Five Contributions to Society by Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin was a polymath who made numerous contributions to society in various fields. Here are five things he is known for that had a significant impact on improving society*:

1. Invention of the Lightning Rod: Franklin's experiments with electricity led to the invention of the lightning rod, a device designed to protect buildings and structures from lightning strikes. This invention has saved countless lives and prevented property damage by safely redirecting electrical charges from lightning strikes to the ground.

2. Founding the First Public Library: Franklin founded the Library Company of Philadelphia in 1731, which is considered one of the first lending libraries in America. This institution provided access to books and educational resources for the public, promoting literacy and knowledge-sharing.

3. Promotion of Education: Franklin was a strong advocate for education. He helped establish the University of Pennsylvania and the American Philosophical Society, which contributed to the advancement of education and scientific research in the United States.

4. Publishing "Poor Richard's Almanack": Franklin wrote and published "Poor Richard's Almanack" under the pseudonym Richard Saunders. This annual publication contained a wealth of practical advice, sayings, and proverbs aimed at promoting thrift, industry, and moral values. It was widely read and contributed to the dissemination of practical knowledge.

5. Role in the American Revolution: Franklin was a key figure in the American Revolution, playing a significant role in diplomacy and negotiations with France to secure vital support for the American cause. His efforts helped secure France as an ally of the United States during the Revolutionary War.

These are just a few of the many contributions Benjamin Franklin made to society. He was a true Renaissance man whose interests and innovations spanned science, literature, politics, and more, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to benefit society today.

* According to ChatGPT

Benefits of Potable Reuse

 Below are some benefits of potable reuse of municipal wastewater (sewage), according to ChatGPT.

Potable reuse of water, also known as water recycling or water reclamation, involves treating wastewater to a high level of quality so that it can be safely used for drinking water purposes. Several primary drivers contribute to the adoption of potable reuse as a sustainable water management strategy:

1. Water Scarcity: Growing populations, urbanization, and changing climate patterns have led to increased water scarcity in many regions. Potable reuse provides an alternative source of water that can supplement traditional water supplies, helping to alleviate water scarcity.

2. Drought Resilience: During periods of drought, traditional water sources such as rivers, lakes, and reservoirs may experience reduced water levels. Potable reuse can provide a consistent and reliable source of water, reducing vulnerability to drought-related water shortages.

3. Diversification of Water Supply: Relying solely on one or two water sources can be risky. Potable reuse adds diversity to the water supply portfolio, reducing dependence on a single source and enhancing overall water supply security.

4. Environmental Benefits: By treating wastewater and reusing it for potable purposes, less pressure is placed on natural water sources. This can help maintain ecosystems, preserve aquatic habitats, and prevent over-extraction from rivers and aquifers.

5. Wastewater Management: Treating wastewater to a high standard before releasing it back into the environment can be expensive and energy-intensive. Instead of discharging treated wastewater into rivers or oceans, potable reuse turns it into a valuable resource, reducing the pollution load on natural water bodies.

6. Energy Efficiency: Treating water to potable standards requires energy, but this can be offset by the energy savings gained from not having to pump water over long distances or extract it from remote sources. Additionally, advances in treatment technologies have made the process more energy-efficient over time.

7. Climate Change Resilience: Climate change can impact water availability and quality. Potable reuse can provide a buffer against the effects of changing precipitation patterns and increased variability in water supplies.

8. Public Health and Safety: One of the main concerns with potable reuse is ensuring that the treated water meets stringent water quality standards to protect public health. As technology advances and treatment processes improve, potable reuse systems are becoming more capable of producing safe and high-quality drinking water.

9. Regulatory Support: Regulatory agencies play a crucial role in establishing guidelines and standards for potable reuse projects. With proper regulations and oversight, potable reuse can gain public trust and acceptance.

10. Community Engagement and Education: Public acceptance is key to the success of potable reuse projects. Communities need to be educated about the safety and benefits of the process to reduce any concerns or misconceptions they might have.

11. Technological Advances: Advances in water treatment technologies, including membrane filtration, advanced oxidation processes, and monitoring techniques, have made it more feasible to treat wastewater to a level suitable for potable reuse.

Movie Recommendation: The World's End

 The World's End is an English pub.

That's right. This Comedy SciFi movie revolves around a Five Musketeer's group of middle aged men attempting to finish a pub crawl they failed to complete in college. The the last pub in the crawl is named, ironically, The World's End. Ironic because the SciFi aspect of the movie ... oh, don't watch the trailer/spoiler. Just trust me there's a reason it has 4.5 Stars on Prime.

It has cult movie potential for sure, though I can't say it has sing-alongs that I recall (you be the judge of that). What I can say is don't be dissuaded by this being a 2013 movie. It's fun if you let yourself buy into it without overanalyzing... you can analyze, just not too much. 

Simon Pegg & Edgar Wright write and direct. Simon Pegg plays lead role of Gary King who refused, or failed, to grow up and talks (cons?) the reluctant group into taking on the epic 12-pub crawl.

David Bradley, Filtch - Harry Potter, gets a pretty good role.  Peiece Brosnan gets to play the cool college professor.  Rosamund Pike tugs at some heart strings and delivers some blows (no pun intended though plenty of innuendo).  Nick Frost delivers some blows too (don't under estimate heavy set middle aged men).

Top 7 Small Bluetooth Speakers (in 2021)

 Here are the Top 7 small bluetooth speakers (most popular):

1. 1. JBL Clip 3: Compact and portable with a built-in carabiner for easy attachment to bags or belts.
2. 2. Bose SoundLink Micro: Small and rugged design with impressive sound quality and IPX7 waterproof rating.
3. 3. Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2: Compact and durable with 360-degree sound and IP67 waterproof rating.
4. 4. Anker Soundcore 2: Portable and affordable with good sound performance and long battery life.
5. 5. Sony SRS-XB12: Small and lightweight with Extra Bass technology and water-resistant design.
6. 6. Tribit StormBox Micro: Pocket-sized with powerful sound and IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating.
7. 7. Bang & Olufsen Beoplay P2: Sleek and stylish with premium sound quality and touch-sensitive controls.

This list is according to ChatGPT.

IPX7 is rated for 1 meter under water for 30 minutes (no rating for dust)

IP67 is rated for 1 meter under water for 30 minutes with a stated dustproof rating of 6.

Artificial Intelligence Timeline

Prompt: Provide an outline of a reasonable timeline for the evolution of artificial intelligence. describe the concept of a singularity in this context and the implications for the timeline. Give some attention to the notion of acceleration of progress. (ChatGPT Response)

Timeline for the Evolution of Artificial Intelligence:

1. Early AI Research (1940s - 1960s):

   - Development of foundational concepts in AI, such as logic, learning, and problem-solving.

   - Limited progress due to computational constraints and lack of data.

2. Expert Systems and Knowledge-Based AI (1970s - 1980s):

   - Advancements in expert systems that used rules and knowledge to solve specific problems.

   - Knowledge representation and reasoning techniques improved.

3. Machine Learning and Neural Networks (1990s - 2000s):

   - Emergence of machine learning algorithms and neural networks.

   - Increased use of data-driven approaches and pattern recognition.

4. Big Data and Deep Learning (2010s - Present):

   - Proliferation of big data and cloud computing enabling more extensive datasets.

   - Deep learning's rise, leading to breakthroughs in image recognition, natural language processing, and other AI applications.

5. Robotics and AI Integration (2020s - 2030s):

   - AI integrated into various fields, including robotics, autonomous vehicles, and smart cities.

   - AI-driven automation transforms industries.

6. General Artificial Intelligence (2040s - 2050s):

   - Progress towards achieving general AI capable of reasoning and understanding context.

   - Ethical considerations become critical as AI approaches human-level intelligence.

7. Post-Singularity AI (2060s - Beyond):

   - The concept of the singularity becomes relevant as AI potentially surpasses human intelligence.

   - Acceleration of AI development may occur, leading to rapid and unpredictable advancements.

The Concept of Singularity:

The singularity, in the context of AI, refers to a hypothetical future point when artificial intelligence becomes capable of recursively self-improving its own capabilities without human intervention. At this stage, AI systems might surpass human intelligence, leading to significant technological and societal transformations that are challenging to predict. Some theorists suggest that the singularity could lead to an exponential acceleration of AI development, resulting in what is often referred to as "superintelligence" - an intelligence far beyond human comprehension.

Implications for the Timeline:

The concept of a singularity introduces a significant uncertainty in the timeline for AI evolution. If the singularity occurs, AI development might accelerate rapidly, making predictions beyond that point challenging. The timeline outlined above is speculative and could be drastically impacted by the advent of the singularity. It's essential to consider that the timing and consequences of the singularity remain speculative and highly debated within the scientific community.

Acceleration of Progress:

The notion of acceleration of progress in AI refers to the idea that as AI systems become more advanced, they can contribute to faster developments in various fields. For example, AI can enhance scientific research, improve the efficiency of engineering processes, and revolutionize industries. This acceleration can create a positive feedback loop where AI-driven advancements lead to even more significant breakthroughs, further expediting the development of AI itself. This feedback loop could contribute to reaching key milestones, such as general AI, more rapidly than initially anticipated.

It's crucial to note that while the timeline and the concept of singularity and acceleration provide insights into potential future developments, they are speculative and subject to numerous variables, including ethical considerations, regulatory frameworks, and societal readiness for advanced AI technologies. The responsible development and deployment of AI technologies must prioritize safety, ethics, and human well-being.

Top Five Principles for Controlling AI

Top five principles for controlling artificial intelligence from harming human society:

1. Transparency: AI systems should be designed to be transparent and understandable to humans. Developers should provide clear explanations of how the system works, what data it uses, and how it makes decisions. This will help to build trust and reduce the risk of unintended consequences.
2. Accountability: There should be clear lines of accountability for the development and deployment of AI systems. This includes ensuring that developers and users are held responsible for any negative impacts of the technology.
3. Fairness and non-discrimination: AI systems should be designed to be fair and non-discriminatory, and should not perpetuate or amplify existing biases. Developers should test their systems for biases and take steps to address any issues that are identified.
4. Safety and reliability: AI systems should be designed to be safe and reliable, and should be tested thoroughly to ensure that they do not pose a risk to human health or safety. Developers should also have plans in place for responding to any unforeseen problems or emergencies that may arise.
5. Human control: AI systems should be designed to operate under human control, and should not be allowed to make decisions or take actions that are outside of their programmed parameters. Humans should always have the final say in any decisions made by AI systems, and should be able to override them if necessary.

 

UN Commission of Inquiry on the Gaza Conflict

Gaza Commission of Inquiry Members

On July 23, 2014 the United Nations Human Rights Council (UN HCR) requested the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to

.. to urgently dispatch an independent, international commission of inquiry ... to investigate all violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, particularly in the occupied Gaza Strip, in the context of the military operations conducted since 13 June 2014... [1]

The mission of the Commission of Inquiry is to

... make recommendations, in particular on accountability measures, all with a view to avoiding and ending impunity and ensuring that those responsible are held accountable, and on ways and means to protect civilians against any further assaults, ... [2]

Current Commissioners:

• Mary McGowan Davis (United States of America), Chair
• Doudou Diène (Senegal)

A third commissioner, original Chair William Schabas of Canada, resigned in February 2015.

Notes:

1. Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights, The United Nations Independent Commission of Inquiry on the 2014 Gaza Conflict

2. Report of the independent international commission of inquiry established pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution S - 21/1, March 26, 2015.