Racial Sensitivity

[rivkat]

Crossposting at delux_vivens 's suggestion: This was a Better Off Ted episode, but now HP's facial recognition cameras have been accused of being unable to detect black faces.  HP says it's a problem of low light. It turns out there's a history of considering technologies finished when they can properly display white people. A couple of cites: (1) Richard Dyer

Comments

[recumbentgoat]

hmmm, suddenly the use of 'white balance' on miniDV cams snap into comprehension.

[the_zedster]

LOL, c'mon now.

[skywardprodigal]

YEP.

[goblinthebamf]

[delux_vivens]

thx for posting.

[cryptoxin]

I uploaded the second article if anyone wants to read it (PDF here).

[delux_vivens]

thanks!

[the_zedster]

As I said in another comm., HP's "explanation" (the camera might have difficulty “seeing” contrast in conditions where there is insufficient foreground lighting.) doesn't hold water because that store where they filmed look rather well-lit. Plus, the contrast of eyes to upper nose/cheekbones is greater on darker people. They just didn't bother testing on dark people.

[8mph_ansible]

Couldn't be any brighter unless there was a supernova going off behind them. Wonder if there'll be any others testing this,though chances are the brick wall of intelligence will be in effect. =/

On a sadly humorous note--I'll be safe when SkyNet comes online! =D