Back in 2015, Google brought a new facility into their search engine results page (SERP). I am sure that you have noticed it: "People Also Ask" followed by a number of questions that relate to the one you first put into the search box.
The facility is meant to be helpful in our quest for knowledge. Indeed the "People Also Ask" questions can lead us down interesting avenues. Sometimes you click on the newly generated questions and they lead you in different directions, bringing up yet more questions. It can be a bit like navigating a maze.
In spite of all of this, I have sometimes find myself chuckling about some of the random "People Also Ask" questions that are thrown up. At this present point in time bots can be so indiscriminating, lacking the sophistication of human experience. Unbeknown to them they make blunders all the time.
Questions related to "What is hell?":-
So God's skin is red and white? Does that make him a Manchester United supporter? Possibly Cheltenham Town.
Questions related to "What is Mickey Mouse?"
I must confess that I have also often wondered if Mickey Mouse is a cat or a dog.
Questions related to "What is death?"
Yes indeed - the three definitions of death: quite dead, dead and very dead. And indeed, how does someone feel when he dies? Perhaps cold and stiff?
If you are ever bored, why not spend a little time mucking around with the "People Also Ask" extension? You might be tickled by some of the bizarre questions that come up.
I often have the same questions other people ask. I sort of love that feature.
ReplyDeleteI like the fact that the question generating process is clearly flawed.
DeleteI'm trying to think if I've ever seen those questions. I think I have but didn't know what they were or where they were coming from. And what about Goofy? What is he?
ReplyDeleteIs he one of Donald Trump's sons?
DeleteI don't think that's fair to Goofy. ;)
DeleteYes, I have noticed some quite interesting diversions when asking Professor G for assistance.
ReplyDeleteOut of curiosity I just asked what is Yorkshire Pudding? It seems some people have asked why you are soggy in the middle and how thick should you be.
You forgot mentioning how I should be baked in very hot oil.
DeleteYes, I've "mucked about" with it myself and had some interesting results. That business about God's skin is truly bewildering, and somewhat troubling. Now if someone had asked whether Goofy is a dog, I could understand it -- Goofy's species is something of a mystery for many people.
ReplyDeleteI assumed that Goofy was a Staffie.
DeleteIt's good to start the day with a laugh and once again you and Jaycee have obliged.
ReplyDeleteGlad to have tickled you milady.
DeleteDid you realize that the answers are not bots, but taken from the clickable websites shown under the answers? For example, the answer about the colour of God's skin "it is red it is white" is from lyrics found at the blue-coloured link accompanying the "it is red it is white" answer. The premise of the lyrics is that God's skin is all colours, just like the people on earth, so why don't all people get along?
ReplyDeleteLike you, I find it interesting to follow the questions as they pop up. As long as you consider the sources of the answers, you can learn things you might never have wondered about otherwise.
I suppose that as time passes by the process will become sharper and less amusing.
DeleteI think I may have misunderstood the premise of your post. Teacher, may I have a do-over? My mother has had three crises in a little over a week and I am tired and cranky. My bad, YP.
DeleteMy biggest complaint is that I sometimes see the questions pop up while I'm still typing and go to select the one I was aiming for only to hit the wrong one. A backspace doesn't take me out of the situation and so I have to start all over again.
ReplyDeleteI think I get what you mean Ed and I must confess that I have also fallen into that trap.
DeleteI hadn't really thought about it but looking back I realise that my Google requests tend to be very factual and mundane and often related to horticulture or ornithology and the "People also ask" are usually exceptionally helpful.
ReplyDeleteThey certainly can be helpful but sometimes bizarre.
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