1- IT’S FRIDAYYYYY! What a weird week. Did I really visit Hopkins just 4 days ago? (It feels like SO MUCH longer than that). Time-related posts abound this week, including from Kae + Coco!
2- The MMD Summer Reading Guide is out! I purchased one, so the pdf is waiting for me in my inbox. And . . . I purposely HAVEN’T LOOKED AT IT!! I want to watch the unboxing video tonight and savor the experience. Excited to make my selections, start some library holds, and I think we’ll take a bookstore trip this weekend, too.
3- I appreciate Cal Newport’s less apocalyptic views on AI. My parents sent me this very pessimistic take (don’t read if you don’t want to hear true doomsday scenario) but it calms me that as a computer scientist, Cal doesn’t seem to be nearly as worried (he includes an “AI Tech Corner” pretty routinely in his Deep Questions episodes now, including the latest one).
(If we are headed to disaster on the rapid timeline proposed in the podcast, I guess my dominant current feeling is that I probably cannot do much about that and therefore might as well not waste the last months of my life stressing about it all? But, I acknowledge this is all obviously very complicated. And I am not at all trying to minimize the very sad and scary events happening in this moment, in addition to what might be up ahead.)
4- “What I Keep, What I Let Go Of, and Why“ from style expert Caroline (Un-Fancy). I found myself thinking about this post for a while. I tend to let most things go (my closet is emptier than average, I think?), but there are definitely some “legacy” pieces I hold on to because they just feel too special. The other day I brought out a lightweight patterned sweater I remember buying at an anthropologie in North Carolina, so it’s at least 12 years old. Interestingly, I like it even better now because it’s a little bit shorter (not cropped but almost) and works much better with today’s higher-rise bottoms.
5- Looking forward to: Peloton live yoga class tomorrow (anyone other South Floridians going!?), G’s piano recital, diving into the Summer Reading guide, and a relatively open weekend (in which I will finalize a bunch of future travel stuff including making various NH reservations).
6 Comments
We have twin fawns in our yard again! They eat most kinds of plants that I would want to have in my yard (tulips, hydrangeas, azaleas) but they sure are cute.
Currently reading “Who Will Run the Frog Hospital” and am really enjoying it.
This weekend, I am looking forward to hot yoga on Sunday, getting the shell documents of this grant finalized, and sleeping.
If you want a fictionalized apocalyptic take on AI, you should read The Circle by Dave Eggers. I’m looking forward to reading some lit fic that’s not so dire this summer.
I read The Circle several years ago, and I think it might be a little terrifying to revisit! But it would definitely be interesting to see what’s materialized and what hasn’t in the last decade.
I’m ignoring the AI apocalypse type talk. Remember Y2K? All that hype and worry and literally nothing happened. Not saying AI won’t have consequences (some good, some bad), and governments may need to take action, but I also appreciate Cal’s calm approach and focusing on things in my control.
I watched the first half of the unboxing last night and will finish tonight. So many great books—my library hold list is already full.
Thanks for the AI rec. I’m a librarian and following it somewhat. I’m behind on Deep Questions and will go listen.
I was glad to read that your visit to JH went well. You sounded so much more upbeat in this week’s podcast, too.
I bought MMD finally, I’m looking forward to find out which books to read. Please share your picks.
I also listened o Cal’s podcast and it’s reassuring somewhat. When I over think it, it feels like no solution, but when expert like Cal explains it, it makes sense.
Gah. I don’t know what to think about AI. I agree that there’s not a whole lot I can do. I’m increasingly trying to focus on things I have influence over and hope that radiates out in positive ways. I CAN’T solve any of the major world crises, but I can be kind to the cashier at my grocery store sort of thing.