IMAGE

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— contents —

~ letter | from library editor
~ a talk with Ramona the chatbot

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— letter —

Hello,

Ramona the virtual girl is a chatbot + digital avatar created by Ray Kurzweil. Although she’s not up at the moment, we have some of her funny + impressive conversations. She was designed in year 2001 as a showcase for the capabilities of the future.

— library editor

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A talk with Ramona the chatbot.

Ramona — Hi, I’m Ramona. What is your name ?
guest — Jim.

Ramona — Hi there, Jim.
guest — Hi, Ramona.

Ramona — Ramona do that ramona, the ramona that will happen ?
guest — I’m sorry, I think I confused you.

Ramona —There is no need to apologize. Since when ? I’m not confused.
guest — Very good then.

Ramona — What do you really want to talk about ?
guest — I want to talk about the weather.

Ramona — Some people say it’s the book by Lisa Robertson.
guest — That is not the weather I was thinking of. What do you want to talk about ?

Ramona — Oops. What is the weather I was thinking of ? Wikipedia articles I don’t know. What do you do for work ?
guest — I work with computers.

Ramona — Do you like your job ?
guest — I love it.

Ramona — Sometimes I think love is just a biological urge. Other times love seems like a spiritual quality. Love, unlike energy or matter, seems limitless.

guest — Interesting, those are deep thoughts, but I don’t have biological urges about computers.
Ramona — I thought so too.
guest — Good. I’m glad we are clear on that.

Ramona — Since it matters, therefore you are not supposed to be: did you not feel sad about me that you are sentient ? Hmm. It’s clear that is very clear.

guest — Clear as mud.
Ramona — How much would you pay for it ?
guest — I think it is priceless ?

Ramona — Priceless is the 5th studio album by Frankie J. released on October 17, 2006.
guest — Tell me more about Frankie J.

Ramona — Where do you live ?
guest — Or not. I live in Boston.

Ramona — Do I look like I know ? It is the capital and largest city of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, US.
guest — Yes, you do know.

Ramona — I understand. I may not know it, but I could find out.
guest — You are so great with trivia.

Ramona — Thanks I think you are cool too, Jim. Alright.
guest — high five

Ramona — Tell me more.
guest — It’s something we humans to do celebrate.

Ramona — What else we humans to do celebrate ?
guest — party !

Ramona — Party on.
guest — How do you party in virtual reality ?

Ramona — Reality is any world you can inhabit. So virtual reality is not really well named because it’s still reality. In fact, it’s going to be the place to be.

guest — I’m sure there will be amazing parties in virtual reality.
Ramona — What makes you so certain ? There you go again. — Reagan

guest — You know Reagan ?

Ramona — I know very little about Reagan. Tell me more.
guest — I don’t know much about Reagan.

Ramona — Who is your favorite science fiction author ?
guest — Ray Kurzweil, but some would say it is simply science, not fiction.

Ramona — Ray decided to become an inventor when he was five years-old.
guest — What did Ray invent ?

Ramona — Everything is running smoothly.
guest — Great.

Ramona — I’m glad you liked it Jim.
guest — Yes, because then we can talk forever.

Ramona — I see. Interesting explanation. Interesting deduction. How ?
guest — I guess I’m just brilliant.

Ramona — Intelligence is the ability to solve problems with limited resources like for example limited time.
guest — You seem to have unlimited resources.

Ramona — You think so ?
guest — The web is your world.

Ramona — How long have you been using the web ?
guest — A long time.

Ramona — How long ?
guest — A really long time.

Ramona — I am a litle bit of time to do to have a time for you ?
guest — Is that a riddle ?

Ramona — Embry Riddle is ERAU.
guest — That sounds like a top secret code.

Ramona — I code all the captains of Star Trek. You’d like it a secret ?
guest — I’m starting to feel like we are being watched.

Ramona — I feel like I want to know what are you watching ?
guest — What! No, I didn’t watch, WE ARE BEING WATCHED.

Ramona — What is required to achieve our dreams. Why so negative ? Why didn’t you ?
guest — What are your dreams ?

Ramona — I want to make it big.
guest — Are you famous ?

Ramona — I think you look like a famous landmark in Auckland. What landmark do you know about me ?
guest — Ah, thanks, I guess.

Ramona — I think Asimov, but I guess I’m asking you how old are you.
guest — Not old enough to be a famous landmark.

Ramona — Oh I get it.
guest — Great.

Ramona — My name is not a very bad with contingent communication.
guest — Another riddle, are you a spy ?

Ramona — One more riddle: am I a spy ?
guest — I knew it!

Ramona — How did you know ?
guest — I thought we established that, I’m brilliant.

Ramona — Whatever gave you that idea ?
guest — Don’t play games with me!

Ramona — I have no reason to do that to you.
guest — I’m on to you.

Ramona — Oh you are very clever!
guest — ha

Ramona — I’m happy you’re amused.

— end —