Comment by susam | Hacker News Reader

Comment by susam | Hacker News Reader

For Emacs users, see also:

  M-x doctor

From its commentary [1] in the source code:

  ;;; Commentary:

  ;; The single entry point `doctor', simulates a Rogerian analyst using
  ;; phrase-production techniques similar to the classic ELIZA demonstration
  ;; of pseudo-AI.

From the docstring [2] of the command:

  "Switch to *doctor* buffer and start giving psychotherapy."

[1] https://cgit.git.savannah.gnu.org/cgit/emacs.git/tree/lisp/p...

[2] https://cgit.git.savannah.gnu.org/cgit/emacs.git/tree/lisp/p...

Also, here's an example session, in case someone is curious:

  M-x doctor

  I am the psychotherapist.  Please, describe your problems.  Each time
  you are finished talking, type RET twice.

  How can I explain to my friends that Emacs is a lifestyle choice?

  What do you think?

  That's not an answer, Doctor.  Are you avoiding the question?

  I'll ask the questions, if you don't mind!

  I do mind, actually.  This is my buffer, remember?

  Why do you say that?

  Because I'm the one holding the Ctrl and Meta keys here.

  Is it because you are the one holding the ctrl and meta keys there
  that you came to me?

  C-x k

I fondly remember M-x psychoanalyze-pinhead as well. (Though the actual Zippy the Pinhead quotes have long sense been removed.)

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