Philosophy

Artificial Intelligence is NOT taking over the world, next hopeful installment: I set out this week to walk 100 km from Aix to Arles and keep my eye out for things that we Do NOT Need AI for. Today I saw the vestiges of Roman Aqueducts. Marvels of engineering and survey measurement and construction done without computers, without satellites, without aliens. Just with good old human brain and brawn. I strolled down the Aurelian Way, a path that's been there since Emperor Aurelian, and I met lovely, delightful people, ones who take the time to be curious, witty, and wise. I sat beside a gaggle of 5 old ladies at a café in a small, ancient town called "Old Fountain" - Fontvielle. Their eyes were sparkly and they were curious about everything. One saw me reading the town map (with historical bits conveniently translated in 4 languages) so she came over to recommend all the best spots in the area. Nimes, Arles, les Baux, the Camargue… She didn't tell me to just go googl...

Two Useful Language Lessons from Dutch travellers I met this week. First, they told me there's no word in Dutch for "Sorry" and asked why people use that word in English so much. I have to admit that I don't really know WHY people use it. It's so passive-aggressive, quite often, or self-effacing... it often just brings the energy of everything lower. Some years ago I did a prolonged experiment of saying "Sorry" or "Thank you" when people stepped aside from me on the narrow bike/walking paths in Nova Scotia. If you say "sorry" the energy comes down. They're obliged to stop their conversation and say "oh, it's alright." Nobody has any fun with that. But when you say "thank you," they smile, they might say "you're welcome," they feel that their effort was appreciated by you, and the energy goes up. ***So. Rule 1. Say Thank you Instead of Sorry!!*** The second thing I learned was this: in...