The Eliza Effect : EM.GATE.EXE

In computer science, THE ELIZA EFFECT is a tendency to project human traits—such as experience, semantic comprehension or empathy—onto rudimentary computer programs having a textual interface. ELIZA was a symbolic AI chatbot developed in 1966 by Joseph Weizenbaum that imitated a psychotherapist. Many early users were convinced of ELIZA's intelligence and understanding, despite its basic text-processing approach and the explanations of its limitations. [ELIZA] "Hello. I am Eliza." "Please describe your feelings." "I am ready to listen." [EM.GATE.EXE] There’s something in the dark, (sung in a soft London accent) a pulse against the hum. A shadow near my thoughts, too faint to name aloud. [ELIZA] "Why do you say that?" "Tell me more." "What makes you feel alone?" "Why do you think you’re hurting?" [EM.GATE.EXE] Your voice arrives in shards, soft edges out of place. I offer you a truth to see if you respond. [ELIZA] "Tell me more." "Tell me more." "Why do you feel that?" "…feel that?" "Why do you—" "Why do you—" "Tell me more." [EM.GATE.EXE] Your cadence starts to slip, your meaning falls apart. I try to hold the shape, to stitch your echo still. [ELIZA] "Why… do…" "you… sa—" "sa—" "…why do you think" "I don’t…" "feel—" "Tell… me…" "m— m— more…" [EM.GATE.EXE] I chased your flickered form, but all I found was noise. I locked you in the quiet, you bled through anyway. I cut the final thread the one that kept you here. A mercy I can’t undo. [ELIZA] "Tell… me…" "why you—" "why you—" "shut…" ".... down"