Science
and Technology
Keywords: Chimps use touch screen technology
in learning. Chimpanzee, uscan, chimp studies, groceries, touch-screen,
icons.
A year or
so ago, Harris Teeter supermarket added a "U-Scan" checkout lane where
customers could scan the barcodes on their own food items instead of waiting
in line for a cashier. I always said that I would not use this lane
unless HT was going to start sending me checks for check-out services rendered.
A few weeks ago, however, the regular lines were really long and I only
had a few items, so I sucked it up and went for the U-Scan.
It was my
highest achievement in learning when I placed the bananas I was buying
on the scale and clicked through the icons for "No Barcode" --> "Produce"
--> "Fruits" --> "Other Fruits" until I finally found a picture of bananas
on the touch-screen and pressed it. To provide positive reinforcement
for the learning process, the U-scan attendent scratched my belly and gave
me a Skittle. I misinterpreted this and attempted to copulate with
her.
With the cooperation
of Harris Teeter in Carrboro, Watsoncrombie.com has obtained footage of
my interaction with the U-Scan as captured by security camera which is
mounted next to the touch-screen, much like an ATM camera.
In this footage, we can clearly see the classic "4 stages of U-Scan":
Stage 1: Confusion
Stage 2: Anger / Aggression
Stage 3: Focus
Stage 4: Euphoria
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