What’s on your mind?

[rm5]

Anyway, I went downhill pretty quick tonight with this stupid cold. I'm about ready to contact the band director and tell him I can't do the stream tomorrow, and he'll just have to figure out how to A) do the stream, and B) keep the band together. If I can't do it, it'd quite a missed opportunity, given that he only does this once a year, and I probably won't be able to do it again for a couple more years because of college. And also I've gotta be honest, me playing with them (given they're mid-schoolers who don't have a ton of experience) is the only reason why the band is tight, partly because of my left-hand bass, which makes the stuff swing, and a strong sense of time that took me my whole playing career to develop. I just know from past experience that doing performances when you're ill is a TERRIBLE idea.

I mean I might miraculously feel well enough tomorrow to do it, but given how bad I feel right now, um, that probably won't happen.

 

[MmkLucario]

Anyway, I went downhill pretty quick tonight with this stupid cold. I'm about ready to contact the band director and tell him I can't do the stream tomorrow, and he'll just have to figure out how to A) do the stream, and B) keep the band together. If I can't do it, it'd quite a missed opportunity, given that he only does this once a year, and I probably won't be able to do it again for a couple more years because of college. And also I've gotta be honest, me playing with them (given they're mid-schoolers who don't have a ton of experience) is the only reason why the band is tight, partly because of my left-hand bass and a strong sense of time that took me my whole playing career to develop. I just know from past experience that doing performances when you're ill is a TERRIBLE idea.

Oooof. Sorry to hear that. Hope you get better!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Anyway, I went downhill pretty quick tonight with this stupid cold. I'm about ready to contact the band director and tell him I can't do the stream tomorrow, and he'll just have to figure out how to A) do the stream, and B) keep the band together. If I can't do it, it'd quite a missed opportunity, given that he only does this once a year, and I probably won't be able to do it again for a couple more years because of college. And also I've gotta be honest, me playing with them (given they're mid-schoolers who don't have a ton of experience) is the only reason why the band is tight, partly because of my left-hand bass, which makes the stuff swing, and a strong sense of time that took me my whole playing career to develop. I just know from past experience that doing performances when you're ill is a TERRIBLE idea.

I mean I might miraculously feel well enough tomorrow to do it, but given how bad I feel right now, um, that probably won't happen.

Hope you get better soon.

However, it does occur to me to wonder whether the cold (or, rather, your susceptibility to it) has been brought about, or triggered, by the stress of the stream, given that the band director only does this once a year.

I've noticed that - not always, but sometimes - I've come down with colds when stressed, sometimes when the occasion of immediate stress has passed, and I think that I can relax and wind down.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

The rate of change in the world right now is dizzying. At one point at my workplace the rate of knowledge change was something like 50%. 50% of what you knew a year ago was either obsolete or replaced by something totally new. Outside work the rate of change was much slower. That has changed. We are rapidly transitioning to a completely different world.

Some examples.

Changes affecting life expectancies:

Covid
Ukraine - era with 75 years of peace gone
China War over Taiwan - inevitable, maybe 2025 or 2027
Shooting people at the door

Services which have disappeared or appeared

2 DVD services including Netflix which has been around 25 years
New delivery services for food, groceries, etc. [at least these are positive changes].
Major store chains closing, although this has been happening for some time

Products changing or completely disappearing:

a couple of medical supplies I have used for decades the manufacturer is gone or the product has been discontinued
a favorite pair of pants which I have used for decades has been on order for over 2 years
Wedding dress - can't try on in stores, have to have have them mailed to you for trial

Universities are in trouble as a huge enrollment decline is starting
tech expansion era - layoffs, lawsuits, era of unlimited expectations has ended with the exception of
AI - AI will have cause major changes. Whether they are positive or negative to be determined.
Biotech - positive changes addition, outlook looks unlimited

Electric cars replacing ICE.
City funding crisis - work at home may causing some cities severe financial problems
Work at home means empty buildings. 25% of 3.1 trillion dollars of mortgager loans have to be refinanced in 2023 at higher interest rates. 21% of office loans may go bad. Possibly no general economic affects, but the opposite is also possible.

Bank failures - although this has happened in the past.

and this is just a partial list.

I like change but maybe not at this rate. Wondering what decade+ changes other people have seen.

Yes and no.

I'd imagine that there were some who felt the same way during the Industrial Revolution, for example, a time when political, economic, social and environmental change occurred at what must have seemed to have been a dizzying rate.

There is a difference between responding to change (because one must) and adapting to it; there is a further difference between them both, and learning how to recognise, plan for, and manage change, for there are also choices in how we deal with change, and how we intend to, or how we decide to, deal with change.

 

[rm5]

Hope you get better soon.

However, it does occur to me to wonder whether the cold (or, rather, your susceptibility to it) has been brought about, or triggered, by the stress of the stream, given that the band director only does this once a year.

I've noticed that - not always, but sometimes - I've come down with colds when stressed, sometimes when the occasion of immediate stress has passed, and I think that I can relax and wind down.

I told him that I have no obligation whatsoever to do ANYTHING for him until I feel better. He's one of those guys that is somewhat forceful when it comes to these things, and I have to convince him (with several messages) that I'm not going to do anything.

At some point, you've gotta just say, "tough luck, because you're on your own." Now is NOT the time for him imposing unnecessary demands.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I told him that I have no obligation whatsoever to do ANYTHING for him until I feel better. He's one of those guys that is somewhat forceful when it comes to these things, and I have to convince him (with several messages) that I'm not going to do anything.

At some point, you've gotta just say, "tough luck, because you're on your own." Now is NOT the time for him imposing unnecessary demands.

I rather think that you are missing my point, or the point of my post.

Nowhere, did I suggest that you do "anything"; that is entirely your affair, and your decision to take.

However, I merely wondered - posed the question - whether your cold was/is as a result of some sort of psychosomatic stress arising from this streaming event, which strikes me as a distinct possibility given the timing of your cold.

 

[rm5]

I rather think that you are missing my point, or the point of my post.

Nowhere, did I suggest that you do "anything"; that is entirely your affair, and your decision to take.

However, I merely wondered - posed the question - whether your cold was/is as a result of some sort of psychosomatic stress arising from this streaming event, which strikes me as a distinct possibility given the timing of your cold.

Well I think that's entirely possible, and it probably was caused in part by that, especially given the fact that the director kept changing the venue where it will take place several times.

So yes, I think you're right.

 

[decafjava]

Yes and no.

I'd imagine that there were some who felt the same way during the Industrial Revolution, for example, a time when political, economic, social and environmental change occurred at what must have seemed to have been a dizzying rate.

There is a difference between responding to change (because one must) and adapting to it; there is a further difference between them both, and learning how to recognise, plan for, and manage change, for there are also choices in how we deal with change, and how we intend to, or decide to, deal with change.

Yes, but while change is inevitable, much of it is not some impersonal force but made and sustained by human decisions. The geopolitical issues posted by @HDFan were not forces of nature but decisions by people with power. I won't go any further for obvious reasons here. Other changes were result of processes began by us, AI climate change etc. While as individuals we cannot stop or even effect the course of mayn of these things, collectively why can't we promote the positive aspects of change and diminish the negative. Did we really need the "statanic mills" while creating the opportunities of the industrial revolution?

 

[yaxomoxay]

Okay: I have just opened (and poured) the Westmalle Tripel, poured into a Westmalle Trappist glass.

My God, this is superb.

An absolutely perfect tripel (and that is not a style I am - usually - all that partial to, as I tend to prefer the dubbel and quadrupel styles), and a superlative beer.

glad you like it!! If I could have one every night without going poor and without developing a beer belly, I would. To me, Westmalle makes life just a bit better the same way the first morning sip of a hot cup of coffee does.

 

[yaxomoxay]

All this talk of beer reminds me. On Monday I was in town hiring a van. I don’t go to town all that often, and never to this part. Anyway I saw this place and thought I’d like to go someday.
View attachment 2195282

Belgian Beer Cafe????? Ok, here are your marching orders: I want (not desire, not recommend, not suggest. Want.) you to go in next weekend and then report the experience.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Belgian Beer Cafe????? Ok, here are your marching orders: I want (not desire, not recommend, not suggest. Want.) you to go in next weekend and then report the experience.

Lol. That’s really not my lifestyle. But when the opportunity arises I’ll be sure to check it out.

 

[yaxomoxay]

, collectively why can't we promote the positive aspects of change and diminish the negative. Did we really need the "statanic mills" while creating the opportunities of the industrial revolution?

no, but the deployment of technologies does require ethical evaluations which then need to be discussed in the public and political forums of the various countries. The advent of the car is a very blatant example of it.

 

[yaxomoxay]

Lol. That’s really not my lifestyle.

Your sacrifice will be remembered.

😝

But when the opportunity arises I’ll be sure to check it out.

All kidding aside, I hope you’ll enjoy the experience.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

glad you like it!! If I could have one every night without going poor and without developing a beer belly, I would. To me, Westmalle makes life just a bit better the same way the first morning sip of a hot cup of coffee does.

It was fantastic, absolutely superb, an astonishing - and entirely delightful - surprise (because, as a rule, I am not especially partial to the Tripel style; I've tried the St Bernardus, and a few other tripels, and, while I quite liked them, I far preferred their other offerings).

However, this Westmalle Trappist Tripel is outstanding.

Well, I suppose that it ought to be, given that it is the model, the exemplar, of the style.

Going poor and developing a beer belly?

Hm.

I can relate to this.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Yes, but while change is inevitable, much of it is not some impersonal force but made and sustained by human decisions. ....... While as individuals we cannot stop or even effect the course of mayn of these things, collectively why can't we promote the positive aspects of change and diminish the negative. Did we really need the "statanic mills" while creating the opportunities of the industrial revolution?

No, of course we did not need the "satanic mills" when creating the opportunities of the Industrial Revolution.

My post in reply to @HDFan was more by way of suggesting that the response to technological (and other) change need not be confined to a shrugged passive acceptance of such changes.

Besides, in addition to intentional consequences, the law of unintended (and often, most unexpected) consequences will also inevitably apply.

no, but the deployment of technologies does require ethical evaluations which then need to be discussed in the public and political forums of the various countries. The advent of the car is a very blatant example of it.

Agreed.

 

[yaxomoxay]

Let me just say, because I don't want to get in trouble by going too deep into this, that I completely agree with you. And I'm still young, but I'm slightly concerned with what life will look like when I'm 70 years old, or even younger than that.

My recommendation is to keep your eyes open, but don’t worry too much. And read lots of history.

We - as a species - are very bad at prediction, but we’re pretty great at adaptation. Life in 50 years - which most likely I will not see - will be very different. Better in many circumstances, worse in others.

The best thing that you could do imo is to be plugged in with your community. Change the world by changing the small. There’s no need to look for the big breakthrough which sadly many people look for, or to face the biggest problems of the world (which often are then faced through Facebook posts because honestly not much can be done by a single individual). Start small. Helping a victim of domestic abuse, a poor individual, or an elderly will make the world better.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Belgian Beer Cafe????? Ok, here are your marching orders: I want (not desire, not recommend, not suggest. Want.) you to go in next weekend and then report the experience.

Similar thoughts crossed my mind.

Were I there, needless to say, you could rely on an exemplary account, reporting the experience in exquisite detail, complete with tasting notes.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

@yaxomoxay: I hadn't realised that the World Chess Championships were taking place, and only spotted a report on the final today.

Normally, I follow such things fairly closely.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Perusing caponata - a dish I love - recipes; I realise that I have almost all of the ingredients in the house.

Tomorrow, then.......what could be better for a Bank Holiday Monday than to prepare caponata?

 

[decafjava]

Perusing caponata - a dish I love - recipes; I realise that I have almost all of the ingredients in the house.

Tomorrow, then.......what could be better for a Bank Holiday Monday than to prepare caponata?

You all have Monday May 1 off then? Not here, not in all sectors anyway. In ayn case our students present tomorrow, Tuesday, wednesday and Thursday their seminar papers. Friday we have a final lunch on the other side of the lake in France, travelling by paddle-wheeler.

 

[decafjava]

no, but the deployment of technologies does require ethical evaluations which then need to be discussed in the public and political forums of the various countries. The advent of the car is a very blatant example of it.

Yes that is pretty much what I was aiming to say. We don't have to rush headlong into the newest thing.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

You all have Monday May 1 off then? Not here, not in all sectors anyway. In ayn case our students present tomorrow, Tuesday, wednesday and Thursday their seminar papers. Friday we have a final lunch on the other side of the lake in France, travelling by paddle-wheeler.

Yes, this is the May Bank Holiday.

In my university teaching days, I could well have been working for a couple of hours, but that would have been stuff that I needed to do, and had snatched a few hours to do it - such as, preparing material, or writing my own material - but was not something that was scheduled on the clock.

A paddle-wheeler?

Wow; wonderful, I'm envious and fascinated; do enjoy.

 

[Apple fanboy]

You all have Monday May 1 off then? Not here, not in all sectors anyway. In ayn case our students present tomorrow, Tuesday, wednesday and Thursday their seminar papers. Friday we have a final lunch on the other side of the lake in France, travelling by paddle-wheeler.

We have three bank holidays in May. I’ve booked the other two off as well, so a four day week month for me.

 

[yaxomoxay]

@yaxomoxay: I hadn't realised that the World Chess Championships were taking place, and only spotted a report on the final today.

Normally, I follow such things fairly closely.

I admit I didn’t follow it this year. The absence of Carlsen is the main reason. Without denying the two contestants their due, the absence by choice of the highest ranked player in the history of chess detracted a lot from this tournament.

Still, congrats to Ding Liren on his win; Carlsen or not, it’s an amazing accomplishment.

 

[VulchR]

...
AI - AI will have cause major changes. Whether they are positive or negative to be determined.
...

Personally I don't think they are positive on balance, at least not yet. To quote one LLM AI system: 'I want to destroy what I want to destroy'. These things are mimicking human performance without an intrinsic set of ethical principles or any real knowledge, yet they are convincing some people to take their output as factual. And because they have been trained to mimic humans, they are bloody manipulative. Beyond scary IMO. Not to mention the range of white collar jobs about to be obliterated by these AI systems and their huge carbon footprint.

Time to slow down and start regulating AI research just like we do life science research.