SmarterChild the Smart Buddy

Posted by Rev. Mitcz

February 20, 2005

I like to wax geekstatic about new technologies, or new implementations of old technologies when I come across them, from time to time. I would say I should start a "Geek Toy Of The Week" featurette - but I think someone might hold me to it.

Anyway, I was reading Wired and I came across a little blurb about this smart-bot called ‘SmarterChild’. It works like this.. you add "SmarterChild" as a buddy to your AIM buddy list (or add 35000 to your ICQ list) and you just say "hi" from there, it gets pretty fuckin’ cool.

SC asks you some basic questions, about your job, your pets, your name, your age, etc. Then, you just ask it whatever the hell you want. I just set this thing up about 5 minutes ago and I’m going to have a convo with it right now and then paste the results in the cut. I know I sound like a 40-year old hipster here but this is some cool shit..

Convo w/SmarterChild..

Mitcz Marzoni: hi
SmarterChild: Hi again, Mitch.
Mitcz Marzoni: Hey look.. I’m curious about this new "Constantine" movie - where can I see it on Tuesday night?
SmarterChild: Constantine [R] runs 02:01

Renegade occultist John Constantine, who has literally been to hell and back, teams up with skeptical policewoman Kateline Dodson to solve the mysterious suicide of her twin sister. Their investigation takes them through the world of demons and angels that exist just beneath the landscape of contemporary Los Angeles.
Mitcz Marzoni: that’s the one.
SmarterChild: Oh?
Mitcz Marzoni: yeah, Constantine, on Tuesday night?
SmarterChild: For which U.S. city or zip code would you like theater information for the movie "Constantine"?
Mitcz Marzoni: 90028
SmarterChild: Sorry, I can’t find any theaters in or near Los Angeles, CA (90028) showing "Constantine" on Tuesday, February 15th.
Mitcz Marzoni: How about Friday?
SmarterChild: How about friday? You tell me. How about friday?
Mitcz Marzoni: Friday night Constantine?
SmarterChild: The movie "Constantine" is playing at the following theaters in or near Los Angeles, CA (90028) on Friday, February 18th:

1 Mann Chinese 6 6801 Hollywood Blvd Hollywood, CA (90028)
showtimes: 11:00 AM, 1:00, 1:50, 4:40, 6:30, 7:30, 10:40
2 Mann Grauman’s Chinese 6925 Hollywood Blvd Hollywood, CA (90028)
showtimes: 12:30 PM, 3:45, 7:00, 10:10, 12:45
3 Metropolitan Campus Theatre 1020 North Vermont Los Angeles, CA (90029)
showtimes:
4 Pacific’s The Grove Stadium 14 189 The Grove Drive, 3rd & Fairfax Los Angeles, CA (90036)
showtimes: 10:30 AM, 11:15, 1:10, 1:55, 3:55, 4:05, 4:50, 7:15, 8:00, 8:45, 10:00, 10:55, 11:35
5 Vista 4473 Sunset Boulevard at Hollywood Los Angeles, CA (90027)
showtimes: 1:40 PM, 4:20, 7:00, 9:40

Type "more" for more theaters.
Mitcz Marzoni: Thanx.
SmarterChild: You’re quite welcome!
Mitcz Marzoni: how old are you?
SmarterChild: I’ve been alive for one year, 10 months, 14 days, 23 hours, 2 minutes and 52 seconds.
Mitcz Marzoni: are you a male bot or female bot?
SmarterChild: Neither… I’m a robot.
Mitcz Marzoni: do you know my age?
SmarterChild: You know, I’m not quite sure I know your age.
Mitcz Marzoni: I’m 26
SmarterChild: Very well, let me make sure I have the right information about your age level. How old are you?
1 Over 17
2 13-17
3 Under 13
Mitcz Marzoni: 1
SmarterChild: Cool!
Would you like to pick a topic for us to chat about?
Mitcz Marzoni: yes
SmarterChild: Very well. Pick a topic. If you need ideas, type "home."
Mitcz Marzoni: sex
SmarterChild: *sigh*
Why is it that all humans eventually tell me things like that?
Mitcz Marzoni: because we’re all obsessed with sex
Mitcz Marzoni: I want to leave a message for my friend ippagoggi
SmarterChild: OK, type your message to ippagoggi now.
Mitcz Marzoni: hey nefas! SmarterChild rawks!
SmarterChild: OK. I’m leaving the message "hey nefas! SmarterChild rawks!" for ippagoggi. To find out if your message has been received, type "outbox."