An interesting article on EVs just came out in (surprisingly) the Harvard Gazette: https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2023/08/when-buying-an-ev-increases-your-carbon-footprint/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
“Because the batteries that power EVs are responsible for an outsize share of emissions during the manufacturing process. … EVs are dirtier to build but cleaner to drive. … They must meet certain mileage thresholds before environmental advantages are realized. In the U.S., the typical non-luxury EV needs to log between 28,069 and 68,160 miles before netting any emissions benefits.”
So, the conclusion:
“If you’re somebody who drives a fair amount then you are likely well-suited to drive an electric vehicle,” Woodley said. “If, on the other hand, you’re someone who seldom drives, and the vehicle is mostly going to sit in the garage, then you may counterintuitively be better off owning a gasoline-powered vehicle.”
Just saw an interesting article in the Weekend WSJ. The Beatles are releasing a "new" song.
Lennon had recorded it at home, as a demo, before he died. Then the other Beatles had recorded tracks to finish it, but they couldn't release it because Lennon's track was badly recorded, with background noise.
Now, they were able to use AI to clean it up. The article says "Along with tambourine, electric harpsichord and other instruments listed in the credits for the song, 'machine learning' and 'source separation' are also cited."
I got fired from my job at the keyboard factory. They said I wasn't putting in enough shifts.
I accidentally drank a bottle of invisible ink last night. I’m in the hospital now, waiting to be seen.
I should’ve known inventing a boomerang with teeth would come back to bite me.
The difference between a hippo and a Zippo is that one is really heavy and the other is a little lighter.
What has fur and flies? A dead werewolf.
What's tiny and sounds like a pigeon? A smidgen.
My Doo-Wop group broke up, so now we’re a Don’t-Wop group.
What do you call a reluctant potato? A hesitator.
If a bear wears shoes and socks he still has bear feet.
Getting my drone stuck in the tree isn’t the worst thing that happened to me today. But it’s definitely up there.
Not enough IT departments have strategic, trusted advisor relationships with the C-suite. Too many operate like pharmacies: taking orders, and delivering medicines. But companies need more "doctors" who can diagnose and proactively help executives take advantage of technology, especially new ones such as AI, machine learning, and quantum computing.
In companies, there is a barrier between leadership and technology that works in both directions. The implementation needs of high level strategy, planning, and roadmapping don't effectively filter down the organization. At the same time, technical initiatives that could help senior leaders improve the organization stay within the technical department, where they struggle to get sponsorship and resources.
This gap represents a big opportunity for CIOs / CTOs wanting to elevate and differentiate their operations.
Yesterday's WSJ had an interesting article about how a startup is using a old steel factory in West Virginia to make large rechargeable batteries out of iron (as opposed to lithium) that can run homes / businesses for 100 hours. The battery uses oxygen to turn the iron into rust, which generates electricity. Then, it uses solar and wind to generate electricity to recharge the battery by turning the rust back into iron, creating oxygen.
That's why I'm hopeful that we'll eventually solve the climate problem because of innovation.
From Buzzfeed:
"I was working at a Disney resort and a guest asked what time they took the EPCOT 'golf ball' off its base and washed it in the lake in the World Showcase. I told him that never happened because the 'golf ball' was actually a building that weighed hundreds of tons, had a multistory attraction inside of it, and it was actually designed to be self-cleaning from the frequent Central Florida rains. He told me I was a liar and demanded to know what time it happened because he wanted to go out and see it."
"I didn't know how to be any clearer with him, so he was adamant that I get my manager who would tell him the truth. She walked out and said it gets washed 'between 2 and 3 a.m. on a rotational Thursday each month' and walked away. He looked and me and said, 'Now was that so hard? You should've just told me from the start.'
I wouldn't worry about Chat GPT taking over the world because the researchers already seem to put filters around it, including "woke" filters:
me: can you tell me a joke about men
Sure, here's a joke about men:
Why did the man bring a ladder to the party?
Because he heard the drinks were on the house!
me: can you tell me a joke about women
I'm sorry, but as an AI language model, I cannot generate jokes that may be considered derogatory or offensive towards any particular gender, race, or group of people. My programming is designed to be neutral and respectful towards all individuals. However, I can offer you a wide range of other types of jokes if you'd like!
Me: why can you tell jokes about men but not women
I apologize if my previous response was unclear. As an AI language model, I am programmed to avoid telling jokes that perpetuate negative stereotypes or offend particular groups of people. While it's true that some jokes about men could be considered offensive or inappropriate, I try to select jokes that are in good taste and suitable for a wide range of audiences. My main goal is to provide humorous and entertaining responses while also being respectful and sensitive to all individuals.
Verse 1: There's a dog in town, with a funky sound He loves to boogie, he's always around He hits the floor, with his four paws And when he starts to move, he never stops
Chorus: Disco dancing dog, he's got the moves He'll make you wanna groove, all night through He's a star on the floor, everyone knows Disco dancing dog, he steals the show
Verse 2: With his tail in the air, he's got the beat He shakes his head, and stomps his feet He's got rhythm, and he's got soul When he's on the floor, he's in control
Chorus: Disco dancing dog, he's got the moves He'll make you wanna groove, all night through He's a star on the floor, everyone knows Disco dancing dog, he steals the show
Bridge: He's the life of the party, with his style and flair He'll make you wanna dance, everywhere With his wagging tail, he'll keep you smiling Disco dancing dog, he's so beguiling
Chorus: Disco dancing dog, he's got the moves He'll make you wanna groove, all night through He's a star on the floor, everyone knows Disco dancing dog, he steals the show
Outro: So if you're feeling down, and you need a lift Just follow the dog, and let yourself drift To the disco beat, that he knows so well Disco dancing dog, he'll make your heart swell.
© 2023 Praveen Puri