ProfD

IMO, since the beginning of time, technology has never been the enemy. Humans have become a lot more efficient as a result of technology. As always, how we choose to utilize technology whether for good or bad will determine our outcome as a species. For a long time now, some religious people have proclaimed we are living in the last of evil days (Revelations). It would be hilarious if AI became advanced enough to be the proverbial nail in the coffin of humans. No mark of the beast and fire and brimstone. A super-computer or robots just turning out the lights and putting humans to sleep permanently.

No. Because illiteracy is more broad than the usually accepted definition. R. Kelly, Quentin Tarantino, Michael Faraday and POTUS Abraham Lincoln could be classified as illiterate according to the broader definition.

Illiterate usually connotes an inability to read and write. Another definition is having little or no formal knowledge in a particular field of study. I'lll refrain from name-dropping on a public forum. However, looking at history past thru present they're easy to find.

I've been hearing about this dumbing down of America for more than a decade now. Yet, I see little kids under 5 years old navigating their way through smartphones and tablets. Illiterate people have been responsible for some of humankind's greatest achievements and accomplishments. Functionally illiterate people have been handling jobs the best and brightest folks are unwilling to do. There's a huge swath of gray in the middle. Not to worry as AI is coming along to put a whole lot of folks out of work. For hundreds of years now, America has had a net IQ of average.

i don't know whether or not the protests are staged. Tying back to another thread, I don't imagine the protestors have to work anywhere. I wonder if a file is being kept on the protestors to prevent future employment.

The same thing is happening with music as well. We'll find out soon enough whether or not cream still rises to the top.

I can imagine the maintenance required to keep the cyber-garbage can from overflowing. Cybersecurity is a 24/7/365 job.

Surely. We are not supposed to agree on everything or anything. There would be less room for discussion/debate.

Some folks believe these protests are staged. Interesting to sit back and watch how it unfolds and their reaction to it. Surely, there will be no tear gas, rubber bullets and batons going upside heads. A few more college presidents might be scapegoats and lose their jobs similar to Dr. Gay at Harvard.

I get it. I just don't subscribe to it. What good is the husband who courts his wife and has side pieces (mistresses) all over the place? I guess as long as the wife is getting *something* i.e. a roof over her head or some other trinkets, she should shut up and settle for it. Naive is believing that politicians give a sh8t about a group of people with no permanent interests to which they can be held accountable. When it comes to politics, Black folks are showing up in Las Vegas playing penny and quarter machines. Never taking at seat at the table in the high roller room. Many Black folks are being strung along and oppressed by both politics and religion.

Black folks know the KKK is filled with racists. No need to seek a membership there. Democrats have brainwashed Black folks in believing there is some good among them despite the racists hiding in plain sight. One party would love to roll America back 100+ years. The other party governs through benign neglect. Either way, Black folks come up short. So, I see US political parties as two sides of the same coin. No difference in color. Not even the Red and Blue.

There is no good reason to let someone else tear down and destroy your home.

50+ years of political brainwashing and programming.

In the US, they use gentrification to displace folks. Other parts of the world seem to be less subtle about it. Right. It always depends on who is talking. They place gag orders on former POTUS Orange Julius and threaten him with contempt of court. He still holds press conferences and talks anyway. No punishment. Right. Watch their hands. Follow the money.

Thankfully, Black organizations have remained fairly neutral on this situation.

It's crazy that they want AfroAmericans to pick a side. Yet, AfroAmericans cannot solve their own problems here in America. Besides, they assassinated the most popular and vocal AfroAmerican leaders 50+ years ago.

On cue and in the wake of protests sweeping across college campuses, the US government is looking to bolster H.R.6090 - Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2023. This legislation was introduced shortly after the October 7th attack on Israel. It is being expanded to infringe on freedom of speech when it comes to Jews. When they actually feel like working, Congress can quickly create bills with bipartisan support and pass them too.

Absolutely. Diet and remaining active on some level (exercise) seems to help too. @aka Contrarian, you and your sister-in-law look great at 90+ years old. I see you all are smiling like two people who no longer have to work and get to enjoy a pension too.

That won't change especially when it comes to custom work. Anything cookie-cutter like IKEA furniture can be made by robots. Absolutely. Creativity is human trait. No worries. Inspiration cannot be programmed into an algorithm. Especially considering not all human beings can be inspired to create and/or produce.

There will always be a handful of folks who can defy age in terms of looks and health. This beautiful and fit lady is an example of being the exception. They say Black don't crack but I've seen plenty shattered glass over the decades.

There is reason the historical context of that whole situation isn't discussed enough. Even still, the Middle East conflicts are none of our business as AfroAmericans. For Black folks living in those places of conflict, they need to figure a way out of there.

@aka Contrarian provides an excellent peek into the window of someone who doesn't have to work. It doesn't matter that she did X number of years in the trenches to afford her a generous pension. The fact is that she has not atrophied or turned into a menace to society because she no longer has to punch a clock and labor. Evil and greedy people have always used the cheapest form of labor to enrich themselves. Slavery is the best and worst example of it. In the modern era, there are many countries throughout the world providing a cheap labor force to enrich the most powerful countries. Humans have been inventing and using some type of machine to work for them simce the beginning of civilization. AI is a part of the same continuum.

https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2018/06/04/613683819/exploding-myths-about-black-power-jewish-politics The above is an interesting article which interviews the author of a book that explores the Black and Jewish relationship. Black folks have no friends when it comes to other groups of people. Non-Black folks should be treated like associates. We should only deal with them as it benefits our permanent interests. These kids were only doing what white folks have been doing for 100s of years. Mocking and making fun of Black folks isn't new. Yet, the minute anyone utters a word Jews don't like or if they don't fully stand with Jews with trumpets blaring, they're quickly labeled antisemitic. Every now and then, someone will mention civil rights and protests and ask why Black folks aren't lending their voices to support one side or the other in these conflicts. It warms my heart that for the most part, Black folks have stayed out of the business of these conflicts. Simply put...it's not our fight. Black folks should remain silent for the same reason that other groups of people are doing so whether it's race, religion, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or favorite sports teams, etc. Black folks do not owe the Jews or anybody else our support in their struggles to be free or their desire to oppress. Throughout history, any support other groups of people have shown Black folks has been opportunistic and/or parasitic. Support and solidarity are utilized to serve permanent interests. Black We folkd should be operating likewise.

That young fella put on an awesome display of athleticism.

When folks have more free time on their hands, civilization will end up with more thinkers.