Goodbye #FoodPorn: Counting Instagram calories
Is this the death of #foodporn?
Google are working on an app that will take your Instagram photos & analyse the calorie content of the food in them.
Googleâs research scientist Kevin Murphy unveiled the project called âIm2Caloriesâ â the software scans the photo to record the type & amount of food (in relation to the size of your plate) to calculate a rough calorie count.
All the media pick-up following the launch at the Rework Deep Learning Summit (Boston) seems to have been around the accuracy of this technology, something Kevin admits will be rough to begin with & gain accuracy as usage & learnings grow, but I think the real issue is whether people want this in the context of Instagram.
This sounds like a great technology for a Weightwatchers app, whereas Instagram is a place of inspiration & envy. The second most popular food tag on Instagram is #foodporn because users love showing off & looking at drool-worthy food. This doesnât sit well with calorie counting. I wonât be crooning over Ben & Jerryâs insta-feed if Googleâs telling me how many calories are in each pot.
If Iâm shopping in the supermarket making decisions about what to buy & eat then, yes, I should be made aware of the calorie content. If Iâm just lusting after my favourite chefâs recipes or food brands concoctions then I couldnât care less. Whoâs with me?
 Goodbye #FoodPorn: Counting Instagram calories was originally published on Nothing But Talent