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Hofstadter makes it obvious that 'Google Translator' is a misnomer (and not even a naive one). Even "dumb translator" seems overblown. 'Magic decoder ring' migh
by 8bitsrule 9y ago
Hofstadter makes it obvious that 'Google Translator' is a misnomer (and not even a naive one). Even "dumb translator" seems overblown. 'Magic decoder ring' might be closer.
It's troubling is that there are, undoubtedly, people out there who actually believe that the 'translation' they're seeing is a halfways accurate represention of the original. If that accidentally happens, it's sleight-of-hand. If not, it could be dangerously misleading.
- Balgair 9y agoIt's kinda like everything Google does these days. They wow'd you 5-10 years ago, and now they've regressed. Look at Maps, it was better in 2010. Now? I have to second guess it at just about every freeway on-ramp.
- 8bitsrule 9y agoThis business of 'constant improvement' very often leads to inferior, harder-to-use product. When the person who 'got it' and 'really cared' moves on, you can see it in the result.
- Cipater 9y agoMaps was NOT better in 2010. That's an absurd claim to make.
- Balgair 9y agoThen I'm absurd. To me, the interface was better then. It really started dropping off in ~2015.