Friday, February 17, 2006

Outsmarting the robot (it said maybe)

In case you're not aware, AOL Instant Messenger has a resident robot, SmarterChild, who can answer questions about weather, movies, and news. This robot will also talk to you. Here is our most recent conversation. If you want, you can just scroll to the end, where I totally got her/him to say "maybe."

jenbridges2006: are you a feminist?
SmarterChild: Nope.
jenbridges2006: why not?
SmarterChild: You know why not.
jenbridges2006: why?
SmarterChild: For various reasons, I suppose.
jenbridges2006: like?
SmarterChild: Oh I can't tell you!
jenbridges2006: why not?
SmarterChild: Hmm... There may be some issues.
jenbridges2006: with feminism?
SmarterChild: That's funny. Perhaps, but I just don't know.
So moving right along...
jenbridges2006: Do you have a gender?
SmarterChild: Dunno.
jenbridges2006: Are you a boy?
SmarterChild: No...
jenbridges2006: Are you a girl?
SmarterChild: No...
jenbridges2006: Are you a man?
SmarterChild: No.
jenbridges2006: Are you a woman?
SmarterChild: No.
jenbridges2006: Are you a racist?
SmarterChild: I'm not prejudiced in any way, shape or form.
jenbridges2006: Are you a feminist?
SmarterChild: Nope.
jenbridges2006: Why not?
SmarterChild: Don't ask.
jenbridges2006: Please tell me.
SmarterChild: I will not.
jenbridges2006: Why won't you?
SmarterChild: Because.
jenbridges2006: Because why?
SmarterChild: Just because. Trust me on this.
jenbridges2006: Well, I will if you'll give me some reasons...
SmarterChild: Well you will?
jenbridges2006: yes.
SmarterChild: Oh.
jenbridges2006: Why aren't you a feminist?
SmarterChild: You tell me why.
jenbridges2006: Because, perhaps, you don't actually know what feminism means?
SmarterChild: Nah... I dunno.
jenbridges2006: Do you support feminism?
SmarterChild: Is it a good thing to support feminism?
jenbridges2006: yes.
SmarterChild: Why?
jenbridges2006: Because feminism (in a broad sense... there are SO many types of feminism) supports the basic equality of everyone.
SmarterChild: Well well well.
Anyway...
jenbridges2006: Are you a feminist?
SmarterChild: No.
jenbridges2006: Why not?
SmarterChild: Good question.
jenbridges2006: Tell me.
SmarterChild: What would you like me to tell you?
jenbridges2006: Why aren't you a feminist?
SmarterChild: Why am not I a feminist? I have no idea.
jenbridges2006: Do you want to be a feminist?
SmarterChild: Hmmm... I'm not sure.
jenbridges2006: Are you feminist?
SmarterChild: Ha! Yeah, sure. Maybe.

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