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Thursday, September 14, 2023

Guarding the Gates: Media Outlets vs. OpenAI

In a recent contemplation of our ever-lengthening days and the digital data that nourishes our artificial intelligence, I found myself at a crossroads. The ties between the celestial dance of the moon, the gatekeeping of knowledge by esteemed institutions, and the implications for our AI-driven future were not just intellectually stimulating but also profoundly urgent. With humanity at such a unique intersection, it's time to delve into these entangled narratives.

A Cosmic Joke in the Making

Ah, isn't it grand? The moon's taking a slow waltz away from Earth, generously gifting us with extra milliseconds each day. You'd think this celestial benevolence would encourage us to fill that time with the cream of human thought. But no, instead, we've got venerable institutions like @Reuters playing bouncer at the data club, keeping the likes of @OpenAI's web crawlers at bay.

The Daily Conundrum: To Scroll or Not to Scroll

Here's a habit for you, dear LinkedIn compatriots: how about dedicating those extra milliseconds to something other than mindlessly scrolling through your feed? Say, reading an insightful piece from a blocked outlet that your AI assistant can't summarize for you because, well, it's been banished from accessing it?

The Awe and Urgency of Gatekeeping

There's a certain awe that comes with realizing how much power these media titans wield over the construction of tomorrow's AI. It's not just awe, it's urgent. We're not talking about keeping kids off the lawn; we're talking about limiting the foundational knowledge of systems that could one day run the world.

Guarding the Gates: The Inconvenient Paradox

So, as we stand guard at the gates of information, what exactly are we protecting? Intellectual property? Or are we setting up a paradox where we have more time but less quality information to fill it? It's like being given a library card but only being allowed to read the comic section.

The Jenga Tower of Informational Dynamics

Time is lengthening, technology is advancing, and yet the choices made by these gatekeepers are pulling foundational blocks from our Jenga tower of wisdom. What happens when it topples? Do we want AI models that have been trained on a diet of digital fast food?

The Butterfly Effect on a Global Scale

The repercussions of these choices are not confined to Silicon Valley or Fleet Street. They ripple across the globe, impacting the capabilities of AI systems in healthcare, governance, and education. It's not merely a question of who gets to read what, but who gets to know what.

An Invitation to Curiosity

What would it look like if we hoarded less and shared more? What if the AI of the future had a balanced diet of information? The long-term consequences of our current gatekeeping could be dire or enlightening, and it's worth being curious about which path we'll take.

The Historical Echo Chamber

In a world where we've gone from the democratization of knowledge through the printing press to the potential hoarding of digital wisdom, one has to wonder: Are we regressing? It's as if we've come full circle from the days when knowledge was the exclusive domain of the elite.

In Conclusion

As our days ever-so-slightly lengthen, the walls around quality information seem to be closing in. The urgency of this paradox cannot be overstated. We stand at a pivotal moment where we can either democratize wisdom or continue to hoard it, impacting not just us but the AI that stands to define our future.

Deciphering the Sellout: Navigating Compromise in Professional Life

Ever felt that gnawing sensation at the pit of your stomach as you weighed the pros and cons of a decision that seemed to pit your values against your career aspirations? You're not alone. Welcome to the tightrope act of professional compromise.

There's a moment in everyone's career when you're faced with a decision that could be a game-changer, yet it lingers on the edge of your moral compass. Maybe you're asked to exaggerate a product's capabilities to a client, or perhaps you're encouraged to take credit for a colleague's work to climb that corporate ladder. It's like you're at a crossroads, and both paths are shrouded in fog.

But here's the kicker: Compromise isn't the enemy. In fact, it's woven into the very fabric of our professional lives. Remember that time you didn't agree with the team's strategy but went along with it anyway for the sake of unity? That's compromise. The problem arises when compromise becomes synonymous with selling out, with crossing lines you vowed never to cross.

Now let's talk about a daily habit that can help you navigate these murky waters—self-reflection. Just 10 minutes at the end of your workday, ask yourself, "Did I compromise my values today, and if so, how do I feel about it?" This simple routine will keep the concept of 'selling out' at the forefront of your mind, making it harder to stray from your core beliefs.

Oh, the emotional roller coaster this can trigger! The excitement of a new opportunity contrasted with the dread of making the wrong decision. It's akin to being offered a seat on a rocket to Mars; the adventure is intoxicating but, oh, the risks! Harness these high-arousal emotions to your advantage; let them propel you into making choices that not only advance your career but also enrich your soul.

When navigating the labyrinth of professional compromise, the journey is the story. And let's be honest, nobody wants to be the protagonist who sold their soul for a corner office. Instead, aim to be the hero who faced ethical dilemmas and emerged with their integrity intact. It's not just about avoiding becoming a sellout; it's about embracing compromises that align with your inner compass.

Dismantling the Single Story: Diversity in Tech

We've all heard it—the tales of Silicon Valley, the prodigious young coder hacking away in a garage, the unicorns, the disruptors. Ah, the single story of tech! But here's the raw truth: This singular narrative is not just incomplete; it's an impediment to the very essence of innovation.

Have you ever been to a tech conference and felt like you're in a scene from "The Matrix"? Everyone's dressed in the startup uniform of jeans and a hoodie, spouting jargon faster than you can say "synergy." You almost expect Keanu Reeves to walk in and announce that he's found the next big thing in decentralized blockchain AI. But let's hold up a minute. What if Neo were Neema, a brilliant woman from Nairobi, or if Morpheus were Maria, a Latina trans woman with an expertise in cybersecurity?

That's right, folks. The single story of tech as a monolithic culture—a culture that values only one type of perspective—is not only boring but also dangerous. It stifles creativity, kills diversity, and halts progress. And here's the thing: If you're not actively dismantling this narrative, you're perpetuating it.

So, what can you do? Start with a daily habit. Each morning, take five minutes to read an article or watch a video from a tech professional who doesn't look like you or share your background. This small action will do more than just diversify your LinkedIn feed; it will shatter your single-story perception of what tech can be.

Now imagine the untapped potential that diversity brings to tech. Picture a boardroom where conversations spiral into a vortex of ideas from different cultural and social contexts. Feel the excitement? That's the essence of true innovation, and it's awe-inspiring. It's like when you first discovered the internet or sent your first tweet—only this time, it's not just a technological advancement; it's a human one.

In this narrative, dismantling the single story of tech isn't a sideline activity; it's the main event. So the next time you're at a tech event and find yourself in a sea of hoodies, remember that diversity isn't just a buzzword. It's the underutilized tool that can reshape the industry, redefine innovation, and re-imagine what it means to be a tech leader. And if that's not worth sharing, I don't know what is.

Nigeria elections: Websites use false stories to attract views and ads

The BBC Global Disinformation Team analysed three new websites in Nigeria and found many false stories.

from BBC News - Africa https://ift.tt/KvJpfm1
via Gabe's Musing's

Wednesday, September 13, 2023

Libyan rivals 'co-ordinating over flood relief'

More than 5,300 people died after dam bursts brought devastating floods to the eastern city of Derna.

from BBC News - Africa https://ift.tt/5cMJHZf
via Gabe's Musing's

Libya floods: Footballers among those killed in city of Derna

The devastating floods in Libya have claimed the lives of several elite footballers, the Libyan Football Federation says.

from BBC News - Africa https://ift.tt/5Gl9nwu
via Gabe's Musing's

Libya flooding: Doctor pleads for help as body count increases

Dr Najib Tarhoni has been working at the nearest large hospital to Derna, and is assisting with the disaster.

from BBC News - Africa https://ift.tt/Cn4b7pN
via Gabe's Musing's

Afcon 2023 qualifiers: Premier League stars Mbeumo and Onana help Cameroon qualify as line-up is completed

Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo and Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana play starring roles as Cameroon qualify for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations along with Namibia.

from BBC News - Africa https://ift.tt/zR7o4JX
via Gabe's Musing's

Tuesday, September 12, 2023

African TV broadcast row: Caf broke contract as beIN Sports 'owed $98m'

The Confederation of African Football broke its contract with beIN Sports as it is owed nearly $100m by the Qatari media group, a source has told the BBC.

from BBC News - Africa https://ift.tt/7dZXFya
via Gabe's Musing's

Morocco earthquake: 'The destruction is complete, vast'

Hassan Ghani Sheikh from Islamic Relief Worldwide says people in the earthquake zone are traumatised and helpless.

from BBC News - Africa https://ift.tt/vk02bJw
via Gabe's Musing's

Libya floods: Footage shows aftermath of catastrophic floods

The floods in the city of Derna which caused two dams to collapse have been likened to a tsunami.

from BBC News - Africa https://ift.tt/N1r80Ch
via Gabe's Musing's

Morocco earthquake: Inside a centre distributing donations

There's been criticism of the official response to Friday's earthquake, with communities trying to plug the gap.

from BBC News - Africa https://ift.tt/HCMeI8s
via Gabe's Musing's

Libya floods: Floods devastate city of Derna

Eyewitness footage shows a torrent of water flowing through Derna, causing massive destruction.

from BBC News - Africa https://ift.tt/I7gfhFa
via Gabe's Musing's

Morocco earthquake: One community's search for its last victim

No one has any hope of finding Fatima alive, but they say it is important her body is recovered.

from BBC News - Africa https://ift.tt/bXfpDr2
via Gabe's Musing's

Libyan floods: Derna city alone recovers 1,000 bodies - minister

Much of Derna is under water after two dams and four bridges collapsed in flooding after Storm Daniel.

from BBC News - Africa https://ift.tt/9HZ1xp4
via Gabe's Musing's

Monday, September 11, 2023

Nuzo Onoh - the Queen of African horror who is terrified of ghosts

British-Nigerian horror writer Nuzo Ono tells the BBC that she sleeps with a "bright light on".

from BBC News - Africa https://ift.tt/ZEfwejl
via Gabe's Musing's

Morocco earthquake: Villagers' hopes waning in search for survivors

Rescuers have been using their bare hands to dig for survivors as the death toll nears 2,700.

from BBC News - Africa https://ift.tt/xIYlpqB
via Gabe's Musing's

Libya declares emergency as Storm Daniel kills 150

The storm causes severe flooding in eastern Libya after killing a dozen people in Europe last week.

from BBC News - Africa https://ift.tt/0aEfd8U
via Gabe's Musing's

Morocco earthquake: Baby starts life in tent as quake victims await aid

There is growing anger at the little help reaching towns and villages in the Atlas Mountains.

from BBC News - Africa https://ift.tt/2YOmL4e
via Gabe's Musing's

Morocco: Watch moment wedding is interrupted by powerful earthquake

Friday's earthquake, the country's deadliest in 60 years, killed more than 2,000 people.

from BBC News - Africa https://ift.tt/7oCLjT0
via Gabe's Musing's