Dear Editor:

In January bird feathers were flying about whose count was correct. We were surprised so many were lacking knowledge of technology improvements. Before we begin I would propose much of what President Trump stated was accurate  from his perspective. It was the largest live audience he had ever faced.

To aid in understanding the great improvements in blood cell counting we note it began with manual counting from a microscope. It moved to a hemocytometer and today with an optical sensor device it can count blood cells through the skin. An international team of researchers has developed a portable device for placing on the fingertip that counts white blood cells without a blood test - hooray!!

Counting of inaugural attendance began with President Lincoln with photographic and numeric records being kept through the ages. Even though crowd movement and obstacles hide people from view, there is a science to crowd counting. One company, Digital Design & Imaging Services, creates an estimate of attendance using a combination of digital imaging, 3D technology and hand counting. The science of hand counting crowds  involves choosing specific grids and the number of heads are hand-counted by multiple individuals.

Like the blood cell counting improvements, Artificial Intelligence (AI) could transform the science of counting crowds. Recently the University of Central Florida researchers showed how computer software, based on machine learning, could swiftly provide automated headcount estimates for crowds numbering in the hundreds of thousands.  In the interim, grids, consistent photo placement, and manual labor suffices.

It is important to remember these facts so we can celebrate counting science improvements like counting blood cells through the skin and the next crowd counting science breakthrough.

Jarryl Larson

Edgecomb