http://web.archive.org/web/20040401123415/http://www.r50rd.co.uk/research/internal/v2i/engin/

Your 4 questions are very interesting to some of us in computer science at present. Developing artificial languages for autonomous machines to communicate with one another, the whole notion of insincere utterances is deeply difficult. How can computers, which are so far only very literal-minded, understand irony, parody, sarcasm, hoaxes, feints, tactical agreement, etc? If they cannot perceive these features in a conversation, does that mean they will be at a disadvantage interacting with machines or people able to speak insincerely?

Before we can answer these questions for computers, it will certainly be useful to know how humans successfully perceive these features of conversation. So, not for the first time, I think your research agenda is very important for people outside anthropology or marketing. Perhaps you could persuade IBM, HP or one of the big European telcos (all doing advanced research into automated negotiation) to fund you.

It is not surprising that hoaxes appeal to people in our culture and there may be a link to virtual reality. Though the term has faded, that, which it depicts has an increasing role in our lives. As virtual reality gives us a ‘rush’ experienced when not bound to the limitations of one’s own race, gender, economic stand, physic etc, so gives the Hoax a rush by way of invoking real emotions through illusion. Is this not just an advanced form of theatre. What lies behind the need for this rush or the niche in our present culture which beds for its grasp on us is probably a weave of many factors. Even the increasing tolerance of violence in society can be interpreted as an increased desire for the ‘emotional rush’. The popularity of special effects in the film industry has taught us how to go about this. It has been popular this year in Stockholm for young men to meet somewhere in town, mark the clock and then set off with their mobile phone cameras to club down, rape and antagonize other citizens whilst filming. After the conquests, they meet and agree on a winner. It is just for fun the suburban lads say when asked.

Playfulness-and-lies is an interesting terrain.