Broadcast: June 7, 2020 at 4:00 p.m.
Hey, Alexa, why don’t you laugh at my jokes?
Teaching a computer to recognize humor is difficult because no clear definition of humor exists. Sending a message to extraterrestrials who might not use language is also a challenge. Find out what’s involved in doing both. Plus, how using nuanced language to connive and scheme ultimately turned us into a more peaceful species. And, 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”
Produced by: Big Picture Science
Listen click here for audio: http://beta.prx.org/stories/322309