632: Suspicion

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Suspicion

Title text: Fine, walk away. I'm gonna go cry into a pint of Ben&Jerry's Brownie Batter(tm) ice cream [link], then take out my frustration on a variety of great flash games from PopCap Games(r) [link]

Explanation

In this comic, Rob is having online chats with what appears at first glance to be a woman. However, he grows suspicious at the apparent consumerism dedication of the "woman" - and perhaps of the perfection of the online connection, touching on the stereotypical nerd fear that any relationship going well must contain some secret flaw - and so requests that they both "get tested". The woman on the other end of the computer does not pass a CAPTCHA test and is unable to prove she is a human.

This is an internet version of the Turing test. A spambot is a program that sends out emails or links (such as in the title text) to simulate a human's writing but contains advertising. This test is called "VK", which stands for Voight-Kampff, which is the machine in Blade Runner which determines human from replicant.

In using the phrase "get tested", the comic is making a pun that refers both to the CAPTCHA test above and the STD test that couples will take to make sure they are physically clean.

The title text includes product advertisements and links, such as an online advertiser may insert into a search results page.

329: Turing Test is another comic dealing with Turing tests/CAPTCHAs.

Transcript

[Rob is sitting at a computer, typing.]

Rob: I've loved our online chats these past few months, Lisa.

Computer: Me too. I really like you, Rob.

[Rob continues to type.]

Rob: It's just... now and then you mention products you like, and... I worry.

Computer: What? Honey...

[Rob types.]

Rob: Before this goes any further, I think we should go get tested. You know, together.

Computer: You don't trust me?

Rob: I just want to be sure.

[A web browser is open.]

VK Couples Testing

Test ID: 21871138

Waiting...Partner connected.

(A pair of CAPTCHA images)

[You] Library

[Partner] Kittens

Rob: Okay, mine says "library". Yours?

Computer: I... uh...

Rob: Oh god.

Computer: I'm more than a spambot! Our love was real!

Rob: Goodbye, Lisa.

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Discussion

"I'm more than a spambot! Our love was real!" might suggest that the spambot has actually more self-awareness/feelings than you might expect. -- Arjen 10:35, 28 December 2012 (UTC)

Couples wanting to check themselves can try an implementation of this test at http://vk-couples-testing.appspot.com/ :-) --Mormegil (talk) 15:10, 1 February 2013 (UTC)

Should we consider the name "Lisa" to be important? One of the very first chat-bots was called Eliza. 91.183.95.109 15:13, 25 February 2013 (UTC)