I don't know why this image popped in to my head when writing this, but it did.
Or at least sort of? We post so much information about ourselves online that it seems only appropriate that with the right algorithms and information gleaned from what you yourself post, it would be possible to recreate a digital version of you that can actually carry on a conversation in your voice, mentioning things that you actually did, or enjoyed, or followed. Right?
Apparently so. And now there's finally a use for just such a thing.
This post on nbcnews.com discusses a startup with the clever and slightly creepy name of eterni.me. This service will allow people to upload the various meaningful detritus (which I realize is an oxymoron) of their life, and the system will create a virtual representation of that person that will be able to carry on conversations, offer guidance and input, and generally act like that person after the actual person has passed away.
The system doesn't officially exist yet, by the way, but I assume it will in short order. It was created , according to a caption on the site, at an entrepreneurship bootcamp hosted by MIT. These can be very effective; UNLV's entrepreneurship program has resulted in several wonderful ideas, but nothing like this.
I can't figure out if this is clever or morbid or both. Many people worry about leaving behind a legacy, something they can be remembered for by future generations. If people are already sharing so much about themselves, maybe this is a clever idea. I wonder if given the chance to talk to my uncle, or grandfather, or friend who passed away just three months ago, even if it were them only in a digital form, but their voice and mannerisms and idiosyncrasies, would I?
I honestly don't know.
To be honest, I think this is genius. I have a cousin who passed away almost 15 years ago in May. I found myself very depressed and felt like giving up. She was like my little sister. We were very close up to the day she passed. I felt lonely and wanted to be with her no matter what. I tried to do things to end my time here on earth because I felt that she needed me, as she was the first one in our family to pass away. I know that I am not alone when it comes to the way I felt and tried handling my pain. If I had this digital virtual representation of her, than I think it would make my pain more bearable. I'm pretty sure she would have told me not to continue to shorten my time on earth, as she was ok. I felt as if no one but she could understand me so I listened to know one. If I had this form of communication with her than, I think I would have cried less and accepted her death a lot sooner.
ReplyDeleteI can understand from where you are coming from with your response. The one thought that comes to mind is, would that be easier to get over the deceased person? Or would this type of thing keep someone from being able to grieve correctly. I think I would need more information on this type of concept.
DeleteI think that this type of technology is a little creepy to tell you the truth. I think that yes, it would be nice to see and hear the people that have passed away again, but I don't think I would ever want to do something like this. Yes, there are going to be people that think that this idea is great and wonderful, but there are also going to be those people, like myself, that think that this type of communication with the dead is a little spooky and frightening at the same time. I do see this type of communication, when it does come out, being a hit, but its just not for me.
ReplyDeleteThis seems pretty morbid to me; I would never care to participate. When someone passes, grieving and healing are a part of the process. How would someone do that if that person never really rests because there is an avatar of them online? What if the algorithm causes this avatar of someone you know inside and out to say or do something that is not like them at all. Would it disturb or anger you? Would it really be better? In regards to leaving behind a legacy, that’s something that should be commemorated or carried on by loved ones and successors... not a dead person. Technology has come a long way in predicting people’s behavior, however, this crosses a moral boundary for me and I would never be willing to do it. I feel that in the long run this would be more psychologically disturbing than it would be beneficial.
ReplyDeleteLeaving behind a legacy is all good and dandy, however, leaving a virtual part of yourself is morbid. How are people who have lost love ones be able to move forward? They might become dependent on virtual version of the deceased and when, not if, when the website no longer continues the program, it would be losing that person all over again. As much as I am for advancing technology, this is not one I would approve.
ReplyDeleteThis idea struct me as a little freaky at first. However, after really reviewing it, this would be great for those trying to get over loved ones that have recently deceased. Most people would like the chance to talk with someone they knew (who just died) at least one last time. This would allow for that to happen, and could be used as a tool to reduce depression.
ReplyDeleteI am a little torn on this idea. My dad lost his father almost 20 years ago. He has a cassette tape from my grandfather’s answering machine and he says he likes to listen to it so he does not forget his voice. It is such a small thing to hear someone say “You have reached so in so please leave a message” but it makes him really happy. I think that this technology might be good to help people not forgot someone but at the same time it might stop them from moving on. People need to grieve with a loss but if you are able to log on to a website and talk to the person who has passed how are you able to fully move on and accept the fact that person is gone? I think that if and when this does go live it will be a big success. However, I think it can cause problems for people as well because lets face it, it would not be the real thing.
ReplyDelete-Stephanie Theobald
I think if this is done with the permission of the deceased, it can be a great idea. Many of us have wondered what our ancestors were like, specially ones we never had the chance to meet. I would love to have the opportunity to see and speak with my family members after they have passed away.
ReplyDeleteI feel if there was a way to actually speak with your deceased loved ones, that actually would be pretty cool. I don't know how I would feel about a replica. I don't even know if that technology could actually exist. It also depends on what an individual gets into personally.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHalf of me thinks that this could be a potentially beneficial thing for some people but the other half thinks this would be really unhealthy to be apart of. The only reason why I think this might be a somewhat good idea is because there are some people who can handle death pretty well and when someone loses someone they were close to, occasionally all people really need is to hear that persons voice or hear that persons laughter because they don't want to forget what that sounded like. Or if there was a certain phrase or saying that that person who passed used to say, the person still living may want to hear that person saying it one more time, which I don't think is a bad thing, However, I do think that this could be very unhealthy because there are some people who do not handle death very well at all and psychologically, this program may keep people in a depression for a very long time. I guess it just really depends on the person. The only reason why I feel this program would be a good idea is to allow people to have a little memory of there loved one but there are ways of giving people memories of a voice or the sound of laughter without creating something like this. In the end, as I mentioned before I think it just really depends on the person and what a person can handle.
ReplyDeleteThis article is extremely interesting to say the least. The fact that you can have a piece of a loved one that has passed brings a lot of warmth back. I personally haven't had a close family member or friend pass away yet which I am greatful for, but I know a lot of people who have experienced this great loss and would probably be more than excited to use this source. A part of me thinks it's a great program and would be really nice on bad day you're having and missing that person greatly, but then the other part of me thinks it could be extremely unhealthy and not allowing people to move on mentally eventually, which is what they unfortunately need to do when someone passes on.
ReplyDelete-Kristen Lalli
I find this idea to be very cleaver and interesting. Who says you have to wait till you pass away to have this type of algorithm written about you and to pretend to be you. It could be used as a consulting program with algorithms of commonly known business titans. I imagine that that would generate a lot of revenue and create a more competative environment for business men and women. We could also input what we know about historical figures and create an interactive learning experience for people; they could ask questions about the individual and get the "correct" responses based off of what is known. Using this type of software in such a way would make learning historical facts about icons more interesting, as well as provide an easier interface to obtain needed information for students of all ages.
ReplyDeleteI do like this idea, however I think it may run into issues. What if a loved one wanted to ask someone who passed away a meaningful question, and the computer generated program gives them a disappointing or untrue answer? I think it could have a huge impact on those who lose their loved ones in both negative and positive ways. As far as I am concerned, I think that I would probably use the program at least once just to see what it is like, I am curious.
ReplyDeleteThe only way that I think this is a good idea is if it actually can be used for questions or for advice. When relating it to business, think of how awesome it would be, if you were an Apple employee, and you could ask Steve Jobs what he thinks of the device you are working on or how you could make it better. I am with you on being unsure of talking with relatives and those who you are close with. Would this make the grieving process better or harder? Would we ever get over people passing or would we ever have to?
ReplyDeleteThe only way that I think this is a good idea is if it actually can be used for questions or for advice. When relating it to business, think of how awesome it would be, if you were an Apple employee, and you could ask Steve Jobs what he thinks of the device you are working on or how you could make it better. I am with you on being unsure of talking with relatives and those who you are close with. Would this make the grieving process better or harder? Would we ever get over people passing or would we ever have to?
ReplyDeleteAlthough the of idea building algorithms to recreate a persona of someone who has deceased is fascinating, there are limitations and flaws in the creation of that persona. The data used is based on voluntarily information that individual posted to social media. Not everything said through social media may be accurate or honest perspectives. It can not portray past experiences prior to shared postings nor express personal judgments based on ethics or morale.
ReplyDeleteIn a psychiatric standpoint of the friend or relative communicating with the deceased, it has a high risk of interfering with the grieving process. There is a possibility of a blurred line between reality and this recreated image of someone who was once real. It would result in prolonged acceptance of death and loss.
I honestly do not find it a good idea. Even though it is nice to hear or conversate with a deceased loved one. The fact is that it's fake, it is computer generated. I find it cruel that people are being deceived thinking that there loved one is still here. The phase of grief will take much longer to get over which for some is devastating. I honestly do not think it is a good idea.
ReplyDeleteI find this somewhat creepy. From my beliefs, I think that technology shouldn't cross that path from dead and undead. Some people may see it as a way to still communicate with their deceased loves ones while some may consider it uncomfortable. Overall, I think it just depends on the person and situation but I am not for it.
ReplyDeleteI would love to communicate with the dead, I think it would be awesome, I have so many unanswered questions. I wonder what they would look like though, like their old human self or a perfect version of it? If there is a hell, should they be aloud to Skype and if so what do they look like.
ReplyDeleteCool pic you used, it looks like the image from that haunted mansion Disney ride. I personally think this is a creative way of bringing a type of new social networking to a more personal level. I don't necessarily agree with the concept. I think after someone close passes away, and this way of communicating was available to them, then they would not be able to grieve properly and not begin to go through the grieving process. This would give someone that is in a vulnerable state a since of dilution and false hope. They could even begin to become dependent on this virtual fantasy. More damage then fun can only come out of this.
ReplyDeleteThis post is pretty interesting, but at the same time really creepy as well. I don't think I would be able to do something like that just to "leave a legacy". I believe that part of life is death, so trying to talk to the dead would be something that breaks the normality of what people are used to. Plus, it would really be hard on the friends and family left behind to still be able to see you or talk to you because they wouldn't be able to move on. Knowing how extreme some people can get, it's probably possible that it'll become an obsession for them where it can totally change their way of living. So personally, I don't think I'll be able to do that.
ReplyDeleteMaybe people should stop sharing so much about themselves on-line. We have become a narcissistic culture of self-indulgent people. I think this would be "creepy".
ReplyDelete