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Big Picture Science

Gained in Translation (rebroadcast)

Big Picture Science

Big Picture Science

Science, Technology

4.5 • 1K Ratings

🗓️ 25 May 2020

⏱️ 53 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Your virtual assistant is not without a sense of humor. Its repertoire includes the classic story involving a chicken and a road. But will Alexa laugh at your jokes? Will she groan at your puns?  Telling jokes is one thing. Teaching a computer to recognize humor is another, because a clear definition of humor is lacking. But doing so is a step toward making more natural interactions with A.I.  Find out what’s involved in tickling A.I.’s funny bone. Also, an interstellar communication challenge: Despite debate about the wisdom of transmitting messages to space, one group sends radio signals to E.T. anyway. Find out how they crafted a non-verbal message and what it contained. Plus, why using nuanced language to connive and scheme ultimately turned us into a more peaceful species. And yes, it’s all gouda: why melted cheese may be the cosmic message of peace we need. Guests: Julia Rayz – Computer scientist and associate professor at Purdue University’s Department of Computer and Information Technology Steve Adler – Mayor of Austin, Texas Doug Vakoch – Psychologist and president of the non-profit organization METI International Richard Wrangham – Biological anthropologist at Harvard University and author of “The Goodness Paradox: The Strange Relationship Between Virtue and Violence in Human Evolution” Originally aired April 22, 2019 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

You're listening to an Airwave Media Podcast.

0:05.0

This episode is brought to you by Revolute.

0:07.8

Revolute is your perfect travel companion for all things money.

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0:24.8

20 pounds when you make your first purchase with Revolute.

0:28.1

Until 18th of June 2024, 18 plus, T's and C's apply, exchange fees and fair usage limit supply.

0:35.0

This episode is brought to you by Shopify.

0:37.0

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0:40.0

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0:41.0

Whether you're selling succulents or stilettoes, Shopify has the industry leading tools to help you create, control and grow your own business.

0:48.0

So get serious about selling and get Shopify today.

0:51.0

Sign up for a one pound per month trial period at shopify.co dek slash special offer,

0:56.4

or lowercase. That's Shopify dot co-deekk slash special offer. We're experimenting with new ways to communicate during this pandemic.

1:15.0

We've come to rely and quickly burn out on teleconferencing.

1:19.0

We're straining to understand voices muffled by masks and trust that our eyes can express nuanced

1:25.3

emotions usually conveyed by the lower half of our face.

1:29.2

But trying to figure out how to communicate effectively is not new for humans.

1:33.4

This is just the latest challenge.

1:35.2

I'm Seth Shostak.

1:36.7

I'm Molly Bentley.

...

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