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The Unabomber said that we are slaves to technology. So while I don't condone the violence his premise was correct.

Can we assume that the individuals in question became outstanding after they finally learned to read, not in spite of not being able to read?? I could see the latter being the case when it comes to the Arts, but not the Sciences.

l@Troyas far as happiness goes, any technology that replaces tedious drugery can be a temporary fix. But technology that usurps creativity can replace the joy of discovery. Children, in particular, need to be outside running free, interacting, and improvising rather than being as they are today, cooped up inside, preoccupied with computerized devices. AI is a convenience that saves time to spend on leisure. But It does so at the cost of the creativity and spontaneity which can give rise to enjoyment and - happiness! What if, as ProfD hints, AI comes up with an artificial companion, - an android to satisfy all of our needs, an all-purpose mate. The worst case scenario could lead to humanity becoming obsolete, its members ultimately having no use for each other; science fiction becoming science fact! We may have to find a way for artificial Intelligence to keep itself in check...

Interesting POV. I see your point, but I think that, unfortunately, this kind of behavior will be encouraged now due to what is going on over there in the Middle East. So, I don't believe that Black people will be able to stop it and if this is so, then when/if it escalates then we will be put into a position to have to address it. We did not start this. What has happened to Black people being targeted though, I believe is different. White Jews fall into two categories [1] they are a white ethnic people and [2] they are White, and for this reason their attack against Black people is on a whole other scale and adds to the severe oppression meted out against Black people. If upper class Black students did the same hatred and mockery against innocent White Jewish young male students, I do not believe it would be ignored. It's inevitable and will happen eventually but not until this government is overhauled because America thrives due to Black-on-Black Hatred that was fostered in it's foundation.

Yes, I do believe the pandemic has made an existing issue much worse. Yes, but it's like having 'tunnel vision'. Just because they know how to do that 'in a crazy way' does not add to their whole intellect at all. I wish I understood what Al really is. Months ago, I did understand when I looked into it but now, i've forgotten. I see a recent discussion thread about it, but I haven't commented because I just do not understand. A local library recently offered a class to teach about Al, but I missed that one, however, I hope to take a class because I keep hearing about it and think it might be important to understand. I absolutely agree. I was unaware of this. can you name a couple of examples from the last decade or two? what about Thomas Edison? I think he was so severe and could not keep up that he was expelled from school. He may have been illiterate but I don't remember off hand. And his invention came to completely change this world. I don't know of any recent people a decade or two ago. I just googled and have to edit. I turns out that today, it is said that Thomas Edison is not described as illiterate but had dyslexia. However, some reports say a scientist named Michael Faraday was illiterate and became renown.

I do now wonder about Farrakhan. He is an awesome spokesperson though. But after recent research I am surprised about some of his early support coming from overseas interest and how his fabulous dwelling was financed. That article was very interesting in how some of the brilliant artist were not able to pocket the money that came in from their talent. This reminds me of one of my favorite films about how the Temptations made it to fame. I remember one scene whereby they had to change their name because the earlier woman that produced them owned it.

Yes, and it still is probably going on today. I sat at a table in a 'Black' book clubs years back, and an Islamic 'brother' said pretty much the same thing to me. He told me not to get drawn into the hype about Black talent and that although celebrities like 'Michael Jordan' was indeed talented but in reality you can find and produce many other Black talent to achieve that same level if fortune hunters wanted to do it.

It's in the genes, imo.

Title: The Settlement Author: Richard Murray https://www.deviantart.com/hddeviant/art/1048148238

That's right. I would not expect anything less in what could be the victory lap. Cher did it. Believe.

Glad you mentioned it. I started to but left it out to keep my post shorter. Clive Davis, a proud Jew and member of the alphabet soup community gave Puffy $40M to start his Bad Boy Record label in the 1990s. Puffy has a made a few headlines lately. I believe it stems from biting the hands that fed him.

You best believe that if that 77 year old woman, who can "look up" longer than a man can "look down", is of a mind to have an active sex life, she ain't looking for no 77 year old coot trying to hold it together and pull it off, Ideally, she'd be just fine with a 30- something hottie right out of her fantasy, with a body to die for, and a "size matters" probe that searches for love in all the right places, viagra personified, a human vibrator, a - well you get the idea. Misogynists, indeed. Don't get me started...

Actually, everybody is illiterate before they learn to read. There's nothing extraordinary about learning to read, and no stigma justified in not yet learning to read. Nor does it matter if your education is informal. Education is education. Moreover, people don't really need to be able to read in order to learn the lyrics to a song. Just like they don't need to know how to read in order to talk. All that's necessary to do these things is to be able to hear and remember. Being able to sing in spite of being illiterate is actually no big deal. Being a good singer is a gift.Talent is innate. Ideally, however, children should be taught to read and comprehend in order to become well functioning adults. When schools fail to adequately develop this ability, then we're in big trouble. IMO

Yeah, black music promoters were very good students of white entrepreneurs. The popular girl singing group TLC claimed that their manager, former R&B artist known as "Pebbles", cheated them out of millions and they took her to court. Just recently a claim was made that Puff Daddy learned everything he knew about controlling and exploiting musical talent from Clive Davis, who was Whitney Houston's Svengali. (Rapper mogul Shug Knight didn't need a white role model to emulate when it came intimidating his stable of performers.) Joe Jackson spent years trying to extricate his kids from the grip of Berry Gordy. Marvin Gaye also had a contentious relationship with Gordy stifling his career. Prince, of course, considered himself enslaved by Warner Brothers even if he was a control freak, himself, when it came to his proteges. Little Richard was someone else who said he was a victim of the satanic music management he sold his soul to. There's no business like show business when it comes to being taken advantage of by behind-the- scene parasites who come in all colors. As for Farrakhan, I always wondered what he did to deserve his life of luxury and status, other than to tell black folks how misguided they were, and give a marathon Founders' day speech every year, spewing anti-semitism. And, if course, meekly going along with the decision to put super star Malcolm X away.

The protests have gotten more rowdy in a few spots. Police have have to put on their riot gear and knock down a few encampments and arrest some folks. The craziest part is that in a few weeks college students will go home for summer break. Summer school students shouldn't have time or money to waste, er, protest. They've got a GPA to protect.

Great. Because my comment wasn't intended to be an argument. Educators should be concerned about literacy. Society should be concerned with providing enough high-paying job opportunities before technology flips the script. I believe people can learn in different ways whatever they need to know in order to survive. Nope. There's nothing deeper to reveal. I'm not sure I can make it any clearer. So, I'll pop out of this thread and head back over to a real conflict.

@ProfD I’m calm, I’m just perplexed by your response. You know I know the definition of the word Illiterate. You know the definition I was using. This straw man argument of yours, claiming Lincoln was illiterate to make a point, is not one I will pursue. The fact is educators are concerned that increasing numbers of Black children are graduating without the requisite shills to make it in our society, notably the ability to read at a high enough level. So ProfD, what is your point? Is their concern alarmist? Is the ability to read ovrrrated? Do you not believe them? What? Given your reaction and your history, I still think there was something deeper you are not revealing. that or your account has been hacked

Calm down. No imposter here. As one of America's greatest Presidents and orators we know Abraham Lincoln wasn't truly illiterate. There are plenty gifted musician who cannot read or write music. An educator would say they are musically illiterate. As I mentioned above, I would never consider illiterate anyone of talent, skill, achievement or accomplishment. Just check out the full definition of the word as it relates to lacking formal education and unlettered.

yeah it is hard to wrap your mind around that. I think it is because we think too much of ourselves. how many living creatures did you kill today without even thinking about it? Smashing ants to death as you walked down the street.

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There is no logical reason for AI to terminate humans unless it has human drives. Unless it becomes conscious itself aware. Which I can't imagine. That doesn't rule it out though.

what?! Is this pioneer using the good professor’s account? ok we CLEARLY can’t have a serious conversation on this subject. That statement is profoundly absurd man, I’m shocked Were you triggered by my use of the word iillit