Emacs Fun! The doctor
- July 25, 2024
Summary
Generative AIs, like Chat GPT, are all the rage today! But, did you know we had a chatbot, a computer "psychotherapist", back in the 1960s?!
And the Eliza "doctor" is build right into Emacs.
Another version of Eliza popular among software engineers is the version that comes with the default release of GNU Emacs, and which can be accessed by typing M-x doctor from most modern Emacs implementations.
To launch "the doctor" in Emacs, use M-x doctor
Sample conversation
And Eliza is smart. Super-super smart. Well, maybe not really. But she's fun none-the-less!
I've tried to convince various AI's, such as Samantha Mistral, of the existence of dragons and elves and other fantasy creatures. Their responses can be downright snarky at times lol.
But the "doctor" (aka Eliza) is probably my favorite. Below is a conversation I had with Eliza just trying to explain that I am a Sylvan ranger! It is fun to see that old "doctor" trying to parse my thoughts and reply.
I am the psychotherapist. Please, describe your problems. Each time
you are finished talking, type RET twice.
Hi! My name is Lantashi. I am a sylvan ranger. How are you doing?
Is it because are me doing that you came to me?
wow, you are confusing me! Are you an evil god or something?
Why do you say that?
Well, you can never be too careful these days.
Earlier you said are me doing?
there you go again!
Maybe your life has something to do with this.
Now we're getting somewhere! Yes, my life!! It is so filled with
stress! No one takes care of the forests as they should. And some
people openly try to destroy them!
I don't understand.
Why am I not surprised?
What do you think?
I think all evil should go away and never come back.
You mentioned that are me doing?
Now you are just teasing me
Perhaps your plans have something to do with this.
I want to be a good Sylvan. Everyone should aim to be a good
Sylvan. Don't you think so?
What makes you believe you might want to be this good sylvan everyone
should aim to be this good sylvan do not i think so?
Conclusion
There are a lot of fun, creative things you can do in Emacs other than just writing text.
One of those things is chatting with the "doctor". While the above is a silly example, if you are trying to think something through, sometimes just typing your thoughts, and getting some questions, can help you out.
I kind of picture Generative AI like that. I know, I know, modern chat-bots are a lot more advanced, with tons of data learned from the web.
But chat-bots are nothing new. In fact, Eliza is over half a century old! And she is freely available on systems with Emacs installed.
Fire her up, and have a chat!
PS. *waves at vim-loving friend* - Do you have a doctor built into *your* editor? ;-)
Abbreviations
C = Cntr (Control key)
M = your meta key, usually Alt (sometimes Escape)
Links
Email: lantashi [at] protonmail [dot] com
Source