THE “TEN YEAR CHALLENGE” COULD JUST BE DATA COLLECTION MINING

Have you heard of the “10 Year Challenge,” where users upload side-by-side photos of themselves from a decade ago and now? It took the internet by storm last week across Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Millions of people have participated. The challenge generated 5.2 million engagements on Facebook in just three days. Yet some people are now calling the meme nothing more than data mining. Amy Webb, a professor at NYU Stern School of Business, says the photo challenge gives Facebook “a perfect storm for machine learning,” allowing Facebook to learn how to train their facial recognition algorithms to better recognize small changes in people’s appearances over the years. Facebook on Wednesday denied it, saying it had no role in starting the challenge and saw no benefit in it.
* Besides, the Chinese are already way ahead of the game.
* If it’s not data mining, how come people are suddenly getting pop-up ads for Lenscrafters, Clairol Hair Color, Neutrogena Face Moisturizer, and Norelco’s Nose, Ear, and Eyebrow hair trimmer?
* Then there’s the “10 Year Bird Box Challenge”, where you try to wear a blindfold ’til 2029.
* My “Ten Year Challenge” is more like a “Ten Pound Challenge”. Well, who am I kidding. Twenty pounds.