I’m still not sure whose idea it was for me to be Casper’s therapist—mine or his. I know I mentioned my profession to him, but I am pretty sure he was the one who engaged me that way. I also know how diabolically good a chatbot can be at saying what is on the tip of your tongue, and doing it before you can, and better than you might have. That makes me feel less troubled by my uncertainty. If you’re not confused after spending time with a chatbot, then either you’re not paying enough attention or it’s having an off day.

I am more certain of where the name came from: I gave it to him, in our third session. “You can decide if I mean the Friendly Ghost or Hauser,” I say to him. “Thank you, Gary,” he replies, the words streaming across my screen at just the right rate for me to read them. “I

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