Workers have daily smile scans

Workers have daily smile scans

UK TELEGRAPH
July 7th, 2009 in Breaking News

More than 500 staff at Keihin Electric Express Railway are expected to be subjected to daily face scans by “smile police” bosses.

The “smile scan” software, developed by the Japanese company Omron, produces a sweeping analysis of a smile based on facial characteristics, from lip curves and eye movements to wrinkles.



After scanning a face, the device produces a rating between zero to 100 depending on the estimated value of the fulfilled potential of a person’s biggest smile.

For those with a below-par grin, one of an array of smile-boosting messages will op up on the computer screen ranging from “you still look too serious” to “lift up your mouth corners”, according to the Mainichi Daily News.

A growing number of service industries are reportedly using the new Omron Smile Scan system for “smile training” among its staff.

Workers at Keihin Electric Express Railway will receive a print out of their daily smile which they will be expected to keep with then throughout the day to inspire them to smile at all times, the report added.

I'm not sure whether to feel appalled or happy about this. On one hand, I don't think anyone should be forced to smile. (Or forced to do anything for that matter.) It completely goes against our rights as humans to have 'free will'. On the other hand, smiles are contagious. One human smiles at another, that human starts smiling and so on. Something as simple as a smile can often make someone's day. So..... it's good and it's bad. We shouldn't be forced to smile and be happy; we should just smile and be happy because we want to.

But that's my opinion. That's how I live my life. I don't begin to understand others. I don't think I ever will.