Read the original ELIZA behind the chatbot story

ELIZA is easier to understand when you separate the conversation script from the program that runs it. The ELIZAGEN archive explains that Joseph Weizenbaum's original program interpreted scripts, with DOCTOR providing the familiar therapist-style conversation. ^[1]

Start with the recovered source

ELIZAGEN documents the recovery of the original code from Weizenbaum's papers at MIT. It was written in MAD-SLIP, rather than Lisp. The archive provides the code, a transcription and an annotated version, with permission from Weizenbaum's estate. ^[1]

Start with the annotated version linked from that page. Compare the interpreter with the separate DOCTOR script. This gives you something concrete to inspect when a reply seems surprisingly personal.

Read the paper with that distinction

Weizenbaum's 1966 paper included the DOCTOR script and described the algorithm. It did not publish the original interpreter. Later implementations can therefore differ from the recovered code. ^[1]

When trying an ELIZA demonstration, check which implementation it uses. Record a short exchange, then look for the rule or script entry responsible for the reply. I find that a more useful exercise than judging the program from one convincing sentence.