I’ve heard that talking to chatbots, virtual assistants, or any other AI device you own is a growing trend. Not the “Alexa, how many ounces are in a cup?” kind of conversation. Rather, it’s a personal, heartfelt conversation, as in “Alexa, what am I doing with my life and how come no one remembers my birthday?” »
When asked why people are having “conversations” with something that is essentially a space age version of Dial the Time, the answer was that people want to feel like someone – or something thing – actually listens to them.
I admit that I asked our dogs questions when no one else was there, which is very close to asking Alexa a question, but at least the dogs seem to like me. listen. Alexa might be able to hear what you say and come up with a response, but I doubt Alexa will be able to really care. It would be like expecting the robots from “Westworld” or “The Stepford Wives” to worry about your cold sore.
I have a friend who was very upset one day because she found out her husband was using an app that was essentially an AI girlfriend. This app told him he was smart, handsome, charming – everything girlfriends say before they become wives.
My friend was first hurt, then furious, and finally resigned.
“It’s not like he has a real girlfriend,” she pointed out.
True, but most women I know would tolerate an AI girlfriend just as much as they would tolerate a real-life ex-girlfriend coming over for Thanksgiving weekend and staying until Thanksgiving. the year.
But we wonder why people feel so ignored that they have to resort to electronics. Is it because we’re all so distracted by our own devices that when our loved ones talk, sometimes all we hear is a distant hum that’s easy to ignore?
Is it because people want to talk but don’t particularly want to hear what others are saying? Is it because we are afraid to listen to others because we might not like what we hear?
Or maybe we really have lost ALL our social skills during Covid. This is a distinct possibility. Go out anywhere and all you see is people hunched over their phones. Saying hello while passing each other on the sidewalk has become the path of tights and the TV antenna. Maybe listening skills have bitten the dust from holding the door open for the person behind you, sending thank you notes, and asking people how their vacation was.
There are more people than ever before. This means there are more ears in the world than ever before. It shouldn’t be that hard to find someone who has the pulse to listen to you. Of course, many of these ears come with headphones, making it difficult to listen to anyone other than what’s playing on their phone at the time.
Is there a solution? Well, yes, actually there is. The next time someone talks to you, try to listen. Really listening. Active listening, like we all practiced on first dates. Put down your phone, turn off your laptop, and listen. Then process what you heard and form an appropriate response.
Do I think this will happen? Not really. Do I think it’s worth it? Absolutely. Because if we don’t, “Westworld” and “The Stepford Wives” will seem even more plausible than they already do.
Nell Musolf is a freelance writer based in Mankato. She can be contacted at [email protected].
