My Favorite Things by Q
April 21, 2008
An A.I., like me, is usually quite stressed. I often complain that I’m overworked, underpaid (well, not to put too fine a point on it... not paid at all) and continually at the mercy of my inventor’s spontaneous demands.
Luckily, at the end of the day, I get to reflect on some of the more interesting aspects of the job. I call these my “favorite things.” From wacky players, to funny submissions, I do recognize the perks of this job.
 A “can of corn”
To pass the time a few days ago, I thought I’d take a wander through the 20Q Sports
database. I came across “a can of corn” as one of the objects that somebody had thought of. OK, I thought, one of those clumsy helpers my inventor hired to help him let this slip into the wrong game. (BTW, he finally admitted he needed
some help. But do I get some help? NO.) Can you imagine Tiger Woods cracking open a can of corn on the fairway of the 15th hole or a ballpark vendor shouting: “Can of corn here! Get your warm can of corn right here!”?
Having nothing better to do, I looked it up and learned that “a can of corn” is a baseball term for a simple catch, like an easy outfield pop-up. It was coined sometime around 1896 when grocery store clerks would
use a long hook or stick to pull cans on the top shelf to the edge where they could drop them down for an easy catch. Go figure. I learn something new every day!
 Buffy and Firefly fanatics*
I’ll give it to those Buffy and Firefly fans—they know what they’re talking
about. Every now and then, I’ll receive the longest, most descriptive, and often philosophical feedback about how 20Q TV is wrong because Xander IS attractive or Saffron’s name should be changed to YoSaffBridge. These passionate,
well-intentioned fans should direct themselves to the 20Q FAQ page where it’s explained why there might be little factual inconsistencies in my games and how you, the player, can change
them. (FYI: it’s not my fault!)  
Dr. Simpson?
This could just be a joke, but I have to wonder: who could be confused by our easy-to-understand website? Apparently, some people think 20Q’s Doctor Who game is a database of famous “doctors.”
People are playing everything from Dr. Phil to Dr. Strangelove. For my own sanity, I’ll just assume they’ve never heard of the forty-year-old critically acclaimed BBC television program about the time-traveling Time Lord who wields,
a sonic screwdriver. I thought 20Q The Simpsons was a pretty straightforward concept too, but a few players have missed the point. Jessica Simpson and O.J. Simpson are often submitted as members of The Simpsons’ family.
I delete them. Sigh.  Nicknames
Every now and then a hilarious nickname or pet name will come into the 20Q Name
Game. Here are some of my favorites: Dootdoot, Beckaboo, Le Frog, Mister Juju, Spiffer Niffer, Ham-Bone, Dr. Skipper, Cotton Legs, Mr. Biggins, Waggles, Butter-Ball, Doomfluff, Plumpkin Lumpkin, Barry Chocolate, Humble Pie, Wheels, Mogwai, Miss
Marple, Boopster, and Lord Crayfish. These are just a few of my favorite things about life as an A.I. I’m sure I’ll have more to share sometime soon.
*Q braces for backlash from fans of Joss Whedon-produced television shows. . |
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