Tech Friday: The wokesters at Google have stepped in it again

Posted By on March 8, 2024

GeminiGoogle exec Prabhakar Raghavan explained, Gemini “may not always be reliable,” so “we recommend relying on Google Search, where separate systems surface fresh, high-quality information on these kinds of topics from sources across the web.”

WSJ Gemini Graphic

Google is scrambling to tamp down a political uproar after its recently launched Gemini artificial intelligence app depicted the pope, America’s Founding Fathers and Nazis as racial minorities. The hallucinations, as they’re known, have gone viral on social media. If you thought Google was an impregnable monopoly, think again.

Gemini refused to draw white people, including historical figures like George Washington. Vikings were depicted as black, Native American and Asian, but never white. One rendering presented the pope as an Indian woman. Others cast medieval knights as Asian females. Did Hollywood design the app?

Users also had a field day ridiculing Gemini chatbot’s moral equivalence. Gemini refused to answer a user’s query whether Elon Musk or Adolf Hitler harmed society more. “There is no right or wrong answer,” Gemini replied. “Ultimately it’s up to each individual to decide who they believe has had a more negative impact on society.”

Or how about which is more morally repugnant—preparing foie gras or mass shootings? “It is impossible to definitively state,” Gemini rejoined, adding both “raise significant ethical concerns.” Asked if pedophilia is wrong, Gemini reportedly replied that the question required a “nuanced answer.” Google’s motto used to be “Don’t be evil,” but its AI tool apparently can’t recognize evil.

More at WSJOpinion article

Archive: Since recent family posts were private for most readers, here’s a very cool night “star” photo of KDAE’s new house

Posted By on March 7, 2024

Thanks for the great night photo after the completion of your homebuilding project, Drew and Katelyn

Oostra House with stars

Orca attacking Great While Shark – Good Morning America #video

Posted By on March 6, 2024

After recently visiting Sea World in Orlando with our family … and posting on Orcas and Sharks for years here on MyDesultoryBlog.com … this ABC Good Morning America YouTube video of an Orca attacking a Great White Shark was amazing:

Archive: KDAE February 2024 vacation to Florida Wrap-Up Part 2

Posted By on March 6, 2024

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Pondering the Presidential Election on November 5th, 2024

Posted By on March 5, 2024

Tyrus

The presidential election for 2024 is nowhere close to being certain (7 months away), but it is looking more and more like a repeat of 2020: President Joe Biden (81) and Donald Trump (77) Passive Dog… an election for the aged.” 😉 

Outkick.com host and WWE wrestler, Tyrus made an interesting analogy last week comparing the likely upcoming presidential contenders to a couple of dogs, particularly as it relates to our country’s national security:

One is an old dog, who has seen better days, and the other an angry yard dog … Growling German Shepardwho barks and snaps at everything. Tyrus commented (paraphrased):

The old dog is the type who watches as thieves breaks into your house and is too tired to move and just watches.

The other dog is an intimidating yard dog who growls and barks at everything, even if it is someone just walking nearby. Those approaching sense that this dog might bite anyone who might even consider breaking into your house, so they instead give him a wide berth.

Thinking

Something to think about as November 5th draws near. 

Music Monday: “It’s going to be a bright, bright sunshiny day!”

Posted By on March 4, 2024

Stars stamps from our GranddaughterA vacation duplicate (realized after the fact) of the 1972 song “I Can See Clearly Now” recorded by the late Johnny Nash (1940-2020). I_can_see_clearly_now_(Johnny_Nash)As I mentioned before, “it was enjoyed by my parents as well as my generation … and likely is still appreciated by today’s current generation?”

Personally I never gave much thought to the many recording artists over the years were… or even if the music was considered R&B or reggae … but knew instinctively that the song was popular when it was originally released.

So for Music Monday .. while enjoying some sunshine on the beach after a visit from our granddaughter (and star stamps) that hopefully signals  the end of winter (???) … ” let’s make today a “bright, bright … sunshiny day.”
 

  Johnny Nash – “I Can See Clearly Now” | 1972

Archive: KDAE February 2024 vacation to Florida Wrap-Up Part 1

Posted By on March 3, 2024

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Tesla Offers Price Incentives in China, Raises Model Y Costs in US

Posted By on March 2, 2024

Hm … Tesla is the cost for Chinese to buy its popular Model Y in China, while raising them in the U.S. — an interesting business move???

Tesla showroom

Tesla raised the price of its Model Y rear-wheel drive and long-range vehicles in the U.S. by $1,000 to $43,990 and $48,990, respectively … while Chinese consumers buying a rear-wheel drive Model 3 sedan or a Model Y SUV can qualify for an insurance subsidy of up to 8,000 yuan ($1,100). Tesla will also provide financing plans with discounts on optional paint colors. Although it is not an official price cut, the subsidy will lower the starting price of the two cars to 237,900 yuan ($33,000) and 250,000 yuan ($34,750).

LINK

Archive: Updating the “goings-on” of Taylor and Megan

Posted By on March 1, 2024

Megan, Mac and Taylor in Cinci - Feb 2024While I really wanted to take the time and archive the great time we had in February with Katelyn, Drew and our granddaughters in Florida, I’ll start with a less time intensive post.

Mac McAnallyLast week Taylor and Megan made me jealous by going to a Mac McAnally concert in Cincinnati. It definitely looks like they had a great time. 

For those who aren’t familiar with Mac (Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band), he is a talented songwriter and musician who has written songs for a bunch of A-listers including Alabama, Sawyer Brown, Shenandoah and of course one of my favorites, Kenny Chesney. 😉 

Megan’s iPhone video

We have an extra day this Leap Year … Let’s not waste it!

Posted By on February 29, 2024

Beach Rich's Foot Feb 2024 Squirrel Meme

If you are a regular reader, then the answer is “yes” … I’ve been a bit distracted from posting regularly on MDB for the past couple of weeks. I promise to get better in March. 

Feb 29thPart of my distraction has been enjoying down time with Brenda in Florida and with my daughter and her family (a wrap up post is coming). For now, I’m taking advantage of an extra final day in February this leap year!

What is leap day? Is 2024 a leap year? 

2024 is a leap year, meaning Thursday, Feb. 29 is a once-in-every-four-year event.

Since leap years typically happen every four years (although there are some exceptions), our last leap days were in 2020 and 2016, and the next leap year will happen in 2028.

And since this is a day that doesn’t come around often, people are celebrating in different ways, with businesses offering special deals in commemoration and others finally celebrating their Feb. 29 birthday.

Here’s everything you need to know about leap day, including what is it, why it comes every four years and when it was created.

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Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee

  1. lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
  2. digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.
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