5 ms·

The insistence on making the spoken interaction feel as "human" and "natural" as possible honestly introduces way more confusion than it needs to and makes the

The insistence on making the spoken interaction feel as "human" and "natural" as possible honestly introduces way more confusion than it needs to and makes the whole thing feel uncomfortable for its parasociability and stiltedness. In Star Trek they were perfectly comfortable saying "Computer! Do the thing" in a more specific, 'computer' intonation. It was all fairly natural language, but there is no attempt to pretend the computer is a person. This made the thing feel more futuristic than what they're trying to do now.

professoretc 6y ago
It's not even that natural; with a new baby in the house I've really grown to dislike Alexa just for how much I have to yell at it. We're not a loud household, but talking to Alexa is like talking to my grandfather without his hearing aids. Everything has to be said at least three times, in increasing volume levels.
crooked-v 6y ago
Star Trek's computers also never had the "I don't know a device named 'Lights'" problem that Echo devices often suffer.
kelnos 6y ago
I just rewatched all of TNG, and that's actually not the case: there are several instances where a crew member (often Geordi?) would speak to the computer in a more "human" conversational way. I recall one episode in particular where Geordi's trying to set the mood in his quarters for an impending date, and he's very conversationally refining the music choice until he gets what he wants.
- lloeki 6y ago
  Yep, Star Trek computers understand addressing, the conversation is modal: one does not need to begin every sentence with the keyword, a first use of the hotword (or implicitly in some cases, like entering a turbolift) combined with a specific tone makes the computer “open” the conversation. From then on, tone only is sufficient for the computer to know when it is being addressed. With a conversation opened, context is remembered. I am flabbergasted that the following hasn’t been an option: - hey Siri - yes? - what are the last three releases from <artist>? - X Y and Z - search again without EPs - W X and Z - Play the first one - <playing W> - thank you Siri <conversation closed> Also, with attention tracking that -already- exists with the FaceID array, the phone can know when it is addressed and when it’s not. You know, just like when you’re talking to someone, you usually look at them...
  - piyh 6y ago
    Context is a hard problem and even the best chatbots don't nail this.

professoretc 6y ago

It's not even that natural; with a new baby in the house I've really grown to dislike Alexa just for how much I have to yell at it. We're not a loud household, but talking to Alexa is like talking to my grandfather without his hearing aids. Everything has to be said at least three times, in increasing volume levels.

crooked-v 6y ago

Star Trek's computers also never had the "I don't know a device named 'Lights'" problem that Echo devices often suffer.

kelnos 6y ago

I just rewatched all of TNG, and that's actually not the case: there are several instances where a crew member (often Geordi?) would speak to the computer in a more "human" conversational way. I recall one episode in particular where Geordi's trying to set the mood in his quarters for an impending date, and he's very conversationally refining the music choice until he gets what he wants.

lloeki 6y ago
Yep, Star Trek computers understand addressing, the conversation is modal: one does not need to begin every sentence with the keyword, a first use of the hotword (or implicitly in some cases, like entering a turbolift) combined with a specific tone makes the computer “open” the conversation. From then on, tone only is sufficient for the computer to know when it is being addressed. With a conversation opened, context is remembered. I am flabbergasted that the following hasn’t been an option: - hey Siri - yes? - what are the last three releases from <artist>? - X Y and Z - search again without EPs - W X and Z - Play the first one - <playing W> - thank you Siri <conversation closed> Also, with attention tracking that -already- exists with the FaceID array, the phone can know when it is addressed and when it’s not. You know, just like when you’re talking to someone, you usually look at them...
- piyh 6y ago
  Context is a hard problem and even the best chatbots don't nail this.