Once a noble invention designed to
streamline our messages and save us from our own typos, autocorrect has instead
become a rogue agent of chaos. It has an uncanny ability to derail apologies,
sabotage romance, and transform heartfelt sentiments into deranged gibberish.
Take, for example, the perils of intellectual discourse. You’re
making a profound point, aiming to impress with your knowledge of psychology,
only for autocorrect to intervene:
“The theory of cognitive dissonance suggests that—”
Autocorrect: “The theory of corgi distance suggests that—”
Nothing dismantles an intellectual argument faster than an
unexpected parade of small, faraway dogs.
But nowhere is autocorrect more diabolical than in the realm
of romance. You’re crafting the perfect flirty message—light, witty,
effortlessly charming. You type:
“Can’t wait to see you tonight, beautiful.”
Autocorrect: “Can’t wait to see you tonight, bathtub.”
Congratulations. You are now a psychopath. There is no
recovering from this. Even worse:
• “Hey babe” → “Hey bank” (Are you in love, or in debt?)
• “Hey babe” → “Hey Baby Yoda” (Unclear, but certainly a
vibe.)
• “Sending love” → “Sending lice”
• “Can’t wait to see you” → “Can’t wait to sue you”
Autocorrect’s appetite for destruction is especially brutal
in moments of grief. A friend has suffered a terrible loss. You carefully
compose a message of sympathy:
“I’m so sorry for your loss. Let me know if you need
anything.”
Autocorrect: “I’m so sorry for your boss. Let me know if you
need anything.”
Now, instead of offering comfort, you appear to be mourning
the fate of corporate leadership.
Then there’s damage control. You’ve made a mistake. You need
to apologise. You type:
• “Please forgive me.” → “Please forget me.” (Devastating.)
• “I didn’t mean to hurt you.” → “I didn’t meme to hurt you.”
(Sure, blame it on the internet culture.)
And at its most malevolent, autocorrect strikes when you’re
sending a spicy text. You write:
“Can’t wait to kiss you all over.”
Autocorrect: “Can’t wait to kiss you all ogre.”
Even worse:
• “I’m in bed waiting for you.” → “I’m in debt waiting for
you.”
Autocorrect is proof that technology, for all its
intelligence, has no sense of timing, tact, or emotional nuance.
Try talking instead, but without the Freudian slips this time.
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