It has been widely reported across the internet that the voice of Apple's voice assistant Siri, is based on Susan Bennett, a voice actress from Atlanta. She has indicated that the voice is hers, and was recorded in 2005 over a period of one month. The report has been seen on CNN, The Verge, USA TODAY, and many others. Most are re-blogs and have been very popular with readers. But this post has very little to do with the report. Whether or not the story is accurate and true is of little consequence. What I find fascinating is that it is news at all.
As an observer of the world around me, I am constantly amazed at how a story becomes "important" to the general population. One of the methods that I use to test the importance factor is in reader comments. Usually, the responses are a fair indicator of the relative significance of a given report. In this case, the number and broad spectrum of comments seems to indicate that this news is earth shaking! The fact that anyone would take the time to write a comment about what is basically trivial, seems disproportionate compared to the "news".
What I have read so far seems to indicate that the comments are based on personal thought or opinion and very little research into the story. But even Wikipedia says that Siri is based on Ms. Bennett, so it must be true. Arguments both pro and con about the fact that as reported, the recordings made in 2005 pre-date Apple's acquisition of Siri from Siri Inc. in 2010 make the story implausible. There is even a discussion as to who may own the legal rights to her voice. Never mind about Syria, the government shutdown, debt ceiling, and drought and pestilence.
One thing seems clear to this observer; if the internet is the source of the research, there will always be some doubt as to the veracity of any information. Trust and verify seems unlikely! What do you think Siri?
As an observer of the world around me, I am constantly amazed at how a story becomes "important" to the general population. One of the methods that I use to test the importance factor is in reader comments. Usually, the responses are a fair indicator of the relative significance of a given report. In this case, the number and broad spectrum of comments seems to indicate that this news is earth shaking! The fact that anyone would take the time to write a comment about what is basically trivial, seems disproportionate compared to the "news".
What I have read so far seems to indicate that the comments are based on personal thought or opinion and very little research into the story. But even Wikipedia says that Siri is based on Ms. Bennett, so it must be true. Arguments both pro and con about the fact that as reported, the recordings made in 2005 pre-date Apple's acquisition of Siri from Siri Inc. in 2010 make the story implausible. There is even a discussion as to who may own the legal rights to her voice. Never mind about Syria, the government shutdown, debt ceiling, and drought and pestilence.
One thing seems clear to this observer; if the internet is the source of the research, there will always be some doubt as to the veracity of any information. Trust and verify seems unlikely! What do you think Siri?
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