Comments on: Want to play twenty questions?

Want to play twenty questions?

synecdoche — Tue, 20 Jul 2004 20:15:36 -0800

Want to play twenty questions? Play twenty questions against a computer. It can be startling good, sometimes, though there are a few things that still aren't in the database. Still, a decent time waster, if only for a little while.

By: Dasein

Dasein — Tue, 20 Jul 2004 20:21:36 -0800

Wow, it got it. I was thinking of a mummy. It's good...in a slightly unsettling sort of way. Just how long did it take to programme this game?

By: WolfDaddy

WolfDaddy — Tue, 20 Jul 2004 20:24:47 -0800

Hmmm, this has undergone a lot of revisions since last I played it about a year ago. I spent a lot of time training it to identify 'homosexual male' and now that is no longer in its database as far as I can tell. Hmph.

By: Dipsomaniac

Dipsomaniac — Tue, 20 Jul 2004 20:25:20 -0800

Apparently it's just too high-class to have heard of 40 ounces of malt liquor. I think it was going to guess Glenlivet for a minute, though.

By: amberglow

amberglow — Tue, 20 Jul 2004 20:26:23 -0800

it took 26 qs for turtle--cute tho

By: sequential

sequential — Tue, 20 Jul 2004 20:31:06 -0800

The object in mind? George W. Bush. The first three guesses: An enemy, A criminal, A fool.

By: armoured-ant

armoured-ant — Tue, 20 Jul 2004 20:32:59 -0800

Wow. 28 questions both times; river and lamp. And now, 28 for jukebox. Bastard!

By: lazaruslong

lazaruslong — Tue, 20 Jul 2004 20:36:11 -0800

interesting.

By: CunningLinguist

CunningLinguist — Tue, 20 Jul 2004 20:36:41 -0800

I stumped it completely with a wooden artist's model. But then it got peanut butter fast.

By: sequential

sequential — Tue, 20 Jul 2004 20:37:16 -0800

You were thinking of something to do with sex.
Is it small? You said Probably, I say No. Uncommon Knowledge about a penis
Can you eat off of it? I say Yes.
Does it come from an animal? I say Yes.
Does it get really hot? I say Yes.
Can it fit in an envelope? I say Yes.
Does it have feelings? I say Yes.
Is it used with animals? I say Yes.
Is it symbolic? I say Yes.
Can you drink from it? I say Yes.
Is it awake at night? I say Yes.
Is it used by a baby? I say Yes.
Is it addictive? I say Yes.
Can it do tricks? I say Yes.
Does it have a title? I say Yes.
Is it delicious? I say Yes.
Does it taste good? I say Yes.
Is it made of metal? I say No.

By: markavatar

markavatar — Tue, 20 Jul 2004 20:43:28 -0800

Wow. 28 questions both times; river and lamp. And now, 28 for jukebox. Bastard! Interesting. It took 28 to get a basketball also.

By: kliuless

kliuless — Tue, 20 Jul 2004 20:44:16 -0800

were mefi search as accurate :D not a dp callout! (far be it from me :) just for the record! fwiw, cock before penis.

By: Krrrlson

Krrrlson — Tue, 20 Jul 2004 20:44:51 -0800

I guess when I thought of "diploma," I actually meant "sulfuric acid." Eh, live and learn.

By: dobbs

dobbs — Tue, 20 Jul 2004 20:52:16 -0800

19 to get Wombat.

By: LittleMissCranky

LittleMissCranky — Tue, 20 Jul 2004 20:56:44 -0800

Holy shit.

By: bitpart

bitpart — Tue, 20 Jul 2004 21:07:38 -0800

Same as kliuless, this is not a doublepost (nor a triplepost) callout either – is merely for reference. 20Q is too damn cool to not be posted once a year. 20Q is too damn cool, hey!

By: kaibutsu

kaibutsu — Tue, 20 Jul 2004 21:11:42 -0800

19 questions to nail the ukulele. I respect it. (Best of) Uncommon Knowledge about a ukulele: Can you use it with your friends? I say Doubtful. Is it useful? I say No. Can it be used to start fires? I say Yes. Does it bear live young? I say Yes. Does it like sunshine? I say Yes.

By: kaibutsu

kaibutsu — Tue, 20 Jul 2004 21:17:28 -0800

On the other hand, an algebraic group is apparently a stumper.

By: loquax

loquax — Tue, 20 Jul 2004 21:20:22 -0800

Excellent, got sugar glider, logo, and hockey puck within 22 questions. It's smarter than me!

By: bitpart

bitpart — Tue, 20 Jul 2004 21:20:35 -0800

The FPP's link is actually the beta of the next version of the game. The original (which I think that I read somewhere has actually been around in some form since the '80s, though I can't find where I read that) is here, and doesn't seem to be suffering from the server load that the beta is.

By: billybunny

billybunny — Tue, 20 Jul 2004 21:26:19 -0800

I stumped it on a cockring. Silly thing. It guessed bubble bath.

By: bitpart

bitpart — Tue, 20 Jul 2004 21:38:38 -0800

An interview with the creator explains that the website dates back to 1996, but that he first programmed the game on a floppy in 1988 and passed it around with his friends. The artificial intelligence that powers 20Q is a neural network model, based on "bioelectrical networks in the brain formed by neurons and their synapses."

By: vacapinta

vacapinta — Tue, 20 Jul 2004 21:56:51 -0800

I beat it but then it called me out! I'll let you guys decide: You were thinking of a corkscrew. Can you play with it? You said Yes, I say No. Can it bend without breaking? You said Yes, I say No. Does it bring joy to people? You said Yes, I say Doubtful. Can you play games with it? You said Probably, I say No.

By: spilon

spilon — Tue, 20 Jul 2004 21:59:02 -0800

19 questions to get 'electric guitar.' Damn machines....

By: SisterHavana

SisterHavana — Tue, 20 Jul 2004 22:04:13 -0800

I stumped it with a Welsh Terrier. Yorkshire terrier is in there, but not Welsh.

By: dogwelder

dogwelder — Tue, 20 Jul 2004 22:27:52 -0800

28 questions to get keyhole, but I beat it with microphone stand.

By: interrobang

interrobang — Tue, 20 Jul 2004 22:28:17 -0800

I tried "Rush Limbaugh" and it didn't get it. Then it showed me a list of what it had guessed, and I got this list: Similar Objects stomach, a narwhal (with spiral tusk), the esophagus, a ceiling fan, the large intestine, a giant squid, sea serpent (maybe mythical), a manatee, lungs, an intestine, a beluga (white whale), a traffic jam. I guess it won after all.

By: abcde

abcde — Tue, 20 Jul 2004 22:29:27 -0800

I tried Kiwi (the bird) and it won.

By: LittleMissCranky

LittleMissCranky — Tue, 20 Jul 2004 22:31:06 -0800

It didn't recognize bucket of cocks.

By: bonheur

bonheur — Tue, 20 Jul 2004 22:31:57 -0800

Uncommon Knowledge about a boyfriend Can you use it with your friends? I say No. Can it be stolen? I say Yes. Would you find it on a farm? I say No. Can you peel it? I say Yes. Can you talk on it? I say Probably. Is it lumpy? I say Probably. Do you hold it when you use it? I say Yes.

By: chicobangs

chicobangs — Tue, 20 Jul 2004 22:40:48 -0800

I went with what I thought was pedestrian stuff (sardines, communism, hockey jersey, an action movie, a gag reflex), and it got 4 out of 5. Impressive.

By: GreenDragon

GreenDragon — Tue, 20 Jul 2004 22:46:16 -0800

Wow!, it got protein, I am impressed. Although some of its knowledge is definitely wrong: Does it grow over time? You said Sometimes, I say No. Could it be found in a classroom? You said Maybe, I say No. Is it dangerous? You said Sometimes, I say No.

By: Keyser Soze

Keyser Soze — Tue, 20 Jul 2004 23:02:15 -0800

You were thinking of a poop. Contradictions Detected

By: Hypharse

Hypharse — Tue, 20 Jul 2004 23:22:18 -0800

I stumped it with whore pocket protector

By: davehat

davehat — Wed, 21 Jul 2004 01:58:19 -0800

It didn't get chair, fish or banana. It did suggest swivel chair and goldfish for the first two. I think its been asked for so many detailed answers that it has problems with higher categories. I think it got tripped up on banana because I answered no to "does it grow on trees". Everyone knows that bananas do not grow on trees. Don't they?

By: dayvin

dayvin — Wed, 21 Jul 2004 02:08:05 -0800

Hah! It thinks a wolverine is a chow-chow.

By: dayvin

dayvin — Wed, 21 Jul 2004 02:11:26 -0800

Now it thinks a mouse is a centaur.

By: biffa

biffa — Wed, 21 Jul 2004 02:13:59 -0800

So according to sequential's post a penis isn't small, but its answer for thesaurus was that it is small. Is this the world's most well hung website?

By: benzo8

benzo8 — Wed, 21 Jul 2004 02:17:00 -0800

Bananas *do* grow on trees

By: reklaw

reklaw — Wed, 21 Jul 2004 03:43:38 -0800

Uncommon Knowledge about a kitty cat Does it live in African grass lands? I say Yes. Does it shine? I say Probably. Do most people use this daily? I say Yes. Do you use it at work? I say Probably. Can you put something into it? I say Yes. Does it roar? I say Yes. Does it break if dropped? I say Yes. Is it shiny? I say Probably. Is it found on a desk? I say Probably. Is it very large? I say Yes. Would you use it in the dark? I say Yes. Does it come in a box? I say Probably. Is it an abstract concept? I say Probably. Does it have an exo-skeleton? I say Yes. Do you chew it? I say Yes. Is it conscious? I say Doubtful. ... odd.

By: etc

etc — Wed, 21 Jul 2004 03:52:53 -0800

Uncommon Knowledge about lasagne Does it have hooves? I say Probably. I'm giving that restaurant a miss.

By: emelenjr

emelenjr — Wed, 21 Jul 2004 04:26:39 -0800

I stumped it completely with a bicycle pedal, and it took 21 questions for it to guess a drinking glass.

By: davehat

davehat — Wed, 21 Jul 2004 04:58:29 -0800

Banana's *don't* grow on trees. From Chiquita's Q&A pages: Q. Do bananas grow on trees? A. No, they're not grown on trees. Bananas are grown on a plant made up of soft overlapping leaves, which can grow up to 30 feet (914 centimeters), making it the largest on earth without a woody stem.

By: davehat

davehat — Wed, 21 Jul 2004 04:58:55 -0800

/smarty pants

By: aaaaa

aaaaa — Wed, 21 Jul 2004 05:27:40 -0800

For those of you without a continual computer connection, there is a portable version available at your local or online electronics/toy retailer.

By: jennyb

jennyb — Wed, 21 Jul 2004 06:15:39 -0800

Uncommon Knowledge about a cup of coffee Is it fluffy? I say Yes. Is it considered man's best friend? I say Probably.

By: grabbingsand

grabbingsand — Wed, 21 Jul 2004 06:15:55 -0800

Stumped it with "credenza" ... though it did guess "locker" and "cubicle" ...

By: reklaw

reklaw — Wed, 21 Jul 2004 07:20:55 -0800

Uncommon Knowledge about an operating system ... Does it bark? I say Probably. Is it a member of the cat family? I say Probably. Can you keep it in a cage? I say Yes. Does it fly? I say Yes. What the heck?

By: LoopSouth

LoopSouth — Wed, 21 Jul 2004 07:24:48 -0800

Dildo is not in it's database...

By: anastasiav

anastasiav — Wed, 21 Jul 2004 08:14:18 -0800

I completely stumped it with Jump Rope. Also, it says a sword is not an object you use daily. I beg to differ.

By: obfusciatrist

obfusciatrist — Wed, 21 Jul 2004 08:33:10 -0800

28 questions for highlighter pen, coke can, and smoke detector. However, apparently a fart is similar to a smoke detector. I'll remember to evacuate the next time the dog wakes me up in the middle of the night by cutting loose with one.

By: F Mackenzie

F Mackenzie — Wed, 21 Jul 2004 08:50:43 -0800

I loved this question: Does it weigh more than a duck? (asked when guessing chainsaw)

By: caution live frogs

caution live frogs — Wed, 21 Jul 2004 09:15:58 -0800

stumped it with a trillium. apparently endangered flowers, with sets of 3 leaves, 3 sepals, and 3 petals aren't in the database. they're common around here in wooded areas, although still endangered enough that moving them is illegal. (can it be moved easily? i say no.)

By: leotrotsky

leotrotsky — Wed, 21 Jul 2004 12:58:19 -0800

Still unbeatable with "Magna Carta"

By: litlnemo

litlnemo — Wed, 21 Jul 2004 14:34:49 -0800

I was shocked at how quickly it got "guitar pick" and "lava lamp." Impressive.

By: Turtles all the way down

Turtles all the way down — Wed, 21 Jul 2004 18:22:42 -0800

Uncommon Knowledge about a CD Does it grunt? I say Probably. Can it be tamed? I say Probably. Can you add it to a salad? I say Probably. Does it usually live on a farm? I say Probably. Is it originally from Canada? I say Yes. That's a CD, all right--Canadian grunting tamable livestock that's *also* a salad dressing!

By: Turtles all the way down

Turtles all the way down — Wed, 21 Jul 2004 18:24:52 -0800

/except for the salad dressing part that kinda describes me

By: amberglow

amberglow — Wed, 21 Jul 2004 18:32:45 -0800

*pictures a Canadian turtle ranch, with a rodeo going on* : >

By: juiceCake

juiceCake — Wed, 21 Jul 2004 20:54:38 -0800

"Is it heavier than a pound of butter?" Is there some sort of joke to this question? A pound is a pound no? I'm not very good with these "clever" questions.

By: yhbc

yhbc — Wed, 21 Jul 2004 21:02:27 -0800

You win Play Again You were thinking of beer. Well, duh.