While we don’t (yet) have artificial intelligence that can match human intelligence, we seem to have enough difficulty interacting with the Narrow AI that exists now. Such technology is supposed to make our lives easier – and in some ways it does – but some of our distinctly human skills, such as critical thought, creativity, and discernment seem to be eroding as we rely more on AI.
As an avid science fiction fan, I have spent much of my life focusing on what is possible – good and bad. The potential negative outcomes of our technology are concerning if we let our achievements outpace any consideration of their implications. Man vs. machine narratives can serve as a popular cautionary tale in that vein, but are they simplifying the situation too much?
The hateful phrase “good enough” always feels like a cop-out to someone who strives for perfection in all aspects of her life, but I’m learning to live with it during what has been a very difficult year. Knowing I wouldn’t achieve a perfect Thanksgiving dinner, even if I tried, my goal shifted to something far more important: spending time with my dad.
With days left to go until the election and the eyes of the world on Pennsylvania, I’m looking for ways to bridge the political divide no matter what the outcome is. Reaching across the aisle is not popular and can be a scary prospect, but there are steps we can take to disagree better and find that we have more in common than we think.
Finding common ground is easier said than done, especially during election season. With one week to go until Election Day, this post examines the concept that a majority of Americans are actually quiet or uninvolved entirely in politics, possibly driven away by exhausting hyper-partisan rhetoric. For those of us interested in attacking positions, not people, there are some resources available to help make that happen.
With two weeks to go until Election Day, I’ve been exploring both theory and practice regarding shifts in perspective, particularly when it comes to politics. Tribalism within political parties can be severe and lead to violence when people get desperate. Fortunately there are examples of people coming together after a tragedy to move forward, such as the one described in this post.
As this post goes live, we’re nearly three weeks out from Election Day in the United States, with critical races happening up and down the ballot. I always hesitate to tell people how to cast their votes, and at a time when we are more polarized than ever, that approach wouldn’t do much good anyway. But there could be a better way to mend division.
I try to avoid touristy places when I travel, conveniently ignoring the fact that I am a tourist myself. In this post I wrestle with some external judgment related to how people “should” travel, including whether they should even travel in the first place. Seeking comfort (in addition to challenge) when I was in Fiji helped me realize there’s no clear black-and-white answer here.
I thought I was mostly done with the garden for the year, but then I had one more opportunity to visit my favorite native plant nursery while they’re open. I came back with a carload full of plants – many of them because they looked interesting. Among those impulse purchases were a couple native cultivars, which are a point of contention in the native gardening community.
When a friend asked me specifics about how I maximize my productivity, I laughed. I also started to plan this blog series to share what has worked well for me as I continue to learn. Your mileage may vary with planners and scheduling apps, but the real path to success appears to be setting goals and continually questioning what does or doesn’t support them.