Category Archives: Et Cetera

The Embarrassed ChatGPT Attorney

 

New York Times, June 9, 2023:

The ChatGPT Lawyer Explains Himself (Sort of)

[Excerpts; blogger Comments in bold red italics]

By Benjamin Weiser and Nate Schweber

In a cringe-inducing court hearing, a [New York City] lawyer who relied on A.I. to craft a motion full of made-up case law said he “did not comprehend” that the chat bot could lead him astray.

Steven A. Schwartz told a judge considering sanctions that the episode had been “deeply embarrassing.”

Continue reading The Embarrassed ChatGPT Attorney

To The Young Dude In His Dancing Duds – May 16, 2023

Cue The Byrds:

(And the rest of you,
open your Bibles to Ecclesiastes 3):

To everything,
(Turn, turn, turn),

There is a season,
(Turn, turn, turn),

And
a time for every purpose
under heaven.

A time to build up, a time to break downA time to dance, a time to mourn . . .
YES–tonight is the big 8th grade dance at grandson’s school, and he, usually a stay-at-home, wants to go. So here he is, spiffed up in his new 2023-style dancing duds, and ready to hit the floor. I’ll explain all the sentimental chitter-chatter around this photo to him later. Including what a boutonnière is. (Or was.)

To everything
(Turn, turn, turn),
There is a season
(Turn, turn, turn),

A time to buid up, a time to break downA time to cast away stonesA time to gather stones together
To everything
(Turn, turn, turn),
There is a season
(Turn, turn, turn),
And a time to every purpose
under Heaven . . .
A time of love, a time of hateA time of war, a time of peaceA time you may embraceA time to refrain from embracing
To everything
(Turn, turn, turn),

There is a season turn
(Turn, turn, turn),
And a time to every purpose
under Heaven

A time to gain, a time to lose

In The Yard: this pair of roses looked like just the thing for an artisanal boutonnière . . . .But when I was ready to bring it in and pin it on, he was already on his way. Whatever.

A time to sow, a time to reap,A time for love, a time for hateA time for peace, I swear it’s not too late . . .

 

Weekend Cartoon Break!

This doesn’t pass the smell test . . .

– – – –

Let’s all bow our heads . . . And hold on tight to our wallets . . .

– – – –

Clearly a great artist was born . . .

– – – –

“My last typed sentence started with, ‘Thanks for the 3 per cent COLA raise, Mr. Musk. . .’”

– – – –

Is this a scene from The New “Handmaid’s Tale –  Now for Guys Too”?


Extra . . .

“Inner Light”? Or Just an ”Anomaly”??

[Have you had “anomalous experiences” like this skeptic did? I have; but those are other stories. Here’s one that was recounted in Scientific American, where skepticism is (appropriately) an article of faith. “Anomalous experiences” (aka synchronicity, serendipity, coincidence, fate, luck, destiny, Providence, etc.) are by definition non-scientific, as they can’t be replicated like all successful experiments. But unique events are not ipso facto meaningless, as this charming account shows.]

Anomalous Events That Can Shake One’s Skepticism to the Core

Michael Shermer & Jennifer Graf, on their anomalous day

I just witnessed an event so mysterious that it shook my skepticism
By Michael Shermer on October 1, 2014

Often I am asked if I have ever encountered something that I could not explain. Continue reading “Inner Light”? Or Just an ”Anomaly”??