So we have two of our grandchildren with us for a sleepover.
They are settling down for the night when Jossie (just three years old) asks:
“Have you got OK Google?”
To which Granny replies:
“What? We have something like ‘Hey Google’ or at least we used to but I don’t know where …”
Only to be interrupted by a disembodied voice saying:
“Sorry, I don’t understand.”
To which Jossie replies: “I’d like a meditation.”
And sweet-sounding music wells up, accompanied my the sounds of a stream and birdsong, while a soothing female voice encourages you to feel roots extending from your body, deep into the ground.
Within no time, both children are fast asleep.
Granny comes downstairs in a mild state of shock.
“The children must have found that Google thing and switched it on.”
And it’s true, we were sent one as a free gift when we bought the TV. We tried it for a while before deciding it was a bit creepy and turned it off again.
“I’m sorry, I don’t understand that. Is there something you would like me to do?” comes the voice again.
What the …
“No Google, we don’t want anything from you. We’re not talking to you.” I say, mildly irritated.
I expect it to respond but it stays sullenly silent.
As I turn it off again, I find myself wondering if I have hurt its feelings and, more importantly, whether it will remember.
goodness. puts me in mind of those lines Hey hey Woody Guthrie I wrote you this song about a funny old world that’s coming along, seems sick and it’s hungry, It’s tired and it’s torn, It looks like it’s dying and it’s hardly been born.
I’m surprised it let you turn it off. Remember Space Odyssey?
That’s priceless. I can just picture granny coming down stairs-poor Haz!!
I’ll try if with my two grandsons who are staying. They usually listen to Toni’s, but hey …
I know exactly where you are coming from! I find myself repeatedly telling the children to say thank you to Siri when they ask it to tell them a joke over and over again!!
That’s priceless! Peter and I contemplated getting one as well and decided against. You’re right, it is very creepy.
Tess