Why God Made Man
/God made man because he loves stories. -Elie Wiesel
ideas that challenge / comfort / inspire
A Dozen articles about how Businesses are using AI
/AI Agents Can Do More Than Answer Queries. That Raises a Few Questions – Wall Street Journal
AI assistants are blabbing our embarrassing work secrets – Washington Post
JPMorgan Chase is giving its employees an AI assistant powered by ChatGPT maker OpenAI – CNBC
How A.I. Can Help Start Small Businesses - New York Times
This AI humanoid robot helped assemble BMWs at US factory - Arstechnica
Why AI Risks Are Keeping Board Members Up at Night - Wall Street Journal
The Economics of Generative AI - Toward Data Science
Study finds that ai is adding to employees' workload and burning them out - Futurism
Over 80% of China’s businesses already use generative AI – Fortune
More than 40% of Japanese companies have no plan to make use of AI – Reuters
HP’s new AI computer raises the stakes in the battle of tech hardware – Semafor
Tech execs from Salesforce and Qualcomm share their best practices for implementing AI in the workplace – Business Insider
Imperative Thinking
/While imperative people may not have their list of regulations typed on a legal document to be signed, they have a mental agenda that they apply in a wide variety of circumstances. They know how others should behave, speak, and feel, and nothing else matters to them but meeting that standard. In the meantime, the relationship is lost.
(They are) in essence stating, “I’ll accept you only after you meet my conditions.” And since each of us responds negatively to this kind of emotional blackmail, we become angry or tense. There is a hidden message of conditional acceptance. It’s as if (they are) saying, ‘I don’t think you can be trusted to make good decisions; you’ll probably foul things up… If you’ll fit my mold and be what I think you should be, we’ll get along okay; but if you don’t, I’ll have to hound you until you shape up.”
Les Carter, Imperative People: Those Who Must Be in Control
Deep Reading
/Research in cognitive science, psychology and neuroscience has demonstrated that deep reading — slow, immersive, rich in sensory detail and emotional and moral complexity — is a distinctive experience, different in kind from the mere decoding of words. Although deep reading does not, strictly speaking, require a conventional book, the built-in limits of the printed page are uniquely conducive to the deep reading experience. A book’s lack of hyperlinks, for example, frees the reader from making decisions — Should I click on this link or not? — allowing her to remain fully immersed in the narrative.
That immersion is supported by the way the brain handles language rich in detail, allusion and metaphor: by creating a mental representation that draws on the same brain regions that would be active if the scene were unfolding in real life. The emotional situations and moral dilemmas that are the stuff of literature are also vigorous exercise for the brain, propelling us inside the heads of fictional characters and even, studies suggest, increasing our real-life capacity for empathy.
Unlike the ability to understand and produce spoken language, which under normal circumstances will unfold according to a program dictated by our genes, the ability to read must be painstakingly acquired by each individual. The “reading circuits” we construct are recruited from structures in the brain that evolved for other purposes—and these circuits can be feeble or they can be robust, depending on how often and how vigorously we use them.
This is not reading as many young people are coming to know it. Their reading is pragmatic and instrumental: the difference between what literary critic Frank Kermode calls “carnal reading” and “spiritual reading.” If we allow our offspring to believe that carnal reading is all there is—if we don’t open the door to spiritual reading, through an early insistence on discipline and practice—we will have cheated them of an enjoyable, even ecstatic experience they would not otherwise encounter. And we will have deprived them of an elevating and enlightening experience that will enlarge them as people.
Observing young people’s attachment to digital devices, some progressive educators and permissive parents talk about needing to “meet kids where they are,” molding instruction around their onscreen habits. This is mistaken. We need, rather, to show them someplace they’ve never been, a place only deep reading can take them.
Annie Murphy Paul writing in the Brilliant Report
22 Articles about Amazing Things AI can do now
/New Score Uses AI to Rate Brands’ Inclusivity in Advertising - Wall Street Journal
Google Lens now lets you search with video – The Verge
This Google AI Tool Can Turn Your Research Into a 'Podcast' – Life Hacker
Warner Bros. Discovery to Use Google AI Tech for Captions Programming – Hollywood Reporter
How Perplexity AI is Transforming Data Science and Analytics https://tinyurl.com/4sez9uxj - Analytics Insight
Google Funds New AI-Assisted Satellites to Detect Wildfires Faster – AI Business
Podcast: AI and Voice Replication – Illusion of More
Amazon is allowing Audible narrators to clone themselves with AI - The Verge
No laughing matter - how AI is helping comedians write jokes – BBC
What can we learn from millions of high school yearbook photos? – NPR
Google Meet’s automatic AI note-taking is here - The Verge
What accelerates brain ageing? This AI ‘brain clock’ points to answers – Nature
These New AI Bots Will Do Just About Anything for You - Wall Street Journal
Google’s new Pixel 9 can search your screenshots with AI – Washington Post
An Anthropic scientist broke his hand on a bike and it forced him to write all his code with AI for two months. He is never going back. - Erik Schluntz
AI is surprisingly good at predicting narcissism based on LinkedIn profiles – PsyPost
A.L.S. Stole His Voice. A.I. Retrieved It. – New York Times
Drones could soon be working together in swarms to put out flames before they become wildfires – BBC
AI Definitions: Foundation models
/Foundation models – At the core of many generative AI tools today, data scientists are using foundation models as a new approach to develop machine learning models. In contrast to traditional ML models, which typically perform specific tasks, FMs are adaptable and able to perform a wide range of tasks with accuracy. These large deep-learning neural networks are trained on massive datasets. Foundation models are also known as Large X Models or LXMs. A video explanation.
More AI definitions here
Education is
/Education is an admirable thing, but it is well to remember from time to time that nothing that is worth knowing can be taught. –Oscar Wilde (born: Oct. 16, 1854)
What Your Childhood Memories Tell you about Yourself
/A counselor once told me that our memories work like a cheerleader's megaphone—only in reverse. The opening is wide, but there is not enough room for very many memories to crawl through the tube to come out at the other end and stick in our heads. So, we unconsciously pick the memories we hang onto. This is why he suggested I try to recall my earliest memory tied to a strong emotion. It would tell me something about myself. The stories from our past that we hang onto are our way of reminding ourselves who we are.
At five or so, I walked with my grandfather to a playground near his home. The road was tarred but not paved. I was looking at the rough surface when I spotted a $5 bill. I remember gleefully looking up at my grandfather and proudly showing it to him. He offered an approving nod.
My counselor guessed that choosing to keep this memory might speak of my closeness to my grandparents and my optimism. The road may be rough, but if you keep your eyes open, you'll discover wonderful surprises—and there is joy in sharing them.
The very fact I choose to remember talking to my counselor about this story, out of the many hours that we chatted, could say as much about me as remembering that story does itself.
What's your youngest memory tied to a strong emotion? What does it tell you about yourself?
Stephen Goforth
15 Recent Articles about AI Fakes
/Fake and AI generated images spread online after Hurricanes Helene, Milton – NBC News
Created an A.I. Voice Clone to Prank Telemarketers. But the Joke’s on Us. – New York Times
The Editors Protecting Wikipedia from AI Hoaxes – 404 Media
The rise of fake influencers - Axis
A proposal to enhance AI text detectors - Arxiv
Why Watermarking Text Fails to Stop Misinformation and Plagiarism – Data Innovation
How A.I., QAnon and Falsehoods Are Reshaping the Presidential Race - New York Times
Rice research could make weird AI images a thing of the past – Rice
How to Tell If What You're Reading Was Written By AI - Lifehacker
Chatbots can chip away at belief in conspiracy theories - Axios
AI tool claims 94% accuracy in telling apart fake from real research papers – Decca Herald
GPT-fabricated scientific papers on Google Scholar: Key features, spread, and implications for preempting evidence manipulation – Harvard’s Kennedy School: Misinformation
Teachers still can't trust AI text checkers – Axios
Is Detecting genAI in Scholarly Research Beside the Point? – Adam Day on Medium
LinkedIn says if you share fake or false AI-generated content, that's on you – Tech Radar
AI Definitions: Data Scientist
/Data Scientist - A data scientist is a person who is responsible for gleaning insight from a massive pool of data. Data scientists typically have advanced degrees in a quantitative field, like computer science, physics, statistics, or applied mathematics. With a strong understanding of math and statistics, they possess the knowledge to invent new algorithms in order to solve data problems. They will typically use programming languages like Python, R, and SQL. They will be familiar with using big data tools like Hadoop and Apache Spark and have experience working with unstructured data. If you don't see these skills on a resume, then that person probably isn't a data scientist.
More AI definitions here
The earth laughs
/The earth laughs in flowers. –ee cummings (born: Oct. 14, 1894)
17 Webinars this week about AI, Journalism, & Media
/Tue, Oct 15 - How journalists are prepping for the U.S. election
What: As the U.S. barrels toward another consequential presidential election, journalists across the country — from local outlets to national networks — are planning, prepping and pondering what this new election will hold. Join this session and hear how these journalists are preparing for election night, what they're keeping an eye out for, and what newsrooms have learned in the aftermath of the most recent election in 2020.
Who: Reporters from Associated Press and Spotlight PA
When: 1 pm, Eastern
Where: Zoom
Cost: Free for members
Sponsor: Investigative Reporters & Editors
Tue, Oct 15 - Tips for Managing Complex Stories
What: The conversation will cover a range of topics, including: tips for maintaining control of complicated, emotionally charged stories; advice on how to get sources to open up for extended periods of time — and where to mine for rich information even if they won’t; insights about what editors can and should do to make complex stories sing; the special challenges of being a working mom in the journalism trenches.
Who: Katie Engelhart, winner of the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for Feature Writing for “The Mother Who Changed: A Story of Dementia” and Maria Carrillo, a veteran editor and Pulitzer juror.
When: 2 pm, Eastern
Where: Zoom
Cost: Free
Sponsor: Society of Features Journalism
Wed, Oct 16 - What Gen AI Models Think Of Your Brand - And What You Need To Do About It
What: Find out how optimizing for LLMs creates a radically different perspective on your audiences, assets, and outcomes.
Who: Jack Smyth Chief Solutions Officer, AI Planning and Insight Jellyfish
When: 1 pm, Eastern
Where: Zoom
Cost: Free
Sponsor: Association of National Advertisers
Wed, Oct 16 - Combining Environmental Journalism and Investigative Tools
What: Panelists will discuss their experiences as investigative journalists in the environmental field. They will talk about in-depth stories they built and how the relevant data for these was collected, while also sharing tips and best practices with the audience.
Who: Fernanda Wenzel Rainforest Investigations Fellow; Alexandra Talty ORN Fellow; Bruna Wagner Pulitzer Center staff.
When: 1:10 pm, Eastern
Where: Zoom
Cost: Free
Sponsor: Pulitzer Center
Wed, Oct 16 - Accessibility: How to Make Your Website Usable For Everyone
What: We will delve into the core principles of accessibility, exploring real-world examples of disabilities and situational challenges users face. From understanding WCAG standards to addressing specific populations, we’ll equip you with actionable insights to create truly accessible websites.
Who: Jennie Martin and Kiersten Hill of Firespring
When: 2 pm, Eastern
Where: Zoom
Cost: Free
Sponsor: Firespring
Wed, Oct 16 - A Seat at the Table: Is AI Out to Take Your Job or Help You Do It Better?
What: While educators are thinking about how artificial intelligence will impact instruction, there’s a generation of students who will need to be prepared for an AI-powered future. What does the field need to prepare young people for this eventuality?
Who: Peter DeWitt will be joined by high school principal Kip Cruz, EdWeek’s Deputy Managing Editor Kevin Bushweller, and Ken Koedinger, Hillman Professor of computer Science at Carnegie Mellon. University.
When: 2 pm, Eastern
Where: Zoom
Cost: Free
Sponsor: EdWeek
Wed, Oct 16 - What International Journalists Need to Know About AI
What: Discover how A.I. is transforming journalism and learn practical tips for integrating the technology into your workflow. Topics include: Challenges and opportunities for using A.I. in visual journalism. How A.I. can help journalists work faster and smarter. Ensuring the ethical use of A.I. in newsroom workflows This panel is ideal for international journalists looking to stay ahead of the curve in the rapidly evolving field of A.I. and journalism.
Who: Phoebe Connelly, senior editor, A.I. Strategy and Innovation at The Washington Post; Rubina Madan Fillion, associate editorial director of A.I. Initiatives at The New York Times; Aimee Rinehart, senior product manager A.I. strategy for The Associated Press; and Elyse Samuels, senior producer on The Washington Post’s Visual Forensics team.
When: 6 pm, Eastern
Where: Zoom
Cost: Free
Sponsor: Overseas Press Club of America
Thu, Oct 17 - Crafting Inclusive Stories To Move Your Mission
What: Learn how thoughtful, inclusive storytelling can become a powerful tool for positive change in your nonprofit's communications. We'll explore creating narratives that are not only impactful but also protect, respect, and dignify those you serve.
Who: Maria Bryan | Maria Bryan Creative
When: 11 am, Eastern
Where: Zoom
Cost: Free
Sponsor: Nonprofit Learning Lab
Thu, Oct 17 - Copyright Law 101
What: This is the first of two classes introducing copyright law and suggesting best practices. You’ll learn how to identify a creative work that may be protected, when permission is likely needed to reproduce that work, good practices to avoid infringement claims, generally.
Who: Robert Bertsche, KLARIS Law
When: 12 pm, Eastern
Where: Zoom
Cost: Free
Sponsor: The New England First Amendment Coalition
Thu, Oct 17 - Lightning round: Tips for Election Day
What: Tips for quick-lifts you and your newsroom can still plan to do to increase trust in your coverage. You’ll leave with efficient, accessible ideas you can implement right away, with a checklist to use on Election Day.
When: 1pm, Eastern
Where: Zoom
Cost: Free
Sponsor: Trusting News
Thu, Oct 17 - Students Breaking Big Stories in an Election Year
What: A discussion with faculty partners across the country about the strategies they're using to lead student coverage of the election. They will discuss what's working, what's not, and what happens after Election Day.
Who: Meg Little Reilly and Sarah Gamard with the Center for Community News.
When: 1 pm, Eastern
Where: Zoom
Cost: Free
Sponsor: University of Vermont Center for Community News
Thu, Oct 17 - How to move news consumers in the “middle” of the audience funnel
What: How to move news consumers in the “middle” of the audience funnel – people who are aware of your news organization but aren’t yet engaged as loyal users, paying subscribers or donors.
Who: Table Stakes alumna Claudia Laws
When: 1 pm, Eastern
Where: Zoom
Cost: Free
Sponsor: American Press Institute
Thu, Oct 17 - Campus to Campaign: Student Media’s Role in Election Coverage Webinar
What: Explore how student journalists are contributing to the 2024 election coverage.
Who: Peggy Dodd: Editor-in-Chief of OU Daily at University of Oklahoma; Lily Alexander: Editor-in-Chief of The Daily Lobo at the University of New Mexico; Sarah Hutter: Executive Producer of E2024 at The Los Angeles Loyolan; Mark Simon (Moderator): Podcast Host/Founder of The Journalism Salute.
When: 3 pm, Eastern
Where: Zoom
Cost: Free
Sponsor: The Nutgraf
Thu, Oct 17 - Driving Traffic to Your Website
What: By the end of this webinar, you will have a better understanding of website traffic and its different types, core marketing strategies that drive website traffic, and how the use of machine learning and website technology can impact your traffic.
Who: Cary Baskin, a SCORE Chester & Delaware Counties volunteer and owner of the Marketing Department in Malvern, PA.
When: 6 pm, Eastern
Where: Zoom
Cost: Free
Sponsor: Small Business Development Center, Widener University
Thu, Oct 17 - Freedom of Information and Open Meetings Law Primer with the Cornell Law School First Amendment Clinic
What: New York State has both a Freedom of Information Law and an Open Meetings Law, but these laws are not always followed, and ensuring they are enforced can feel like an insurmountable task. This webinar will explain the purpose and extent of these laws and how journalists can use them to uncover information that is the public's right to know.
Who: Heather E. Murray, the managing attorney of the Cornell Law School First Amendment Clinic’s Local Journalism Project, and Michael Linhorst, the local journalism attorney for the clinic.
When: 7 pm, Eastern
Where: Zoom
Cost: Free
Sponsor: The Press Club of Long Island
Fri, Oct 18 - Tools to Boost Your Reporting and Revenue
What: Learn how to use Google’s Pinpoint software to collect and sort through large volumes of data and documents. with, as well as other tools for generating story ideas and boosting your freelance business.
Who: Mary Nahorniak from the Google News Initiative
When: 12 pm, Easatern
Where: Zoom
Cost: Free
Sponsor: Institute for Independent Journalists
Fri, Oct 18 - How to Fact-Check the 2024 Election
What: We’ll explore ways to fight back against misinformation and disinformation during election coverage. We’ll use tools such as Google Fact-Check Explorer to track fact-checked images and stories and reverse image search and other Google tools to check election claims. We’ll break down doctored video and audio with WatchFramebyFrame and Deepfake-o-meter. We’ll also look at the innovative Rolliapp.com to track disinformation spreaders on social channels.
Who: JournalistsToolbox.ai founder Mike Reilley
When: 12 pm, Eastern
Where: Zoom
Cost: Free
Sponsor: National Press Foundation
the way we are
/God loves us the way we are, but too much to leave us that way. -Leighton Ford
the opposite of love
/The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness, it’s indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it’s indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, it’s indifference. -Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel
24 Articles about How AI is Affecting Jobs
/Job-seeking AI will apply to thousands of positions for you - Boing Boing
These jobs are most at risk to be replaced by AI - New York Post
Zoom will let AI avatars talk to your team for you – The Verge
DJs are debating whether AI can replace them – Semafor
LinkedIn is rolling back its use of artificial intelligence – NPR
Will AI Make Job Recruiting More Efficient—but Less Fair? - Wall Street Journal
Busting through Linkedin’s resume screening with AI Tools – Semafor
How AI Is Helping ‘Fake Candidates’ Land Jobs - Wall Street Journal
AI may not steal many jobs after all. It may just make workers more efficient – ABC News
Video game actors go on strike over AI protections – Semafor
Rise in AI-Generated Resumes Overwhelms Recruiters with Low-Quality Applications – AllWork
Will A.I. Kill Meaningless Jobs? – New York Times
Neurodivergent workers' AI edge – Axios
In the age of AI, there's no future for workers content with being code monkeys — and they know it – Business Insider
AI Doesn’t Kill Jobs? Tell That to Freelancers - Wall Street Journal
Will A.I. Upend White-Collar Work? Consider the Hollywood Editor. – New York Times
Even if you have zero AI skills, these 3 tactics can give you an edge – Fast Company
Two-thirds of small businesses say hiring employees with AI skills could save them money - Ipsos
The A.I. Boom Has an Unlikely Early Winner: Wonky Consultants – New York Times
AI Work Assistants Need a Lot of Handholding - Wall Street Journal
How to use LinkedIn AI tools to find a job – Popular Science
OpenAI CTO: AI Could Kill Some Creative Jobs That Maybe Shouldn't Exist Anyway - PCMag
How will AI affect productivity? - Brooking
How AI Could Change the Odds of Landing a Job - Wall Street Journal
17 Articles about AI & Legal Issues
/5 Critical AI Legal Issues Every Business Must Navigate – Forbes
Artist appeals copyright denial for prize-winning AI-generated work - ArsTechnica
Podcast: AI and Voice Replication - Illusion of More
YouTube Develops Tool to Allow Creators to Detect AI-Generated Content Using Their Likeness – Hollywood Reporter
FBI busts musician’s elaborate AI-powered $10M streaming-royalty heist – ArsTechnica
Supio brings generative AI to personal injury cases – Tech Crunch
Mickey Mouse Smoking: How AI Image Tools Are Generating New Content-Moderation Problems – Wall Street Journal
Police officers are starting to use AI chatbots to write crime reports. Will they hold up in court? – Associated Press
Watermarking in Images Will Not Solve AI-Generated Content Abuse – Data Innovation
Bill to Outlaw AI Deepfakes Backed by SAG-AFTRA – Variety
The European Union’s world-first artificial intelligence rules are officially taking effect - Associated Press
Buzzfeed sends ‘cease and desist’ letter over AI aggregator’s logo – Press Gazette
The Push to Develop Generative A.I. Without All the Lawsuits – New York Times
AI can’t make music — but that doesn’t mean it poses an empty threat to musicians – The Atlantic
The music industry is coming for AI – NPR
Judge sharply criticizes lawyers for authors in AI suit against Meta – Politico
The Ethical Task
/Self-actualization is not merely a good to be desired, but rather a task, something human persons have been assigned to do and which they will be held responsible for achieving or failing to achieve.
Of course, not everyone is aware of this ethical task. (Kierkegaard) says that a great many people drift through life, “managing with custom and tradition” in their respective cities. Such people live their lives in a way similar to the way children who have not been taught table manners might get by at a fancy party: “Watch the other polite children and behave as they do.” Someone who lives life this way lacks… “authenticity” or “originality.” Such a person “would never do anything first and would never have any opinion unless he first knew that other had it.”
C. Steven Evans, Kierkegaard: An Introduction
The greatest mistake
/The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one. -Elbert Hubbard
AI Definitions: AI Washing
/AI Washing - This references a company’s misleading claims about its use of AI. It’s a marketing tactic that exaggerates the amount of AI technology used in their products to appear more advanced than they actually are. AI washing takes its name from greenwashing, where companies make false or misleading claims about the positive impact they have on the environment.
More AI definitions here.
24 Recent Articles about AI Deepfakes
/What to know about the rise of AI deepfakes – CBS News
High School Is Becoming a Cesspool of Sexually Explicit Deepfakes – The Atlantic
Sophistication of AI-backed operation targeting senator points to future of deepfake schemes – Associated Press
Due to AI fakes, the “deep doubt” era is here - ArsTechnica
Taylor Swift and the Power of the AI Backlash – New York Magazine
How AI Is Helping ‘Fake Candidates’ Land Jobs – Wall Street Journal
A.I. Can Now Create Lifelike Videos. Can You Tell What’s Real? - The New York Times
FBI busts musician’s elaborate AI-powered $10M streaming-royalty heist - ArsTechnica
Educational resource page with information and tips about deepfakes - Microsoft
5 Best Deepfake Detector Tools & Techniques – Unite
U.S. Army soldier charged with using AI to create child sexual abuse images – Washington Post
New McAfee tool can detect AI-generated audio - Axios
See why AI detection tools can fail to catch election deepfakes – Washington Post
Google's Nonconsensual Explicit Image Problem is Getting Worse – Wired
Something fascinating is wrong with the eyes in deepfakes – Futurism
Bill to Outlaw AI Deepfakes Backed by SAG-AFTRA – Variety
As AI entrenches itself in the political world, discerning real from fake is critical – NBC Boston
The FCC wants the AI voice calling you to say it's a deepfake – Tech Radar
California lawmakers approve legislation to ban deepfakes, protect workers and regulate AI - ABC News
YouTube is developing AI detection tools for music and faces, plus creator controls for AI training – Tech Crunch
Scammers now using deepfakes to commit title fraud – NBC 6 South Florida
Many political AI deepfakes are totally cartoonish, but the technology is still shaping the election – Fortune
AI-generated deepfakes are a growing threat to consumer identity – CBS 8
What the US can learn from the role of AI in other elections – MIT Tech Review