Talking Back
One of my law school professors in the 1980s was Nicholas Johnson, a member of the Federal Communications Commission from 1966 to 1973. He was the author of a book, “How to Talk Back to Your Television Set,” which focused on community media.
A number of us “talk back to our television sets” these days—usually to complain about something that was said. I don’t think that’s what Prof. Johnson had in mind.
And according to a new survey from Gameland.gg, 45 percent of we Iowans occasionally yell at our virtual assistants—you know, Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant. Nearly half of the people who are supposed to be “Iowa Nice” yell at our virtual assistants. Perhaps it’s so we don’t yell at fellow humans.
Gameland.gg surveyed some 2,000 residents of the United States, breaking down key data by state.
Among all virtual assistants, Alexa is the biggest troublemaker here in Iowa. And we apparently don’t just occasionally have issues with our digital friend…nearly 1 in 3 Americans admit to arguing with their virtual assistant on a weekly basis.
Nationwide, women apparently are more prone to snapping at their virtual assistants compared with men; 62 percent of women admit to that behavior, compared with only 53 percent of men…but it’s a majority of both genders.
I have a habit of muttering or talking to myself. Maybe I should always have a phone with me, so when caught at that I can pretend I’m in dialogue with my personal virtual assistant. Probably better than cursing at a computer screen and then looking around to see if anyone heard you.
So if you are one of those who expresses frustration at the voice telling to you turn left in 100 feet, or reminds you of an appointment…apparently, you’re not alone. Maybe Professor Johnson should celebrate his 90th birthday in a couple of months by revising his landmark book…I suppose it would be talking back to everything, these days.
