Word: standard
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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More interestingly, however, only 25 percent of the visitors correctly identified the entry as computer-written --a figure barely above that predicted by random chance. The computer's work was, to many, indistinguishable from that of the human authors. The standard method of judging whether a computer is conscious or not is whether it "acts conscious"--whether an observer would be unable to tell that its output came from a computer and not another human. Brutus.1 has by no means become a thinking writer, but if its product looks human to readers, it has somehow made up for whatever capacity...
Some parents criticized this cutoff, which is just above the "failing" level, as too low a standard. However, judging from last year's eighth grade test results, many students will not be able to raise their scores enough over the next three years even to reach the "needs improvement" level. Last year, 40 percent of students scored in the "failing" category on the math section, while 13 percent failed the English portion. If these same students took the test tomorrow, they would not receive their diplomas...
...this is also a time to reflect on the accomplishments and failures of the past century, sorting out which things can be done and which should not be. Our fate will depend on what we do of our own free will. What can we do to raise the standard of living in the U.S.? And what can we do about human rights, health care, education and a cleaner environment? Genuine change does not come from the government. Real change begins with ourselves. RICHARD D. MCKENNEY Lynn, Mass...
...preliminary but intriguing study suggests a link between gamma tocopherol, a component of some vitamin E pills, and developing arthritis of the knee, shown at right. Gamma tocopherol tends to be found in newer E supplements--those that boast of "mixed tocopherols." Standard capsules contain only alpha tocopherols, which, say researchers, will leave your knees alone...
...files with desktop machines is easy. This year's updates will get you MP3 music on your handheld, and Palm's wireless Net access is just the beginning of what promises to be a huge trend in portable computing. Like everything else in personal technology, there's no single standard for handhelds, with the Palm, Windows CE devices and Psion all going their own ways. You'll have to compare and decide for yourself, but one thing is certain: every generation is quicker, with more software to make PDAs truly personal...