Filipinos and Simsimi: Will this relationship last?

MANILA, Philippines - Mika, 19, used to chat with Simsimi, a popular Apple application that can “converse” with its users, whenever she felt depressed.

She felt that the computer program – which gives its users the impression that they are chatting with a yellow plump chick – could listen to her problems and worries.

“Kinakausap ko kasi si SimSimi 'pag malungkot ako pero noon yun (I used to talk to Simsimi whenever I felt sad, but that was before),” Mika said.

“I was somehow amazed by its responses. Sarap ding pag-tripan (It was fun to play with it),” she added.

However, Mika eventually realized that the program could no longer help her cope with stress. She noticed that Simsimi only gave her repeated responses over time.

“As time went on, it (Simsimi) caused me more stress because its responses are out of this world,” she said.

“Ngayon hindi ko na siya kinakausap dahil nagsawa na ako. Programmed lang din kasi naman 'yun (I no longer chat with it because I have grown tired of it. Its responses are just programmed).”

Millions of internet users, however, do not seem to share Mika’s views as Simsimi – described as a “chatting robot” by its creators – remains very popular.

Simsimi’s official site <http://www.simsimi.com> showed that the program’s online version has been “liked” by 1.2 million Facebook users. The Twitter account of Simsimi Philippines (@SimSimiTM) has more than 24,000 followers.

SimSimi Inc., which specializes in collective intelligence service, created the program that can react to a user’s message and can “learn” new sentences or responses.

A narcissistic male user, for instance, can put his name in the text box called “When someone says this” and then put “handsome” in the textbox labeled “Simsimi may respond with this.”

Once the program “learns” the phrase, it will say “handsome” whenever someone types in the male user’s name.

Created reality

Such feature enables mobile phone and internet users to create their own reality and to tailor fit the program according to their preferences.

“Everything on the net is outlet/entertainment. Simsimi doubles as alter ego or projection of the other conversationalist’s best/worst self,” said Joyce Arriola, a communications professor, in an e-mail interview.

“Simsimi could be the devil’s advocate, friend, critic, et cetera. It could be anything the a user would like it to be,” she added.

Because it can “learn” new responses, Simsimi can talk about any topic from the most profound ones like God’s existence to the most mundane such as the worst Dota player in your neighborhood.

“While it harbors online community and discussion, its distinct feature is its ability to play host to the most personal opinion, leading to a view of the users’ highly segmented reality,” Arriola said.

Sociologist Josephine Aguilar-Placido said Simsimi reflects the fact that computers have been used as substitutes for human interaction.

“For the young, it became a substitute because we are socio-economically unstable,” Placido said, referring to the need for parents to leave the house to work.

“There was already an absence of interaction in the family and then came computers. Computers provide you games, provide you with everything, provide you with information that you don’t have to get out of the house,” she added.

Simsimi users gave different reasons for “chatting” with the program.

“It is an absurd and senseless program. It’s a waste of time. But I realized, it's a form of entertainment,” said “Dem,” a college student.

Another student, who wished to be called “Float,” said he tried using the program after it had trended on her Facebook account’s news feed.

“Chia,” for her part, said she found the application “intriguing.”

'Personal interaction'

Placido believes that Simsimi is just a fad as Filipinos prefer face-to-face conversations.

“The culture of Filipinos is different. If we don’t have someone to talk to, we will look for one. We are for personal interaction,” Placido said.

“One thing I value about Filipinos is that we want to talk to sensible people. I would like to assume that this (Simsimi) is very very temporary,” she added.

Arriola believes that Simsimi would still evolve into something else as technological developments are fast-paced.

“It is reflective of the interactive nature and features of today’s communication and information technology – dialogic, non-linear, evolving, opinion-free, provocative and under the guise of anonymity,” she said.

Impact on values

Experts raised concerns about Simsimi’s possible impact on users’ values and belief systems.

“I am also concerned about the online programs’ far-reaching impact on the disposition of students like patience in honing listening abilities, respect for traditional lecture method and traditional media like books and the valuing of insight over mere information,” Arriola said.

She noted that anything new is considered “cool” as opposed to what is excellent or uplifting.

“While the conversation with Simsimi may border on fun and lightheartedness, it may unknowingly bring forth some values and attitudes that the online user should always be wary and vigilant about,” Arriola said.

“Because Simsimi operates under anonymity, it is difficult to identify responsibility for the responses it may care to dispense or statements it may decide to let out for provocation or simple reply,” she added.

Arriola, nevertheless, acknowledged that Simsimi is a new form of entertainment and interactivity that somehow displaces even the most modern ways of two-way communication like e-mail and text messaging.

Placido said the program “can develop a wrong definition of philosophy” among children.

She said young people should instead converse with real people who can provide sensible responses.

“The ordinary taxi driver, street sweeper can talk sensibly. They are very sensible. Just find someone to talk to,” Placido said.