Autemotions

Science fiction has long predicted the ultimate destiny of computing; to compute the ability to feel pain and happiness, to share and empathise, to express emotions of a human kind. When that day comes, I’m sure it will bring it’s own set of problems. Until then, do me a favour.. let’s not pretend we’re already there.

When I’m standing on a platform and a computer announces, “I’m sorry, your train has been delayed” - really, a computer program is not sorry. When I’m in a telephone queuing system, no one knows or cares I am being told, “thank you for waiting, you are in position 23”. And finally, yes, it is my birthday and come midnight a whole bunch of computer programs send me emails wishing me a “Happy Birthday!” - yeah, that really brought a tear to my eye.

If you want to really connect with people, then you need to do two things; First of all you need to make your automated messages informative and to the point, don’t condescend! And secondly, get a diary and make a point of delivering your messages personally - honestly, it will go a long way. And it’s not just birthdays, think anniversaries, events and random acts of kindness!