I tried the javascript version from the link off of Wikipedia. The following is a real conversation:
* ID should not be taught in school
> Say, do you have any psychological problems?
* Yes, his name is Fester
> Names don't interest me.
* Me either what are you doing later?
> Perhaps in your fantasies I am doing later?
* So tell me is ID science or not
> Come, come, elucidate your thoughts.
* ID is faith based
> What does that suggest to you?
* it should not be taught in school
> Say, do you have any psychological problems?
You know, this reminds me of the brother of a friend of mine...the brother had a low IQ...not severely low, because he was able to hold down a job, which was created in a company, which created a whole range of special jobs, for people who had very low IQs...these people were able to work quite effectively at these jobs, they were able to earn a salary, and also found themselves with friends, true friends with whom they could relate...
What always struck me as so impressive about this man, was that in spite of his very low IQ(I believe he was categorized as retarded), he was able to carry on meaningful conversations with people of normal to high IQs...yet, when I think back on it, I realize that perhaps what he was doing, was in effect, using the Eliza principle, in his ways of dealing with other people...he did seem to pick up on certain 'key' words, and zeroed in on them, without actually understanding the context in which those words were being used...to the casual observer, it would appear that he was able to carry on a normal conversation, and understand all that was being discussed...tho most people of normal IQ did realize within a very short time frame, that this young man, tho seeming to verbalize quite well, did not quite understand what anyone was actually talking about...
Please understand...I am in no way, saying anything bad about people with low IQs...to the contrary, what I am saying, is that the explanation of 'Eliza', does indeed indicate to me, how this young man was able to overcome any problems that his low IQ might bring to him, regarding conversation with those of normal IQ
This is very interesting to me...