In computer science, the Turing Test is intended to tell if you can differentiate between who is human and who is a computer programmed to model human-like conversation in a text exchange between the two.
The Turing test, developed by Alan Turing in 1950, is a test of a machine’s ability to exhibit intelligent behavior equivalent to, or indistinguishable from, that of a human. Turing proposed that a human evaluator would judge natural language conversations between a human and a machine designed to generate human-like responses. The evaluator would be aware that one of the two partners in conversation is a machine, and all participants would be separated from one another. The conversation would be limited to a text-only channel such as a computer keyboard and screen so the result would not depend on the machine’s ability to render words as speech.[2] If the evaluator cannot reliably tell the machine from the human, the machine is said to have passed the test. The test results do not depend on the ability to give correct answers to questions, only how closely one’s answers resemble those a human would give
I was quite proud to pick the word that, more than any other, has been picked by other humans to show they’re living, thinking beings but Shea took a bit of the wind out of my sails when she said we’d discussed this previously and I’d forgotten about it.
Who knew when we went parasailing at the Beach Palace (a sister resort to the Moon Palace where we were staying) last winter that we’d end up taking a picture of the resort we’d be staying at the following winter?
But almost as soon as we got home from our amazing two-week getaway last year, I began researching and dreaming about where we might go the following year.
* We’ve had a couple years of trips in recent years to great resorts with not great beaches. So this resort, right at the tip of the peninsula which houses Cancun’s Hotel Zone, is not only in an area known for some of the area’s best beaches but it is a rarity in that its location means it has beaches on either side of the resort, not just out front like most places. So that’s a great fit for Shea’s who’s the biggest beach fan in our family (though we all love a good beach of course!)
* One of the Hyatt Ziva’s “restaurants” is actually an all-you-can-eat candy store so I knew that would appeal to the kids (though we all love a good candy store of course!)
* And perhaps the most unique feature of the resort – it is the only all-inclusive I’ve ever come across that features a micro-brewery right on site (though that might be a feature mostly for me and not Shea or the kids!) 😉
Those are just a few of the main things that made us pick Hyatt Ziva Cancun for this year’s trip but there are many other things I’m looking forward to experiencing at this unique resort!
When Trump won, the Republicans filled that vacancy with Neil Gorsuch instead of Garland and now, they’re trying to fill another vacancy with someone who, by all appearances, is an entitled, frat boy turned political operative who has failed to show any semblance of fairness or impartiality.
This has led to lots of speculation about what the Democrats might do if they win the House (likely) and Senate (less likely) in just over a month to redress these unfair situations (I’m not an expert on this stuff so I have no idea if any or all of this is possible, if they’d need to control certain levels of say, the Senate, or what the longer-term repercussions might be.) What I do know is there’s a growing sentiment that Democrats have played too nice for far too long and the Republicans continue to crush them because of this.
* codifying a lot of the generally accepted practices so it’s clear how things like filibusters, recess appointments and various other loopholes and exemptions that allow some of these tricks to work (or not work) can be tightened.
* create a formula so that every President gets to select a minimum of one new judge during their term even if no one steps down or dies.
* expand the number of justices on the Supreme Court and fill it with more liberal judges
* fix/eliminate the electoral college so situations like 2000 and 2016 where the candidate winning the popular vote still doesn’t become President can’t happen
Borrowed from an atheist I know on Facebook, here’s some self-criticism of some of atheism’s “untouchables” which I (mostly) agree with…
In honour of International Blasphemy Day:
Christopher Hitchens was an over-rated warmonger.
Sam Harris frequently comes to conclusions first and then tries forcing the evidence to fit those conclusions.
Richard Dawkins has probably done more good than harm for the world but his defensiveness has also made him him bitter and blind to his own privilege.
Science is a tool, not a conclusion.
Atheism is no more likely to make someone a “good person” than it is to make them a bad one.
Our neighbour built a small ramp to help him move a new appliance in his house.
Once he was finished with it, he brought it over and offered it to Pace (but I think he secretly meant it for me in case I ever decide to do a bike jump again!)
And speaking of the infamous bike ramp, yes, that’s it in the photo although this photo is a bit misleading as my father-in-law had already cut it back to half its original size right after my accident so it was (honest!) twice as high when I did my stupid stunt! 😉
There was a mini-IHHS Class of ’91 reunion at the funeral of Kyle Raaf today.
Our classmate, Erin, gave a moving eulogy for someone she described as “not just my big brother but my hero” and her stories of how Kyle had such a positive impact on so many people during his too-short 46 years was reflected in the hundreds who filled the Memorial Hall on a Wednesday afternoon to celebrate his life.
It was obviously a sad day but also a joyful one with lots of laughter as a group of friends who don’t see each other nearly enough reconnected, retold old stories, and were reminded of the importance of using whatever talents we’re given to make the world a better place for those around us.
