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From: mxm@dcs.ed.ac.uk (Mike Moran)
Subject: Re: Are there non-humans lurking on Internet/Usenet? WAIT.....
Message-ID: <D3Hq2t.7tK@dcs.ed.ac.uk>
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Organization: Department of Computer Science, University of Edinburgh
References: <mtm4.568.01C182F4@rsvl.unisys.com> <nagleD3CqyM.3MD@netcom.com> <3gt5vc$93g@ixnews2.ix.netcom.com>
Date: Sat, 4 Feb 1995 19:28:04 GMT
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Xref: glinda.oz.cs.cmu.edu comp.ai.nat-lang:2768 comp.ai:27081 comp.ai.philosophy:25210 comp.ai.alife:2210

In article <3gt5vc$93g@ixnews2.ix.netcom.com> gl1@ix.netcom.com (Gene Levinson) writes:
>
>mtm4@rsvl.unisys.com (Mike McCormick) writes:
>>Is it possible such computer programs are in fact lurking (and occassionally 
>>posting) to Internet mailing lists and Usenet newsgroups?  It seems like the 
>>logical next step toward the Turing Test.  
>
>Before everyone rushes off to try their best hack at this, stop and think for a 
>minute: is that the best way for a bright, computer-savvy person to investigate 
>AI? 
>
>Just because something CAN be done doesn't mean that this is the most 
>rewarding/exciting/productive/way-cool way to spend one's time.
>
>The Turing test is NOT the be-all and end-all of AI. In fact, I would say that 
>it is dated by Artificial Life, which does not always try to emulate human 
>intelligence.
>
>I think there are more productive pursuits. Choices have to be made, as there is 
>no shortage of exciting and interesting things to do. 
>
>I hope a couple of highly-motivated people try their hand at this, but it would 
>be a waste if everyone did.
>
>--Gene Levinson 		"I think, therefore I choose..."
>

	Just as an aside to all this; a friend recently passed the 
	'Artificial Stupidity' Test by pretending to be Eliza during
	a 'write' session to another friend :-)

							Mike

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