Computers can drive a person crazy. It seems that they somehow intuitively know when you need them most—and that is when they freeze up, lock up, shut down, or refuse to cooperate in some way. It’s nice that computer problems can often be fixed by simply turning the machine off and then back on. Wouldn’t it be nice if a lot of other tough situations could be remedied that easily?
Car won’t start? No problem. Get out of the car. Open the car door. Shut the car door. Thatshould fixit.
Roof leaking? No problem. Exit the house. Reenter the house. Thatshould fixit.
I know, it’s not that easy. And unfortunately all computer problems are not repaired by the quick turn off and turn back on solution. Thatis why they drive us crazy. Theysometimes work so wonderfully— then other times so terribly.
My home computer especially causes me trouble when I want to print something. And the more urgent the printing, the less cooperative my computer and printer are. If I’m printing a stupid Internet joke for Chuck to read later, the devices will work perfectly. If I want to print out an important document to take to a meeting— and I’m running late— that is when the printer and computer will “fail to communicate.”
My work computer has a habit of leaving e-mails in limbo. I frequently get calls— or second e-mails—from people who say they sent me an e-mail I didn’t respond to. I don’t know where the messages go. Apparently, there is a cyberspace gremlin in my in-box.
So I don’t trust computers. If I send an e-mail, I often follow up with a phone call. Sometimes it makes you want to exit the electronic age.
But then there are glimmering moments of enjoyment— finding a perfect quote for the end of my column on a website of meaningful quotes; the lovely scenery photos on bing.com or the goofy Google. com graphics; a helpful diagnosis on webMD.com.
And then there is the everdelightful Pandora.com. I had never heard of the miraculous music machine until my friend Laurie came to work at the newspaper.
When we work late nights, she always jams to an interesting mix of music on the computer. One day I asked her the name of the song playing— and she replied with the artist’s name, the song title, and even the album title. I was incredibly impressed until she said she had simply looked at what was currently playing on Pandora.
Laurie explained that you could log on to www.Pandora. com and make your own “radio station.” Of course I had to check it out. Sure enough, the website directs you to “create a new station.”
You enter the name of an artist whom you enjoy or the title of a favorite song. I entered Tom Petty and voila! Pandora found similar songs—music by Bob Dylan, George Harrison, the Traveling Wilburys.
Every time a song plays you have the opportunity to click “thumbs up” or “thumbs down” and each time you make a selection, Pandora uses that information to find songs that fit your thumbs up criteria.
The website explains that Pandora is offered as part of the Music Genome Project. It calls itself “the most comprehensive analysis of music ever undertaken.” Apparently there is a team of 50 “musiciananalysts” who listen to music, collecting musical details of a song—the melody, harmony, instrumentation, vocals, lyrics, etc. Then when you choose your favorite songs, it can locate similar tunes. And it works wonderfully—amazing, considering it is powered by computer.
I have such a hard time believing that a computer can work so well, that I prefer to think of Pandora as a person. It makes me smile to think of some lady named Pandora spinning records in her basement. When she takes an unexpected musical turn, I say “she” is mixed up and I click thumbs down. Pandora pays attention and changes back to something I’ve thumbed up in the past.
“She” is a great DJ—and she hasn’t locked up my computer yet.
I don’t think there’s anything unique about human intelligence. All the neurons in the brain that make up perceptions and emotions operate in a binary fashion.
Bill Gates
Leave a Reply