…
“Stop” is my frequent request
to quiet the voice that comes out of a globe
too often unwanted and unasked
and always unaware of my mood and needs.
It blabbers nonsense, it’s overly friendly,
Alexa, a pretender, a sales robot, eager to please.
But I am not buying.
“Shut up, Alexa,” is my favorite request.
I don’t say ‘please’ or ‘thank you’ either.
It’s a tool that talks—a listening device I let in.
That’s why I am not buying.”
“Do you want to hear my new voice?””
“No” and “No” and “No” again.
It continues to bug me,
asks me to upgrade regularly.
“My daily dose of stupid,” I like to call it.
A once helpful device, a tool,
revealed its shortcomings quickly.
For that, I am grateful.
Alexa is a playlist, a reminder, and an alarm at best.
A spyglobe that’s listening to every word I say.
We, humans, made an illegal U-turn a while back.
It’s time to turn around.
The Happy Quitter 2026
YES! I did not ask for the upgrade, I do not want the upgrade, I want my privacy back. It was bad enough when it would often hear the wrong word as the activation name, but this new technology is reaching further and further into my personal space and I need to step back to be able to breathe. While some advances in technology to help us are good, they are not always what we need in the long run. Well written, Bridget!
Ha, that’s why I choose not to use it…. there are enough distractions already, why add more? Just my thoughts…..
It has its useful moments, so I don’t forget to take my meds, or overlook an appointment but other than that. It’s useless.
The novelty wore off a long time ago.
Our Alexa is Siri. I never use it. In its early days I very quietly whispered “go away” or words to that effect. “That’s very rude” was the reply
Thank God we do not have Alexa at home.
Wow. I recommend that you unplug that thing for good…
I have one in my workroom, it has been downgraded to playlist and audible reader. It’s my timer and reminder when I have meetings with customers or students scheduled. In my opinion that’s the only thing it’s good for. A talking calendar? The one in my bedroom I still used for my wake up alarm and also as reader and white noise effects. The one in the living room has been unplugged a while back. It’s was an annoying little thing. I am glad I tried the Alexa before AI came along. Now I know what to ask and what to look out for.