Aging Capriciously

Friday Morning:

John:   Alexa.  Can you find me a date for Saturday night?

Alexa:  Which sexual persuasion do you prefer, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transsexual,  transgender or straight?

John:   I would like straight.

Alexa:  Do you prefer male or female?

John:   Female.

Alexa:  What age range do you prefer:  20-25, 25-30, 30-40, 40-50, 50-60, 60 and over?

John:   20-25 please.

Alexa:  What body shape do you like:  thin, voluptuous, statuesque, petite, pudgy, full bodied or rotund?

John:   I prefer voluptuous.

Alexa:  Are you looking for a long-term partner or a simple hook-up?

John:   A simple hook-up.

Alexa:  How far are you willing to travel for this date – 10-20 miles, 20-50 miles, over 50 miles?

John:   I prefer 10-20 miles.

Alexa:  Searching – Searching

Alexa:  I believe I have a hit.  Mary (no last name given) is also searching for a date for Saturday night with male characteristics that are similar to those you have input.  I will check for  receptivity on her part.

A few minutes later:

Alexa:  Mary has some questions for you John.

John:  Alexa, what are her questions?

Alexa:  What kind of movies do you like?

John:  Action adventure.

Alexa:  What is your favorite place to eat in Casa Grande?

John:  I like the Olive Garden and Mimi’s.

Alexa:  What are your favorite hobbies?

John:  I like traveling, music, reading and jogging.

Alexa:  I will check back with Mary.

A few minutes later:

Alexa:  Mary has agreed to a date.  She would like to go to dinner with you at the Olive Garden and then a movie.

John:  How will I recognize her?

Alexa:  Checking!

Alexa:  Mary will be wearing a bright red dress and a red scarf.

John:  That’s all Alexa.

Sunday Morning:

John:  Alexa!

Alexa:  What is it John?

John:  I had a horrible date on Saturday night.

Alexa:  What went wrong John?

John:   Mary was nothing like I asked for.  She was overweight, about 50 years old and looking for a long-term relationship.  She was far from voluptuous.

Alexa:  Feedback from Mary was similar to yours John.

John:  Alexa!  Please explain.

Alexa:  Mary reported back that you were skinny and not muscular, you were closer to 70 than 40, you were bald, and you did not have a large yacht in the Caribbean.

John:  Well, I might have exaggerated a little on my characteristics.

John:  Alexa!  let’s try again for this Saturday night.

Alexa:  Please input requirements John

John:  I want a 25-year-old voluptuous blond who would like a simple hookup with an overweight, bald, 70-year-old man with no money.

Alexa:  Searching, Searching

Several Hours Later:

John:  Alexa!  Have you found a woman like I described yet?

Alexa:  I have searched all of the United States, all five continents as well as the entire Universe, no results found for such a woman as you describe.

John:  Alexa!  Where is the best place to get a pizza in Casa Grande for Saturday night?

Alexa:  According to Yelp, the best pizza is at Papa Murphy’s on Florence Street.  They have a 4.2-star rating based on thirty reviewers.  Should I order you a pizza for Saturday night?

Time for Questions:

Do you own an Alexa device?  Are you planning to purchase one?  Why or why not?  Have you experienced what such devices can do?  What do you think will come next?

Life is just beginning.

“Design is a way of life, a point of view. It involves the whole complex of visual communications: talent, creative ability, manual skill, and technical knowledge.  Aesthetics and economics, technology and psychology are intrinsically related to the process.” –  Paul Rand

“New technology is not good or evil in and of itself. It’s all about how people choose to use it.” -David Wong