So remember a couple years back, when the Blob had some fun with the fact some news wire services were going to start using automated software to write some basic roundup items?
("No," you're saying).
Anyway ... the Blob poked some fun at the idea, imagining a few famous sports ledes as written by Robby the Robot. As with much satire these days, it turned out to be not as tongue-in-cheek as the Blob assumed.
Maybe you saw the highlight. But the college basketball play of the day yesterday happened out in Fargo, N.D., where David Jenkins Jr. banked in a shot from halfcourt at the buzzer to give South Dakota State a stunning 78-77 Summit League win over North Dakota State.
Alas, Robby missed all that.
As alertly noted by fellow sportswriter and longtime USA Today sports columnist Mike Lopresti, here's how Automated Insights, the sportswriting software employed by the Associated Press to (what else) save money, described the action:
FARGO, N.D. -- Mike Daum had 31 points and 12 rebounds as South Dakota State narrowly defeated North Dakota State 78-77 on Saturday.
David Jenkins Jr. had 24 points and six assists for South Dakota State (21-7, 11-2 Summit League). Tevin King added seven rebounds.
Yes, that's right. Robby mentioned Jenkins' 24 points, but not the most important three. And let's not forget Tevin King's all-important seven rebounds!
A footnote: In a later version, an actual human rewrote the original post. His lede, surprise, surprise, highlighted Jenkins' astounding game-winning shot.
Which only goes to show you: Skynet might yet someday enslave humanity. But it can't write for s***.
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