What Scientists Do With Their Extra Time in Quarantine

Finishing high school in 1962, dating for the first time, meant learning how to dance.

I even took lessons for the senior prom—at the YMCA. I never really got confident; it seems you either have rhythm or not.

A song that captured the growing popularity of rock and roll versus “slow dance” was Do You Love Me (Now Than I Can Dance). It is from the only album cut by The Contours during their recording career at Motown Records. Issued 58 years ago, October 1962, the album includes the hit title track which starts with the words:

You broke my heart
‘Cause I couldn’t dance

Now the song is back with a new era of rockers. This is a mesmerizing algorithmic performance. There are three rhythmical dancers, including a dog, and a production assistant. Creative and agile moves. They are much better than my stiff, robotic efforts!

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fn3KWM1kuAw)

Now that Cirque de Soleil is in bankruptcy, the Arthur Murray dance studios closed and most ballet companies in isolation, is this a future for performances and professional instruction?

The video has generated a wide range of reactions. For some this demonstration gives hope for humanity. Entertaining, almost mesmerizing. It is fun to watch.

For others the video is more dystopian: “Smart people are doomed if these creatures can be programmed for sex.” “Nice knowing you fellow humans. We had a good run. This is the end.” Some immediately presume more militant applications of this AI prowess.

The Lesson for Credit Unions

If this is what scientists with a little extra time on their hands did during a pandemic, what do you think NCUA staff is working on?

When we learn, will the outcome be dystopian or hopeful? Mash Potatoes or the Twist? Are the song’s words a harbinger of a post pandemic agency?

You didn’t even want me around
And now I’m back
To let you know
I can really shake ’em down