I’ve worked in IT for pretty much most of my adult life. I had humble beginnings, operating ancient Mainframes on long hard night shifts. Whilst my colleagues snoozed or chatted I got stuck into reading the massive volumes of technical manuals, on CICS and VMSP. I worked hard to progress. Before long I was developing complex utilities and found myself working my way up the IT food chain, before heading off in all manner of directions, in all sorts of industries. I even served my Country, all whilst developing a fondness for Salt and Vinegar Crisps (Chips) and drinking Tea strong enough to dissolve steel.
In recent years the reach of technology has blossomed, and is now encroaching in areas that were imagined to be impossible to automate. Just when I thought I had a handle on it, today I find a program someone has written that will tell you if you are pretty, or indeed, rate just how ugly you are.
I couldn’t resist. You all know that my opinion of myself is not great, but the opportunity for an objective assessment by an IT system….What could go wrong.
There is a very strong warning on the application not to use it, if you have low Self Esteem, apparently the program gives a brutal assessment and as such is probably best avoided by anyone with body image issues. In the interests of science and progress, I pushed on anyway.
The application is pretty straight forward to use. Simply upload a photo, and follow the instructions on screen to help the system complete various measurements of your face….Two minutes later, BAM !!!! The systems rating of your beauty is displayed, and can be shared on all the usual social media channels….
I had braced myself for the worst.
But what I received was a huge shock.
My face was rated at 92% Perfect – with the incredibly surprising comment of “You Are Beautiful.” Beneath this text, was a summary of the various measurements taken to help the system reach this conclusion. Wow, I’ve interacted with lots of computers over the years, and none of them have ever complimented me.
Lots of people have called me beautiful, but I remain convinced they were not talking about any kind of aesthetic beauty. However this system did not have the opportunity to peer deep into my soul and make a note my unending compassion. It just measured my face.
Beauty we are told is “In the Eye of the Beholder.” When the Beholder is a cluster of Intel silicon circuits, I think we have every right to ponder the validity of the answer…..The following quote from the architect of the system brought me back down to Earth, it’s worth reading if you intend to use the app…
“There is no reliable standard. If you are worried about your looks, ask about it from those who matter in your life, not some stupid internet website.”
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