by Bethaney Wallace
Bing! Bing! When I hear this form of onomatopoeia, I’m reminded of two things. One is an old fashioned cash register that is excited to accept payments. Each time an operator open its drawer, it bings loudly and proud—the kind of register that would have been in a candy store or soda shop. The second thing I’m reminded of is Chandler Bing, “Friends” character and joke enthusiast. A man who co-invented Fire Ball and became an unpaid intern in his late 30s. Neither of these things are something I would ask for advice, let alone help me make a decision. However, “Bing” is what Microsoft chose to name its so-called “decision engine.” Their search engine marketed to help users make decisions—from everyday ones like where to buy the cheapest potatoes, to epic ones, like which wedding venue to book. It’s like a little therapist packed into your computer. Congratulations Microsoft, you’re bringing the world one step closer to getting rid of deductive reasoning skills all together.
