Sure, Google is known for its unorthodox search results at times, but I didn’t have a clue they actually used very advance image/pattern recognition technology on their image search.
Thanksgiving is not celebrated outside the US (Belgians would probably be clueless about this traditional North American holiday, one to express thanks for one’s material and spiritual possessions), but Google did believe this seasonal picture from my cell-phone actually represented “a turkey”. [Seach: http://www.google.co.uk/images?q=photo+of+xmas+cooked+turkeys ]
In reality, you’re looking (please click image to enlarge) at the central bar in the upscale, historic “stadsfeestzaal” Antwerp downtown shopping mall, an truly grand place covered with golden paint, featuring a suspended champagne bar overlooking a crowd of “not yet hit by recession” shoppers. In spite of freezing temperatures and more upcoming (wet) snow, a significant part of this town seemed virtually immune to the crashing economy, buying “stuff” like there was no tomorrow. Somehow this behavior reminds me of the Titanic, where the band kept on playing while the ship was going down. For those of you in the US/Canada: happy Thanksgiving November 27th! May your day be filled with gratitude for all your non-material possessions, the ones that really care in the end. Feel free to share your thoughts.
This blog is not affiliated with or endorsed by the city of Antwerp, Belgium.