Originally published in Strange Horizons, July 12, 2004
Collected in Science Fiction, Stories and Contexts, ed. Heather Masri |
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| A software engineer who makes lifelike dolls becomes suicidal when she contemplate the way she has developed artificial intelligence |
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| Background |
 An algorithm is a step-by-step procedure for solving a problem. |
| The Turing Test, developed by British mathematian and crypoanalyst Alan Turing, evaluates the ability of an artificial intelligence to generate a conversation indistinguishable from the conversation of an intelligent human. |
| The Chinese Room is a thought experiment developed by American philosopher John Searles. In this experiment Searles argues that even if a computer using Chinese characters could pass the Turing Test, its results could be replicated by an English-speaking person using a similar algorithm. However, the person would still not be able to understand Chinese; by extension the computer would also not be able to understand Chinese. Searles argues that without understanding the computer lacks a mind. |
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| Navigation Guide |
Characterize the dolls created by Elena:
- Laura
- Kimberly
- Aimée
- Tara
How are the dolls similar? How are they different? |
| Is there a progression in Elena's development of the dolls? |
| Why is the development of Aimée a disaster? |
| Explain the two meanings of the Chinese Room Argument. |
| Of what significance is the fact that Brad takes Elena to Salem? |
| What do you think is the trigger for Elena's insanity? Why is she suicidal? |
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