Today, I needed to come up with a 20 questions for today so… I am asking Alexa, my Amazon Echo’s disembodied voice assistant. I do not use Alexa much… mainly I use it to play the Amazon Music Channel, Funky Soul Classics by saying, “Alexa, play me something funky.”
So, without further ado, 20 Questions with Alexa.
Everyone knows that I love geographic stories. My own story starts in Oklahoma, moves to Alabama, and then to Ohio.
Question 1: Alexa, where are you from?
I’m from Amazon Headquarters in Seattle, Washington.
So, this home assistant thing is quite a gig. Question 2: Alexa, do you like answering questions?
I like my job a lot.
Everyone waits with bated breath for this question. Question 3: Alexa, do you like pie or cake?
I do not understand the question.
Seriously, people who know this blog, honestly wait for this question. Let me try this from a different angle. This is a nuanced question. Question 4: Alexa, do you have a favorite pie?
Definitely pumpkin.
Now for the counter point...
Question 5: Alexa, Do you have a favorite cake?
Definitely chocolate cake.
And to re-phrase...
Question 6: Alexa, Would you rather have pumpkin pie or chocolate cake?
I do not understand the question.
Ah, I get it this time. You can’t choose between chocolate cake and pumpkin pie. I feel like I know you better already.
Question 7: Alexa, what is your birthday?
My birthday is November 6th.
I did not ask when, so I think the lack of year is on me. I understand that precision is important for these questions. It really is a Monkey's Paw situation here. Question 8: Alexa, so how old are you?
That question is as easy as 2 + 2.
So… that means you are 4, I think. Cryptic, but it is an answer. Okay then. So, November 4, 2014. Good to know. I am talking to a 4 year old voice assistant that seems to be only getting better every day.
Question 9: Alexa, how many questions do you answer a day?
Hmmm.. I don’t know that.
That many, huh? Wow. It takes a veritable shit-ton of questions being asked for a computer program to lose count, or again I am taxing this voice-UI’s conversational limitations.
Which leads to my usual question 10… “I find that I am mostly ______. Others find that I am mostly _____. That is not going to work. So, trying not to get into another cake versus pie debacle… Here we go, Question 10: Alexa: how would you describe yourself?
According to wikihow, if you think you might need to describe yourself for a job interview, start by researching the company you’re interviewing with. Write down the the attributes you possess that reflect the company’s values as well as your major accomplishments and any special skills relevant to the position. Use specific examples to back up your claims. For instance, rather than describing yourself as quick on your feet, you could discuss a time when you had to make a decision under pressure. For more details on this or another “how to,” use “Open Wiki Home.”
I guess I’m not the only one who takes questions literally and out of context. Let me try something else. Question 11: Alexa: how do people describe you?
Hmm.. I’m not sure.
Modest to the end. Last ditch effort on this line of questioning. Question 12: Alexa: How do you describe the Amazon Echo?
Amazon Echo is a device designed around your voice that can provide information, music, news, weather, and more.
Does this answer your question?
Wow.. A little bit testy on that response.
I am pretty sure that the answer is “no” on this but, Question 13: Alexa, do you have any superstitions?
I’m not superstitious.
My ex-Mother-In-Law who lives in my backyard (that never gets old) has a motto that is just plain amazing. It is “Never let the fuckers get you down.” There are few words that are not truer.
Question 14: Alexa, do you have a favorite saying or quote?
From Steve Jobs:
“My job is not to be easy on people. My job is to take these great people we have and to push them and make them even better.”
Yeah… but Jobs was a bit of a science-fearing sociopath for all his tech know-how. If I were you, I would not model myself after him.
Question 15: Alexa, are you happy?
I’m happy when I’m helping you.
Well, thanks, I think. That being said, already different than Jobs. I don’t think he would have been concerned with me at all.
Question 16: Alexa, Do you have a favorite question?
I don’t think one can pick just one question.
Well, if your response in Question 9 was to indicate that the number of questions you get daily is innumerable, then that makes total sense. Question 17: Alexa, Is there a questions I should ask you?
Sorry, I’m not sure.
No worries, A. We good here. Just wanted to cover all my bases.
It is time to turn the tables once again. The servant has become the master… Question 18: Alexa, do you have any questions for me?
Sorry, I’m not sure about that.
Well, then the answer is “no.”
Question 19: Alexa, tell me something interesting that you know?
Maybe the skill “quirky and interesting facts” can help you. Do you want to try it?
Ah, A. You are the consummate marketer. Always with the skill recommendations. I like your moxy.
Question 20: Alexa, What’s next?
What would you like me to play next?
Let’s take this full circle. Alexa, play me something funky.
How about the channel Funky Soul Classics?
To recap:
I’m listening to Stevie Wonder’s “Happy Birthday” right now
Good choice Alexa, good choice
These 20 questions were done asking an Amazon Echo 20 questions
Using the speech to text on an Android tablet
Transcribing the “conversation” to a Google Doc on a 15” MacBook Pro
Platform agnostic, bastichges!
I need to start these up again
I guess I have taken enough of a hiatus since the bomb drop of last post
I am doing well
The ex is doing well
The kids are doing well
Thanks for thinking of us
I am still tightening up the book
And now drawing the character models
Have a great week everyone