Taking a cue from lie detector tests, voice analysis now is being used to weed out untruths. At least, that’s what start up RealScoop is trying to do with the recent presidential debates.

PC World highlighted plucky start up RealScoop, that says its online voice analysis system can differentiate between truths and lies. RealScoop says that it uses its ‘leading voice analysis technology’ to break down more than a hundred vocal elements, to the tune of 1,000 calculations per second. It also claims that the system is based on the same technology that intelligence gathering agencies and criminal investigators use.

RealScoop even listed out statements that it regards as possible untruths, on both sides of the campaign. In the Barack Obama camp, RealScoop calls out Obama’s denial of ACORN involvement, Biden’s plan for a troop withdrawal or Obama’s idea of negotiations with Iran or references to Henry Kissinger.

The Republicans get equal doubt with RealScoop considering the following statements not believable:

• John McCain’s statement of hurt at John Lewis’s statements
• Statement that ACORN threatens to “destroy the fabric of democracy”
• McCain saying Obama had encouraged Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to make bad loans.
• Sarah Palin saying that Obama does not favor funding troops.

Interesting concept, but as lie detector tests can be fooled, then why not some online voice analysis? One wonders if the system takes into account ill health, fatigue, the quality of a sound recording, and acoustics when making its calculations.

Of course, some people could make the case that politicians lie for a living anyway, with some doing it better than others. Certainly an entertaining concept that could entertain online denizens who tire of reading political analysis, and would just rather have something else to amuse themselves online. But certainly some supporters would insist they wouldn’t need software for them to tell who’s plying creative fiction.

Related:

Entry was posted on Sunday, October 19th, 2008 at 1:24 pm under Uncategorized.

Read more entries by Erna Mahyuni.
Stumble It!