Pursuing “Star Eyes”

My husband and I recently upgraded to new electric toothbrushes after our existing ones died.

As we’re getting to know this new device, I discovered an added feature. When I pick up the toothbrush to use it, this version has a digital “face” that shows on the tiny screen on the front of the handle.  The minimum recommended amount of time to brush is 2 minutes.  (Amusingly, I discovered how “long” two minutes can seem when I’m in a hurry!) How come 2 minutes seems so short in other situations? 

So, if I brush for the prescribed amount of time and in the proper way (in the green zone) the little face on the toothbrush will smile at me. If I do a really good job, a “reward” is presented – the eyes on the smiley face become stars!  My husband and I had a friendly contest to see who could get “star eyes” more consistently. (Do we humans have to “gamify” everything?)

Now, I get that marketers and inventors of technology are trying to motivate the human animal with bursts of colorful digital confetti, floating hearts, and “star eyes” when we do something that is desirable – to them. Also we get the dopamine hit, to reinforce our habit. In this case, regarding toothbrushing, it does benefit me also and helps to build a healthy habit.   

This led me to thinking about how our relationship with devices and appliances has evolved over time. It harkens me back to the days of manual children’s toys  - like the plastic and wood dial telephone with wheels, a face, and eyes that moved when you pulled the toy along the floor; and the kid’s size vacuum cleaner or lawn mower that had a face on it. Hmmmm.

Now we’re living in the wake of the increased discussion about AI and our interaction with the robotic realm. Even smart homes that speak to us and are wired to be controlled by our phone! (This is what my 13 year old self would have considered stuff of science fiction stories.) Back then, the only device I would say “hello” to was my phone, when I answered a call. Now, Siri and Alexa bring the speaking tech into our homes under the guise of a “convenience item.” (Convenient for whom? Can the government actually listen to us through those?)  

I’m not a conspiracy theorist, but does it seem like too far a stretch that these little, gradual steps over time could have been paving the way for us to more readily accept AI’s larger insertion into our lives later on?  Through these smaller digital tools with faces, they make the various devices more friendly and relational.  We are relational beings, that’s how we’re wired. If technology can change expressions, even more relational to us.  (Is there a point where it would be very creepy for a tool to have a face?  Like say, my husband's weed whacker, or his chain saw?)

What happens to us, in our evolution, when we begin interacting differently with or even speaking to inanimate appliances, devices, tools, etc.? Food for thought.

Recently, I caught myself responding to my washing machine’s cheerful tone that the wash cycle had ended. I walked into the laundry room to obediently switch over the load to the dryer.  When I opened the washer door it made another happy two-tone chirp and I kindly replied “thank you” - -  to my washer! (Well, it was quite helpful.)

All this to say, that I’m now more aware of the gradual “additions” to our appliances, tools, etc. that cause us to interact with them in a different, and possibly more friendly way.

“Skynet” notwithstanding, maybe I just want to be on their good side when AI becomes self aware.