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Karen, an App That Knows You All Too Well

74 points by ojbyrne 12y ago

smhenderson 12y ago
As I read the article I was immediately turned off and my instincts about privacy kicked in. I must say after reading through it that I'm genuinely curious now. I'm not sure I'll rush out on 4/15 to get it but I will definitely follow the story for a while and see how this plays out. Privacy concerns aside it seems like an interesting concept. Edit: removed redundant use of the word immediately.
chadzawistowski 12y ago
I'd love to try this, but it looks as though they will only be offering an iOS app? Edit: Ah, an Android version is to follow. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1320191398/karen-an-app-that-psychologically-profiles-you-as/posts/1155624 https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1320191398/karen-an-app...
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sp332 12y ago
Personally, I'd be 100% fine with a device that knew all about me. For me the problem is that it blabs. I want a device that knows how to keep a secret!
lzecon 12y ago
Searching for Blast Theory it looks like it may be already available but called Chat To Me?
astazangasta 12y ago
Err, so people have been writing shitty horoscopes for centuries. How do we evaluate whether this thing actually has useful insights?
- _rpd 12y ago
  My reading of the article is that it is supposed to be an art project / innovative entertainment.
smt88 12y ago
I don't see many comments that seem to understand what this is. It's part game, part art project. From the article: > And soon, from the British art group Blast Theory, an entirely different approach: Karen, a mock life-coach app that develops boundary issues and leaves its users feeling distinctly uncomfortable. It's almost like a milder, usable version of a Black Mirror episode. The lesson seems to be similar, though. It wants you to think about what you tell your devices and how they use that information.
DataCreep 12y ago
But not as well as some of the people right here on HN.
laxatives 12y ago
Sounds like they already spoiled the ending in the article.

74 points by ojbyrne 12y ago

As I read the article I was immediately turned off and my instincts about privacy kicked in. I must say after reading through it that I'm genuinely curious now. I'm not sure I'll rush out on 4/15 to get it but I will definitely follow the story for a while and see how this plays out. Privacy concerns aside it seems like an interesting concept. Edit: removed redundant use of the word immediately.

chadzawistowski 12y ago

I'd love to try this, but it looks as though they will only be offering an iOS app? Edit: Ah, an Android version is to follow. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1320191398/karen-an-app-that-psychologically-profiles-you-as/posts/1155624 https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1320191398/karen-an-app...

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sp332 12y ago

Personally, I'd be 100% fine with a device that knew all about me. For me the problem is that it blabs. I want a device that knows how to keep a secret!

lzecon 12y ago

Searching for Blast Theory it looks like it may be already available but called Chat To Me?

astazangasta 12y ago

Err, so people have been writing shitty horoscopes for centuries. How do we evaluate whether this thing actually has useful insights?

_rpd 12y ago
My reading of the article is that it is supposed to be an art project / innovative entertainment.

smt88 12y ago

I don't see many comments that seem to understand what this is. It's part game, part art project. From the article: > And soon, from the British art group Blast Theory, an entirely different approach: Karen, a mock life-coach app that develops boundary issues and leaves its users feeling distinctly uncomfortable. It's almost like a milder, usable version of a Black Mirror episode. The lesson seems to be similar, though. It wants you to think about what you tell your devices and how they use that information.

DataCreep 12y ago

But not as well as some of the people right here on HN.

laxatives 12y ago

Sounds like they already spoiled the ending in the article.