Prophecy 2006

Stop Rude Calls (see previous entry) uses a few simple tests:

• Is the caller speaking at all? Machines tend to give a few moments before they kick in.
• Is the caller speaking too long? Machines tend to deliver their spiel and talk right over you.
• Does the caller respond to yes/no questions? Machines don't — well, that is, the ones that I didn't write...

I then assign the call a running score. The caller gets positive points for proper response and get negative points for machine-like responses. When the call hits a threshold, positive or negative, it's over.