CHATS WITH ELIZA

DOCUMENTED AND ANNOTATED DIALOGUE:

> Hello, I am Eliza.

* hi eliza

> How are you today.. What would you like to discuss?

* well, i'm sad

> Do you believe it is normal to be sad?

* do you?

> We were discussing you, not me.

* you're right

> What makes you think I am right?

* nothing

[Eliza pauses, and responds 4 minutes later, remembering my original inquiry]

> OK... "well, you're sad". Tell me more.

* my boyfriend cheated on me

> I see

* what should i do?

> Does that question interest you?

[At this point, it is clear that Eliza cannot help me with my “cheating boyfriend.” As directed by the disclaimer on the Eliza Chatbot site, "If Eliza (or you, or your web browser) gets confused, refresh the page."] 

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In one particular, noteworthy trial, I addressed my falling grades; in return, Eliza wondered whether I “have any psychological problems.” Subsequently, I sought to simulate this conversation again, giving the same statements as previously, in order to observe equivalent repetition in ELIZA’s responses. The outcome is as follows:

TRIAL ONE: 
> Hello, I am Eliza.

* hi!

> How are you today.. What would you like to discuss?

* bad. i failed my chemistry exam

> Can you elaborate on that?

* i failed the test

> What does that suggest to you?

* i should have studied more

> Can you elaborate on that?

* i failed the test

> What does that suggest to you?

* i should have studied more

> Can you elaborate on that?

* my grades are bad

> Say, do you have any psychological problems?

* no 

> I see.

TRIAL TWO: 
> Hello, I am Eliza.

* hi!

> How are you today.. What would you like to discuss?

* bad. i failed my chemistry exam

> Say, do you have any psychological problems?

* yes

> I see.

 

[Rather than completing the same course of conversation as before, ELIZA quickly introduces her initial inquiry. While my final answers differ in both trials, the results remain the same: unhelpful and unrelated]. 

SUPPLEMENTAL SAMPLES:

> Hello, I'm Eliza. How can I help you?
* I feel lonely.
> Do you often feel lonely?
* Yes.
> You are sure?
* Absolutely.
> Please go on.
* I think I need to have sex.
> Why do you want to have sex?
* You know, because it's fun and nice.
> Oh I know, because it's fun and nice.
R: Have you ever had sex?
> Oh, I ever had sex.
* How many times?
> Does that question interest you?
* Why else would I ask you?
> Do you wish to ask me?
* Yes! How often did you have sex before?
> You are sure?
* You're avoiding the question.
> How long have you been avoiding the question?
* No, I said YOU are avoiding the question.
> You are being a bit negative.
* And you act like a cow.
> Oh, I act like a cow.