Eliza was an AI programme created to mimic a Rogerian therapist (ie: one who repeats back what the patient has said in the form of a question, occasionally throwing in a small number of other stock questions). It was created as a parody of AI programmes, intended to show their limitations; its creator was chagrined to find people actually got benefit out of it! Well done, Pab!
@Ira — Eliza was a parody? As I recall it was one of the first serious attempts at making an AI that could pass a Turing test. But I’m old enough that my memory may well be faulty, so maybe I couldn’t pass a Turing test myself.
For the record, Rogerian therapists do more than “repeat back what the patient has said in the form of a question” plus “a small number of other stock questions.” To do it right requires the insight to know what questions to ask when, in order to force the other person to complete a line of reasoning and learn from it. It is, in effect, a Socratic approach to therapy.There is film of Roger working live, and he was very, very impressive indeed. Not merely a reflexive questioner.
Confusing, as Eliza could be a reference to Queen Elizabeth I, and QV might be saying QEI should be subservient to her (which would be highly ironic, considering how much power each actually wielded), or she could be calling her a knowitall. Though neither is particularly funny…
I thought so yesterday, but only because it has been so many years since Eliza. I hsd never thought of buying a computer back then and was divorced for a couple of years. My BF had one of the first Tandys and he bought that program just for fun. The last frame today is what jogged my memory. I took a night school class in Basic that year so I could create a database for the BF to keep track of his clients..A long time now – I was drafting stuff like plats of Survey by hand in ink in those days, went on to learn AutoCAD, programing the menu and AutoLisp and became an HVAC designer (all since my 30s) and now I’m retired, getting a job here and there when I can.
Yes, only very immature people could take Eliza seriosly, but I knew some who did. I would love to see the Pennys of Crustwood get that on a PC (tho’ I think the only one is in Burls’ office) It would work for at least a whole weeks’ arc.
boreas2 over 12 years ago
i dont get it
maybe is because i dont know who eliza is
aardvarkseyes over 12 years ago
Eliza was an AI programme created to mimic a Rogerian therapist (ie: one who repeats back what the patient has said in the form of a question, occasionally throwing in a small number of other stock questions). It was created as a parody of AI programmes, intended to show their limitations; its creator was chagrined to find people actually got benefit out of it! Well done, Pab!
Sherlock Watson over 12 years ago
I don’t know who, but some comedian once said that anyone who would go to a psychiatrist should have his head examined.
Owen_KL over 12 years ago
The TNAoQV arc on Linsanity Feb.27-March 2 got a plug on my comic today at http://moneytalks.smackjeeves.com/comics/1452524/mt20120321/ .
Owen_KL over 12 years ago
@Ira — Eliza was a parody? As I recall it was one of the first serious attempts at making an AI that could pass a Turing test. But I’m old enough that my memory may well be faulty, so maybe I couldn’t pass a Turing test myself.
Motivemagus over 12 years ago
For the record, Rogerian therapists do more than “repeat back what the patient has said in the form of a question” plus “a small number of other stock questions.” To do it right requires the insight to know what questions to ask when, in order to force the other person to complete a line of reasoning and learn from it. It is, in effect, a Socratic approach to therapy.There is film of Roger working live, and he was very, very impressive indeed. Not merely a reflexive questioner.
celeconecca over 12 years ago
not my fair lady eliza?
steverinoCT over 12 years ago
Q. How many psychiatrists does it take to change a light bulb?
A. Just one. But first the light bulb has to want to change.
bt over 12 years ago
Confusing, as Eliza could be a reference to Queen Elizabeth I, and QV might be saying QEI should be subservient to her (which would be highly ironic, considering how much power each actually wielded), or she could be calling her a knowitall. Though neither is particularly funny…
vldazzle over 12 years ago
I thought so yesterday, but only because it has been so many years since Eliza. I hsd never thought of buying a computer back then and was divorced for a couple of years. My BF had one of the first Tandys and he bought that program just for fun. The last frame today is what jogged my memory. I took a night school class in Basic that year so I could create a database for the BF to keep track of his clients..A long time now – I was drafting stuff like plats of Survey by hand in ink in those days, went on to learn AutoCAD, programing the menu and AutoLisp and became an HVAC designer (all since my 30s) and now I’m retired, getting a job here and there when I can.
vldazzle over 12 years ago
Yes, only very immature people could take Eliza seriosly, but I knew some who did. I would love to see the Pennys of Crustwood get that on a PC (tho’ I think the only one is in Burls’ office) It would work for at least a whole weeks’ arc.
vldazzle over 12 years ago
Totally low budget; you just buy the program.