Facebook’s researchers used object recognition technology — the kind, they note, that helps blind people “see” websites — to scan users’ photos for pet preferences and reference them against tendencies in entertainment, mood, and connections.
Their findings confirmed the stereotypes: Like their beloved Golden Retrievers, “dog people” are more emotional, extroverted and more likely to feel #blessed than their cat-loving counterparts. Team Fido has more Facebook friends, but Team Whiskers gets invited to more events, despite being more aloof.
Whose book club would you rather be in? People who love their cats also love a good dystopian fiction or fantasy novel, like 1984 or Harry Potter. Dog lovers are more likely to curl up with an inspirational or warm-fuzzy book, like Eat, Pray, Love or The Purpose Driven Life. And dog people really freaking love Marley and Me. Did they get to the end of that one? Facebook ResearchCat people’s Netflix queues are more likely to betray their mega-nerdiness, heavy on the anime or animated shows, Doctor Who, and Star Trek. Dog people are more into the fast and loud, preferring shows called, um, Fast N’ Loud, and dabble in Shondaland or Duck Dynasty. Facebook ResearchDog people are more positive than cat people, with “fabulous,” “proud,” and “excited” topping their emotional scale. Cat fanciers are more likely to be “annoyed” or “tired,” probably of the dog people in their lives. Facebook Research
Findings got your dander up? Remember that your personality is a complex rainbow of preferences and some people aren’t dog or cat people, but something much less oversimplified. Like screaming hairy armadillo people.