Chris Blattman

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And you thought the news about Twitter becoming more like Facebook was bad. Look what Apple is doing:

Soon your Twitter feed may be curated by some kind of prediction algorithm. Even worse, from Apple’s website, the new autocorrect:

“As you type, you’ll see choices of words or phrases you’d probably type next, based on your past conversations and writing style. iOS 8 takes into account the casual style you might use in Messages and the more formal language you probably use in Mail. It also adjusts based on the person you’re communicating with, because your choice of words is likely more laid back with your spouse than with your boss.”

Full story.

Besides the specter of bad and mediocre writing perpetuated endlessly, I wonder how long before bots are predicting passable term papers. I guess if it lets me predict grades automatically it wouldn’t be all bad.

At the same time, in my experience the prediction algorithms are pretty poor.

  • Exhibit A: Facebook feeds
  • Exhibit B: Netflix recommendations. I most certainly do not want to watch National Lampoon Vacation VII
  • Exhibit C: My iPhone occasionally suggests “thou” instead of “you”

So I do not fear the replacement of writer by machine anytime soon.

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