This is one of those entries where I cover various topics based on my observations of life. So, I will call it Point to Ponder – Part One. And away we go.
Artificial Intelligence is a valuable tool, but I am already sick of Facebook entries written by AI or alleged photographs that are AI-created yet not accepted as such. The same words permeate most AI writing; words such as “iconic” pop up frequently, and the word counts for each sentence are almost the same. Sentences tend to drone on and on and need more details only humans can provide. AI written copy often repeats itself and needs an editor to chop entire paragraphs out of the copy – plus check for accuracy. AI articles can be wildly inaccurate and dry. Those errors then get repeated by people who refuse to fact-check before passing the information on. AI images, while beautiful, are just that – artificial. The sun and the moon are not that big when viewed from Earth (and remember to add six dolphins jumping out of the ocean simultaneously and glistening in the sun). Seeing a bevy of stars close to a full moon is impossible. Don’t believe me? Check it out next time we have a full moon. I can’t believe some think and comment like these are real photos.
Another point to ponder is the overuse of “Iconic” and “Icon.” Everything and everyone is an icon nowadays, from musicians to actors to my neighbor’s dog. An iconic event was the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Neil Armstrong stepping on the moon, and the D-Day invasion at Normandy. These were genuinely life-changing events that the world’s attention was focused on, and people responded to. The latest Beyonce release or a significant snowstorm are not iconic events. Unfortunately, the word’s meaning has been watered down so much, even in the dictionary, that it doesn’t mean anything anymore to be called an icon or iconic.
Speaking of snowstorms, we are enduring one as I write this; it is the second of two major storms that have hit this part of Canada and the USA in the last week or so. Our area missed much of the first one, but we are getting pounded by this one. I wonder why people act like it has never happened before and forget how to drive in inclement weather. This happens every year, with hundreds of cars in the ditch, multiple accidents, and dozens of other mishaps. I understand that a sudden storm can wreak havoc and accidents happen, but for crying out loud, drive according to the conditions or don’t drive. Slow down, turn your lights on, use your turn signals, ensure your winter tires are on, expect to slip and slide a bit, and have an emergency kit in the back seat or trunk that includes a warm blanket or two and non-perishable food. Be safe out there and as one radio campaign used to say, “Please Drive Decent.”
John Berkovich Talks 