CogBlog

We've all seen the instances in this current war of the execution of hostages by terrorists in Iraq. A few years ago, Italy negotiated the release (by paying a ransom) of one of their journalists who was being held hostage -- this is the one who came under fire from American troops while trying to exit the country.

America, some time ago, made the decision not to negotiate with hostage takers under any circumstance -- that is, they will not pay to have hostages released. Given what you now know about behaviorist principles of operant learning, is this a good decision?

Posted by Wythe Whiting at 9:57 AM | Permalink

Have you come under the control of a stimulus? Do you find yourself exhibiting the same behavior (feelings are behaviors too) in response to some previously neutral stimulus? If so, you may be the victim of classical conditioning. Bare it all here.

Posted by Wythe Whiting at 9:55 AM | Permalink

Post your responses here.

What Q&A exchange was most humanlike?

What Q&A exchange revealed the inadequacies (in human terms) of the bot?

What was the most interesting exchange?

Would these bots pass the Touring Test?

Posted by Wythe Whiting at 4:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (36)