Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 3-4-2023 — The Godfather.

3rd May, 2023: James Brown.

You’ve heard of artificial intelligence, haven’t you?

The idea that computes can — if I’ve understood things correctly — can think for itself, and learn along the way.

Assuming ‘think’ is the right word, of course!

And you’ve possibly also heard of ChatGPT: the AI chatbot that’s causing waves.

I’ve used it once: to help me generate some quiz questions.

And — this morning — to ask about diabetes: getting a couple of worryingly coherent answers in the process.

Well, I say worrying.

Possibly I shouldn’t be: as the things answers seemed cogent, helpful … and clarified a couple of points for me.

I know people worry about this area, though: one factor writers are worried about — in the current Hollywood script writers strike — is the potential use of AI to write scripts.

How this will turn out?

I don’t know.

I do know that — many years ago — the late Isaac Asimov wrote the Three Laws of Robotics*: a basic set of rules for AI computers and robots.

Yes: I know there’s a lot of fuss about the safety — or dangers — of AI.

But think those sixty-seven words of Asimov’s are the shape of the future.

AI will have what other forms of human technology will have.

Safety features.

I just can’t help but think of an old line from Terry Pratchett’s Hogfather will crop up on the way.

“Real stupidity beats artificial intelligence every time.”

~≈💻≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 14-11-2021: World Diabetes Day

14th November, 2021.

Right … it’s a Sunday.

And … ?

Frankly, I’m having dinner and my mothers, today: and hopefully be able to pick up the repaired phone on the way.

I just hope the shop’s managed the job on time.

And that I get home for Dr Who!

~≈®≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 3-5-2017

I think, at the moment … ?

The word is phew … !

Why … ?

Because, yesterday … ?

My hard drive failed.

As you can possibly imagine, I was just a little bit … you know … 

Frantic … !

Thankfully … ?

I’ve managed to use a combination of Recovery Mode and Time Machine to copy the information on the dying main drive to the newer drive I’d picked up a few weeks ago.

The new drive is working well.

The old one?

Will have to be securely disposed of with a sledgehammer, given I can’t use Disk Utility on it.

Right now?

I have a functioning computer.   One with a drive that’s not making ominous clicking noises.

Now … 

Phew … !

~≈Â≈~

The Daily Teaser — 3-4-2016

You know, it’s not often I manage to bag a copy of last night’s Gotham through … alternative … mean …

But last night’s … ?   Last night’s episode — episode 16, Prisoners, showing us Jim Gordon’s time in prison — is beautifully twisty.

The Penguin’s biological father has turned up, and Bullock … ?   Has turned to Carmine Falcone for help in releasing Jim.

It’s an oh, so much DARKER episode than most.

And one I got hold of … ?

Because of last night’s final.

~≈Ÿ≈~

This year’s World Championship final, between Mark Selby, and Ding Junhui saw Selby winning his SECOND world title: in a match that saw him winning 18-14.

Absolutely fascinating match to watch, I should add: despite eventually losing by four frames, Ding manages to clock up several century break: and, in the 15th and 29th frames, playing some serious — and seriously engrossing — tactical frames.

Personally … ?

The game was a fantastic final, with both players doing very well.

Congratulations to Mark Selby.

Personally?   I think we’re going to see Ding Junhui in more finals …

~≈Ÿ≈~

The Daily Teaser — 27-8-2015: The Rainbow Bridge

For me, payday is tomorrow.   And there’s a few things I want to buy.

I have my eyes on a little set-top box that I can ad to my TV: to let me watch high definition TV channels.

There’s a ton of other things, too.

There’s something else, as well: as you can possibly guess.

I’m a long term fan of the late Sir Terry Pratchett: having read his work since the mid-1980s, when I first came across The Colour of Magic.

As you can imagine, his diagnosis with Alzheimer’s Disease was something I found upsetting: especially as it a condition my grandmother suffered with.

His death was equally upsetting.

I’m also VERY aware of something else.

Last night saw the UK release of his last book: The Shepard’s Crown.

Something I’m both looking forward to — it’s a Discworld novel, after all — and dreading ordering.

And reading.

Sir Terry, himself, said — in Going Postal — that someone only died when his name stopped being spoken.

I’m very aware there are moves afoot to make sure of that.

But there’s a reason I’m dreading buying The Shepard’s Crown.

It means I know for certain that an old friend has died … … … 

~≈®≈~