Some notes from playing 20q.net

Kragen Javier Sitaker, 2007 to 2009 (22 minutes)

Summary: 20q.net seems to do badly at choosing questions. It was able to guess the axolotl and the domestic cat; but it missed the sailboat, a gallon bottle of milk, one million, basil, a knife-sharpening stone, methyl ethyl ketone, Che Guevara's corpse, Mare Imbrium, and a leather high-heeled tango shoe.

Q24. I am guessing that it is an axolotl (Mexican salamander)?
Right, Wrong, Close
23. Can you find it in a house? Sometimes.
22. I guessed that it was a largemouth bass? Wrong.
21. Is it soft? Yes.
20. I guessed that it was a tadpole? Close.
19. Does it have a tail? Yes.
18. Does it have an exo-skeleton? No.
Is it tasty? Unknown.
17. I guessed that it was a cichlid (tropical freshwater fish)? Wrong.
Can it cheer you up? Unknown.
16. Is it larger than a pound of butter? No.
15. Does it weigh more than a duck? No.
14. Is it ferocious? No.
Does it bring joy to people? Unknown.
13. Does it live in the ocean? No.
12. Does it go in your mouth? Doubtful.
11. Does it live in salt-water? No.
10. Can it be hunted? Yes.
9. Do you know any songs about it? No.
8. Does it live in fresh water? Yes.
7. Is it a wild animal? Yes.
6. Is it an appliance? No.
5. Is it larger than a microwave oven (or bread box)? No.
4. Can it live out of water? No.
3. Does it swim? Yes.
2. Does it have whiskers? No.
1. It is classified as Animal.

Yes, it was:

You were thinking of an axolotl.
Can it live out of water? You said No, 20Q was taught by other players that the answer is Yes.
Can it be hunted? You said Yes, 20Q was taught by other players that the answer is No.
Does it bring joy to people? 20Q was taught by other players that the answer is Yes.
Can it cheer you up? 20Q was taught by other players that the answer is No.
Is it tasty? 20Q was taught by other players that the answer is No.
Contradictions Detected

The opinions of the 20Q A.I. are its own, and are based on the input of players. 20Q's answers reflect common knowledge. If you feel that 20Q is in error, the only way to correct it is to play again!

Similar Objects

a tadpole, a cichlid (tropical freshwater fish), a largemouth bass, a newt, a salamander, a paramecium (protozoa), a guppy (fish), a bullfrog, a trout (fish), a koi (fish), a leech, a Siamese fighting fish.

Well, it's hardly surprising that it had so much trouble guessing in that case. I had two "wrong" answers.

Still, it doesn't seem like 20Q is doing the best possible job of choosing questions. How often is an animal an appliance, and how often does an animal that doesn't live in salt-water live in the ocean?

I'm pretty sure that it can only live out of water if given an iodine injection to induce metamorphosis.

Thinking of a tango shoe (leather, high-heeled):

Q30. I am guessing that it is a camera?
Right, Wrong, Close
29. I guessed that it was a sneaker? Close.
28. Is it human powered? Yes.
27. Is it an absolute state? No.
26. Is it comforting? No.
25. Can it be used for recreation? Yes.
24. Is it brown? Sometimes.
23. Would you give it as a gift? Yes.
22. Would you find it on a farm? No.
21. Does it taste good? No.
20. I guessed that it was vomit? Wrong.
19. Does it open? No.
18. Can you smell it? Yes.
17. I guessed that it was a steak (beef)? Wrong.
16. Can it be painted? Doubtful.
15. Is it round? No.
14. Is it found on a desk? No.
13. Can it fit in an envelope? No.
12. Do you make something with it? No.
11. Is it living? No.
10. Does it have eyes? No.
9. Does it live in the jungle? No.
8. Is it smaller than a loaf of bread? Yes.
7. Does it live in salt-water? No.
6. Does it have a shell? No.
5. Can you play games with it? No.
4. Can it climb? No.
3. Is it black? Sometimes.
2. Is it heavy? No.
1. It is classified as Animal.

Eventually:

You were thinking of a high-heeled shoe.
You said it's classified as Animal, 20Q was taught by other players that the answer is Other.
Can you smell it? You said Yes, 20Q was taught by other players that the answer is No.
Can it be used for recreation? You said Yes, 20Q was taught by other players that the answer is No.
Is it human powered? You said Yes, 20Q was taught by other players that the answer is No.

Thinking of Mare Imbrium:

Q30. I am guessing that it is an angel?
Right, Wrong, Close
29. I guessed that it was the Moon? Close.
28. Does it contain a liquid? No.
27. Can it help you find your way? Doubtful.
26. Does it produce gas? No.
25. Would you use it daily? Doubtful.
24. Can it affect you (cause an effect to you)? Yes.
23. I guessed that it was a coral reef (marine habitat)? Wrong.
22. Can it be stolen? Doubtful.
21. Is it considered valuable? Yes.
20. I guessed that it was a snow man? Wrong.
19. Is it brown? No.
18. Is it used for entertainment? Doubtful.
17. Can you use it 24 hours a day? No.
16. Does it bring joy to people? Yes.
15. Is it hard? No.
14. Can you put something into it? Doubtful.
13. Can you smell it? No.
12. Does it make noise? No.
11. Is it larger than a microwave oven (or bread box)? Yes.
10. Do people sit on it? No.
9. Does it provide shade? No.
8. Is it stationary (movement)? Yes.
7. Is it orange colored? No.
6. Would you eat its fruit? No.
5. Is it found in mines? No.
4. Is it a geological feature? Yes.
3. Is it a metal? No.
2. Does it weigh more than a duck? Yes.
1. It is classified as Mineral.

It wasn't able to get it.

Thinking of Che Guevara's corpse:

Q30. I am guessing that it is a mermaid?
Right, Wrong, Close
29. I guessed that it was a skeleton? Close.
28. Can it be hunted? No.
27. Does it have a backbone? Yes.
26. Can you see it in a zoo? No.
25. I guessed that it was an angel? Close.
Can any age group use it? Unknown.
24. Does it like to clean itself? No.
23. I guessed that it was a composer? Close.
Can it affect you (cause an effect to you)? Unknown.
22. Does it live in the forest? No.
21. Does it like to run? No.
20. I guessed that it was Superman (fictional)? Close.
19. Is it worth a lot of money? Doubtful.
18. Can you smell it? No.
17. I guessed that it was Spiderman (superhero)? Close.
16. Does it bring joy to people? Yes.
15. Is it tall? Yes.
14. Do you find it in the sky? No.
13. Is it outside? Yes.
12. Is it cold? No.
11. Does it come in different colors? No.
10. Does it have teeth? Yes.
9. Does it have four legs? No.
8. Does it like to be petted? No.
7. Is it spotted? No.
6. Do you find it in space? No.
5. Is it useful? Yes.
4. Is it dangerous? No.
3. Is it larger than a microwave oven (or bread box)? Yes.
2. Can it growl? No.
1. It is classified as Animal.

Thinking of methyl ethyl ketone:

Q30. I am guessing that it is a stick of gum?
Right, Wrong, Close
29. I guessed that it was air? Wrong.
28. Does it make music? No.
27. I guessed that it was electricity? Wrong.
26. Is it used for communications? Yes.
25. Does it communicate? No.
24. Is it human powered? No.
23. I guessed that it was energy? Wrong.
22. Do you clean it regularly? No.
21. Can you make sounds with it ? Yes.
20. I guessed that it was mineral water? Close.
19. Does it contain words? No.
18. I guessed that it was water? Close.
17. Would you find it in an office? Yes.
16. Can it be used for recreation? Yes.
15. Would you use it daily? Yes.
14. Does it bring joy to people? Yes.
13. Is it hard? No.
12. Does it have a hard outer shell? No.
11. Can it be placed on your head? Yes.
10. Do you eat it with Thanksgiving dinner? Sometimes.
9. Is it tasty? Sometimes.
8. Is it usually sliced or carved? No.
7. Can you walk on it? No.
6. Does it flower? No.
5. Can you add it to a salad? Yes.
4. Can you use it with your friends? Yes.
3. Is it larger than a pound of butter? Irrelevant.
2. Is it decorative? No.
1. It is classified as Mineral.

Thinking of a rectangular knife-sharpening oilstone:

Q30. I am guessing that it is lipstick?
Right, Wrong, Close
29. I guessed that it was an electric toothbrush? Wrong.
28. Does it have a hole in it? No.
27. Is it made out of wood? No.
Is it pleasurable? Unknown.
26. Is it larger than a microwave oven (or bread box)? No.
Can it cheer you up? Unknown.
25. Would you find it in an office? No.
24. Can it bend without breaking? No.
23. I guessed that it was dill? Wrong.
22. Is it straight? Yes.
21. Is it worth a lot of money? No.
20. I guessed that it was a piccolo? Wrong.
19. Is it connected to a wire? No.
18. Does it cut? No.
Can you play games with it? Unknown.
17. Do you wear it? No.
16. Would you wear it on your wedding day? No.
15. Does it come in a pack? No.
14. Does it get shorter from using it? Yes.
13. Would you use it daily? Yes.
12. Would you give it as a gift? Yes.
11. Does it smell sweet? No.
10. Does it bring joy to people? Sometimes.
9. Does it come in many varieties? Yes.
8. Can you walk on it? No.
7. Is it made of crystals? Yes.
6. Can it blink? No.
5. Does it come in a box? Yes.
4. Is it round? No.
3. Is it used to make jewelry? No.
2. Do you hold it when you use it? Yes.
1. It is classified as Mineral.

Thinking of basil:

Q30. I am guessing that it is breakfast?
Right, Wrong, Close
29. I guessed that it was lunch? Wrong.
28. Would you find it on a farm? Yes.
27. Do you use it at night? Sometimes.
26. I guessed that it was marmalade? Wrong.
25. Would you find it in an office? Doubtful.
24. Is it a specific color? Sometimes.
23. Does it go inside other things? Sometimes.
22. I guessed that it was dinner? Wrong.
21. Does it contain a liquid? Yes.
20. I guessed that it was ballet? Wrong.
19. Can it be used for recreation? Sometimes.
18. I guessed that it was an ear of corn? Wrong.
17. I guessed that it was salad? Close.
16. Does it smell sweet? Yes.
15. Does it live in the forest? No.
14. Is it flat? Sometimes.
13. Is it red? No.
12. Does it bring joy to people? Yes.
11. Does it get really hot? No.
10. Is it colorful? Yes.
9. Is it used in Oriental cooking? Yes.
8. Does it taste good with butter? Yes.
7. Is it a leafy vegetable? Yes.
6. Does it have a backbone? No.
5. Is it round? No.
4. Can you peel it? No.
3. Does it come in different colors? Yes.
2. Is it crunchy? Yes.
1. It is classified as Vegetable.

However, apparently my opinion of basil is different from most people's:

You were thinking of basil.
Is it crunchy? You said Yes, 20Q was taught by other players that the answer is No.
Does it come in different colors? You said Yes, 20Q was taught by other players that the answer is No.
Is it used in Oriental cooking? You said Yes, 20Q was taught by other players that the answer is Doubtful.
Is it colorful? You said Yes, 20Q was taught by other players that the answer is No.
Is it flat? You said Sometimes, 20Q was taught by other players that the answer is No.
Does it smell sweet? You said Yes, 20Q was taught by other players that the answer is No.
Can it be used for recreation? You said Sometimes, 20Q was taught by other players that the answer is No.
Does it contain a liquid? You said Yes, 20Q was taught by other players that the answer is No.
Do you use it at night? You said Sometimes, 20Q was taught by other players that the answer is No.
I don't know what kind of people think that basil doesn't smell sweet and isn't used in Oriental cooking.

Thinking of a gallon bottle of milk:

Q30. I am guessing that it is a phone book?
Right, Wrong, Close
29. I guessed that it was a cigarette case? Wrong.
28. Do you open and close it? Yes.
27. I guessed that it was a tissue box? Wrong.
26. Is it white? Yes.
25. Is it black? No.
24. Is it round? No.
23. I guessed that it was a bottle of water? Close.
22. Would you use it in the dark? Yes.
21. Do you put things in it? No.
20. I guessed that it was a revolver (hand gun)? Wrong.
19. Would you give it as a gift? No.
18. Can it be refilled? Yes.
17. I guessed that it was a notebook (paper)? Wrong.
16. Can you use it with your friends? Yes.
15. Does it have writing on it? Yes.
14. Is some part of it made of glass? No.
13. Does it have a cable? No.
12. Is it used by the police? Yes.
11. Is it used for entertainment? No.
10. Do you use it at work? Yes.
9. Is it alive? No.
8. Can it fit in an envelope? No.
7. Does it dig holes? No.
6. Can it be used to put things together? No.
5. Is it small? Yes.
4. Does it have short fur? No.
3. Is it brown? No.
2. Can you see it in a zoo? No.
1. It is classified as Animal.

Q17. I am guessing that it is a domestic cat?
Right, Wrong, Close
16. Does it have a long tail? Yes.
15. Is it small? Yes.
Does it come from something larger? Unknown.
14. Does it live in large populations? Sometimes.
13. Do you know any songs about it? Yes.
12. Is it a carnivore? Yes.
11. Can it be trained to obey commands? Doubtful.
10. Does it eat fish? Yes.
9. Is it spotted? No.
8. Is it a herbivore? No.
7. Does it usually live on a farm? No.
6. Does it come from space? No.
5. Does it serve a purpose? No.
4. Is it awake at night? Yes.
3. Is it a small mammal? Yes.
2. Can you find it in a house? Yes.
1. It is classified as Animal.

You were thinking of a domestic cat.
Does it live in large populations? You said Sometimes, 20Q was taught by other players that the answer is No.
Does it come from something larger? 20Q was taught by other players that the answer is No.

Thinking of the number 1 000 000:

Q30. I am guessing that it is cyberspace?
Right, Wrong, Close
29. I guessed that it was a language? Wrong.
28. Is it printed? Sometimes.
27. Is it used during meals? Irrelevant.
Can it add? Unknown.
26. I guessed that it was information? Close.
25. Is it healthy? Irrelevant.
24. Is it used by the police? Yes.
23. Can you buy it? Irrelevant.
22. Can it be used for recreation? Yes.
21. Does it have cash value? Irrelevant.
20. I guessed that it was knowledge? Close.
19. I guessed that it was mathematics? Close.
18. Is it taught in school? Yes.
17. Can it live out of water? Irrelevant.
Does it involve contact with other humans? Unknown.
16. Can you read it? Irrelevant.
Was it invented? Unknown.
15. Is it used for entertainment? Yes.
14. Does it have a title? Yes.
Is it man made? Unknown.
13. Is it something you bring along? Irrelevant.
12. Do you look at it? No.
11. Does it move? No.
10. Is it used to calculate? Yes.
9. Is it mechanical? No.
8. Do you use it at work? Yes.
7. Does it need love? No.
6. Does it have a cold nose? No.
5. Can it be heard? Irrelevant.
4. Is it small? No.
3. Does it get wet? No.
2. Do you hold it when you use it? Irrelevant.
1. It is classified as Other.

Thinking of a sailboat:

Q30. I am guessing that it is a power boat?
Right, Wrong, Close
29. I guessed that it was a boat? Close.
28. Can it float? Yes.
27. Would you pay to use it? Sometimes.
26. Is it mechanical? Yes.
25. Is it very large? Sometimes.
24. Do you hold it when you use it? Sometimes.
23. Was it used over 100 years ago? Yes.
22. Does it have four wheels? No.
21. Does it open? No.
20. I guessed that it was an outboard motor (motorboat engine)? Close.
19. Does it roar? No.
18. I guessed that it was an accordion? Wrong.
17. Does it move? Yes.
16. Do you use it at night? Yes.
15. Does it roll? No.
14. Would you find it on a farm? Sometimes.
13. Does it have lots of buttons? Sometimes.
12. Does it have buttons? Yes.
11. Can it be heard? Yes.
10. Is it black? Sometimes.
9. Is it connected to a wire? No.
8. Does it break if dropped? Yes.
7. Does it have a trunk? No.
6. Does it grow in the Southern U.S.? No.
5. Is it larger than a microwave oven (or bread box)? Yes.
4. Is it used for entertainment? Yes.
3. Is it flat? No.
2. Is it something you bring along? Yes.
1. Is it hard? Yes.
It is classified as Unknown.

You were thinking of a sailboat.

You said it's classified as Unknown, 20Q was taught by other players that the answer is Other.
Is it something you bring along? You said Yes, 20Q was taught by other players that the answer is No.
Is it black? You said Sometimes, 20Q was taught by other players that the answer is No.
Can it be heard? You said Yes, 20Q was taught by other players that the answer is No.
Does it have buttons? You said Yes, 20Q was taught by other players that the answer is No.
Does it have lots of buttons? You said Sometimes, 20Q was taught by other players that the answer is No.
Would you find it on a farm? You said Sometimes, 20Q was taught by other players that the answer is No.
Do you hold it when you use it? You said Sometimes, 20Q was taught by other players that the answer is No.

At this point it has played 64 million games.

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