“Artificial” Intelligence- At the crossroads again!

Over the past couple of months, mankind has taken giant leaps in the field of “artificial” intelligence. Post which many doomsday and gloomy predictions have started doing rounds.
What I feel is, this depends on the perspective of one’s vision.

Knowing what humans are capable of doing, being able to use only 4-5% of their brain’s capabilities, imagine the outcome of being able to access more.
The depths of science we can reach, new technologies to unlock, probably a higher thinking and maturing of our own brain into a sentient being. To be One with nature.
This could be possible, depending upon how we unlock our brain, to the data processing speed we are going to achieve with AI .

On the other hand, our species has been at this juncture long back. Almost over 60 million years slowly as we developed our intellect, and got to access more of our brain capabilities, we started identifying “self” from the rest of the animal kingdom. Creating layers upon layers, over a normal animal life.
Look at where it has got us- The parasites of Mother Earth.

With increased intellect, our animal instincts (of hunger, of survival, of greed, of jealousy, of carnal desires, fear of death etc.) haven’t vanished; infact our tools have gotten deadlier.

If the AI is plugged-in, to process each human thought, it would probably have to be saved from itself. A system wall, to create a blockade for such highly toxic thoughts, must be introduced to not corrupt something that can be so powerful.

The AI species needs Humans, only for creation of a power source. Once it develops a method to get an unending power supply, it probably might spell doom for human species.

This “Artificial” Intelligence is, a major software upgrade for Humans, and we need to revere it.

Humanity once again has come to the crossroads of destiny, the path we choose to take,
will decide whether AI becomes,
a part of human evolution or that of human extinction.

I hope for space exploration rather than space wars, and an answer to the question-
“Why does it all exist?”

The Impossible Dream

This is a story, which has remained with me since i first read it in school.. something that i really believe in, and in a way has shaped my Nature, growing up. In writing this story, author Art Buchwald, has inspired one life for sure..I hope to carry on “the dream”..

I was in New York the other day and rode with a friend in a taxi. When we got out, my friend said to the driver, “Thank you for the ride. You did a superb job of driving.”

The taxi driver was stunned for a second. Then he said, “Are you a wise guy or something?”

“No, my dear man, and I’m not putting you on. I admire the way you keep cool in heavy traffic.”

“Yeah,” the driver said and drove off.

“What was that all about?” I asked.

“I am trying to bring love back to New York,” he said. “I believe it’s the only thing that can save the city.”

“How can one man save New York?”

“It’s not one man. I believe I have made that taxi driver’s day. Suppose he has 20 fares. He’s going to be nice to those 20 fares because someone was nice to him. Those fares in turn will be kinder to their employees or shopkeepers or waiters or even their own families. Eventually the goodwill could spread to at least 1,000 people. Now that isn’t bad, is it?”

“But you’re depending on that taxi driver to pass your goodwill to others.”

“I’m not depending on it,” my friend said. “I’m aware that the system isn’t foolproof so I might deal with ten different people today. If out of ten I can make three happy, then eventually I can indirectly influence the attitudes of 3,000 more.”

“It sounds good on paper,” I admitted, “but I’m not sure it works in practice.”

“Nothing is lost if it doesn’t. It didn’t take any of my time to tell that man he was doing a good job. He neither received a larger tip nor a smaller tip. If it fell on deaf ears, so what? Tomorrow there will be another taxi driver I can try to make happy.”

“You’re some kind of a nut,” I said.

“That shows how cynical you have become. I have made a study of this. The thing that seems to be lacking, besides money of course, for our postal employees, is that no one tells people who work for the post office what a good job they’re doing.”

“But they’re not doing a good job.”

“They’re not doing a good job because they feel no one cares if they do or not. Why shouldn’t someone say a kind word to them?”

We were walking past a structure in the process of being built and passed five workmen eating their lunch. My friend stopped. “That’s a magnificent job you men have done. It must be difficult and dangerous work.”

The workmen eyed my friend suspiciously.

“When will it be finished?”

“June, a man grunted.

“Ah. That really is impressive. You must all be very proud.”

We walked away. I said to him, “I haven’t seen anyone like you since The Man From LaMancha.”

“When those men digest my words, they will feel better for it. Somehow the city will benefit from their happiness.”

“But you can’t do this all alone!” I protested. “You’re just one man.”

“The most important thing is not to get discouraged. Making people in the city become kind again is not an easy job, but if I can enlist other people in my campaign. . .”

“You just winked at a very plain-looking woman,” I said.

“Yes, I know,” he replied. “And if she’s a schoolteacher, her class will be in for a fantastic day.”

Why we fight!

Distrubed mind
Broken heart
Tiring limbs
Gloomy soul
Emotionless face;
Look directly into
Innocent ailing eye’s inquiring,
“Can I trust you with my life?”
The warmonger within smiles
Another puzzle to unravel
Another battle to fight.

Bad Weather

Is it really this bad to play this role,To feel, the chosen one to mend this shithole,
Why is it legal to allow him to be surrounded by sorrow, throughout,
Forced to believe its his job to absorb all the sufferings, world around has to flush out,
How can anyone be expected to be sane, when all they hear are cries of pain,
I believe i have earned the right to be callous to the joy of November rain..

Rain

As always the train had been late. Heavy rains had hit the city by surprise. Full one week earlier than predicted by our sharp MET dept. As i stood there on the platform, looking around at people trying to find shelter from the heavy downpour, couldn’t help but feel so victorious about carrying my blue umbrella. Better safe than sorry, that’s what dad says. 

             Just then i felt a tug at my trousers. A kid, no more than 8 years, accompanied by another “blind” girl, of maybe 12 years, were asking for money. I rolled my eyes and ignoring them poured my entire attention into my smartphone. 

          I had always been skeptical about giving money to the beggars. My dad always said, they are professionals, who would rather beg than work for a living. He would say,if any beggar troubles you, just look at it sternly and tell it to come work at our home instead. This would drive them away everytime.

So i had developed, a cold heart towards beggars. 

    Over the years of my stay in the city i also realized that not only were these beggars growing in number but that they seemed a part of an organization. You could see the same beggar at the same place begging for hours without getting any alms and still be there the next day. They were everywhere now –  traffic signals, train stations, beach, outside restaurants, on streets, etc.. they are like the people who work in shadows. Thus it lead me to even fear them as i grew older..

What if, this organization, they are a part of, in some way tilts the security scales of the city on daily basis.. trading information right from underworld to the police officials.. could be  possible! 

Such fears develop, when you live in a city with a major terror attack, on frequent occasions. Fear like virus keeps working from the back of your mind, always making you question the motives of everyone around you. In a way maybe killing a part of humanity.

        As i was thinking all this, i saw the train had arrived. It was time to set everything in action. Catching a train in the rush hours, was like playing rugby, with everyone against you. Tempers flying high, people catching hold of bars, handles, sometimes people themselves.. anything and everything that will help them stick together till their destination. Very very dangerous. Every time you have to do a risk assessment of Time to reach office and  Security of your life.. depending upon this you do, what has to be done.

   Today I was really late. I had to board this train, which was already full up to its max point. Quickly i closed the umbrella and jammed myself into the crowd. I got space to place one feet and most of my body in balance. Lucky! More people tried to get in, seems like everyone was late today. I was just glad to have found space. Had held on to inside bar, placed one feet above the other..we tried pushing in.. but everyone on the inside,is a squeezed lemon,pushing outwards for air. So a state of equilibrium has to be adjusted before the train starts.

         Just then the train started, a push from inside came outward towards us like a wave..I felt it before anyone else on the boarding rail of the train..i held on tight.. but the man on my left lost his balance and fell..frantically,he tried to hold on to something, and that something turned out to be my umbrella, on the side of my bag..He fell bad on his back just as the train started gaining speed..I saw all this from the corner of my right eye..saw my blue umbrella go with him, left behind.

But I got space to place my second feet now. 

          

Rest of the day in the office went by swiftly. Customers coming in and going,arguments all around, work being stalled due to electricity cuts, puddle of water in and around the office, boss shouting orders, employees screaming at each other..I Hate rains! 

I was already dripping wet as I reached,  the platform to catch the train back home. The wonderful part was, again it was the rush hour time..the usual crowd going back home. But this time along with all anger and frustration of their day.. so it gets worse. A regular fight or two, of raised voices, can be expected in such times. People venting out their anger, before reaching home.

All you do is stand there like a corpse, waiting for your destination to arrive, and get dragged out with the entire crowd, getting down..That is routine!

And so after 45 min of train journey, I stood on the platform waiting for the heavy downpour to at least reduce a little.. my next task was to get to the rickshaw stand 100 meters away. I tried asking people around, with umbrellas, if I could get cover, till the stand..

No one seemed interested, ignored me and walked by hurriedly.

I was tired and hungry. Longed for a good bath and hot dinner, with nice sleep.. but it was one hurdle away..I Hate rains!

Just then, I felt a tug at my trousers. I looked back and saw it was, the same 8-year-old kid from morning. He held my blue umbrella in his little hands.

I stared blankly. I was confused. He smiled and offered it to me.. all i could do was, with some sense of guilt take the umbrella from the kids hand. He blinked twice as we had our last eye contact and I turned into the rain to cross the hurdle to reach my home..

          But something in me didn’t feel right. I couldn’t take another step.. I stood there, few meters from the waiting rickshaw. Looked back to see the kid still there.. taking shelter under a small shade, with the blind girl by his side. I walked back. I had to.

I gave the kid my blue umbrella and a 50 rupee note. I still felt guilty, since all this felt not enough..

But the kid. He looked up and smiled with bright eyes.. 

               .. That was all it took..I turned around and walked back, getting drenched in the rain.

But this time with a smile. 

I realized, I do love rain..

Organ Donation

http://organdonationday.in/

Let me start of with a story, be patient and read

*          There was a factory, not long ago, which used to make superb cuckoo-clocks. A small, but dedicated group of workers, trained to do the same thing each day on the assembly line, worked there for almost 20 years!
The boss was erratic but hard working. The money flow was decent and continuous.
But then one day, the money stopped.
The boss had made some glaring mistakes in his dealings, putting the company and the livelihood of his workers in danger!
So, he resigned and the company went under, since it was in a huge debt!

But what about the workers?

No debt in the world could take away, what they had learnt and were really good at. Just coz the company wasnt there, or the boss, didn’t mean they should stop surviving.

Guess, new investors and a stable boss could give rise to another successful company.. dont you think so?                                             *

By now you would realize the point, i am trying to make here.

You are not your body. At best, you are Nature’s IKEA project.

It is a gift, which you have received, after permutations and combinations of millions and billions of years. Even a slight, 0.1% deviation somewhere and, you would not have been alive to read this, in the form you are in present.
So to say you are “lucky” to be alive and healthy, is an understatement.
It is an achievement of nature.

But, some are not.

Some due to their own, or by someone else’s action, or due to nature’s mistake, end up in a situation no one would, voluntarily, want to be in.
But don’t such people also have the right to live. To lead a life, with ‘a chance’ for equal opportunities, like we have been blessed with? or just a second shot to survive?

With the progress in scientific and medical fields this has been made possible. (First try, at Head transplant is going to take place in 2017, by Dr. Sergio Canavero.A milestone in human history, if successful)

Your Donation of organs can lead to saving/changing, atleast 3 lives minimum.. Think about it!

Just like you, even your organs have the right to live, and do the work they have been so highly trained at. Do not waste your gifts!

and don’t worry, you will not feel any pain after; only happiness  before.

would like to end this, with a passage-

“The wise understand, that everything they own, is on temporary loan and the possession merely an illusion.
For no one can take earthly possession, with him or her when they die. Surely, they may possess a possession for a little while, but sooner or later ‘it will come to pass’, that everything will be left behind….the act of giving a material possession is eternal.  For no matter what happens to that given object, ‘the act’, has been placed within eternity. So in truth only that which you give,is what you keep forever.”

– Elijah (Prophet,9th century BC)

THE ART OF CYBER MANIPULATION

“India is an intolerant country”

There, that was easy. One simple line, repeat it often, across all forms of media and watch it become the truth.

Reminds me of the scene from HOUSE OF CARDS, when Frank (politician) plants a story with Zoe, (newbie news reporter) suggesting a cabinet appointment, he tells her to- “say that name.. say it over and over. Tomorrow afternoon, write it down, then watch that name come out the mouth of the President of the United States. This is where we get to create.” and no wonder what follows is a ‘domino effect‘.
That is when you realize –

“ A pen is mightier than a sword.“

We have been reading about this since our school days; but never before, have we been able to experience it first hand.

Our brain is a stone and our five senses the chisel, that give a shape to it. What we feed our brain via these senses mainly contributes to the outcome.

Intolerance has been repeated so often now that our brain has taken it up as the truth, waving a red flag as soon as it sees a pattern matching the same..

But, how many of us actually face intolerance on a day-to-day basis? is the real question. 

My life, personally is free of such, so called rising intolerance. And if i look out of my window i cannot see it. For miles arround me, each and every person is living his life, going about doing his or her work..

.. but all that changes, as soon as i switch on the news or go on twitter or Facebook or whatsapp. It is as if, the whole world is exploding with riots and end of humanity. 

That is where the problem lies..

Dumbing down our brain, to such a level that, unknowingly we have been manipulated by the social media is not a new concept. We have been been brain washed over ages with speeches, newspapers, radio,movies, music,TV, videos etc etc, for good or bad.

But that was nothing, compared to the means available now. In these past few years with advancement of technology, the world has just become too close for comfort.

And this online life has started creeping into our actual offline life..

Ever wondered what our life would be if, we had no government or rules and regulations. If  we were allowed to self govern our thoughts and actions?
well, THAT is the online virtual world, that you and i have surrounded ourself with,
and
“Chaos”
is the word to describe it.

The problem is, people have got an easy access, to excess amounts of the  virtual stage.
Everyone has an opinion, and uncensored can telecast it to the entire world,
and with every “like”  every “retweet” every “forward“,  it becomes a positive reinforcement for the brain to stick to that kind of thinking.

It is like telling a joke which everyone laughs at and then you keep repeating it. But it is only funny once or twice, after that you need a new joke or a new audience.. And that is where our virtual world steps in.. endless supply of new people. Some you have never or will never meet..

I have always believed that Human greed for power, money and fame will lead to our ultimate doom.. and now the power to control the people has never been easier. Isolated events happening across the world, play right into the hands of those, who do not want me and you to live in peace for their own greed.

My country has been the same. I do not believe, it to have become intolerant suddenly (if it was; riots would have been going around as you read)

..only there is a “fish market” online which needs to turn down its volume a bit!

That said; are you willing to disconnect yourself from this virtual world (including tv and other forms of media) completely?

I think not.

Who would want to feel left out??

(remember groupism?, peer pressure from school and college days? , herd mentality?)
We have become a bunch of unruly immature kids running wild on the Internet..and that is the truth!

In the end all i want to say is-

Be careful what you feed your brain,
because it is highly impressionable.

You and I have the power to ignore it and stop letting the negativity affect us, and do what really matters to us.

25th Nov 2015.

“Keep a check on your digital diet, cause it might be making you terribly sick.” 

Sailing Dreams

This monotony of life has got to me;
standing here like an old navy..
I am searching for that precious land alluding me…

DREAMs washed away in this storming ocean,
all that i can do is wait here and watch-
as birds fly,
up in the sleeping sky..

The Celestial wheel is guiding my ship,
across an unknown path-to an unknown world;

a world where dreams have wings&
are open to fly…
where peoples heart aint bound by shackles of lie;
and such is a place where a sailor loves to-
live & die…(20/1/2010)