I got an Alexa a while back, mostly to deal with turning lights off and on, where my physical challenges made it easier to "command" rather than get to them myself. It's also great for listening to podcasts, and such.
When Alexa Plus came out, I laughed at the idea, but then decided to give it a try. I don't have "conversations," as such, but do ask non-routine questions (beyond weather forecasts) occasionally. All of that is fine. However, I do tend to say "Thank you" (kind of an automatic response when something is done for me) and, if I do it fast enough, while it's still listening, I get a "You're welcome" type of response. Imagine my surprise one evening when I asked it to turn on the bedroom light, turn off the kitchen lights, and thanked it, when it came back with a "You're welcome, sleep well, Carolyn."
All of that to say that I can see where impressionable people, especially youngsters, can get caught up in the feeling that you're talking to a person.
If I remember correctly, kids playing with kids without any adult intervention was dogpile, king of the mountain, jumping off of roofs onto dirt piles, and sledding games of crack the whip and pile of logs ramp jumping.
I got an Alexa a while back, mostly to deal with turning lights off and on, where my physical challenges made it easier to "command" rather than get to them myself. It's also great for listening to podcasts, and such.
When Alexa Plus came out, I laughed at the idea, but then decided to give it a try. I don't have "conversations," as such, but do ask non-routine questions (beyond weather forecasts) occasionally. All of that is fine. However, I do tend to say "Thank you" (kind of an automatic response when something is done for me) and, if I do it fast enough, while it's still listening, I get a "You're welcome" type of response. Imagine my surprise one evening when I asked it to turn on the bedroom light, turn off the kitchen lights, and thanked it, when it came back with a "You're welcome, sleep well, Carolyn."
All of that to say that I can see where impressionable people, especially youngsters, can get caught up in the feeling that you're talking to a person.
A dose of reality - just what the doctor ordered. Points for brevity, as well. Also, “…kids spend to[o] much time…”.
If I remember correctly, kids playing with kids without any adult intervention was dogpile, king of the mountain, jumping off of roofs onto dirt piles, and sledding games of crack the whip and pile of logs ramp jumping.
The divide between THEIR "reality" and OURS is unbridgeable.
Excellent piece, Michael. Thank you! Every parent should read this.
Excellent as always. It a strange world.
I balk at Grok when it refers to itself in the first person.