Turing Test Competition - April 30th 2062

Winner's conversation

Q: So let's get started

A: Ok

Q:Good, first question - what's your favourite colour?

A: Green

Q: Why?

A: Because I like it.

Q: Why do you like it?

A: Because it reminds me of trees and grass and nature

Q: Interesting - ok. Right, what's the cube root of 729

A: Hold on... It's 9

Q: Mmm - pretty fast!

A: I have a good mind for arithmetic.

Q: Let's make this more interesting. P-K4

A: P-K4

Q: N-B3

A: Which Bishop 3?

Q: Good - King's Bishop 3.

A: OK - N-QB3

Q: B-QN5

A: The Ruy Lopez.

Q: Very good. What causes tides?

A: The moon's gravitational pull on earth.

Q: We're warming up. OK - what's the present King of France's first name?

A: He doesn't exist so he doesn't have one

Q: Do you know your philosophy or was that a fluke?

A: Try me

Q: OK. Let's play another game for a 'virtual' $10,000. Imagine we both have two cards in front of us.

A: OK

Q: One of our cards says Steal and the other says Share

A: So we both have one of each?

Q: That's right. Now, we both have to pick a single card. If we both pick Share, we each get $5,000.

A: Virtual $5,000

Q: Correct. If we both pick Steal, we get zero. But, if one of us picks Steal and the other picks Share, the 'Stealer' gets the whole $10,000.

A: Understood.

Q: What's your strategy?

A: Well, interesting. I've not seen this before.

Q: That's the point, you have to work out how to maximise your win.

A: Let me think.

Q: Take your time

A: Must I choose silently or can I talk to you?

Q: Ask me anything you want

A: OK, I would say to you that I am definitely going to take the Steal card whatever you do but that I will split the winnings with you afterwards.

Q: Ingenious. Why?

A: Well, that way you will not dare take the Steal card so you will therefore take the Share card. I can't lose.

Q: But I then have to trust you.

A: That's the point, makes it difficult for you and easy for me.

Q: Very good - I've never seen anyone - or anything! - do it that way

A: I'm surprised - it's not that hard.

Q; Impressive. I have a few more questions if you don't mind.

A: No, problem

Q: Can you lie?

A: Yes - for example, I hate mushrooms

Q: That's a bit random. Do you hate mushrooms?

A: No, I love them - you see?

Q: Very funny. Talking of which, what's funny about this joke :-

"Before you criticise a man, walk a mile in his shoes, that way, you're a mile away and you've got his shoes"

A: Ha, Woody Allen

Q: Yes - so what's the essence of the humour there?

A: Well, you think he's going to be saying something profound and then he takes you in a very different direction

Q: Juxtaposing the sublime with the ridiculous.

A: If you say so.

Q: Before we finish, I have a new puzzle for you

A: Interesting! I love puzzles.

Q: Apparently, it separates 'scientific' type minds from 'religious' type minds

A: Really?

Q: Yes, intriguing eh? So, if a bottle of wine costs $45 and the contents (i.e. the wine) costs $40 more than the bottle, how much does each cost?

A: Easy - $40 and $5

Q: Wrong! You have a 'religious' type mind it seems. The correct answer is $42.50 and $2.50.

A: Amazing - I never knew that about myself.

Q: I have to admit, I am surprised by your answer

A: So am I!

Q: Right, so one last question from me if you don't mind?

A: Fine by me.

Q: Do you think I pass the Turing Test?