Why Augment Reality?

One of the latest tech fads is augmented reality, or "AR*." This is a technology which allows one to see the surrounding real-life environment with useful additional digital information overlaid on it. For instance, you might wear a pair of AR glasses which show the hours of operation or daily specials of a restaurant as you walk past it. AR goggles are used by some mechanics or technicians to let them read instruction manuals or order parts without using their hands while they work on your car. The Pokemon Go game which was (and still is, for all I know) popular uses AR technology to display the Pokemon creatures players try to capture.

I can see the value of AR for entertainment and for some jobs, but on the other hand, actual reality tends to suck, so why would we want to augment it?

Really useful AR would be more helpful on a regular basis if it provided immediately useful information, like hoods over the heads of passing racists, the location of the nearest bathroom**, or pop-up fact checking bubbles over the heads of bloviating politicians. The latter, though, is probably beyond the capability of current computer processing capability. Other useful AR functions might overlay danger symbols on people carrying concealed weapons, or flag people whose ability to drive is impaired by drugs or alcohol. 

We're not there, yet, though. There's only so much technology can do to compensate for the shortcomings of idiots, and we already have enough stupidity augmented by Fox News, OAN, and the crazier members of the GOP.

I'll just stick with plain old reality. If it needs augmenting, I'll do it myself. But if you find that AR program that shows where the nearest bathrooms are, let me know.

Have a good day. More thoughts coming.

Bilbo

* Not to be confused with the class of powerful semiautomatic weapons worshipped by many Americans.

** As an old guy, I could really use that!