Artificial Intelligence

There’s been a lot of talk about Artificial Intelligence (AI) lately and it’s got me asking how has AI affected my life? Now, I know this term really applies to machines being able to do human tasks that normally require human intelligence. But does AI necessarily have to apply to machines? Can it apply to humans as well? Shouldn’t human intelligence be able to detect something artificial?

The definition of artificial is that which is produced by human beings rather than occurring naturally. It is a simulation or copy of something natural. Intelligence is the ability to acquire and apply knowledge or skills. So looking at it from a human perspective, I should be able to detect something that is NOT real based on my human experience and knowledge base.

Looking at my own life, you’d think that would be easy. I’m usually very good at figuring out what’s real and what’s counterfeit. But I have to tell you that machines are capable of making things look extremely real. Take plants for instance. There are a lot of artificial plants out there that look and feel like the real thing.

About five years ago a friend of mine gave me a bunch of plants to care for after she left town. All but one of them I either gave away or sent off to plant heaven. The remaining succulent plant I kept on my kitchen windowsill and watered it faithfully. I was proud of my ability to keep this plant looking so vibrant and healthy. Recently, I decided to repot it because I was afraid it was root bound and had grown as big as its container would allow. I wanted my pride-and-joy plant to be free to be as tall as it could be. I tried as hard as I might to remove it from it’s glass container only to end up having to break the glass to get at the roots that desperately needed to be unbound. After much struggle and effort to free the roots I realized that the dirt was plastic. To confirm my suspicion that this might in actuality be an artificial plant, I felt the leaves. The leaves actually felt rubbery like a succulent plant but to my surprise the branches spun around in my hand. Damn those human made artificial plants!

As far as I’m concerned artificial intelligence has a long way to go. At least from my perspective.

If I Could Live in an Ice Cream Cone

Wouldn’t it be nice to live inside a giant ice cream cone?  That was my thought as I drove by Twistee Treats one very hot day.  What would it be like, I wonder? 

I envision the cone being relocated to a forest that’s atop a hill overlooking the ocean or a giant lake. Since I’d most likely live in my ice cream cone only during the summer months, I’d like to live somewhere either in the Northeast or Pacific Northwest where there are plenty of tall trees, beautiful coastal views and cool weather.

The entire house would be painted earth tone colors to blend in with the natural surroundings.  Instead of white vanilla ice cream I’d change it my favorite flavor, mint chocolate chip with chocolate sprinkles.  The mint would have to be a little darker, duller green so as to not draw attention to itself.  The cone would be painted a dark brown to match the dirt. Of course, the Twistee Treat lettering and all signage would have to be removed.   After all, I wouldn’t want strangers coming up to my house looking for treats. 

I really wouldn’t change much of the outside structure aside from surrounding the cone with windows so I could enjoy an almost 360 degree view of nature.  However the inside of the ice cream cone would be completely gutted and remodeled into a two story tiny house.  The cone bottom floor would be the living space complete with a small kitchen, living room and bathroom.  The ice cream upper floor would be the sleeping quarters.  The very tip of the swirl would be replaced with a sun light that blends in with the chocolate chips.  That way I could look at the stars at night and let the sun permeate the ice cream by day.  I’m not sure if allowing direct sunlight into ice cream is really a good idea, but what do I know. I’ve never lived inside a giant ice cream cone before.

I wonder, do deer like ice cream?  Would they come up to my windows? Now wouldn’t that be a treat; just not a Twistee treat.  I wonder, will I be able to eat another ice cream cone without wanting to live inside one?  

Optical Illusion or Delusion

Not all things are really what they appear to be.  Sometimes I tend to make things bigger in my mind than they should be.  What appears to be an illusion often times can turn into a delusion and disturb my peace of mind.   I saw this wee crab and took a picture of it as it was waving it’s claws at me like it was going to chomp me.  Now I really didn’t feel threatened by it because I could have easily stepped on it and destroyed the poor little bugger.  Since I deemed it to be completely harmless I got quite close to it to take it’s picture.

However, when I look at the picture and notice it’s shadow, I couldn’t help but think what would have gone through my mind if I only saw it’s shadow?  Given the size of the shadow and it’s ominous, Batman-like appearance I would venture to guess that I might have been quite intimidated by it if not frightened by it.

It made me wonder, how many of my problems gave the illusion of being something big and terrifying which deluded me into believing my problem was hopeless rather than being a trivial bump in the road?  I’m sure it’s more than I would care to admit.  So thank you little crab for showing me that I shouldn’t delude myself into making negative things big in my mind because chances are it’s only an illusion.

Betty’s Problem

Recently I was informed that there are a lot of people who don’t like the word “moist”.  I really thought the person telling me about this was kidding with me, but come to find out it’s true.  I was at a party the other day and asked a group of people what they thought of the word and the majority of them hated it.  Needless to say, I was flabbergasted.

So what does Betty Crocker do now?  How else do you describe a cake that’s not dry?  Personally, I don’t think I’d want to buy a damp cake or a wet one for that matter.  Honestly, if a  cake is not moist, I generally don’t take a second bite even if it is flavorful.  

Maybe this word will eventually become a curse word or obsolete.  In the meantime I’m, going to support Betty and eat her moist cake.

Florida Bobcat

After living in a top ten major city for most of my life, I rather like being in a small town bordered by parks and nature preserves.  Not only is it quieter and more peaceful, but it allows me see wildlife on a regular basis.  One of the creatures I recently spotted was the Florida bobcat.  

Funny, I always imagined them to be rather small and I was frankly surprised by the size of this one.  According to the internet, they mostly prey on small animals and rodents.  But this one was able to pick up a human without any effort.  Unfortunately this one made it’s way to a residential neighborhood and took off with this poor man.  It just goes to show you that animals need their space too.