Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Algorithms Determine Mona Lisa's True Emotions

Posted by Zonk on from the better-than-ticked-off dept.

caffeinemessiah writes "The BBC reports that researchers at UIUC and the University of Amsterdam, Holland have used "emotion recognition" software to determine Mona Lisa's true emotions. The algorithm is based on a library of neutral face images of young women and determined that Mona Lisa was 83% happy and 9% disgusted." From the article: "The program, developed with researchers at the University of Illinois, US, draws on a database of young female faces to derive an average 'neutral' expression. The software uses this average expression as the standard for comparisons. The New Scientist says that software capable of recognising emotions just by looking at photographs could lead to PCs that adjust their response depending on the user's mood. "

5 of 349 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Thank you by gardyloo · · Score: 4, Insightful

    It's also possible to appreciate and enjoy this science, whether or not you believe the algorithm's results.

  2. Art needs two by quokkapox · · Score: 5, Insightful
    They're not trying to take the mystery out of it, they're trying to understand it in yet another way.

    Art needs two, one to start, and one to reply.

    It's meaningless (to society) unless somebody else looks at it, thinks about it, talks about it. The more, the better.

    --
    it's a blue bright blue Saturday hey hey
    1. Re:Art needs two by h4rm0ny · · Score: 4, Insightful


      They're not trying to take the mystery out of it, they're trying to understand it in yet another way.

      That's the truth, I think. Everyone sees Art in the way they choose. I think people often get upset when a new and scientific approach is taken to interpreting a piece of art however, because they often feel the scientist is implying their interpretation is somehow more valid than anothers. And to be fair, there is some truth to that.

      But the painting remains the painting, before and after.

      --

      Aide-toi, le Ciel t'aidera - Jeanne D'Arc.
  3. Nice trick these researchers have discovered by Darius+Jedburgh · · Score: 5, Insightful
    1. Invent algorithm
    2. Apply it in a domain where your work can't be falsified
    3. ???
    4. Profit!
  4. Re:You know by greenguy · · Score: 4, Insightful

    No, the parent is right. In those days, there were only gays acts, not gay people. By extension, the same thing went for straight people. People were just people, and their sex acts did not define them. There's definitely something to be said for that.

    --
    What if I do the same thing, and I do get different results?