Harvard Professor Says Cell Phone “Autocorrect” is Shredding the Social Fabric
The speed and carelessness of texting is resulting in significant social problems, says Burke Sorenson, Assistant Professor of Sociology at Harvard University. And technology, particularly Autocorrect, isn’t making things better. Recent misunderstandings and lawsuits stemming from Autocorrect “typos” bear this out.
In Norfolk, Va. last December, when a clerk at a car repair shop alerted the owner of 2003 Honda Accord his vehicle was ready, Autocorrect translated his typo into a text reading, “You may pick up the Hindu [sic] .” Upon arriving, the male owner of the car proceeded to make sexual advances toward an attractive Indian-American woman working at the shop. Subsequently, the repair shop owner was sued for sexual harassment and a jury awarded the victim a six-figure judgement. 
Similarly, last March, in Modesto, Ca., an auto repair shop worker, with the help of Autocorrect, inadvertently texted, “Please come get the Infidel [sic] ,” in reference to Mohammed Hoseinni’s 2006 Infiniti M35. Mr. Hosseinni subsequently attacked Irving Klein, a 36-year-old Hasidic Jew employed as an auto technician at the shop. Thankfully, Mr. Hoseinni’s attack was thwarted when he slipped and fell on an oily patch inside the garage, resulting in a severe hip sprain. A court recently found the repair shop liable for Mr. Hosseinni’s medical and rehabilitation bills exceeding $200,000.
Professor Sorenson notes that the increase in these unfortunate events is not limited to conflicts arising from America’s diverse population. Autocorrect is also wreaking havoc in settings where racial, ethnic, and religious differences are minimal. For instance, in Utah, numerous parents have sought legal recourse against daycare and educational providers due to errant texts. Parent Anson Phillips received a text saying, “Your Moron [sic] is ready to go home,” in reference to his son, Morris. Phillips was particularly offended because Morris suffers from a significant learning disability. The school settled with Mr. Phillips for $350,000.
A public school in Dubuque, Iowa was also threatened with legal charges recently when a 3rd Grade student named Louise was wrongly referred to as “Loser” in a text from her teacher regarding the child’s struggles to adapt socially in class. “Her classmates ignore and avoid Loser [sic], and your poor Loser [sic] is now incontinent (inconsolable),” read the text. The harmful messages were exacerbated because Louise in fact does wet the bed. Naturally, Louise’s parents were distraught, and asked that their last name not be used in this report. They are seeking damages of $10,000,000.
Dr. Sorenson warns there is a danger of not taking this trend seriously because these incidents may contain an element of humor. But they are no joking matter, he says. “We shouldn’t compare these incidents to the sophomoric humor of a middle school kid’s report on toxic gases emanating from Uranus,” he notes. “In our polarized age, where tempers can flare instantly into murderous rage, Autocorrect is literally shredding the social fabric.” Sorenson urges that Autocorrect be eliminated from texting programs, or at minimum, that it never be issued in the default setting on new smartphones.
Language is ambiguous enough without Autocorrect, opines Sorenson. Last year, for instance, at a nuclear missile launch site in New Mexico, a two-star General overseeing the site and a number of launch technicians shared Chinese food to review fail-safe procedures. The very next day, a technician texted the General, requesting his lunch order. “Nuke the Chinese,” replied the General, by which he meant for the technician to microwave leftovers. Misinterpreting the command, the technician activated 100 nuclear warheads aimed at Beijing, Shanghai and other Chinese cities. An actual launch was narrowly averted when the General sent a subsequent text to, “hold the soy sauce.” Fortunately, the General’s dislike of the salty condiment prevented Armageddon.
Dr. Sorenson insists that ridding the world of Autocorrect will promote civility and reduce violence. He may well be right; moreover, Americans by a 13 to 1 margin favor the eradication of Autocorrect. Apple and Google (Android), are you listening?
(Please sign up via the subscribe box to your upper right to receive future posts from ProofsandSpoofs.com. For questions, feedback, and especially exuberant praise, contact us at ProofsandSpoofs12@gmail.com.)