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Bots, Echo And Electronic Home Invasion

May 17, 2016
by Caroline Miller
Dimitra Kessenides, Echo, Facebook Messenger, Jeff Bezo, Moving Merchandise Via Chats and Bots, WeChat, Who is Alexa
2 Comments

Bots are everywhere.  Using a mix of algorithms, retailers can tailor bot messages to our interests.  With improved technology, bots are not only invading our social networks and emails, they are venturing into text messaging, an area relatively free from advertisers . (“Moving Merchandise Via Chats and Bots,” edited by Dimitra Kessenides, Bloomberg Businessweek, May 2-6, 2016 pg. 34.)

Chat commerce is hot because it strives to satisfy our every wish – accomplishing everything from delivering our afternoon lunch to ordering flowers for a dinner party.  Several companies have entered this arena, including WeChat and Facebook Messenger.   

Jeff Bezo, founder of Amazon, doesn’t plan to be left behind.  His latest entry into tech commerce is Echo.   A black tube, Echo sits in the home and converts your  residence into a smart phone.  Want to know how many teaspoons in a cup of sugar?  Ask Echo.  Want to turn off lights in the house before going to bed? Let Echo do it.  The device  has more than 500 skills and more are in the pipeline. But already, it is capable of “check[ing] your bank balance or mak[ing] your child’s favorite noises.” (“Who’s Alexa?” Technology section, Ibid pg. 33.)   It doesn’t tip the pizza delivery person, however. Echo  retails for $180

Bots and Echo devices

Courtesy of www.ncscooper.com

Being surrounded by smart bots at home gives me the willies.  (Blog 12/15/15)  Suppose they plot to take over my world?  What if Echo  stops taking commands and starts giving them?  What if it nags me to brush my teeth or do 50 push-ups?  Do I really want to know the number of calories in a hot fudge sundae without asking?  And what if Echo decides I need to improve my brain and locks my television to the educational broadcasting system?  How many nature programs can I endure?

Already I foresee the possible horror of my future.  Working with other smart appliances, Echo will organize my life until, one day,  I’ll awake  to find I am a changed person: smarter, thinner and healthier.  Will I know myself?  Or will my smart mirror have to say, “It’s you, dummy.”

 

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2 Comments
  1. Janet May 17, 2016 at 8:25 am Reply
    I don't have a meaty response to this wonderful commentary about our technologically changing world. Just that it added a smile to my face since I have a spouse that would be quite enamoured with Echo! Fun post Carrie!!
    • Caroline Miller May 17, 2016 at 10:37 am Reply
      Thanks for the comment. Thought it was time for a little lightheartedness,after so much politics. As for your husband, the gadget geek, we must wait to see how he feels when EHCO starts evaluating his hobbies.

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Contact Caroline at

carolinemiller11@yahoo.com

Portland, Oregon author Caroline Miller had distinguished careers as an educator, union president, elected official and artist/advocate.

Her play, Woman on the Scarlet Beast, was performed at the Post5 Theatre, Portland, OR, January/February 2015

Caroline published a serialized novelette, Marie Eau-Claire, on the website, The Colored Lens.  She also published the story Gustav Pavel,  a parable about ordinary lives, choice and alternate potential, on the website Fixional.co.

Caroline has published four novels

  • Ballet Noir
  • Trompe l’Oeil
  • Gothic Spring
  • Heart Land

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