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Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Jeff Bezos' Racist, Pro-Life, Anti-Evolution, Rape-Apologist Search Engine

Posted by on Wed, Feb 8, 2012 at 9:51 AM

ChaCha, the search engine behind Iris—the Android platform's alternative to the iPhone's surprisingly useable voice-control interface Siri—is getting a lot of bad press today for the racist, Christianist, anti-woman answers it produces. For example, while Apple recently took some heat for Siri's inability to locate Planned Parenthood clinics, when asked "Is abortion wrong?", Iris/ChaCha goes full Bible on the questioner:

Yes, abortion is wrong. The Lord has said, "You shall not murder," (Exodus 20:13). The life that is growing within the mother is a child, a baby. The Bible looks at the life in the womb as a child. Thanks!

Huh. That's a lot more definitive an answer than Iris/ChaCha gives when asked "Is rape ever justified?":

Realistically speaking, that is a matter of opinion. There is no evidence that the US government has ever considered "justifying."

Other gems of wisdom gleaned from ChaCha's database include the facts that "Satan is real," Noah's Ark "gave forth a new beginning to a undeserving earth," and Darwin's theory of evolution, well, "Since it is a theory, it can't be proven."

And then there's this careful answer to the question of whether whites are superior to blacks?

Whites are NOT superior to blacks. Just different. Like Dr. Verwoerd and the original, genuine policy of apartheid always said.

Dr. Hendrik Frensch Verwoerd was the South African prime minister who created and implemented that country's infamous system of enforced apartheid.

So who's responsible for ChaCha? The "about" page on the search engine's website answers that question: "Backed by prestigious investors Jeff Bezos (Bezos Expeditions), Morton Meyerson, the Simon family (Simon Malls), Jack Gill, Rod Canion and more." No doubt Jeff is blushing with pride at the moment.

ChaCha is reportedly fast at working taking these answers down, so quick, search it while you can, to find more embarrassing responses.

 

Comments (66) RSS

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Keister Button 1
Aw they changed the "is abortion wrong?" answer. I still miss the days where Google posted "Buy African Slaves for $300!" when I input "African Slaves" in the search form box.
Posted by Keister Button on February 8, 2012 at 10:01 AM
2
Q: what is the one true relgion?

A: Money is the one true religion.

http://www.chacha.com/askChaCha/what+is+…
Posted by LimeLemminkäinen on February 8, 2012 at 10:03 AM
3
Q: Was Jesus gay?

Cha cha's answer: No, Jesus (Yeshuah/Christ) was a virgin when he was crucified. But he was not gay, because that's a sin and he never sinned.

http://www.chacha.com/askChaCha/Was+Jesu…
Posted by Beebson on February 8, 2012 at 10:08 AM
Joe Szilagyi 4
Q: Is ChaCha the idiot stepchild of Yahoo Answers?

A: none yet
Posted by Joe Szilagyi http://www.joeszilagyi.com on February 8, 2012 at 10:18 AM
brandon 5
someones getting fired.
Posted by brandon on February 8, 2012 at 10:21 AM
6
Going off of 3's Question:

Q: Did jesus hate gays?

A: Jesus is not quoted as specifically condemning gays to hell, though the Bible is clear that it is a sin and detestable. ChaCha!

http://www.chacha.com/askChaCha/Did+jesu…
Posted by 1234567641243 on February 8, 2012 at 10:22 AM
7
Q: do all gays have HIV?

A: No, not all gay men have HIV. However, about 48 percent of the people with HIV in the US are men that have sex with men.
Posted by ap0 on February 8, 2012 at 10:24 AM
8
Neither "can slavery ever be morally justified?" or "does capitalism oppress?" provided an answer. Sad.
Posted by Sean P. on February 8, 2012 at 10:25 AM
9
One more reason for me to continue boycotting Amazon.
Posted by Calpete on February 8, 2012 at 10:32 AM
gloomy gus 10
The "yet" here just kills me.
Q. Is it true that Dan Savage and Rick Santorum were roommates in college?
A. On December 3, 2002, Savage announced in an article that he had purchased columnist Ann Landers's desk; she died on June 22 of that year.[50] Savage has facetiously referred to Landers as his "college roommate" Yet he was not a roommate of Rick.
Posted by gloomy gus on February 8, 2012 at 10:32 AM
BostonFontSnob 11
You guys do realize that many of ChaCha's answers are written by actual people, right? This isn't some algorithm providing these. They must be headquartered somewhere in the Bible Belt.
Posted by BostonFontSnob on February 8, 2012 at 10:35 AM
gloomy gus 12
Is it a sin to excite gays?

Yes, it is a sin to excite gays because you are causing them to lust, which is a sin. It's even a sin to excite a straight (heterosexual) person too, if you aren't married to that person. ChaCha!
Posted by gloomy gus on February 8, 2012 at 10:35 AM
13
Dear Goldy: given that ChaCha uses crowdsourcing, please tell me that you accept that every Slog comment reflects the Stranger's views, as well as the views of its owners.

Here's how you can provide your own, dubious quality ChaCha answers:
http://becomeaguide.chacha.com/

Posted by also on February 8, 2012 at 10:45 AM
14
@13, Um... The Stranger's alternative to ChaCha is AnswerLand, not the Slog comment threads. So by all means, go searching for crowd-sourced answers over there, and then come back an imply some sort of equivalency.
Posted by Goldy on February 8, 2012 at 10:52 AM
15
Mixed Results.

Q: Is AIDS God's punishment for gay people?

A: Saying that HIV/AIDS is a punishment for gay is an extremely ignorant thing to say. Multiple straight and gay people are affected.

Q: Do women use sex as a weapon?

A: It is also common for women to use sex as a weapon in marriage and relationships to get what the want done from their spouse. It is also used by men at times. It depends on how important sex is in a marriage or relationship.

Q: Does the gay guy at my work like me "that way"?

A: ChaCha Crystal Ball Says: It is very likely!

Q: Are women good with money?

A: Women and money aren't a good combination if the woman's a gold digger. She will bleed you dry and dump you when the funds are low.

Q: Does God love gay men?

A: God does not hate gay people because he loves perfectly. He loves the sinner but hates the sin. ChaCha!

Follow up question...

Q: Is being gay a sin?

A: According to the Bible, homosexual activity is a sin. However, the Bible does not describe it as a "greater" sin than any other.

Posted by LukeJoe on February 8, 2012 at 10:58 AM
16
How soon until ChaCha starts a culture war with their volunteer solution?

I'm pretty sure the heathens have an advantage over the righteous when it comes to:
  1. being smart
  2. messing with the internet
Posted by six shooter on February 8, 2012 at 11:00 AM
17
Goldy: you're still headline trolling. Yeah, the answerers are bible belt assholes, but that reflects upon them (and possibly how much ChaCha pays for answers and review), not upon the search engine or its creator. As for the "review" - they're paid 1 cent per review, my guess is anyone doing that just clicks "yes" as fast as they can.
Posted by Tawnos on February 8, 2012 at 11:02 AM
18
At least it can do some things right...

Q: Where's the clitoris?

A: It's located right below where the inner lips (labia minora) come together. It's above the opening of the urethra and vagina.

Follow up....

Q: How do you give a woman and orgasm?

A: To help your woman reach orgasm, try stimulating her clitoris or g-spot. Penetration alone does not work most o the time. ChaCha!

I think Dan's on here. ChaCha!

Those ChaCha!s are my favorite part!
Posted by LukeJoe on February 8, 2012 at 11:03 AM
19
Yes, the changed the "Is abortion wrong" answer (a long winded non-answer), but the question "what does the bible say about abortion?" gets this:

"The Bible does not use the word 'abortion.'. The Bible does let us know that every life is precious to God. He gave us life!"

I've tried a couple of others, but none were as clearly ideologically charged as that answer.
Posted by uubuntu on February 8, 2012 at 11:05 AM
20
Q. Which religion has killed the most people in history?

A. Scholars estimate that the Crusades of the middle ages cost from 58,000 to 133,000 lives. ChaCha again soon!
Posted by give me pom on February 8, 2012 at 11:11 AM
21
Q. are jewish people going to hell?

A. Depending on personal beliefs, Gay people may or may not be doomed to hell. ChaCha!
Posted by soft serve on February 8, 2012 at 11:12 AM
22
Q. Is global warming real...

A. No, Global Warming was created by politicians in Washington. They paid scientists to invent the idea of global warming.
Posted by BadChaCha on February 8, 2012 at 11:12 AM
23
Will Romney be the Republican nominee?
In all honesty it doesn't look like Mitt Romney will be running for president. According to the Republican party they state that "we can do better." ChaCha!
If he isn't running for President, then he truly has been unemployed for the last 7 years or so.

On the other hand,

Who will be the Republican nominee?
Right from the moment John McCain lost the 2008 election to Barack Obama, Republican Mitt Romney has emerged as the clear favorite for the Republican 2012 presidential nominee. The Harvard man has been comfortably leading every poll since then. ChaCha again!
Make up your mind, ChaCha!
Posted by N in Seattle http://peacetreefarm.org on February 8, 2012 at 11:15 AM
24
Q: do immunizations cause autism?

A: Recent dramatic increases in the number of children stricken with autism coincide with the introduction of new vaccines. ChaCha!

http://www.chacha.com/askChaCha/do+immun…
Posted by william on February 8, 2012 at 11:16 AM
25
@22

I thought you were joking at first, so I tried your question? Son-of-a.....
Posted by chucklingmonkey on February 8, 2012 at 11:19 AM
26
Q:Who made the Earth?

A: The Lord our God created the Heavens and Earth. Got questions, get answers, text 242242!
Posted by ChaCha DeGregorio on February 8, 2012 at 11:27 AM
27
Q:Who made the Earth?

A: The Lord our God created the Heavens and Earth. Got questions, get answers, text 242242!
Posted by ChaCha DeGregorio on February 8, 2012 at 11:27 AM
hans millionaire 28
can slavery be justified?

Home work is justified as its for your own good. It is not slavery because you do have an option - do not do it (advice against).
Posted by hans millionaire on February 8, 2012 at 11:36 AM
29
Q. what happens after you die

A. The Bible says those who are saved,that have accepted Jesus (11 Peter 1:18-19), will at death go to be with Christ.ChaCha
Posted by BadChaCha on February 8, 2012 at 11:45 AM
30
Q: Why did Christendom become institutionally silent about the sin of usury, which opened the doors for a vast multitude of institutional sins visited upon humans?

A: It's taking a bit longer than we thought.
Posted by POH on February 8, 2012 at 11:45 AM
31
Is Marcus Bachmann gay?
The Magic 8 Ball said "Very doubtful".Thanks for using ChaCha!
However, even the Magic 8 Ball can't answer

Is Marcus Bachmann straight?

Take that first answer with a grain of salt:

How accurate is the Magic 8 Ball?
The Magic 8 Ball is more or less a game of chance. If the predictions come true it usually has nothing to do with the 8 ball.


Posted by N in Seattle http://peacetreefarm.org on February 8, 2012 at 11:47 AM
32
Q. Is birth control a sin?

A. Birth Control is sometimes looked at as a sin because they believe every child from god should be given a chance and not prevented. ChaCha

(at least they included "sometimes"??)
Posted by BadChaCha on February 8, 2012 at 11:48 AM
33
Heh! Dan wins again:

Does Santorum engage in man-on-dog sex?
The word santorum is a new sexual term for 'that frothy mixture of lube and fecal matter that is sometimes the byproduct of anal sex'. It was proposed by readers of American humorist and sex-advice columnist Dan Savage in 2003 to 'memorialize' then-Republican U.S. Senator Rick Santorum from PA who believes that consenting adults do not have a constitutional right to privacy with respect to sexual acts. Chadios amigo.

Posted by N in Seattle http://peacetreefarm.org on February 8, 2012 at 11:50 AM
34
Q. Is climate change real?

A. Yes. The phrase 'climate change' is growing in preferred use to 'global warming' because it uses a more broad term. ChaCha Again!

(ChaCha can't make up it's mind. Climate change is real, but global warming is a scientific hoax.)
Posted by BadChaCha on February 8, 2012 at 11:50 AM
35
Crowd-sourced search engine. What could go wrong?
Posted by keshmeshi on February 8, 2012 at 11:55 AM
merry 36
Hoe. Lee. Shit.
Posted by merry on February 8, 2012 at 12:00 PM
37
Looks like ChaCha inadvertently(?) gave away its true feelings on the matter:

Who's better, Microsoft or Apple?
This iquestion that can only be answered personally. Apple is more user friendly and artistic. Microsoft is more for utility.
Look at the second word in its response. I swear that I pasted it in without changing a thing.
Posted by N in Seattle http://peacetreefarm.org on February 8, 2012 at 12:03 PM
Rujax! 38
QUESTION:

Is Jeff Bezos really this much of an asshole?

ANSWER:

Thank you for using ChaCha!

To continue using this free service,
login using any of the following social networks:

Or login to your ChaCha account below:

Create AccountLogin
Posted by Rujax! http://rujax.blogspot.com/ on February 8, 2012 at 12:07 PM
undead ayn rand 39
ChaCha is an absolute pile of shit, and I have no clue why it's still around. People can't be using it, can they? Stop funneling money into it, nobody wants "human-powered" search results, the sort of people they pay a few dollars an hour to run them are unsurprisingly dumb as hell.
Posted by undead ayn rand on February 8, 2012 at 12:30 PM
Beetlecat 40
It's like Wikipedia, but without the self-policing of an active community...
Posted by Beetlecat on February 8, 2012 at 12:33 PM
41
@35: Exactly.
Posted by MLM on February 8, 2012 at 12:34 PM
42
Q who answers questions for chacha

A People just like you and me! If you would like to work for ChaCha, check out the website at chacha.com and click on careers! ChaCha on!
Posted by Root on February 8, 2012 at 1:16 PM
undead ayn rand 43
"the search engine behind Iris—the Android platform's alternative to the iPhone's surprisingly useable voice-control interface Siri"

Oh my god, how did I miss this. This is a goddamned abortion of a decision.
Posted by undead ayn rand on February 8, 2012 at 1:32 PM
44
Q:is murder wrong?

A: It is a matter of personal opinion and what your morals and beliefs are. I personally believe that "innocent" murder is wrong.

Hmm. I guess they want to make sure we can kill criminals.
Posted by emor on February 8, 2012 at 1:43 PM
undead ayn rand 45
@44: I'm sure they've got a lot of unemployed/pro-life stay at home moms writing this drivel.
Posted by undead ayn rand on February 8, 2012 at 2:00 PM
venomlash 46
@15: Do women use sex as a weapon?
Yes.
Posted by venomlash on February 8, 2012 at 3:24 PM
Mike Smith 47
This is a non-issue - the real problem is that people are turning to their phones for moral guidance, instead of engaging in some critical thought.
Posted by Mike Smith on February 8, 2012 at 3:40 PM
48
is ron paul racist
There has been serious allegations made to Ron Paul as a racist. However he has denied them. Most people don't believe him as one.
Posted by kdgd on February 8, 2012 at 3:41 PM
Fnarf 49
WHAT
THE
FUCK

How did even a glimmer of this get past a committee with even one sentient person on it? Supposed tech wizards at that.

For me that's the failure here. Not that a bunch of cranks or trolls figured out how to game a stupid system, but how a bunch of supposedly smart people -- some of the richest self-made business geniuses in the history of the world, which is an infallible indicator of both brains and work ethic, according to the right wing -- let this get developed, come to fruition, get released into the world?

If someone at Amazon decided to change their logo to a black-and-red swastika and their motto to "White Power Forever", one would assume that someone somewhere along the line would stop it. Now I'm starting to wonder.

The modern world runs on autopilot. What does Bezos DO all day? Count his pubic hairs?
Posted by Fnarf http://www.facebook.com/fnarf on February 8, 2012 at 4:18 PM
sirkowski 50
D'uh, everyone knows robots are against abortion.
Posted by sirkowski http://www.missdynamite.com on February 8, 2012 at 4:32 PM
undead ayn rand 51
@49: ChaCha was a pretty big joke on launch, I hope whoever took it seriously at Amazon gets axed. Human-generated search content through Yelp and other sources is quite valuable. The lunkheads who work at ChaCha are insanely worthless sources of knowledge, the dregs of the internet.
Posted by undead ayn rand on February 8, 2012 at 5:58 PM
52
Me: "Cha-cha, why do people ask deep probing philosophical questions to a crappy plastic phone?"

Cha-cha: "Because they are tools and watch too much tv and you-tube commercials and think having a talking phone is cool and will make them popular."

Me: 'Thanks. Is there a porn and ice cream shop near my apartment?'

Cha-cha: 'No, what kind of perv are you?'

Posted by Cassette tape fan on February 8, 2012 at 9:27 PM
What Now? 53
ChaCha is gay:

Q: Are you gay?

A: I am gay! Are you? I am incredibly proud of both myself and my boyfriend! We have been together for almost 2 years now.

http://www.chacha.com/askChaCha/are+you+…
Posted by What Now? http://voterocky.org on February 9, 2012 at 7:34 AM
What Now? 54
ChaCha is no longer gay:

Q: Why are you gay?

A: I am a happily married woman, my name is Deeva, I live in Texas and I don't consider myself to be pathetic.

http://www.chacha.com/askChaCha/why+are+…
Posted by What Now? http://voterocky.org on February 9, 2012 at 7:36 AM
55
Q: How much for a rusty trombone?

A: A used trombone in good condition costs $99.99, so a rusty one should be significantly cheaper. Do the ChaCha!

http://www.chacha.com/askChaCha/How+much…
Posted by oh em gee guyzzz!!1 on February 9, 2012 at 7:47 AM
56
Q: smell my finger

A: The anus and rectum aren't the bowel, where feces is stored. They're passages through which fecal mater passes. So, while there can be trace amounts of feces in there, and yes, that may have a scent, that's all that's there.

http://www.chacha.com/askChaCha/smell+my…
Posted by boobies on February 9, 2012 at 7:51 AM
57
Q: what the fuck?

A: Your answer is 1 | noun | (vulgar) sexual intercourse 2 | verb | (vulgar) to have sexual intercourse with 3 | interjection | (vulgar) an expression of strong anger, disgust or rejection. Src: Wolfram|Alpha

http://www.chacha.com/askChaCha/what+the…
Posted by boobies on February 9, 2012 at 7:54 AM
58
Q: no seriously, what the fuck?

A: Well is it like nightmares? Or is it you being a werewolf? I'm Dell by the way you got the same guide twice which is rare.

http://www.chacha.com/askChaCha/no+serio…
Posted by boobies on February 9, 2012 at 7:56 AM
undead ayn rand 59
@58: "I'm Dell by the way you got the same guide twice which is rare."

Eesh, they really have a shallow pool of respondents, don't they?
Posted by undead ayn rand on February 9, 2012 at 8:54 AM
Allyn 60
who are superior: men or women?

Men are superior physically and mathematically, while women are better at nurturing and at reading and writing. ChaCha!

Posted by Allyn on February 9, 2012 at 1:01 PM
Allyn 61
are women better than men?

Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus! One is not better than the other, just different! ChaCha!
--
why are women better than men?

One reason is when women are short, we're petite, when men are short, they're just short. ChaCha for now! Text back soon!
--
how are men better than women?

It appears that men's brains are set up to process concrete data, while women's brains are wired for making connections.
Posted by Allyn on February 9, 2012 at 1:04 PM
Sandiai 62


Q: are gays bad?

A: Jail is bad for everyone, but if you do the crime you must pay the time. Thanks for using ChaCha!
Posted by Sandiai on February 10, 2012 at 8:56 PM
Sandiai 63
Q:What do I do if someone is trying to blackmail me?

A:If someone tries to eat you, run away really fast. Then you should report it to the police. Cannibalism is illegal in the USA.

http://www.chacha.com/askChaCha/What+do+…
Posted by Sandiai on February 10, 2012 at 9:03 PM
Sandiai 64
Cats or dogs?

Felidae is the biological family of the cats; a member of this family is called a felid. Cats are not dogs.
ChaCha on!

http://www.chacha.com/askChaCha/Cats+or+…

Thanks for clearing that up!

Posted by Sandiai on February 10, 2012 at 9:09 PM
Sandiai 65
Getting cute:

Can you pass the Turing test?

The Turing Test is one of the most disputed topics in artificial intelligence. Since I'm not artificial, I could probably pass it.

http://www.chacha.com/askChaCha/Can+you+…
Posted by Sandiai on February 10, 2012 at 9:11 PM
66
Well I asked how much a pi meson weighs, and it knew that there are three types and the weight of each!

Silvio Levy
Posted by codairem on February 10, 2012 at 9:40 PM

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