Jerk-O-Meter

Have you heard about the Jerk-O-Meter? No? Well it's coming to a cell phone near you soon the researchers over at MIT say. They are developing software for cell phones that would analyze speech patterns and voice tones to rate people on a scale of 0 to 100 percent, on how engaged they are in a conversation.

For now, the Jerk-O-Meter is set up to monitor the user's end of the conversation. If his attention is straying, a message pops up on the phone that warns, "Don't be a jerk!" or "Be a little nicer now." A score closer to 100 percent would prompt, "Wow, you're a smooth talker." However, the Jerk-O-Meter also could be set up to test the voice on the other end of the line. Then it could send the tester such reports as: "This person is acting like a jerk. Do you want to hang up?"

The program, which Anmol Madan (who led the project while he pursued a master's degree at MIT) said is nearing completion, uses mathematical algorithms to measure levels of stress and empathy in a person's voice. It also keeps track of how often someone is speaking.

"Think of a situation where you could actually prevent an argument," Madan said. "Just having this device can make people more attentive because they know they're being monitored."