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June 08, 2007
1189: Lies! (Part 1)
"My Heritage" came up in a conversation last weekend, or more specifically, the way in which My Heritage randomly tells people they most strongly resemble a Koren popstar or a Japanese model when really nothing could possibly be farther from the truth. I don't mean that in a bad way, like no one is pretty enough to be a celebrity in Asia; I just mean, these people are not Asian in any way, shape, or form.
The first time I goofed on My Heritage, I had the same experience. I had to Google 80% of its selections because, while they might be hugely popular elsewhere in the world, they're simply not anyone I recognize.
I gave it another shot last night. I decided to do it properly, if My Heritage can actually be done "properly." I took as close to a straight-on photo as I could manage, which was evidently more of a challenge than I realized because when I uploaded the photo to my computer, I snorted with delight at that look of grim determination on my face.
What's going on there?!
Actually, I lied. That's not me. That's a photo I found in the dictionary next to "crazy lady." Part of me wishes I'd not had the "red-eye reduction" thing on, because I think looking like I can shoot lasers out of those peepers would really tie everything together nicely.
Well, if nothing else, I now know for certain that I shouldn't have bought that shirt.
Moving on.
Perhaps the people at My Heritage have tweaked their system, but on my second visit, I received the following (and no more accurate) results...
Well, we've all got eyes and noses and mouths... knock on wood.
When I tried to see who my male matches would be, none came up. (Does that happen for anyone else?) I find that disappointing, because I'm sure those would have been even more random and inappropriate. I'm sure someone, at some point in my life, has half-thought I almost vaguely looked like Rachel Leigh Cook -- but only because I apparently look like every brunette... ever.
But... Anna Kournikova?! Come on!
Obviously, when you meet someone or already know them fairly well, you might be able to find some resemblance to someone else (famous or otherwise) you know. I guess a large part of that has to do with things other than your face -- your height, your size, the way you carry yourself, the way you dress, the way you style your hair, your personality, etc. But even if you went on facial features alone... how would you ever come to the conclusion that I look anything like Tia Carrere?
How does My Heritage work? Did it just pick a random selection of faces, possibly with the intention of freaking people out? I've yet to meet anyone who gets their results from My Heritage and thinks, "Yeah, I can see that." Why does everyone end up laughing in bewilderment? What kind of crap is this?
It's all a bunch of lies! I mean, not one of the photos they've selected for me even come close to capturing that look of total insanity in my wee, beady eyes. My Heritage is a sham!!
I guess I shouldn't complain. I mean, part of me was scared of getting this...
PS: Forgive the hair. It's up in pins after a long day of work. The cutting of slack is appreciated.
Posted by ashley at June 8, 2007 01:28 AM
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