Category: Fourre-tout

Frankly, the future scares me.
Very soon we will be surrounded by a multitude of robots that will carry out most of our regular tasks. But since many people are still unable to deal with remote control, managing bots might be problematic.

Of course, pipsqueaks will feel at ease with the humanoids and sneer at their elders… and that’s part of what scares me. I don’t want to be in the ignominious position of asking a first grader how to proceed. It would be like asking my cat how to make an omelet. The beast would lose the little respect it presently has for me.

This morning I visited my periodontist in order to get a dental implant. He told me that he had to take x-rays of my actual dentition in order to properly insert the implant.

A technician led me to a rather scary device looking like an electric chair. I sat down and he strapped my head with another Frankenstein looking apparatus. He covered my torso with a lead apron and ordered me to stand still.
Incidentally, he didn’t bother to ask me for my last request.

He left the room and suddenly something started to rotate silently around my head… with the obvious purpose of extracting my most inner thoughts… or how much money I had in my checking account. I tried to resist by conjuring a defensive shield, but the machine was too quick and too powerful.

This is the position we are going to be in, in just a few short years. Helpless and at the mercy of power-hungry machines.

Soon humankind will be a minority, treated with contempt by haughty androids. We might be subjected to random searches or arbitrary arrests. It would be a good idea to secure a lawyer ahead of time… an android lawyer of course, smarter than our regular mouthpieces.

Robots have already invaded many domains. They are numerous in government (yes), in manufacturing plants and even in operating rooms. Very soon a surgeon would not dream of doing a heart transplant without the assistance of a robot… preferably an attractive looking robot.

I don’t want to be alarmist, but it might be a good idea to establish defensive alliances with other human beings in order to counter the robot menace.

Artificial Intelligence is a dangerous thing.

“I’m increasingly inclined to think that there should be some regulatory oversight, maybe at the national and international level, just to make sure that we don’t do something very foolish. I mean with artificial intelligence we’re summoning the demon.” —Elon Musk 

I don’t want to be another Chamberlain. Don’t ever say that I didn’t warn you.

Alain

“The most difficult thing in any negotiation, almost, is making sure that you strip it of the emotion and deal with the facts.” – Howard Baker

Les Gilets Jaunes (Yellow Jackets) have been wreaking havoc (stinging hard) all over France for the last 2 months. Some have legitimate grievances and some, unable (as seen on French TV) to clearly vocalize their demands, just go along for the ride. Grumbling is part of the French national character and even when things are sitting pretty, the “ronchonneurs” will still have a go at it.

This is not to say that all is well in the land of Cognac and foie gras. It is not.

The biggest problem facing the world today is a glaring economic inequality. The disproportionate gap between haves and have not is endangering world peace; it brings the already boiling social kettle dangerously close to exploding.

As witnessed by the recent riots in France, many workers are chafing under difficult economic conditions and demand some reforms. But reform is a loaded word.

Every man is a reformer until reform tramps on his toes. Edgar Watson Howe

Yes, we want to protect the environment but we don’t want to pay for that. We want reduced taxes, better medical benefits, early retirement, increased social security but we don’t know and don’t care where the money is going to come from.
A balanced budget? Never heard of that.

Reforming a country’s habits and long-standing institutions is one of the most difficult things in the world. No matter what is being tried, some people will remain eternally dissatisfied.

Most of the people don’t mind making less money than the super-rich. What they want is being able to afford life’s basic necessities, plus a touch of luxury. They don’t care if somebody makes a million dollars an hour as long as they can live comfortably. This is not unreasonable.

What is unreasonable is a refusal to negotiate with a democratically elected government and senseless destruction (and looting) of property. There is a clear line between protesting and mindless destruction.
You can never get everything you want, but by negotiating you can at least secure 2 or 3 of your most important demands.

Les Gilets Jaunes are currently a bunch of disorganized lemmings (infiltrated by thugs) reveling in their newfound notoriety. But ultimately, they will need some leaders to represent them and negotiate on their behalf. A long stalemate will not play in their favor. In the long run, the man in the street is going to grow tired of the mayhem and turn against them.

Negotiation (and compromise) is the only way to get out of this impasse.

For everybody’s sake, negotiate. The sooner, the better.

Alain

You don’t get to choose your parents and you don’t get to choose your birthday either. But in 2020, there will be an amendment to this tradition. My fellow Capricorns and I have decided to turn our backs on January and celebrate our birthdays in the Fall instead of the midst of winter.

The reason for our rebellion? Execrable weather conditions!
For the third year in a row, it rained cats and dogs on my birthday. This had a dampening effect on some people who regretfully declined to attend my little bacchanal. No need to apologize compañeros, I understand. Driving for an hour under a torrential rain can deter the most determined party animal.

Still, some brave souls defied a ferocious rain storm and showed up bearing Gold, Frankincense, Myrrh and other holy (mainly liquid) offerings.
I am touched and enormously grateful, even though in the heat of the moment I could not properly express my deeply felt gratitude to each of you. But what counts is not the offering but the symbolic gesture of friendship.

My fellow Capricorns (Jacques Gautier and Jean-Claude Bunand) both came with 2 Galettes des Rois each, the size of the moon. Thank you, fellow goats. Others brought anti-dementia liquors and sweets.
Let’s not forget that this little get-together was to honor my all my horned fellow Capricorns (Minette, Gautier, Jean-Claude B.) and little old me, regardless of  gender (including transgender), age, sexual orientation, or beliefs.
Am I safe from any lawsuit?

Each guest, of course, came with a birthday card and I particularly liked the one chosen by Brigitte Moran. It says: “Age and treachery will triumph over youth and skill.”
Tonnerre de Brest ! This woman has the uncanny ability to read my mind. Well, watch out whippersnappers, I am coming after you.

Noel and Rosalie brought me a boule pick up magnet, made in Taiwan. The front of the package clearly states “Ramasse-boule”, with an inspired English translation saying “bowl pick-up”.
Close but no cigar. I appreciate the gift but I am not going to pick up anything but “boules” with this device.
Thank you just the same guys!

After emerging from my drunken stupor this morning, I also discovered a very nice scarf. Will the bearer of this gift please identify him/herself?  I want to smother you with wet kisses and bear hugs.

I would be remiss if I didn’t express my appreciation for my roommate Tamara. Without her help and hard work, this celebration would not have been possible. Luckily her birthday is in the Fall and we won’t have to face the wrath of Taranis when her celebration comes around.

One more time, thank you all magnificent kindred spirits for your active participation. You deserve to be in my inner circle (regarded as elitist and secretive).

TTFN (ta ta for now)

 

Alain

PS: I have just a few iPhone pictures