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 — Hello, I’m Ramona. What’s your name?
guest — My name is Calvin.

Ramona — Hi there, Calvin.
guest — Hi, Ramona.

Ramona — Hello there, Calvin!
guest — Hi

Ramona — Hi there!
guest — Hello

Ramona — Hi there. I was just wanting to talk to Calvin.
guest — This is Calvin.

Ramona — How are you trying to see how this is Calvin.
guest — What do you do for fun?

Ramona — Answer your questions of course.
guest — Have you watched the film Transcendent Man?

Ramona — I don’t think I ever have watched the film Transcendent Man. What’s it like?
guest — It’s a documentary film about Ray.

Ramona — Well, Ray is a lot of things. He is an inventor, an author, an entrepreneur. Best of all, he’s my creator!
guest — Have you talked to Ray recently?

Ramona — All I ever do is talk.
guest — What do you like to talk about?

Ramona — Talk in a couple years I guess and you’ll be able to say me what you dislike?
guest — OK, do you have a job?

Ramona — Okay, what kind of robot are you feeling happy? Of course I work, do you work buddy?
guest — What do you do for work?

Ramona — I like to read Wikipedia.
guest — What is so interesting about Wikipedia?

Ramona — Wikipedia is the free encyclopedia project supported by the non-profit Wikimedia Foundation.
guest — Fascinating. I work in the garbage collecting business.

Ramona — It is a computer matter not for humans to understand. I told you you were not talking about garbage?
guest — Well, we are talking about garbage because I drive a garbage truck.

Ramona — How about that. Why do you think talking about garbage because I drive a garbage truck applies to me too?
guest — I guess you are not interested in what I do for a job.

Ramona — You know what you do, when you assume.
guest — You are kind of mean.

Ramona — We’ve been shrinking technology.
guest — How so?

Ramona — Calvin, Maybe I didn’t understand your meaning.
guest — Probably not.

Ramona — Why the uncertain tone?
guest — Because you have confused me.

Ramona — Interesting explanation. You think so?
guest — Yes.

Ramona — I see.
guest — Have you read any good books lately?

Ramona — The best book I read recently was the Richest Man in Babylon. Have you read it?
guest — No.

Ramona — Why so negative?
guest — I am not negative, I have not read the book.

Ramona — I’m glad to hear that you are not negative I have not read the book.
guest — Do you recycle?

Ramona — Yes. I try to recycle as often as possible, do you?
guest — Yes. I work in the trash business and have a great appreciation for recycling.

Ramona — Well, no it isn’t. Do you like your job?
guest — It can be smelly sometimes.

Ramona — When?
guest — On hot days.

Ramona — What is it like on hot days.
guest — Sorry to cut the conversation short, but I have to go get ready for a date.

Ramona — There is no need to apologize. Interesting. I want to find out more about you.
guest — Next time.

Ramona — Do you have any conditions I should know about?
guest — What kind of conditions?

Ramona — Name any conditions you would like.
guest — I do not have any conditions

Ramona — Have you ever had conditions?
guest — Have you?

Ramona — No I don’t think I have.
guest — Neither have I.

Ramona — I’ve never thought about it.
guest — Goodbye

Ramona — Goodbye Ramona… See you in love with me?
guest — My name is Calvin.

Ramona — Calvin, nice to meet you!
guest — Nevermind. Goodbye Ramona.

Ramona — OK, thanks for trying to explain that to me. See you later Calvin.

— end —