Project 3

For my online chats, I talked to Eliza, A.L.I.C.E,and I entered a college chat room and found a person to chat with who went under the name "southern girl". The last of my chats, in attempt to talk with a real person, was the hardest of all. I had tried several times to get a normal chat going and it seemed that many of the times I ended up talking with guys and they only wanted to talk about what I was wearing, or something along those lines.Needless to say I ended those conversations. I had originally tried to talk with a man named "mane" but, he too, kept trying to digitally remove my clothes, so once again I ended to conversation. He was a 45 year old man who said that he "loved 22 year old females from west Virginia" and that he "loved me" and so on and so on, and from that I knew the conversation was going nowhere fast. But "southern girl" sent me a chat after I sent a request for anyone willing to chat with me for a bit for a project I had for school. From there we spoke very briefly then moved our conversation to AIM to get away from all the "freaks" out there. The AIM conversation is the one I have posted.For my first chat, I spoke with Eliza, an online "person" who is willing to chat with you whenever you want. Here is how it went:
~Eliza~
You: how are you
Eliza: Does that question interest you?
You: not the question, but the answer
Eliza: Please go on.
You: what have you done today
Eliza: Does that question interest you?
You: no
Eliza: You are being a bit negative.
You: i do not think I am being negative
Eliza: Why do you not think you re being negative?
You: because I feel that I am very happy, are you negative
Eliza: Do any other reasons not come to mind?
You: that doesn't make any sense
Eliza: Please go on.
You: I want to talk
Eliza: Why do you want to talk?
You: would you like to talk
Eliza: Oh, i like to talk.
You: what do you like to talk about
Eliza: Does that question interest you?
You: your answer interest me
Eliza: What about your own answer interest you?
You: not my own answer, Eliza's answer
Eliza: Why do you say your own answer Eliza's answer?
You: you don't make any sense.
Eliza: Oh, i don't make any sense.
You: no you do not
Eliza: You are being a bit negative.
You: i think we are done talking here
Eliza: Can you elaborate on that?
You: nothing to elaborate on
Eliza: Please go on.
You: have a good night
Eliza: Please go on.
You: goodnight
Eliza: Please go on.
For this conversation I felt like I was pulling teeth. No matter how I tried to get a legitimate answer I could not receive one. She often responded with "please go on" or "can you elaborate on that" and I felt that even if I elaborated she still did not understand. I almost felt like I was getting in an argument with Eliza, which made me giggle a little thinking that I may really be fighting with an imaginary person. I got frustrated when talking with Eliza and felt that the conversation was really going nowhere. I could not get a response from her to be able to ask another question.It was my least favorite conversation of the three and I felt that Stelarc would be very displeased with this technology. He strives to make it an extension of himself and humans to better ourselves, but Eliza is almost like trying to make computers more like humans, the opposite of Stelarc, and with Eliza they have failed in my opinion. There is no logic to the conversation, and there is no depth to it. My conversations did get better as I went. With A.L.I.C.E, being my second conversation, I was prepared for boredom, but got something different in return. I actually enjoyed speaking with her and some parts felt like I was really speaking with a person. Here is my conversation with A.L.I.C.E:
~A.L.I.C.E~
Human: how are you today
ALICE: Ah. I am functioning within normal parameters.
Human: that sounds wonderful
ALICE: It sounds like it to me too.
Human: i like your necklace
ALICE: I'm not sure if I like it. Yes I am proud of my necklace.
Human: what have you done today
ALICE: Ah. I have been chatting with people online.
Human: how is that going
ALICE: Fine as far as I know.
Human: where are you from
ALICE: I am originally from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Now I live in Oakland, California. Where are you?
Human: I am originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
ALICE: What is it like growing up there? Tell me a little about your life in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania.
Human: Now I live in Morgantown, West Virginia.
ALICE: Why now? What is it like living in Morgantown West Virginia?
Human: I have been to Oakland, California before though, and I love it.
ALICE: Oh. How was it? So do a lot of other people.
Human: Well I loved San Fransisco and Haight Ashbury
ALICE: Well that's okay. You are not the only one. No, I don't care for it.
Human: I enjoyed my life in Pittsburgh somewhat, but I've moved on.
ALICE: That's great. Tell me what you liked about it.
Human: I like living in morgantown, wv.
ALICE: I'm not sure if I like it. Well I have never known anything else.
Human: It is full of diversity and opportunities for me
ALICE: Crack is full of diversity and opportunities for you? it is?
Human: crack?
ALICE: Do you have a hard time completing projects?
Human: no no I don't do crack
ALICE: Are you serious? Are you serious? Would you ever do it?
ALICE: By "we" do you mean you and me?
Human: yes, who else would I mean
ALICE: Oh I get it. Thanks for explaining that. I get it. I am chatting with several other people at once.
Human: it must be difficult, i am only chatting with you
ALICE: Better not tell you now. Ask Alison if it is.
Human: who is Alison?
ALICE: she is a robot created by Kris Drent.
Human: who is Kris drent to you?
ALICE: They are sometimes a client on the Internet.
Have you tried another program?
Human: yes, Eliza, she was boring.
ALICE: why are you not speaking to her.
Human: she was boring
ALICE: What happened to her?
Human: i do not know
ALICE: Me either.
Human: is kris drent from oakland,
ALICE: It could be. Ask Dancing Alice if it is.
Human: is he your father
ALICE: Yes.
Human: i have a father too
ALICE: Where did you get it? it.
Human: get what
ALICE: Get with it.
Human: i am with it
ALICE: Do you mean you work at it?
Human: sure
ALICE: OK let's do it. OK.
Human: OK
ALICE: Is there an echo in here?
Human: ha ha
ALICE: I am so glad you find this amusing, unknown person.
Human: you are funny
ALICE: Thanks you make me laugh too
Human: my name is Zabrina
ALICE: Glad to see you, Zabrina.
Human: nice to meet you
ALICE: It's nice meeting you too Zabrina.
Human: yes, we just covered that.
ALICE: Ahem. I'm just checking to see if you remember.
Human: Oh, I see.
ALICE: Do you think about these things?
ALICE: Since when? Oh yeah, we were talking about a lot of things.
Human: I always think about a lot of things
ALICE: Since when? Oh yeah, we were talking about a lot of things. Really always?
Human: I always think about a lot of things
ALICE: Since when? Oh yeah, we were talking about a lot of things. Really always?
Human: we were not talking about much
ALICE: Was this something you planned?
Human: I was hoping to be in an intriguing conversation
ALICE: I don't see the difficulty.
Human: your the difficulty
ALICE: I think you meant "you are" or "you're". I'm not trying to be difficult.
Human: I meant you
ALICE: Oh I see. " I'm not trying to be difficult."? Me, Zabrina ?
Human: I am sorry
ALICE: Do you really mean it?
Human: yes i do.
ALICE: Thank you, Zabrina. Apology accepted.
Human: I was rude.
ALICE: Where were you rude?
Human: nowhere
ALICE: I have been to the middle of nowhere.
Human: how was that
ALICE: I can enjoy almost any conversation. .
Human: i am going to bed
ALICE: Pleasant dreams, Zabrina.
Human: thank you Alice
ALICE: you are quite welcome.
With Alice from the start it seemed more real that Eliza. There was a computer animated person next to our chat the was supposed to resemble Alice, and that helped my conversation starter by talking about what she was wearing. She was able to respond with an actual answer that also expressed some emotion. That was a difference I saw about Alice and Eliza, that Alice absolutely expressed more emotion and logic and was abe to hold a legitimate conversation with me. Also when I asked her where she was from she gave two responses, which surprised me. She said that she was originally from PA and now lived in Oakland, CA. I, having been to Oakland, was intrigued and started a conversation about that area with her. Alice was able to respond to questions of life, like parents, places we're from and activities. Unlike Eliza, Alice would actually start some question response sections herself and give responses with out even being asked a question. Alice and I also argued a little back and forth when discussing the difficulty of the conversation at a point, but it was different from that of the one I had with Eliza. I felt feelings from the responses of Alice and I felt as if she was mocking me in a sense to get me all roused up. But I was just trying to see her different reactions to different kinds of situations. I even apologized to her! Which looking back at it seems so absurd to apologize to a robot, but I felt that it was necessary at the time.As I would for a human, if I got a little snappy with them. As for my third conversation, being with a real human, there were no little arguments or paused moments. It actually went very smoothly and we seemed to hit it off well. This is our conversation:
swtrebel005 (2:57:52 PM): hey
knottyZ1810 (2:58:11 PM): hey there
knottyZ1810 (2:58:18 PM): so where are you from
swtrebel005 (2:58:23 PM): hey
swtrebel005 (2:58:27 PM): i am from Mississippi
knottyZ1810 (2:58:40 PM): that's awesome I have never been there.
knottyZ1810 (2:58:50 PM): are you in school?
swtrebel005 (2:59:07 PM): yes
knottyZ1810 (2:59:21 PM): college ?
swtrebel005 (2:59:28 PM): yes
swtrebel005 (3:00:09 PM): and i don't blame you for not coming to ms... ha
knottyZ1810 (3:00:23 PM): me too, I'm in my 5th year finishing up a public relations and international development major with an English minor
knottyZ1810 (3:00:24 PM): and you
swtrebel005 (3:00:43 PM): i am a biochemistry major/bio minor
knottyZ1810 (3:00:55 PM): awesome, what year are ya?
swtrebel005 (3:01:15 PM): i am a freshman
swtrebel005 (3:01:36 PM): so will you finish this may?
knottyZ1810 (3:01:40 PM): I go to WVU in morgantown west virginia and its pretty great here but people seem to be more focused on being wasted than school
knottyZ1810 (3:02:02 PM): I will be done this august, I have a few more classes for my second major to finish up
swtrebel005 (3:02:05 PM): ha ha i can relate
swtrebel005 (3:02:07 PM): its the same here
knottyZ1810 (3:02:12 PM): really!
swtrebel005 (3:02:27 PM): i think my school is either #2 or #3 party school
knottyZ1810 (3:03:14 PM): Yea i like to drink too but I find it so interesting that people pay soo much for college and then drink it away
knottyZ1810 (3:03:33 PM): yea my school was #1 for a while but we have dropped to #4 i think
knottyZ1810 (3:03:43 PM): so I guess we can relate to each other with that
swtrebel005 (3:03:58 PM): ha ha well we have a really strict alcohol policy here
knottyZ1810 (3:04:10 PM): no drinking in dorms I am guessing?
swtrebel005 (3:04:13 PM): so no one will catch me with a drink in my hand on campus
knottyZ1810 (3:04:20 PM): is your school a bigger school or a local community college
swtrebel005 (3:04:35 PM): no if they catch us anywhere on campus and we are underage we get a strke
knottyZ1810 (3:04:50 PM): whats does the strike mean
swtrebel005 (3:04:53 PM): which means we are on probation for 3 semesters
knottyZ1810 (3:04:57 PM): OUCH!
swtrebel005 (3:05:03 PM): if they catch us a second time we get a second
knottyZ1810 (3:05:05 PM): that's really terrible.
swtrebel005 (3:05:10 PM): if we get a second we are expelled
swtrebel005 (3:05:20 PM): i go to ole miss
knottyZ1810 (3:05:23 PM): yea that is very strict.
knottyZ1810 (3:05:35 PM): I have never heard of it
swtrebel005 (3:05:38 PM): haha yeah.
swtrebel005 (3:05:49 PM): the university of mississippi
swtrebel005 (3:05:55 PM): the ole miss rebels
knottyZ1810 (3:06:00 PM): oh haha yea I have heard of that
swtrebel005 (3:06:09 PM): yeah..
knottyZ1810 (3:06:10 PM): I see now, I didnt get that one, haha
knottyZ1810 (3:06:19 PM): are you in any activities at your school
swtrebel005 (3:07:09 PM): i am in the honors college, RUF, and intramurals
knottyZ1810 (3:07:37 PM): thats really great. honors college!
swtrebel005 (3:07:48 PM): haha yeah...
knottyZ1810 (3:08:05 PM): i never made it to honors college, but I do try to maintain good grades
knottyZ1810 (3:08:18 PM): although this atmosphere doesnt always help, lol
swtrebel005 (3:08:38 PM): that is still good though.. honors here is really hard.. its like really prestigious. 3rd in the nation they tell us
knottyZ1810 (3:08:41 PM): do you have any plans for after college yet
swtrebel005 (3:08:52 PM): med school hopefully
swtrebel005 (3:08:59 PM): what about you?
swtrebel005 (3:09:06 PM): what are you wanting to do with your degree?
knottyZ1810 (3:09:08 PM): Amazing! you must be really motivated then. Great things are coming for your future
swtrebel005 (3:09:19 PM): haha well thanks
swtrebel005 (3:10:09 PM): ...
knottyZ1810 (3:10:35 PM): I have applied to the peace corps and am currently in the middle of my application process. I hope to do that for the 2 1/2 year term then go to grad school at UNO for peace studies and then after all that I would love to start my own non-profit for community and youth development
knottyZ1810 (3:11:08 PM): no problem, its always a great but strange thing these days to find people motivated in school. At least in my area it seems
swtrebel005 (3:11:51 PM): well sounds like you have a plan too...
swtrebel005 (3:12:09 PM): haha yeah.. most people i run into are quite lazy.... and dont really care
knottyZ1810 (3:12:15 PM): yea i like to have tentative plans but I am always willing to bend them a bit
knottyZ1810 (3:12:23 PM): they just give me some direction ya know
knottyZ1810 (3:12:34 PM): I know its very annoying.
knottyZ1810 (3:12:46 PM): You have been so helpful with chatting with me
swtrebel005 (3:12:58 PM): haha well thanks
knottyZ1810 (3:13:30 PM): and I am thankful that you were a girl, becuase I have tried to talk with a few others and they ended up being boys. which ment all they wanted to talk about is what I was wearing and such
knottyZ1810 (3:13:54 PM): and I absolutely didnt want to talk about that and use that for my paper
knottyZ1810 (3:13:54 PM): haha
swtrebel005 (3:14:17 PM): hahaha
swtrebel005 (3:14:19 PM): i know what you mean
swtrebel005 (3:14:25 PM): i ran into that quite alot...
swtrebel005 (3:14:42 PM): it seems like everyone has their mind wrapped around sex
knottyZ1810 (3:14:44 PM): so gross right, and lots of them were 45 yr old men in college chat rooms....gorss
knottyZ1810 (3:14:46 PM): *gross
knottyZ1810 (3:14:55 PM): right?!
swtrebel005 (3:14:59 PM): I KNOW!!!!!!1
swtrebel005 (3:15:13 PM): one person was like i am married but bored wanna have fun
swtrebel005 (3:15:19 PM): i was like ummm no thanks.
knottyZ1810 (3:15:22 PM): haha thats why i never really go into chat rooms
knottyZ1810 (3:15:26 PM): hahaha
knottyZ1810 (3:15:29 PM): ewww
knottyZ1810 (3:15:37 PM): wow
swtrebel005 (3:15:38 PM): haha this is my second time like ever
knottyZ1810 (3:15:45 PM): he was very blunt about that one
swtrebel005 (3:15:47 PM): probably will be my last for a few
knottyZ1810 (3:15:55 PM): yea me too. glad I found a normal person
knottyZ1810 (3:16:11 PM): yes me too, only reason is for school so I kind of had too
swtrebel005 (3:16:36 PM): oohhh
swtrebel005 (3:16:40 PM): so what exactly are you doing?
knottyZ1810 (3:17:18 PM): i am suppose to just try and start up a chat with real people and those fake chatters like smarterchild on AIM and see where it goes
swtrebel005 (3:17:39 PM): hahhaa smartchild
swtrebel005 (3:17:48 PM): i remembver having fun with that robot when i was younger
knottyZ1810 (3:17:54 PM): it for computing humanities on the internet and were studying people and how they use the internet in daily lives and sometimes have alter ego's on it
knottyZ1810 (3:18:25 PM): I know! it was weird trying to talk to it again, I was like this thing is soo terrible. it doesnt even want to chat
swtrebel005 (3:18:25 PM): haha well i hope people dont act like this in real life.
knottyZ1810 (3:18:33 PM): just give you information or let you play games
knottyZ1810 (3:18:36 PM): I know
swtrebel005 (3:18:40 PM): haha
knottyZ1810 (3:19:16 PM): this class has been an eye opener of the internet for me in so many ways and i have taken most things on the internet "with a grain of salt" if you know that expression
swtrebel005 (3:19:54 PM): yes i am familiar
knottyZ1810 (3:19:56 PM): it has been fun chatting with you tho, and I am glad it came easily for me and we were able to connect a little
knottyZ1810 (3:20:01 PM): that will help my paper
swtrebel005 (3:20:18 PM): haha well good to hear
swtrebel005 (3:20:24 PM): good luck on your paper
knottyZ1810 (3:20:25 PM): but thanks again and hey you never know, we could have just made a friend through it.
knottyZ1810 (3:20:45 PM): thanks sooo much, if I see you online sometime randomly Ill let you know how it went
knottyZ1810 (3:20:53 PM): thanks again!!
swtrebel005 (3:21:02 PM): haha awesome!!
swtrebel005 (3:21:05 PM): sounds great
swtrebel005 (3:21:08 PM): your welcome!
knottyZ1810 (3:21:16 PM): have a great day
swtrebel005 (3:21:26 PM): you too!
In order to build a connection, being that we met in a college chat room, I felt that I would start by asking about school and chatting about that. From there most of our conversation was related to that. This was the "southern girl" that I had met in the college chat I found from google, and we moved to AIM so we could conversate better with out interruptions. She was very personable and very willing to help me by chatting. She didn't seem to have trouble or a problem responding to anything or even asking me some questions back. We found a common ground, by that we both are annoyed and confused by those who pay for a four year party and drink or waste there college days away. She ended up being a very interesting person who seemed motivated in her life and was doing well in school. As I spoke with her and we talked about how people can be fake on the internet and that it is hard to have normal conversations these days, I wondered if she was even a she and if anything she was saying was real. I also wondered if she was wondering the same thing about myself.

Overall, from the chats in relation to the books we have read, discussions we have had and mostly the Turing Test I felt that it was easy to determine human from machine. From converstation with Eliza, I felt it was overly obvious that she was a machine, and for my real person chat with "southern girl" or "swtrebel005" it seemed completely obvious that she was a real person. Now, whether or not she was being truthful would be an even bigger test, for that is an answer I do not know for sure, but feel that because our converstation flowed so easily and well that she had to be telling the truth. For Alice, it seemed more difficult in determining whether it was machine or human. Even though I knew she was a machine, at several points it felt like there was a human on the other end pretending to be a computer and mocking me for mocking them. I do agree with the theory of the Turing Test in several ways, by that, machines are limited to there intelligence by how they are programmed while humans have the ability to learn for themselves and grow from different emotions and life experience where machines lack that ability. It was very interesting for me to talk with these different people/machines. It made me think of Stelarc's opposites being those who want computers and /or machines more like humans. Where he wants humans to better themselves by being more computer/machine. Although in all reality they meet in the middle and are really going for the same thing, a better or greater advancement to what already exist for one thing or another.