4 ms·

This is one of the cool features people have discussed for the past 20 years for wearable computers. I was hoping it would come to fruition with Google glass un

by nkw 11y ago

This is one of the cool features people have discussed for the past 20 years for wearable computers. I was hoping it would come to fruition with Google glass until Google got all weird about facial recognition on glass (and subsequently glass as a whole). On one side it is creepy, on the other it would be nice to have your digital assistant suitably remind you the name of the person who is walking towards you and recognizes you but you cannot remember who they are. A quick summary of who they are and perhaps a summary of your last interaction whispered in your ear could be handy. Or even a couple of relevant recent headlines about their company, etc. Of course creepy side is pointing at random stranger on street and instantly having their digital dossier overlaid on their face.

yolesaber 11y ago
I personally would be pretty disgusted if someone used it on me. If someone doesn't remember my name or their last interaction with me, maybe it's for the best. The last thing I need is people faking nice and friendly after they just scanned me without my consent.
- type0 11y ago
  But this could be useful for someone with Alzheimers, or maybe a teacher that needs to remember his pupils.
  - TeMPOraL 11y ago
    Or normal people who, like me, can't connect names to faces without at least several interactions with a person in a short interval of time.
    - yolesaber 11y ago
      So instead of working on your memory or coming up with a mnemonic or just asking their name again (everyone forgets a name), you think it'd be less intrusive to scan someone without their permission?
      - TeMPOraL 11y ago
        Of course. Why would I need permission to analyze the same image that hits my eyes and to consult a digital database I maintain (or public one I have access to)? Going this way I'd end up rejecting bicycles and notepads because they're not "natural" enough. Personally, I believe that your tools are extensions of your body.
        yolesaber 11y ago
        I'm sorry but your social faculties are way out of whack if you think it's a better option to scan someone than to simply ask their name. Do you not understand that I may feel uncomfortable if you've just scanned me and then use that data to try and strike up a conversation? Talk about making me feel like a product or mark. Bicycles and notepads do not actively analyze and reduce people nor do they enable a surveillance state. Don't make such specious extrapolations. Tools are an extension of your body, yes, but you don't go using your hands to feel up someone because you needed more texture data. You don't stare at someone for a long time because that's rude and intrusive. Same goes for using technology like this.
        TeMPOraL 11y ago
        > Do you not understand that I may feel uncomfortable if you've just scanned me and then use that data to try and strike up a conversation? Talk about making me feel like a product or mark. Do you feel uncomfortable about the fact that most of your friends don't even know your birthday date or phone number, and have both noted down somewhere (be it a phone or indirectly via profile info of your Facebook account)? Is it weird for you that some may even note down things you like so that they can check them out when looking for a good gift for you? Do you feel "like a product or mark" when a conference badge you wear displays your occupation or interests (sometimes used as an icebreaker)? (Also, you shifted from just scanning to using the results to "try and strike up a conversation"; those are two different things.) > Tools are an extension of your body, yes, but you don't go using your hands to feel up someone because you needed more texture data. By scanning I'm not touching you. That would be a violation, yes. But why should I let you be a master of my eyes, and the (hypothetical, at the moment) tools I use to augment them? People will get used to it, like they do with everything we've invented since dawn of time. Social conventions will adjust. Just because my eye implant can tell me what's your name doesn't mean I get to stop you on the street and start talking to you, no more than it is an acceptable behaviour today.

by nkw 11y ago

yolesaber 11y ago

I personally would be pretty disgusted if someone used it on me. If someone doesn't remember my name or their last interaction with me, maybe it's for the best. The last thing I need is people faking nice and friendly after they just scanned me without my consent.

type0 11y ago
But this could be useful for someone with Alzheimers, or maybe a teacher that needs to remember his pupils.
- TeMPOraL 11y ago
  Or normal people who, like me, can't connect names to faces without at least several interactions with a person in a short interval of time.
  - yolesaber 11y ago
    So instead of working on your memory or coming up with a mnemonic or just asking their name again (everyone forgets a name), you think it'd be less intrusive to scan someone without their permission?
    - TeMPOraL 11y ago
      Of course. Why would I need permission to analyze the same image that hits my eyes and to consult a digital database I maintain (or public one I have access to)? Going this way I'd end up rejecting bicycles and notepads because they're not "natural" enough. Personally, I believe that your tools are extensions of your body.
      - yolesaber 11y ago
        I'm sorry but your social faculties are way out of whack if you think it's a better option to scan someone than to simply ask their name. Do you not understand that I may feel uncomfortable if you've just scanned me and then use that data to try and strike up a conversation? Talk about making me feel like a product or mark. Bicycles and notepads do not actively analyze and reduce people nor do they enable a surveillance state. Don't make such specious extrapolations. Tools are an extension of your body, yes, but you don't go using your hands to feel up someone because you needed more texture data. You don't stare at someone for a long time because that's rude and intrusive. Same goes for using technology like this.
        TeMPOraL 11y ago
        > Do you not understand that I may feel uncomfortable if you've just scanned me and then use that data to try and strike up a conversation? Talk about making me feel like a product or mark. Do you feel uncomfortable about the fact that most of your friends don't even know your birthday date or phone number, and have both noted down somewhere (be it a phone or indirectly via profile info of your Facebook account)? Is it weird for you that some may even note down things you like so that they can check them out when looking for a good gift for you? Do you feel "like a product or mark" when a conference badge you wear displays your occupation or interests (sometimes used as an icebreaker)? (Also, you shifted from just scanning to using the results to "try and strike up a conversation"; those are two different things.) > Tools are an extension of your body, yes, but you don't go using your hands to feel up someone because you needed more texture data. By scanning I'm not touching you. That would be a violation, yes. But why should I let you be a master of my eyes, and the (hypothetical, at the moment) tools I use to augment them? People will get used to it, like they do with everything we've invented since dawn of time. Social conventions will adjust. Just because my eye implant can tell me what's your name doesn't mean I get to stop you on the street and start talking to you, no more than it is an acceptable behaviour today.