Talking to Minsky at FIT 2003

Meeting Marvin Minsky

When Minsky came to Sapporo, I took my copy of the famous Society of Mind" and after his talk ran to him to get an autograph. I wouldn't be myself if I hadn't started a little conversation. There was no time so I went with a straight one - "professor, do you think one could get common sense knowledge from the net?". He smiled and said "no, we have already tried, WWW is a total mess". I was a bit shocked but soon decided that I must prove he was wrong.

Marvin Minsky talking at the 2nd Forum on Information Technology.

UPDATE1: After couple of years I had a chance for a longer conversation with Marvin. When I proudly announced he was wrong saying that there is no common sense on the Net, he looked at me surprised and said "no, probably I meant something else" :)

UPDATE2: I have just participated in Minsky's memorial at Stanford... Thank you, Marvin, you gave me a good motivational kick! Rest in peace.