In reference to this article in the WSJ
A camera software company has developed numerous technologies to "fix" photos. For example, the software will delay taking the shot if everyone in the photo is not smiling. Some of these features cannot be turned off - many are intended to enhance mobile phone cameras.
This software strikes me as a strange social commentary - where our technology does not allow us to use it unless we conform to its designer's worldview. Recently, I read Paul Ekman's book about expressions and emotions - where he shows that cross culturally, expressions mean the same thing. So I suppose it is actually possible to create software that captures "happiness" - but it's quite another thing to assume a photographer's intention in snapping a photograph - and to presume that photos should be happy.
--added 3/30--
After writing this post, i went to Kragen to get some stuff for my car and signed the digital signature pad. it rejected my signature 3 times. the cashier said that my signature was "too squiggly." So I had to alter my signature so that the machine would recognize it. Again, I was struck by the fact that software designers are telling me/us how various facets of our lives must be. Handwriting analysts say that you can tell something about someone's personality via their handwriting. What if handwriting has been subtly altered by the requirements of our writing input tools? What of our personalities? Do they shift along with our handwriting? We know, for instance, that technology can shape brain development in various ways. Does this trend hold true on the microlevel of our hands across digital screens?
