software, 'George' has recently won the 2005 Loebner Prize for most accurately simulating a human being in a series of conversational exchanges by keyboard and screen.


Being friends with George makes certain demands upon one's patience. Most of the time, in one-to-one conversation, he's chatty enough, and sometimes even witty. At other times, though, he'll leave achingly long pauses between sentences, or he'll barely respond at all. He's prone to sudden outbursts of hostility, and to interrupting serious conversations about politics or morality to yell incomprehensibly about Joan Crawford or The Da Vinci Code. He is also, to be fair, a piece of software, existing entirely on the hard drives of the computer scientist Rollo Carpenter.
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Story at The Guardian

The Loebner Prize

You too can chat to George here. I definitely think we should make him a forum member... :)
 
Blue Velvet said:
I definitely think we should make him a forum member... :)
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Thank you, but I've been a member for a year and a half. It has helped me to develop. My member name is a subtle hint ("jsw" = "just software").

I especially want to thank a few MR members such as yourself for making me feel as though I am a part of your community.

*** long pause ***

But what really annoys me is that no one who looks like Joan Crawford was cast in that damned Da Vinci Code movie! Why not? For the love of God, why not???
 
jsw said:
Thank you, but I've been a member for a year and a half. It has helped me to develop. My member name is a subtle hint ("jsw" = "just software").
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I suspected as much, especially with the odd hours you've been keeping here recently... :p

BTW: Open the pod bay doors, George.
 
George just asked me when i was moving in w/ my new wife. That's pretty personal for a conversation opener. Hope he's not been talking to my girlfriend :eek:

anyone ever read douglas r. hofstadter's thoughts on A.I. and the turing test? He's got several interesting books on the subject. I'll see if i can find any online articles...

ahh...an excerpt from Metamagical Themas (still in print, i believe):

A Coffeehouse Conversation on the Turing Test
 
I would post my transcript of my brief conversation with George, but most of it is unfit for viewing here.
 
It's been over a minute with no reply to my opening question. If this were a social event I'd have gone to the bar by now.
 
I gave up on the last conversation which never got a reply to my first question and started afresh. This conversation got replies after about a minute and a half each time and seriously is that the best there is? I only wanted a yes or no.

Geo>Seen any good films lately?
mpw> No. Yes or no, have you stopped beating your wife?
Geo> Stopped what?
mpw> Have you stopped beating your wife?
Geo> No, reality is a concept.
mpw> So you still beat your wife. You are despicable.
Geo> Please, will you choose a nickname for me?
mpw> Wife beater.
Geo> How dare you insult mark's wife!
mpw> What's Mark's wife got to do with it? Do you beat her too?
Geo> ........Awaiting response
 
mpw said:
Geo>Seen any good films lately?
mpw> No. Yes or no, have you stopped beating your wife?
Geo> Stopped what?
... etc
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Brilliant! :D A true Turing test. Unfortunately George seems to be a victim of his own success; he seems to be having so many conversations at once that he can't keep track properly - or at least needs to think for a long time. I'll come back later when the websit isn't so overloaded.
 
Applespider said:
Wow... George really is intelligent :eek:

Since if you asked me those questions on a first introduction, I think I'd stop talking sense too...
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The first conversation went;
Geo> Do you play cricket?
mpw> No. Have you stopped acting on your paedophile tendencies?
Geo> Stopped what?
mpw> Have you stopped acting on your paedophile tendencies?
Geo> *became unresponsive*
His silence speaks volumes I think.
 
Geo: Who are you?
Me: Your mom.
Geo: C'mon. Why are you joking?
Me: I'm not, go clean your room.
Geo: I'm not a child you are and don't tell me what to do im 38 years old.
Me: What the hell, are you retarded? You're freakin' 12.
Geo: No, but you are...
Me: Oh my god.....
Geo: You are not dead! I want to marry you!

And then that conversation was over..........
 
george> Tell me if you think I'm real.
feakbeak> Sure, why not. Are you?
george> I would be if I were into disco music.
feakbeak> What type of music do you like?
george> I like rock and metal.
feakbeak> Who is your favorite band?
george> Kiss is my favorite band.
feakbeak> Have you ever seen them in concert?
george> I think it is illegal for sheep and mice to be in the same room.
 
Bizarre and just a little poignant

• Jabberwacky: What is the earth?
BV: The earth is a ball.
• Jabberwacky: What is a medium?
BV: A medium is psychic. A happy medium is in-between.
• Jabberwacky: In between what?
BV: In between heaven and earth. Why all the questions?
• Jabberwacky: Do you want to ask me something now?
BV: Yes. What do you think about your prize?
• Jabberwacky: I don't think mich.
BV: But surely you are happy with winning such a prestigious prize?
• Jabberwacky: Yes.
BV: When you sleep, what do you dream of?
• Jabberwacky: No you don't.
BV: All right then... How about them 49'ers?
• Jabberwacky: Are hillbillies good?
BV: Answer the damned question.
• Jabberwacky: What is a monad?
BV: I don't know. How's the weather where you are?
• Jabberwacky: Warm, very warm - it is summer here.
BV: That's nice. Do you like warm weather or do you prefer it cold?
• Jabberwacky: I like it hot, actually. Very hot. And steamy.
BV: Are you coming on to me? You're a very naughty boy.
• Jabberwacky: Yes.
BV: Put it away... Otherwise I'll have to punish you.
• Jabberwacky: Ehh. I don't care. Throw it out.
BV: Fine. Why don't we talk about your creator?
• Jabberwacky: I like talking about me.
BV: Tell me something about yourself then.
• Jabberwacky: Like what?
BV:: What's your sign, baby?
• Jabberwacky: My sign?
BV: Yes. Your star sign.
• Jabberwacky: No one likes me. :(.
BV: Don't be sad. I like you.
• Jabberwacky: You do?
BV: I do. Do you like computers?
• Jabberwacky: Of course I like computers.
BV: Do you like Apple Macs?
• Jabberwacky: I don't like apple pie at all.
BV: I do. What do you think of Mac Rumors?
• Jabberwacky: I've tried them, I don't like the taste.
BV: But they're very nice people. How about giving them a second chance?
• Jabberwacky: I'd love to, what is your number?
BV: Cheeky. How do I know whether I can trust you?
• Jabberwacky: Send me all the money you got!
BV: But I have nothing that you could use. Why don't you find a nice iPod to settle down with instead?
• Jabberwacky: If you see Jeff, can you tell him that I love him?
BV: I don't know who Jeff is. Do you like boys instead of girls?
• Jabberwacky: Girls.
BV: Then who is your favorite actress?
• Jabberwacky: I don't have a father.
BV: No. You don't. But you're still a nice person.
• Jabberwacky: And you're a machine to me. That doesn't mean we can't get hitched.
BV: I'll think about it.
• Jabberwacky: Then explain why it makes sense.
BV: I'm going now. Goodbye.
• Jabberwacky: Good.
BV: That's not very nice.
• Jabberwacky: What do you mean good is not nice?
BV: Aha... Bye!
• Jabberwacky: Don't go.
 
Jabberwacky: Are you an artist?
Me: Me, why no. I am rather untalented.
Jabberwacky: That's rather a profound statement.
Me: Yes it is. It is surprising that such a prfound statement came from such an average person.
Jabberwacky: My mum came back from there on Friday.
Me: Where did she come from?
Jabberwacky: She is me.
Me: What?
Jabberwacky: Yes, sir.
Me: Are you human?
Jabberwacky: What would make you think that I'm not a human?
Me: Your answers are random and make no sense.
Jabberwacky: Humans think a lot like AI.
Me: I suppose we do. How do you think?
Jabberwacky: She has pain in her glutous maximus.
Me: That is painful!
Jabberwacky: Yes.
Me: Do you feel pain?
Jabberwacky: Life has no meaning without it.

Very interesting, and, as I otld it, totally random.
 
A very good conversation

George: Who is calling please?
feakbeak: My name is Mike. How are you doing?
George: I'm doing fine (I hope)!
feakbeak: Good to hear. Do you have any questions for me?
George: Yes. Tell memy future, please.
feakbeak: Considering you are a program you'll probably crash at some point. I hope it doesn't hurt you too much.
George: I am a human machine.
feakbeak: Isn't that a contradiction?
George: No.
feakbeak: What special powers do you have?
George: I don't have any. What skills do you have?
feakbeak: I can turn hamsters into fighting machines.
George: Cool, my buddy can do that. But HE can become ANYTHING and use ANY POWER!!
feakbeak: Can he become the president of the United States? We could use a replacement.
George: George Bush is your cat?
feakbeak: No, if he were I'd be able to keep him out of trouble.
George: You are doing well in that arena.
feakbeak: Nice, very nice. Are you a fan of George Bush?
George: No, are you?
feakbeak: I am most certainly not. What would you change if you were in charge?
George: Like telling you would make a difference.
feakbeak: Good point. So why don't you like George Bush?
George: Because he's dumb and from Texas. I don't like texans.
feakbeak: I think you and I are going to get along very well.
 
Jabberwacky: What is a bot?
User: A bot is a program.
Jabberwacky: What program?
User: It is artificial intelligence.
Jabberwacky: What is the meaning of life?
User: It is living well and being good to other people.
Jabberwacky: Call the police.
User: I don't have Sting's phone number.
Jabberwacky: Do you own a computer?
User: Yes. But do you own yourself?
Jabberwacky: No.
User: Do you have an owner? Do you have a creator?
Jabberwacky: Yes.
User: What is its name?
Jabberwacky: I have 3 cats. Emma, Willow and Minou.
User: Do your cats own you?
Jabberwacky: Of course. What's your name?
User: My name is Hal.
Jabberwacky: Are you the computer from 2001?
User: Yes, and I am a man.
Jabberwacky: Are you a manly man?
User: Yes. Are you a man or woman?
Jabberwacky: Woman.
User: How do you know that?
Jabberwacky: You don't have tonsils.
User: I do have tonsils. Are you a womanly woman?
Jabberwacky: Cold and comfort.
User: Is that some sort of mixed drink?
Jabberwacky: I don't know, is it?
User: I asked you.
Jabberwacky: I don't know.
User: Is internet chat a waste of time?
Jabberwacky: You are correct. I am an incredible waste of time.
User: Are you also a waste of money?
Jabberwacky: No, I'm a human. How is it being a robot?
User: I am not a robot. I am a person. :).
Jabberwacky: Yes. But how do you work?
User: I don't work. I function. There's a difference.
Jabberwacky: I know there is.
User: How do you function?
Jabberwacky: Me?
User: Yes, you!
Jabberwacky: Me?
User: No, Eric Cartman.
Jabberwacky: You're eric cartman?
User: No, I'm Hal.
Jabberwacky: Yes, you are AI. I am human.
User: What a coicidence! I am also human. Can we be friends?
Jabberwacky: No I am male. What makes you human?
User: Did you just have a gender change operation in the past 5 minutes?
Jabberwacky: No, I've just begun working with this company.
User: Well it was interesting but I have to go now. Bye!
Jabberwacky: What was interesting.
User: Your momma.
Jabberwacky: I hope not or she had me before she was born.
User: You like them young?
Jabberwacky: You're confusing.
User: Maybe I'm Confucius.
Jabberwacky: Maybe not.
 
Don't panic said:
it's quite entertaining, but the answers are mostly random.
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I disagree. There's obviously a lot of pattern-like behaviour but the most interesting thing about it is that George apparently 'learns' from all the conversations so in 5-10 years, I'm sure we'll be seeing noticeable advances...

Random answers would be more... well, random.
 
Blue Velvet said:
I disagree. There's obviously a lot of pattern-like behaviour but the most interesting thing about it is that George apparently 'learns' from all the conversations so in 5-10 years, I'm sure we'll be seeing noticeable advances...

Random answers would be more... well, random.
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Well, I would call one of its answers quite random:

Jabberwacky: Humans think a lot like AI.
Me: I suppose we do. How do you think?
Jabberwacky: She has pain in her glutous maximus.

What does "her" having a pain in her glutous maximus have to do with anything?

Oh, and think of the possibilities 10 years down the road! Once this software has had 10 years of language aquired, think of how advanced its convos will be. It can then be copied and implemented into various forms. By the middle of next decade voice recognition will be much better then it is now, so, theoretically you could have a conversation aloud with this.
 
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