1st spell checker, 2nd grammar checker, 3rd TRUTH checker

[Dinner]

If you are a long-time computer user, you probably remember how much of a technology breakthrough it has been to have a spell checker, and then a grammar checker.

The next breakthrough being developed at MIT Media Lab is a truth checker.

That’s why Dan Schultz, a graduate student at the MIT Media Lab (and newly named Knight-Mozilla fellow for 2012), is devoting his thesis to automatic bullsh_t detection. Schultz is building what he calls truth goggles — not actual magical eyewear, alas, but software that flags suspicious claims in news articles and helps readers determine their truthiness. It’s possible because of a novel arrangement: Schultz struck a deal with fact-checker PolitiFact for access to its private APIs.

Imagine how improved forum conversations would be if BS posts were highlighted so everyone knew they were full of it. It would sure help in the politics threads.

The software could even be extended to email clients to debunk those chain letters from your crazy uncle in Florida.

[SlowwHand]

The article should be highlighted.

[Lorizael]

The software could even be extended to email clients to debunk those chain letters from your crazy uncle in Florida.

Err, why? Chain letters are false. QED.

[Ben Kenobi]

Imagine how improved forum conversations would be if BS posts were highlighted so everyone knew they were full of it. It would sure help in the politics threads.

Do the settings really go up that high?

[Zoetstofzoetje]

is it April again?

[Dauphin]

If you are a long-time computer user, you probably remember how much of a technology breakthrough it has been to have a spell checker, and then a grammar checker.

Still waiting for you to use those two.

[Ogie Oglethorpe]

To be fair, its not just the first two, all three are a fail.

[Lorizael]

ure

[Tupac Shakur]

This thread cannot be real. No one is this clueless.

[Sava]

All the tools in the world can't fix stupid.