This is the name of a brand of refried beans, that I am eating for lunch.
The name can mean holy cross (the cross Jesus was executed on) or the name of location (such as Santa Cruz, California) - or, as I have indicated, a brand name.
The last one is the most common one in Costa Rica - it says "Buy me. and eat me!"
Friday, November 30, 2018
Artificial Intelligence: it will kill us
YouTube
This is also a TED event.
This guy does a good job of explaining the dangers inherent in Artificial Intelligence (AI) - when its intelligence goes wrong.
He does not say so much about when it works fine - such as the Stock Market example. Technology is a double-edges sword, and always has been.
But the latest technology, is not just smarter than we are - it has created a new reality, that operates independently of our own. And is grabbing much of the money in our reality.
We cannot complain, and say "Keep you hands off, that's our money!" Because it cannot hear us.
This is also a TED event.
This guy does a good job of explaining the dangers inherent in Artificial Intelligence (AI) - when its intelligence goes wrong.
He does not say so much about when it works fine - such as the Stock Market example. Technology is a double-edges sword, and always has been.
But the latest technology, is not just smarter than we are - it has created a new reality, that operates independently of our own. And is grabbing much of the money in our reality.
We cannot complain, and say "Keep you hands off, that's our money!" Because it cannot hear us.
The Powerful Appeal of Not Being
It is powerful, because it is so easy, and because you cannot be blamed for anything bad that happens.
You can simply say "I was not there!" When bad things happen. And take credit, when good things happen.
This is better than just being invisible, and idea that has been around for a long time. It lets you be invisible, or visible - depending on which would do you the most good.
This implies two versions of the Self - (1) a Self that exists, and can be referred to, and (2) a Self that does not exist, and cannot be referred to.
The Internet world is full of links, or references. If you cannot be referred to, you do not exist in that world!
Which is fine, for many people - because they do not want to be there.
You can simply say "I was not there!" When bad things happen. And take credit, when good things happen.
This is better than just being invisible, and idea that has been around for a long time. It lets you be invisible, or visible - depending on which would do you the most good.
This implies two versions of the Self - (1) a Self that exists, and can be referred to, and (2) a Self that does not exist, and cannot be referred to.
The Internet world is full of links, or references. If you cannot be referred to, you do not exist in that world!
Which is fine, for many people - because they do not want to be there.
Thursday, November 29, 2018
The Land That Failed to Fail
NY Times
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This articles shows how the Times has kept its lead in Global Journalism.
It uses some advanced formatting, that is amazing.
If you want to keep up on the world (and many people do not) - read this.
.
This articles shows how the Times has kept its lead in Global Journalism.
It uses some advanced formatting, that is amazing.
If you want to keep up on the world (and many people do not) - read this.
STDs in Sri Lanka
WIRED - the Era of Cheap STD Treatment is over
This story happened when I was living in Sri Lanka in the Seventies. I knew nothing about Sexually Transmitted Disease, but I was going to find out for myself - by getting one.
I was a young man who was eager to have sex, with anyone - and I knew nothing about safe sex, No one had ever told me about that.
I had sex with a woman, who must have had a number of STDs, and I contracted one of them from her. I saw a number of doctors in Sri Lanka, and they had no idea what was wrong with me!
So I returned to New York City, and visited a clinic there. They knew what was wrong with me, and gave me a shot to take care of it - for free!
This did not fix the damage that had already occurred to my left knee, and I had to live with that.
This story happened when I was living in Sri Lanka in the Seventies. I knew nothing about Sexually Transmitted Disease, but I was going to find out for myself - by getting one.
I was a young man who was eager to have sex, with anyone - and I knew nothing about safe sex, No one had ever told me about that.
I had sex with a woman, who must have had a number of STDs, and I contracted one of them from her. I saw a number of doctors in Sri Lanka, and they had no idea what was wrong with me!
So I returned to New York City, and visited a clinic there. They knew what was wrong with me, and gave me a shot to take care of it - for free!
This did not fix the damage that had already occurred to my left knee, and I had to live with that.
Three Time-saving Tips for DBAs
This email plopped into my inbox this morning. This is what it said:
In today's complex data landscape, DBAs must manage a wider variety of databases and platforms in their organization's environment, from basic performance to security and backups. They may be inundated with numerous emails and alerts regarding the database operations that need to be screened through to find the real issues.
Having a tool that simplifies your management of multiple databases and automates your day-to-day tasks can improve your productivity and free up time to focus your attention on more important tasks. Join IDERA's Patrick O'Halloran to learn how DBArtisan can address your multi-platform database administration and management tasks more effectively, including managing changes for multiple databases, refreshing non-production systems with production data, and automating and scheduling jobs.
In today's complex data landscape, DBAs must manage a wider variety of databases and platforms in their organization's environment, from basic performance to security and backups. They may be inundated with numerous emails and alerts regarding the database operations that need to be screened through to find the real issues.
Having a tool that simplifies your management of multiple databases and automates your day-to-day tasks can improve your productivity and free up time to focus your attention on more important tasks. Join IDERA's Patrick O'Halloran to learn how DBArtisan can address your multi-platform database administration and management tasks more effectively, including managing changes for multiple databases, refreshing non-production systems with production data, and automating and scheduling jobs.
Heaven's help the poor Database Administrator, whoever he or she may be!
The Conflict between the Good and the Bad
Awareness of the Good and Bad is built into the Human psyche. And the conflict between the Two is killing millions of people.
You probably read these statements, without being moved by them. And said to yourself "So what? These are only abstractions, and have nothing to do with real life."
If you feel this way, you are entirely normal. Most people feel this way. And most people, you feel certain, cannot be wrong.
I can feel this way also, easily. But deep down, inside me - I know differently.
This conflict peaked out in the Nineties, when I was working in Silicon Valley. All of us there, knew something was terribly wrong. But we did not know what it was. And we were strongly encouraged not to know, what it was.
I had many therapists there, there were all kinds of them, and a new kind was invented every month, But none of them would state the obvious - that Silicon Valley was Bad. They were afraid of saying this - deathly afraid.
Why? Because anyone who felt this way. was unemployable. And without a job, you might was well be dead.
The first thing everyone wanted to know was "What do you do?" And everyone was ready with an easy answer.
You probably read these statements, without being moved by them. And said to yourself "So what? These are only abstractions, and have nothing to do with real life."
If you feel this way, you are entirely normal. Most people feel this way. And most people, you feel certain, cannot be wrong.
I can feel this way also, easily. But deep down, inside me - I know differently.
This conflict peaked out in the Nineties, when I was working in Silicon Valley. All of us there, knew something was terribly wrong. But we did not know what it was. And we were strongly encouraged not to know, what it was.
I had many therapists there, there were all kinds of them, and a new kind was invented every month, But none of them would state the obvious - that Silicon Valley was Bad. They were afraid of saying this - deathly afraid.
Why? Because anyone who felt this way. was unemployable. And without a job, you might was well be dead.
The first thing everyone wanted to know was "What do you do?" And everyone was ready with an easy answer.
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