Autocomplete: A Game

More fun than you might imagine

Here’s a game I like to play. It’s called “Who’s Made the Cut?” and it works like this. I type a first name into my phone or laptop and then I see if the Autocomplete feature comes up with a second name which, when added to the first, equals someone well known, the idea being that that person has become famous or familiar enough to become part of the Autocomplete lexicon. If Autocomplete does not come up with a name, I just try to work with the response anyway. Let’s give it a whirl.

1. I type, President. Autocomplete responds, Obama. Ha! I wish.

2. I type, Hoda, for Hoda Kotb, former co-host of the “Today” show. Autocomplete responds, Honda. Whoa.

3. I type, Queen. Autocomplete responds, size. I find that hard to believe. That was a gimme.

4. I type, Taylor. Autocomplete responds, and. That really surprises me.

5. I type, Travis. Autocomplete responds: Scott. A rapper. Hmm. That's almost a gimme, especially after Taylor.

6. I type, Joe. Autocomplete responds, was. I know that already. Not helpful.

7. I type Patrick. Autocomplete responds, Mahomes. Touchdown!

8. I type, Trump. Autocomplete responds, is. A lot of things. Enough said.

9. I type, Cher. Autocomplete responds, [ ]. That's good. It understands mononyms.

10. I type, Pope. Autocomplete responds: Francis. Keep the faith.

Bonus

Confrontations with smart technology: It’s winter. It’s cold. There’s snow and ice on the roads. Getting around is challenging. I start the car to warm it up. After a moment my car pings and the dashboard displays Caution! Roads May Be Icy! I know that already. I can see it. I can feel it. Tell me something I don't know and we can have a conversation. I press the button on the steering wheel that dismisses the alert.

Misadventures in AutoCorrect: The intended text should have been, “This is impossible for someone who has trouble with boundaries in the first place.” Instead it turned out as, “This is impossible for someone who has boundaries in the fireplace.” Exactly.

Overheard at the grocery yesterday morning: “Look! They have a yogurt called Ooowee!” The label reads “Oui!” Yes, they do.