Overreliance on AI Can Lead to Inert Minds

 

A.I. has been at the forefront of the latest trends, affecting our lifestyles in ways that were not deemed possible before. It has been integrated onto our mobile phones, computers, and even cars. It has progressed so perfectly that it seems to be capable of answering every problem that's thrown at it. It can give legal advice while it diagnoses certain diseases just by analyzing the blood test results. It came so ahead of expectations that we can never guess what is next.

Alas, we adapted to what the AI can offer so well that we forget to make use of our intellectual capacity. We almost instantly submit anything we are looking for to AI applications that are around. True, the AI is so good at providing excellent feedback, but this way we do not prompt any of our neurons to try to reach an answer. Thus, our brains do not shine in the process.

We rely too much on information that is gathered by the machine. Our brains do not seek meaningful explanations. This might pose serious risks to the learning processes that are supposed to create robust minds capable of thinking independently.

We must admit that A.I. has transformed our lives in every aspect. Yet, if we expect to complete each task without adding any value from ourselves, we are bound to witness drastic deterioration in our intellectual capacity.

Books Over Tech: Who Is the Winner?

 

Books have been the very most intellectual driver for many of us. They provide valuable information on just about anything as well as a great sense of joy. They not only enlarge our vocabulary, but they also trigger our brains, making us intellectually more capable. Furthermore, books let us spend quality time, costing as little as possible.

Back before the 2000s, books had been the sole tool of entertainment after maybe the TV. Since the internet and the video games were not as big as they are today, most of us read books to entertain ourselves. We let ourselves flow with the book, jumping from one adventure to another. We used to build a world in our minds, where the events in the book unfold. It was our imagination that decided how the characters and the places in the book would look.

Nowadays, books have ceased to be one of the most used items in one’s bag. People use mobile phones in the event they need to access some information. They watch video or play games during their journeys on the subways. It feels more convenient to browse through pages on their mobiles than to carry some bulky book around with them.

However, choosing an electronic device over a book makes one inert. Consuming media that do not require much brainpower to process leaves the mind untrained. You might suffer from attention deficit because of typical internet videos. Your physical health might suffer from long durations of screen time.

In sum, it might be a good idea to cut down on the time spent with the technology and switch back to good-old books. While making you wiser, books are equally fun.

Cars Get Complicated: Do We Actually Need It?

 

Cars of today have gotten so much technology-driven that they have converged to become a Swiss Army knife from being a simple machine of transportation. They now possess so many quirks and features, which makes them essentially a technological tool that is able to serve so many needs. The market is flooded with models that do not offer physical buttons but a touch screen to control even the basic functions, like setting the temperature inside the car. While automatic gear shifting has long been standard for the sector, the gear lever itself has started to disappear completely.

Automobiles used to be much simpler than their current make. The automakers of the '90s and 2000s prioritized longevity and reliability over the technological upper hand. Their build quality surpassed that of today's, as we still see many cars made during that era on the roads. Today’s cars, albeit much more technologically superior, brake often and do not last more than a couple of hundred thousand miles.

Another face of this discussion can be driving safety. True, today’s cars exhibit more safety features than ever. Yet, they provide so many entertainment opportunities throughout the ride, posing a safety hazard to the driver in terms of distraction.

I can attest to the fact that all these new technological innovations make the customers satisfied. However, manufacturers should not forget that the majority of customers only demand safe travel over the years with low cost of maintenance. The rest is optional.

Air Crash Investigators: Heroes Behind the Safe Travel

 

Air travel has become so mainstream that we take it for granted. It has been defined as the safest and the fastest option of travel, especially for greater distances. However, it has not always been so safe. There have been crashes with a worrying number of casualties. Crashes and minor mishaps still occur, although not as often as before. This is due to the fact that each crash hints to authorities at fixing what might be wrong with the airplane or the persons that operate it.

Officials who are responsible for investigating the causes behind each crash report their findings as well as cite their recommendations as to what might be corrected in order for us not to witness such tragedies again. They search the crash site gathering leads that could help them come up with theories as to how the crash has happened. The most important clues almost always come from Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder. These devices store the flight data and actual communiations of the pilots that took place right before the crash.

Air crash investigators happen to be coming from a group of people who have worked in the aviation industry and possess knowledge and expertise on aviation-related accidents. Their work consists of collecting evidence from the accident site, photographing the aircraft parts, interviewing the witnesses, and, in some extreme cases, trying to replicate the events leading to the accident. They even conduct experiments to prove their cases.

Air travel is extremely safe thanks to the changes put forward following the recommendations coming from these investigators. That is why we need to glorify what they do and appreciate their work every time our plane lands safely.

Watch Vibes: Automatic or Quartz

 

To some, watches are not just a time-telling device but a living organism that bonds with the owner. This bond can not be achieved if the watch uses some material involving digitized technology. Although it is much more convenient to use a battery-operated watch, these enthusiasts prefer automatic watches, namely the mechanical watches, over the quartz ones, which need batteries to run.

Quartz watches have come into being not so earlier. Rather, it was invented in the 70s. It uses a relatively cheap mineral called quartz. Quartz crystals have an ability to vibrate under some electrical signal. And its vibration is calibrated so that it moves the hour and second hands of a watch precisely. A small-sized battery powers these watches. Such watches are cheap to manufacture since they do not contain complicated parts and pieces. And they offer extreme accuracy.

Automatic watches, on the other hand, pose challenges to the makers, as they have so many parts. They are powered by the motion of your wrists, while some models need manual winding. They will not need battery replacements. However, they will stop ticking after sitting for a period longer than a couple days. When not worn or not wound, automatic watches deplete their power reserve. Lastly, they are not that accurate, typically losing a couple of seconds a day.

Despite the downsides of owning an automatic watch, watch enthusiasts love the way the second hand flies. Unlike the quartz watches, the second hand flows continuously. It is subtle details like these that make automatic watches appeal to some tastes.

Watches Forever

 

Checking the time has become so straightforward lately that it is almost available in everyone’s pockets in the form of mobile phones. Phone screens made the time-telling practice so easy that the demand for wristwatches and desk clocks has gone downward.

Wristwatches have begun to be perceived as nothing more than an ordinary accessory. Some find it a nuisance since it needs periodical battery changes as well as a new strap caused by wear and tear.

However, there are still people who strongly favor wearing watches. To them, telling the time using a mobile phone requires more effort because it takes time for one to flash it out of the pocket. Yet, checking your wrist to tell the time happens almost instantly. They posit that wearing a watch cannot be confined within the idea of fashion. It should be regarded as a respectful way of paying homage to the science of timekeeping.

Watches, in that sense, boast a set of technological advancements, which mesmerize the users deeply. It almost becomes a hobby in which the user admires not only the technology but also the looks. There are tons of different shapes and brands of watches that appeal to owners with different styles. Enthusiasts love wearing different watches that can match with their outfit. That is why they own multiple watches and shuffle them according to their mood on a particular day.

There are wristwatches available to everyone from different income levels. A cheap watch can do the job of timekeeping and still look cool. What is important is how it makes the owner feel.

Dinosaurs: A Child’s Obsession

 

In 1993, the first Jurassic Park movie hit the box office with incredible success. The movie had visual effects so sharp that it almost looked real. The dinosaurs depicted were so realistic and true to the originals that it made a whole generation of kids become fans of dinosaurs. It literally sparked a frenzy among kids of the 90s to search and read anything about dinosaurs.

Publishers rushed to release books, magazines, and comics about dinosaurs to profit from such a high demand. Museums opened new collections that include dinosaur fossils. Children were led to activities consisting of digging for dinosaur bones at various sites. Toys and miniatures of different dinosaur species became very popular, selling tens of thousands.

It was fun for kids to enjoy those amenities. However, the real benefit of the dinosaur madness came with the fact that it instilled a sense of scientific curiosity in children. They were curious about how these creatures lived, how they were fed, and sadly, how they all died and went extinct. No wonder most of these kids wanted to be paleontologists back then.

The generation that had been through this frenzy is believed to have engaged in STEM more than the generations that follow. Some of them sought careers in engineering and academics. Others, when grown up to become adults, have been into science as a hobby.

After this “dinosaur frenzy” died down, new generations got addicted to areas that do not always benefit them. Kids of today are so very much bound to video games and mobile phones that they have been made to neglect any interest in science.

Drones Find New Uses

 

A Quadcopter Drone

Drones have divulged into more aspects of our modern life as they get technologically more complicated. Their versatile use comes as no surprise as they find new fields of implementation over time. The latest place where drones are starting to excel is the combat arena.

Drones had a limited use in the field of conflicts up until now. They were used as a means of surveillance, monitoring the situation on the battlefield. Equipped with the cutting-edge use of optics, drones surveyed and gathered intelligence about the other party in a conflict.

However, the latest developments around the conflict zones assigned drones new duties with additional capabilities. They now can be controlled by virtual reality goggles from a distance, which is called “First Person View.” This way it is much easier for the drone operator to steer and pinpoint the drones to any location.

Additionally, they have been installed with some explosive ordnance with which they can strike the enemy. A drone can now take out an enemy tank single-handedly.

The use of drones as a weapon brought about important tactical implications that must be taken into account by all sides of any conflict. Because drones are cheap to produce and capable of destroying expensive equipment, they changed the military doctrine forever.

First introduced to fulfill non-combat duties such as aerial photography, drones have come a long way. Their job on combat operations is well-consolidated now and is expected to continue in the future with a greater scope.

How to Spark An Interest on Aviation

The quickest technological progress that human-beings has ever accomplished might be considered as advancements on aviation. In less than 100 years after Wright-Brothers’ attempt at flying with the most basic airplane, we transport millions around the globe by air through state-of-the art airplanes, which weigh tons. Such an improvement would not have been concieved if it was not for the passion of persons on aviation.

Such a passion would only be lived on by helping kids develop a love for flying and everything that makes us move in the air. The next generation should take aviation to the next level and they must be exposed to jets, helicopters and all flying machines throughout their educational career.

One way to install such a passion is to take them to museums wih aviation themes. Getting up close and personal with some of the historic aircraft can be quite helpful. Quoting on how these operated on the real life and telling stories about these flying wings might capture the little ones’ attention.

They can also be taken to the nearest air show where people can get up close and personal with various aircraft. Unlike museums, these are not static displays. You can watch them fly by and even perform some aerobatics, which might spark an interest in these machines. Feeling the vibrations that the jet engines produce always gets one into an excitement and awe.

The love for flying starts at the childhood. Pilots are often the ones who kept dreaming on flying when they were young. We should encourage young people to pursue aviation-related careers.

As the great Turkish Leader Ataturk says: “The future is in the skies.”

When Audio Becomes an Obsession

 

Music takes up a good part of our lives since it is conceived as a form of entertainment which you can enjoy on the go. With the advent of portable devices that are able to play music anywhere, music has become more accessible and easily available. Gone are the days when one can only access music through radiotapes which were bulky and heavy.

People now listen to music through their mobile phones, which is always available to them wherever they go. Using earphones, there is no interference between us and the music, enabling a whole new listening experience. Every note, every instrument and every subtle detail in music is now discernible by listeners.

Such an experience has created a new phenomenon called “audiophly”. People who claim to enjoy only the best-sounding music call themselves audiophils. They are known to tell all the characteristics of good-sounding music, and to them any crack at the sound would take away the joy of listening.

Audiophils yearn for the ultimate music experience that money can buy. Thus, they are always on the lookout for technology that has the potential to enhance this experience. To them, people should steer clear of the sound equipment that is technologically inferior-it steals from the joy of music.

Making the most of the listening experience, it might be a good idea to pick the right equipment. However, spending way more than you can afford to pursue that dream is not sensible. We can still have fun listening to music while setting our expectations according to our budget.

Is Switching to an EV a Good Idea?

 

Electric Cars

Trashing your current gas operated car in favor of a brand new Electric Car (EV) may prove to be an economic decision considering your transportation bill would dip down. However, such a transition could have its downsides, as electric cars pose challenges of their own too.

First of all, EVs run on electricity, which is cheaper than gas most of the time. If you charge your car from your house, the cost savings compared to filling gas tank become more significant.

EVs cost less to make since they consist of fewer parts compared to a traditional car. All it requires to make an EV run is to put together an electric motor and a battery pack. They do not have an engine and a transmission, which are known to be overly complicated parts.

Because EVs do not possess such parts to begin with, they do not require substantial maintenance as the gas powered cars do on regular intervals. This is another cost saving facet of EVs.

On the other hand, the range of EVs is not so promising, as you have to charge your car more so often in order not to be left stranded on the side of the road. This can be a big nuisance especially when there are not enough charging stations in the proximity.

Charging duration can also pose a question mark for potential buyers since it might take an hour to completely charge your car even on those fast chargers. The situation gets more annoying if all the stations are occupied and you have to wait for some time to find a vacant spot.

Owning an EV might sound like a cheaper and a cleaner way of getting from point A to point B. Yet, it is not without its woes.

Lost Appetite – The Joy of Reading

 

I remember I stared at comic magazines before I learned to read. I was trying to guess what was going on just by looking at the pictures and turning the pages, curious to see what happens next. After I learned how to read, those comic books became my lasting memories from my childhood. I was so happy reading them, never knowing what boredom was.

Nowadays, I rarely see children enjoying their reading sessions. Reading feels like something obligatory as an extension to their studies rather than an activity to get joy out of it. Although the selection of books available to them is much more diverse than what it used to be, kids do not seem to find books that make them jubilant.

This is largely attributable to the technology that surrounds today’s youth. The internet has made available just about any digital content. Movies, games, and all sorts of digital entertainment instilled a sense of insatiability into young minds. Accessing everything and switching back and forth between each media with ease, kids started to be oblivious to simple things that used to make them happy. To them, reading takes time and some mental energy. They could simply watch an episode of their favorite TV series instead and get the same joy they could have gotten out of reading.

The joy of reading faded because of the excessive use of technology in kids. Technology, though helpful if used correctly, can mess with your child’s cognitive skills. Reading, on the other hand, flourishes their mental skill set while giving them a good time.

Toyota's Legacy

Toyota has been known for making reliable cars for decades. Their cars are labeled as having the perfect combination of passenger safety, comfort, and cost-effectiveness. Toyota excels at anything an average consumer may need while claiming low emissions. But how do they achieve these traits anyway?

Toyota’s secret lies in their relentless pursuit of consumer satisfaction. To them, a satisfied consumer can be more important than money since a customer having a bad experience with the brand might discourage others who had eyes on the same brand. That’s why they recall all those cars with defective airbags. Even though it costs them a fortune to undertake such an endavour, it makes the consumers happy to feel valued.

Toyota never makes drastic changes to their cars, making sure that no hiccups happen at the production phase. Something that has not been tested and tried can always go wrong. Hence, it is company policy that innovation is introduced incrementally rather than abruptly. That does not mean Toyota’s doors are closed to technological advancements; rather, the timing of these advancements is of vital importance.

Toyota emphasizes environmental sustainability. They acted a lot earlier than its competitors by introducing hybrid cars to the industry. Converting some of the car’s kinetic energy to electricity and thereby using that electricity to move the car was revolutionary. Others followed Toyota on hybrid cars, helping consumers enjoy a driving experience that is cleaner and cheaper.

Toyota continues the legacy by offering people a safe and comfortable ride from point A to point B while still working on ways to enhance the consumer experience further. Setting the standards higher while stiffening the competition, Toyota’s production mentality lifts the automobile industry as a whole.

Drones Get Equipped With A.I.

Drones have taken up a bigger space in our skies lately. Easy to operate than any other aerial vehicle, drones are used in so many areas, from delivery of goods to surveillance. By incorporating drone technology with artificial intelligence, drones can also be controlled by computers. Although such a technology is still in its infancy, it will transform the future of drones dramatically.

Assigning each drone with an a.i. gives them a sense of autonomy, allowing them to decide what to do depending on changing circumstances. A drone equipped with advanced CPUs can calculate the possible whereabouts of disaster survivors and help authorities locate them. Drones can survey and map areas struck by disasters, accelerating the search and rescue efforts.

Drones can also navigate through stern environments where humans cannot get there safely. Caverns, cliffs, and summits can all be explored by drones without putting human life in danger. They can pinpoint congested streets or roads, reporting spots that cause traffic jams.

The fight against crime can also be another area to make use of drones. We would not need any choppers to follow criminals who run off by vehicle. The chase vehicle can be easily tracked by drones, which can calculate possible routes that the runaway vehicle could divert to. This would greatly ease law enforcement's efforts to fight crime.

The future of drones is very bright. The application of drones has become so widespread that its implications will affect everyone for the better. Life will be a lot easier, and the world will be safer.

Why We Should Never Let Tech Kill Practical Skills

 

The age of technology has changed our lives forever. We can access information easier than ever. All the things we need pertaining to traffic, media, entertainment, etc. are all digitally available to us. A simple click, and you get a screen that shows how the weather is going to be in your neighborhood.

I totally agree that technology brings convenience, yet it also accounts for the loss of our ability to do things manually. We did stop writing with our hands on real paper because we rely heavily on our keyboards or touch screens to type a simple message. We follow our cars’ navigation systems to find our way instead of reading a city map to figure out a direction.

The grip of our minds on our muscles starts to loosen as we get too lazy, making use of technology unnecessarily. Such can be discerned in kids who are into gaming. These kids lock themselves in their rooms for hours to play video games while their friends go out and play outside. Those who spend too much time in front of the screen will be blunting their practical skills. Whenever they face a task that requires practicality, they will have a hard time accomplishing it.

We should never forget that the technology that we enjoy today was the result of some sort of manual labor. Some tightened the bolts, and some drew the blueprints by hand. We owe it to those who have put all these ideas into practice. We should never let technology itself kill our practical abilities, which we need for further improvement.

Chess is Getting More Robotic

 

The beauty of chess cannot be denied, yet this beauty has been spoiled by the implementation of technology. Moves that have been memorized and played in a robotic way demolish the sole purpose of the game, i.e., unpredictability.

When playing chess was counted towards a profession that involved all the good stuff like trophies and medals, people started to forget about the real essence of the game. Winning championships and getting awarded medals mesmerized players to such a degree that their way of training is purely focused on winning at all costs. Memorizing the openings and famous historic games move by move happened to be the norm.

Such practices gained popularity with the widespread use of computers in chess. Players working with and playing against computers leaned towards a game plan that is by-the-book and lacks creativity. Players ability to play out-of-the-ordinary moves crafted ingeniously was blunted.

Moves that create havoc around the chess board do not always conform with the textbooks, which adds originality to the game. Playing the game as a human who can make mistakes and wonder at the same time cherishes the century-old prodigy of the game.

However, the latest developments in the chess game, which incorporate technology, have damaged the game. It has lost its very human roots, where mistakes are welcome. Instead, the game transformed into a scripted path where a perfect move is always met with a robotically perfect move.

Chess should be returned to its human way. Computers’ influence on how we play should whine down in order for the board to witness more vibrant and joyful games.