Chapter 3. Lazy Learning – Classification Using Nearest Neighbors
Recently, I read an article describing a new type of dining experience. Patrons are served in a completely darkened restaurant by waiters who move carefully around memorized routes using only their sense of touch and sound. The allure of these establishments is rooted in the idea that depriving oneself of visual sensory input will enhance the sense of taste and smell, and foods will be experienced in new and exciting ways. Each bite is said to be a small adventure in which the diner discovers the flavors the chef has prepared.
Can you imagine how a diner experiences the unseen food? At first, there might be a rapid phase of data collection: what are the prominent spices, aromas, and textures? Does the food taste savory or sweet? Using this data, the customer might then compare the bite to the food he or she had experienced previously. Briny tastes may evoke images of seafood, while earthy tastes may be linked to past meals...
