I envy your time in Death Valley (and great photograph of the eastern Sierra range front)! Your description of the Waymo car was interesting. I admire your open-mindedness to accept that experience, and then—based on it—even to applaud the robot vehicle.
There is something in my personality that will always rebel against machines making decisions for me, especially when a programmed machine such as a car overrides a clear decision that I have made as a sentient human. The Wayco car was not overriding your decisions, only carrying you passively to your chosen destination, so my curmudgeonly reservations are probably not applicable there. In our fast-becoming science fiction world, I recoil from the rise of the robot (and don't even "get me started" on the topic of using AI to plagiarize writing...!).
I think of the car like a slightly boring taxi. But I understand your hesitation in embracing the new technology. It is certainly surreal! I was surprised myself how easily I embraced the comfort of the ride. But I agree with you on the method used to train AI by scraping all the books and content belonging to others. Absolutely the wrong way to approach the process. Thanks for your thoughts on the essay!
I loved the picture of the eastern side of the Sierras. My phone screen is now covered in drool. I admire your courage and open-mindedness to get in the car and enjoy it. Most of all, I loved that Miles and Srujani organized a creative, thoughtful, and unusual series of activities for you. Wow, talk about the tides turning! That was so thoughtful of them. You must have been gliding along on that alone, never mind the car.
Can’t wait for next week about a sad, relevant, and disturbing topic, the concentration camps for the Japanese.
Thanks for appreciating the photo of the east side. My goodness, I love that part of the world as well you do too. I was sorry to leave it. I love that our kids can surprise and delight us always- you and I are both blessed in that way. I hope I don't disappoint you with the thoughts about Manzanar. It is a lot to process and I can't even begin to do justice to the history there...
Wow, what an experience (on many levels!). I think I would have been nervous at first in a driverless car, but it's very true that comparison you made between the taxi service and the driverless car - humans are not always better and more reliable. I'm so glad you got your wallet back and that you are having a lovely time with your family!
Thanks Jayne; it really WAS an experience! I'm glad I've tried it now and got rid of my fear. I'm not sure when the next opportunity I will have to use one though!
And goodness: all the things in my wallet. It is silly, but the one card I was most concerned about was my National Parks lifetime pass that is not replaceable! We were on our way to spend a week in National Parks so I am really glad I did not have to pay to replace that one.
OMG - AI on the road. I need to be convinced. Perhaps the AI cars are good for the city but not spontaneous touring in the country? PS: So glad you found your wallet!
You are right-the city is a really good place for them. Where it is crowded and people get impatient. I think of it as a taxi only. Not for doing errands or going for a ride, but just for getting from one place to another. And yes, what a relief to get my wallet back!
I envy your time in Death Valley (and great photograph of the eastern Sierra range front)! Your description of the Waymo car was interesting. I admire your open-mindedness to accept that experience, and then—based on it—even to applaud the robot vehicle.
There is something in my personality that will always rebel against machines making decisions for me, especially when a programmed machine such as a car overrides a clear decision that I have made as a sentient human. The Wayco car was not overriding your decisions, only carrying you passively to your chosen destination, so my curmudgeonly reservations are probably not applicable there. In our fast-becoming science fiction world, I recoil from the rise of the robot (and don't even "get me started" on the topic of using AI to plagiarize writing...!).
Thanks for your piece!
I think of the car like a slightly boring taxi. But I understand your hesitation in embracing the new technology. It is certainly surreal! I was surprised myself how easily I embraced the comfort of the ride. But I agree with you on the method used to train AI by scraping all the books and content belonging to others. Absolutely the wrong way to approach the process. Thanks for your thoughts on the essay!
I loved the picture of the eastern side of the Sierras. My phone screen is now covered in drool. I admire your courage and open-mindedness to get in the car and enjoy it. Most of all, I loved that Miles and Srujani organized a creative, thoughtful, and unusual series of activities for you. Wow, talk about the tides turning! That was so thoughtful of them. You must have been gliding along on that alone, never mind the car.
Can’t wait for next week about a sad, relevant, and disturbing topic, the concentration camps for the Japanese.
Thanks for appreciating the photo of the east side. My goodness, I love that part of the world as well you do too. I was sorry to leave it. I love that our kids can surprise and delight us always- you and I are both blessed in that way. I hope I don't disappoint you with the thoughts about Manzanar. It is a lot to process and I can't even begin to do justice to the history there...
Wow, what an experience (on many levels!). I think I would have been nervous at first in a driverless car, but it's very true that comparison you made between the taxi service and the driverless car - humans are not always better and more reliable. I'm so glad you got your wallet back and that you are having a lovely time with your family!
Thanks Jayne; it really WAS an experience! I'm glad I've tried it now and got rid of my fear. I'm not sure when the next opportunity I will have to use one though!
And goodness: all the things in my wallet. It is silly, but the one card I was most concerned about was my National Parks lifetime pass that is not replaceable! We were on our way to spend a week in National Parks so I am really glad I did not have to pay to replace that one.
Phew! That was good (or bad?) timing re. the pass! Have a wonderful time!
OMG - AI on the road. I need to be convinced. Perhaps the AI cars are good for the city but not spontaneous touring in the country? PS: So glad you found your wallet!
You are right-the city is a really good place for them. Where it is crowded and people get impatient. I think of it as a taxi only. Not for doing errands or going for a ride, but just for getting from one place to another. And yes, what a relief to get my wallet back!