Scientists devise algorithm to detect sarcasm in text

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/n ... rcasm.html

Devised by computer scientists at The Hebrew University in Jerusalem, the algorithm has been programmed to recognise sarcasm in lengthy texts by analysing patterns of phrases and punctuation often used to indicate irony.

In tests on 66,000 product reviews posted on the Amazon shopping website, the algorithm had an impressive 77 per cent success rate in picking out sarcastic comments – arguably higher than some humans.

The researchers "trained" the algorithm to recognise sarcasm by teaching it nearly 5,500 sentences from Amazon reviews that human volunteers had marked as either sarcastic or non-sarcastic.

The sarcastic phrases from the pool of Amazon reviews used for the research included "Great for insomniacs", "Are these iPods designed to die after two years?" and "Defective by design".

From its learned list of sarcastic phrases, the algorithm was taught to recognise patterns of words commonly used by writers to show that they do not mean to be taken literally.

In other words, computers can now achieve what many people posting online still cannot.

In other words, computers can now achieve what many people posting online still cannot.

I think sometimes, I'm one of those people.

Well, sometimes it's not always clear what kind of tone someone is taking when they post, but sarcasm seems to be completely lost on some people.

No, it isn't. Everyone recognizes sarcasm.

"Ooh, a sarcasm detector. Oh, that's a real useful invention."

Great thread Ben

So, aside from inviting more sarcastic posts when discussing this new advancement, what would be a practical use for it?

Improving the quality of online arguments?

I suppose that's a noble cause.

"Ooh, a sarcasm detector. Oh, that's a real useful invention."

This scene popped into my mind too.

Some people could really use that here...

Some awful posts by Andrew in this thread

Cool invention. Now, the bots will post a lot more like humans in replies.

I really hope Sauru uses this when he sees my post in the big city, little city thread...
more importantly, I hope he doesn't need it.