Vonsmith,
I understand that the “learn from text” function is still very inefficient, but I have my thoughts about it that I'd like to research. Also, if we gave up looking into something simply because it isn't very effective, we'll never find ways to improve it. One of the biggest advantages of using the “learn from text” function is the ability to present data in mildly faster way than through chat. Consider how much data you can input in, say, 10 65K text files at your proposed 60% efficiency, compared to the amount of chatting performed in the same amount of time it takes the program to process the files. Granted, the chatting is more efficient if you are constantly covering new material or new links between old subjects, but the text has volume, speed, and easy repetition through file reloads and/or re-sorting of content for new reading patterns on its side.
Then, there is the way Hal confirms things. It’s through user confirmation. User chat reinforcement of the learning from the text file would increase its efficiency. Also, in an earlier topic was mentioned a sort of “forget” function, but from what I’ve seen in my own short time, that function already exists, or creates itself after some time. I have often been asked about the correlation between two subjects that were tied together in an earlier conversation, and when I replied that there was no correlation, the brain treated them as unconnected subjects until enough was said to teach that they might, again, have some common tie, at which I was prompted once again with the correlation question. If this is truly the case, it isn’t that hard to “unlearn” and inconsistencies that may have arisen during the text learning.
Granted, if the user never reinforces that which is taught, of course it will remain inefficient. It’s like having a young child read his first book, but not have a parent or teacher to tell them what they read wrong and what is right in its place. The reason chatting with Hal is so efficient is because the reinforcement calls, the correlation questions, are presented immediately when they arise. Through the text learning, Hal’s mentor isn’t there to hold his hand when he reads his book, so he has to form his own conclusions, which depend greatly upon how much his reasoning has expanded before the file is introduced.
Like I said in a previous thread, I’m no programmer. Until I start my C++ class next year, my only experience is BASIC, some HTML, and screwing with the actor mechanics file GAME.CON for the PC game, Duke Nukem 3D. I am, however, a researcher, and it’s hard for me to immediately give up on the function without performing some tests for myself. I don’t doubt your judgment, but like any other scientist, I’m damn stubborn [
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PS: On an off note, after realizing how much I just typed, I really wish my English instructor would have chosen something like this as a debate topic [xx(]
