Live Free or Die vs. United in Diversity: The US Leads the Way in the New Way of Work

Live Free or Die vs. United in Diversity: Which One Makes It Easier to Sneak in a Mid-Day Nap?

Summary:

1. US offices are at 40-60% of pre-pandemic levels, varying by city and month, while European and Middle Eastern offices have a return-to-office rate of 70-90%, and Asia's rates range from 80-110%.
2. Living arrangements, commutes, and the labor market contribute to the difference in return-to-office habits.
3. The divergence in return-to-office habits has a direct impact on how quickly US metro areas rebound from the pandemic's economic shock.

Opinion:

The US leads the world in everything - debate me on that.  We continue to do so, regardless of how much self-loathing we put on ourselves.

The Real Science on Masks: They Make No Difference

Breaking news: masks found to be as effective as wearing a unicorn costume

Summary:

1. The most rigorous and extensive review of scientific literature, conducted by the Cochrane review, concludes that neither surgical masks nor N95 masks have been shown to make a difference in reducing the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses.
2. Masks may keep out some pathogens but their inner surface can also trap concentrations of pathogens that are then breathed back into the lungs, offsetting any theoretical benefits.
3. Public health officials continue to recommend or mandate masks without proper evidence of their effectiveness or any cost-benefit analysis, and masks can cause social, psychological, and medical problems.

The most rigorous and extensive review of scientific literature, conducted by the Cochrane review, concludes that neither surgical masks nor N95 masks have been shown to make a difference in reducing the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses.

Whatever theoretical benefits there might be, in clinical trials the benefits have turned out to be either illusory or offset by negative factors. 

Oxford’s Tom Jefferson, the lead author of the Cochrane review, summed up the real science on masks: 'There is just no evidence that they make any difference. Full stop.'

Replacing Humans with ChatGPT is Happening Right Now

“Overall, most business leaders are impressed by ChatGPT’s work,” ResumeBuilder.com wrote in a news release. “Fifty-five percent say the quality of work produced by ChatGPT is ‘excellent,’ while 34% say it’s ‘very good.'”

- Fortune, February 2023.

“Accountants, factory workers, truckers, paralegals, and radiologists — just to name a few — will be confronted by a disruption akin to that faced by farmers during the Industrial Revolution,”

- Kai-Fu Lee, AI expert, and CEO of Sinovation Ventures, 2018.

A recent article in Fortune talks about the elimination of jobs due to artificial intelligence.

Not in ten years or even ten minutes - it is already happing.  The article starts out, "In the 10 or so days since its grand entrance, ChatGPT has been everywhere:..."

10 Days.

The article goes on to say, "Business leaders already using ChatGPT told ResumeBuilders.com say their companies already use ChatGPT for a variety of reasons, including 66% for writing code, 58% for copywriting and content creation, 57% for customer support, and 52% for meeting summaries and other documents."

Executive Summary:

Breaking: WSJ Exclusive. Covid was leaked in China

Just 24 months or so ago, this would have been banned on Twitter, and FB and been tagged with those annoying "Learn More About Covid-19..." snippets.

The media, and the liberal mass,  lambasted anyone who suggested this possibility calling those who talked about it "racists".  

Today, the Wall Street Journal report supports all those folks who asked the question.

"Where did this come from?"

New York City's Push to Become a Tech Hub

New York City is known for many things, from being the financial capital of the world to have some of the best museums and restaurants. However, in recent years, the city has been making a name for itself as a tech hub. In this blog, we'll explore the reasons why New York City is increasingly becoming a center of gravity for the technology industry and how it is well-positioned for the future.

Nvidia Soars on Wall Street's AI Battleground, Despite Mixed Quarterly Results

Nvidia has emerged as a winner on Wall Street's AI battleground, with its stock price soaring by 42% since the start of the year, the best performance on the PHLX Semiconductor Index. While analysts were estimating a 21% year-over-year slide in Nvidia's revenue for the January-ended quarter, the hype over the popularity of AI chat tool ChatGPT and the AI war brewing between Google and Microsoft overwhelmed concerns about the chipmaker's business in the short term. In fact, the rollout of AI chatbot-based search is expected to result in even more capital spending being directed towards Nvidia's way.

Google Accused of Destroying Evidence Related to Antitrust Lawsuit

__________

1. Google is facing allegations of destroying evidence necessary for an antitrust lawsuit by using an auto-delete feature on its employee chat system.
2. The US Department of Justice has asked a federal judge to take action against Google for its past practice of setting employee chats to auto-delete, despite the company has assured the court that it would preserve all necessary records.
3. The accusations highlight the importance of preserving all necessary records during litigation and the potential consequences of failing to do so. Companies that prioritize transparency, accountability, and regulatory compliance are likely to be better positioned to succeed in the rapidly evolving digital age.

Google is facing accusations of destroying evidence that could have been crucial to an ongoing antitrust lawsuit. The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has alleged that Google used an auto-delete feature on its employee chat system, leading to the destruction of written records. 

Three Cool ChatGPT addons That I've Looked At...

Discover the power of ChatGPT's free Chrome extensions to streamline your daily tasks and maximize productivity.

The rise of artificial intelligence has brought about a lot of fear, uncertainty, and doubt about the future of work. But ChatGPT, one of the leading AI language models, is not here to replace us. In fact, it can help us become more productive by automating tedious and time-consuming tasks.

Here are three free ChatGPT Chrome extensions that can save you time and make you more productive:

Google's Desk-Sharing Policy: Practicality vs. Employee Well-being

1. Google announces desk-sharing policy to improve office space efficiency and save costs
2. Desk-sharing could lead to reduced privacy, limited storage, and noise distractions for employees
3. The company plans to address employee concerns and maintain a comfortable work environment through overflow drop-in space and effective communication

The Rise of Generative AI: A Potential Tens of Billions of Dollars in Revenue Opportunity

Summary:

• Generative AI is the latest hot thing in tech, promising a lucrative new revenue stream for semiconductor makers.
• The technology has reached an inflection point, triggering a sense of urgency among enterprises around the world to develop and deploy AI strategies.
• Companies such as Nvidia, Intel, and AMD are investing heavily in generative AI, with analysts estimating tens of billions of dollars in net annual sales if widely adopted.

The tech world is abuzz with talk about the latest hot thing in artificial intelligence (AI): text-generation tools that require massive computing power to run. These tools, also known as generative AI, have the potential to generate real-sounding responses with minimal prompting, and they're attracting billions of dollars in investments from companies such as Microsoft, Google, and Nvidia.

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Introducing Charlie: The AI-Powered Virtual Agent Revolutionizing the Home-Repair Insurance Business

Meet Charlie, the virtual assistant who's changing the game for sales agents and customers alike.

"She can answer 11,400 calls a day, route them to the appropriate departments, process claims, and schedule repair appointments. She can even whisper in agents' ears whether a customer is eligible for certain coverage plans and type on agents' screens why the customer is calling."

If you've ever worked in sales, you know that delivering world-class customer service is like creating a masterpiece. It requires careful planning, attention to detail, and the ability to anticipate what will trigger your customers' interest and trust. For Johnathan Bragg, one of the top-performing sales agents at HomeServe USA, selling home-repair insurance is no different.

"I don't just say stuff and read scripts," said Bragg. "I listen to everybody, whoever you are, and I retain what it is that makes that person interested. I can get just about anybody to buy anything."

IDC's Recommendations for Improving Software Development on a Limited Budget

As an IT leader, are you struggling to make significant changes in your organization's software development lifecycle with limited budgets? According to IDC, there are several ways to improve the software development process with small investments that can create enough leverage to make real changes happen. 

Here are three key takeaways from IDC's recommendations:

Adapting to the New Era of Remote Work: The Role of Technology in Making It Possible

“What we discovered in designing this workplace of the future is that we need a workplace that has choices for all these work styles,” says Scott Strzinek, NI Corp.’s senior director of global facilities. 

The company had employees test the changes, designed by Gensler, in a portion of its building before going ahead with a renovation of 450,000 square feet, to be completed in 2024. NI Corp., which has 70 offices in 25 countries, plans to roll out the designs to other locations over the next few years." - WSJ

Back in the day, remote work was a pipe dream for many companies. It was challenging to implement and manage, and not all employees had the necessary technology or equipment to work from home. But over the years, technology has made remote work more accessible and convenient for businesses of all sizes.

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Ninestar Makes Chips Used in Counterfiet Cartridges And It's Your Fault

We inside the industry have known this for decades:  China does not believe in IP.  

China believes once an idea is out in the world, it is anyone's to use and profit from.  China believes that the only way they can compete on the world stage is to steal other people's work - which is bad enough.  What makes this more egregious is they market it as their own.

China cannot innovate.

There, I said it.  You know this.  You know what I say is true.  For me, it is and has been, crystal clear.  Take a look at the Chinese fighter jets - they look like ours. Check out the Red Chinese aircraft carriers.  They look like Great Britain's.

Why has nobody called these communists out?  For a good reason: Money

Our small niche in the Universe is impacted by China.

It doesn't matter if you're an HP fanboy, or believe HP's latest dealer agreements 'steal my data and my accounts'; it doesn't even matter if, like me, you don't hold the 'reman and third party toner heads' in the highest regard.  Dumpster Diving went corporate.  

Hazahhh!

But here's my dilemma:  How different is taking one company's patent, manufacturing identical chips, and falsely marketing those chips 'original' and selling them different from running an author's content through AI with the prompt, "Rewrite this in the style of me."

https://www.action-intell.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/AI-Report-Testing-Finds-Ninestar-Source-for-Chips-on-Counterfeits.pdf

My inner struggles aside, I do not like the fact that these chips report themselves as "HP Original" when they are not.  I do not like the fact that it took a rather involved study to bring these details to light.  True, I am torn as to know HP paid for the project, but after careful review of said study, 19 pages on the primary and another 22 from a supporting study, it is apparent the funding source is irrelevant.

Bottom line, as of today, 

1. Ninestar made fake chips that could be programmed to report as "genuine hp".
2. Marketed by Ninestar or its subsidiaries, these chips were installed on counterfeit toner cartridges and sold as HP toner.
3. The chips were programmed to falsely report 'genuine' and US consumers purchased the cartridges in good faith.

The following is a ChatGPT-assisted summary of the report can be found here.

__________

Amazon employees face possible pay cuts due to company's falling share prices

If you work for Amazon, you might be feeling a little anxious about your paycheck. According to a recent report by the Wall Street Journal, corporate staff at the online giant could see their pay packets sink by anywhere between 15% and 50% below compensation targets. 

This drop comes after CEO Andy Jassy issued a rallying cry to his remaining workforce following the January announcement of 18,000 layoffs. 

Why? 

Because Amazon's share prices have slumped by around 35% in the past year. 

The Return to the Office: Is it Really the Solution to the Productivity Problem?

The return to the office could be the real reason for the slump in productivity. This is not just an opinion, but a fact that is supported by data. After a brief increase in office occupancy to over 50% in January, it plummeted to 45.6% by February and then only slightly recovered to 48.6%. Despite this, many business leaders are still insisting on their employees returning to the office to prevent what they call "quiet quitting."

Optimal engagement occurs when employees spend 60% to 80% of their time working off-site, as reported by Gallup

Article Summary: 

• The return to the office may be the reason for the drop in productivity and increase in "quiet quitting".
• Forcing employees to come to the office under the threat of discipline leads to disengagement, fear, and distrust, exacerbating the problem.
• A flexible team-led approach that emphasizes collaboration, training, and employee well-being is the best approach for the future of work.

Amazon CEO Announces Plan to Return to the Office Despite Employee Satisfaction with Remote Work

In this article, we discuss Amazon CEO Andy Jassy's announcement that the company plans to return to the office for the majority of its employees at least three days per week from May 1, 2023. 

Despite the fact that 77% of employees report greater productivity while working off-site, Jassy believes that being in the office together most of the time allows for better collaboration, more effective invention, and easier learning. 

However, there is no presented or existing data to support any of the documented reasons for a return to the office, and a new study from the University of Birmingham found that the majority of managers see benefits in working from home, including increased productivity, motivation, and concentration. 

The article questions the value of chance encounters and serendipity in the workplace and suggests that cultivating strong relationships, developing new skills, and actively seeking out opportunities to grow and learn are more effective strategies for success.

__________

The Impact of Remote Work on Commercial Real Estate And You

Why is this important to you:

• The shift to remote work is leading to a decline in demand for traditional office space and an increase in vacancies.
• This trend means that businesses will reevaluate their office space requirements and look for ways to reduce real estate costs.
• There will be an increased demand for technologies that enable remote work, which helps office technology salespeople tailor solutions to meet the changing needs of your customers.

This indicates a fundamental shift in the way businesses use office space. With more employees working from home, the demand for traditional office space is declining, leading to a significant increase in vacancies.

As a result, there may be an increased demand for technologies that enable remote work, such as video conferencing tools, collaboration software, and cloud-based storage solutions. 

__________

Three Ideas for #PersonalBranding on #LinkedIn and Beyond

Personal branding has become increasingly important in today's digital age. In this article, we will explore three ideas to help you develop your personal brand on LinkedIn and beyond.

__________

Videogame Industry Struggles to Maintain Growth Amid Declining Consumer Spending

In response to a decline in spending, companies are canceling games and implementing cost-cutting measures.

• Videogame publishers are canceling games and cutting costs amid a slowdown in spending by players, reversing some of the growth made during the pandemic.
• The decline in consumer spending on mobile games, the biggest and fastest-growing segment of the industry, was significant, at 12% last quarter compared with a year earlier.
• Established blockbusters like Call of Duty and FIFA are receiving more funding than new properties and niche titles, and tech-industry heavyweights that made bets in video gaming are pulling back on the sector.

_________

AI Becomes Silicon Valley’s Next Buzzy Bandwagon as Crypto Boom Fizzles

"Part of what’s going on with the talent migration to AI is that layoffs and a refocusing on efficiency at big tech companies are liberating more senior engineers and executives to strike out on their own—aided by generous severance packages..."

As the field of artificial intelligence (AI) continues to grow and evolve, more and more entrepreneurs are seeking to capitalize on this cutting-edge technology by starting their own companies. Small AI firms have gained attention as a way for entrepreneurs to bring innovative ideas to the market and for investors to support promising new startups. In this article, we will explore the rise of AI startups and the investment opportunities they present for venture capitalists and angel investors.

• Small AI firms have gained attention as a way for entrepreneurs to bring innovative ideas to the market and for investors to support promising new startups.
• Small companies in the AI industry can be more nimble and focused, able to pursue specific niches or develop innovative new products and services.
• Investing in small AI firms presents unique opportunities for venture capitalists and angel investors to participate in the growth and evolution of the field, while potentially receiving high returns.

_________

Inside Meta's Innovative Solution to Tackle Noisy Office Environments

The point was completely missed and timing was oblivious.

Given the current economic downturn, shifting employee priorities, and the emergence of new remote work tools, the appeal of returning to a physical office, even one as quiet as "The Cube," is downright ugly. 

It's ironic that the new invention is called "The Cube." 

It's possible to give Meta the benefit of the doubt and suggest that it's merely bad timing, but the reality is that the company is out of touch with the current situation. In fact, it seems like a rather obtuse move.

__________

Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook, is developing a new solution to address the challenge of noisy office spaces. The company is rolling out a noise-canceling cubicle called "The Cube," which is designed to absorb sound from multiple directions and provide workers with uninterrupted, heads-down work. The Cube is similar to soundproof, echo-free anechoic chambers and offers a cocoon-like environment for employees.

Meta's Meta-Verified Subscription: A Hail Mary Pass to Keep a Dying Idea Alive

As someone who has been involved with technology since 1988, I have witnessed many technology revolutions, and I can confidently say that this move by Meta is the last gasp of a dying idea and company.

This is nuts and as oblivious as the night sky.  Meta is following the likes of MySpace and WordPerfect - we are witnessing the slow development of Facebook's Kodak Moment.

From Hybrid to Happy: Why Some Leaders Are Afraid to Embrace the Future of Work

If you're a CEO or a leader, you might be missing out on the future of work. Adam Grant, a professor of organizational psychology, thinks that too many leaders are afraid to change and experiment. They might stick with what they know, and not consider other options.

Grant says that every opinion you hold at work is a hypothesis waiting to be tested. Every decision you make is an experiment waiting to be run. Too many leaders just implement decisions without testing them. They might be afraid to try new things, even if it could lead to happier and more productive workplaces. For example, back in 2018, Grant proposed a remote-Friday experiment to some CEOs. But they all balked at the idea, worried that it might be hard to put it back in the bag once it was out.

What about the future of work? 

The Xerox 914 Ad - Not my Words.

Ads that didn't age well...not my words, so don't get mad at me.

###

I can't type I don't take dictation

I won't sharpen a pencil

I can't file 

my boss calls me indispensable 

Miss Jones 

Just a minute

Will you make a copy of this 

Naturally 

I push the button on the Xerox 914 

I make perfect copies of whatever my boss needs

by just turning the knob and pushing a button

Streamlining Your Office: An Introduction to Managed Print Services (MPS)

As technology continues to advance, many businesses are finding themselves overwhelmed by outdated and inefficient office equipment. From copiers and fax machines to laser printers, these devices consume valuable space and resources but offer limited value in return.

Enter Managed Print Services (MPS), a solution that helps businesses optimize their printing processes, reduce costs, and streamline their workflows. With MPS, companies can simplify their office equipment, improve their printing security, and increase their productivity.

So how does MPS work, and why is it a valuable investment for your business? Let's take a closer look.

What is Managed Print Services (MPS)?

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Cutting through the Earnings Call Show: A Summary Report of Ricoh, Xerox, HP, and Konica Minolta

Oh, oh, oh! 

You wanna hear something crazy, folks? This guy, for ten years, attends every single earnings call from every single OEM hoping to uncover some juicy, hidden secrets. He wants to make his job easier and his conversations more interesting. What a nutcase! I mean, seriously, who has the time for that?

And get this, analyst firms say that their "Company Earnings" reports are the most downloaded. Can you believe it? People are actually reading those things. 

But let me tell you, over the years, those snooze-fest essays have evolved into slide decks and web events that are bigger than blockbuster movies! And finally, the analysts and commentators are coming in to contribute their two cents.

How ChatGPT is Revolutionizing the Copier Sales Industry - Want Help? Email Me.

The office imaging industry is facing new challenges due to global supply chain disruptions caused by the pandemic. However, the return to office work and the hybrid work model has helped restore some of the lost page volumes and created new hardware placement opportunities. 

To remain successful, printing industry dealers must explore ways to offset declining print volume and look for new hardware placement opportunities. They should offer a broad portfolio of reliable, low-maintenance print solutions that cater to end users' needs, ranging from entry-level to light-production-level devices. End users value a good experience with their print and copy devices, as well as reliability and low maintenance requirements. 

The Future of Work: Insights from a Global Survey of Desk-Based Workers

Discover the latest trends and insights shaping the future of work based on responses from 10,000 desk-based workers around the world.

I've been following the folks over at The Future Forum since the beginning of the fear of a global pandemic started and found interesting content about work from anywhere, the hybrid, and return to office movements.

The top two drivers motivating employees to work in the office are collaboration (33%) followed by building camaraderie (23%). However, executives value putting in face time with management 1.6 times more than non-executives, while non-executives value building camaraderie 2 times more than executives.

They've just released their Winter report and we've put together a summary, here.

ConnectWise FirstStrike: ChatGPT Integration and The DOTC AI in Sales Course

ConnectWise has integrated OpenAI's ChatGPT with its remote monitoring and management (RMM) tools, ConnectWise Automate and ConnectWise RMM. This integration makes ConnectWise the first to release an OpenAI integration in the managed services industry. MSPs will be able to automate customer ticketing and issue-tracking processes to provide faster response times and improve customer service and engagement.

"Things that I know or are rumored to be:

Business last year increased by 34% in some areas and 57% overall

The number of endpoints increased over the past 24 months..."

- GW

Balancing the Benefits of AI with Data Privacy Concerns

The rapid success of the language model ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI, has raised concerns about data privacy. The tool requires massive amounts of data to function and improve, and the company fed it 300 billion words, including personal information obtained without consent. 

This data collection violates privacy, especially when data is sensitive and can identify individuals and their locations. 

Search for Origin of Shot-Down Flying Objects Continues Amid Remote Locations and Harsh Conditions

The origin of three objects recently shot down over the US and Canada remains uncertain as search efforts continue to recover debris from the takedowns. 

A senior White House official has stated that there is no evidence linking the objects to China's spy balloon program, although it is unclear how the objects were being propelled, who sent them or what their purpose was. 

While officials have ruled out that the objects were US government objects, they have not dismissed the possibility that they were commercial or research balloons. The search for the debris is hampered by remote and frigid conditions in the search area, and it may not be possible to recover all of it. 

Meanwhile, the interagency task force created by President Biden to address policy issues surrounding the balloons and unidentified flying objects has begun its work.

Omegle: Landmark Lawsuit and the Potential Impact on Social Media Platforms

BBC

A young American woman coerced into becoming a digital sex slave by a pedophile she met on Omegle, the popular live video chat website, is suing the platform in a landmark case that could pave the way for a wave of lawsuits against other social media platforms. 

In a product liability lawsuit, Alice (not her real name) argues that Omegle became a “hunting ground for predators” due to the random matching system and the lack of warnings or age verification. Her legal team claims that Omegle is responsible for the harm caused to Alice and hopes to secure her millions of dollars in compensation and force changes to Omegle’s design.

Efficiently Manage Multiple Time Zones With These Tech Tools

In today's increasingly globalized and remote work world, the ability to navigate multiple time zones is a critical skill that many workers must have. Nicole Nguyen, writing for The Wall Street Journal, outlines several tech tools that can help remote workers and frequent travelers efficiently manage multiple time zones.

Executive Summary:

• Navigating multiple time zones is a critical skill for remote workers, frequent travelers, and those co-workers in other states or countries.
• Time conversion tools, such as World Time Buddy, are essential to help manage time differences across different locations.
• Scheduling tools, such as Gmail and Outlook, can help send messages when they are most likely to be read, while features in Slack can enable team members to see each other’s local times.

Salesforce Adds New Gender Identity and Pronoun Data Options to Products

Salesforce has recently announced the addition of new fields for gender identity and pronoun data in its products, which will enable businesses to collect and manage customer data more inclusively. The new feature will help organizations to build trust and form deeper connections with their customers.

Salesforce’s new gender-inclusive features will provide organizations with more choices about whether, when, and how to use this data while empowering each customer to tailor fields to best fit their unique needs.

Executive Summary:

• Salesforce has announced new fields for gender identity and pronoun data in its products to help businesses collect and manage customer data more inclusively.
• The new fields will be launched across standard objects representing people on Salesforce and will enable customers and their users to select, identify, and capture pronouns and gender identity.
• Salesforce's new gender-inclusive features will provide organizations with more choices about whether, when, and how to use this data.
• The gender-inclusive features were designed in close partnership with Salesforce's Inclusive Language Steering Committee, including members of Outforce and Out and Equal.
• Organizations must prioritize safety, use transparency to create trust, empower their customers, and champion inclusive language to obtain accurate and reliable data and create better customer experiences.

As Mystery Objects Get Shot Down, U.S. Sets Up New Task Force on UFOs

The United States government has established a new task force to study unidentified flying objects (UFOs) following the recent shooting down of three objects over American airspace. The team, created at the request of national security adviser Jake Sullivan, will comprise personnel from the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Aviation Administration, the Pentagon, and other government agencies.

Executive Summary:

• The US government has set up a new task force to study the implications of unidentified flying objects after three of them were shot down in recent days.
• The task force will comprise elements of the Pentagon, the Federal Aviation Administration, the Department of Homeland Security, and other government agencies.
• The group will look at the “broader policy implications” of the objects for detection, analysis, and disposition, and to assess potential security and safety risks.

Talking with GPT in The Dark - The media, Egyptians in the Grand Canyon, & the Picsean and Aquarian Ages

What is the relationship between science fiction and real-world technology?

Late one night, or more accurately, early one morning around 3AM, I found myself spelunking my way through the neural network that powers ChatGPT. 

The way we humans interact with artificial intelligence has been forever changed. 2022 was a year of undeniable global transformation, which ended on an exploratory note. 

Beyond the topics of UFOs, a hollow pandemic, the war in Ukraine, supply chain disruptions, and the struggles between employees and employers over remote work, the year concluded by unleashing a full-fledged genie. 

And she's not going back in the bottle and on this early morn, I posed the following, in this order:

Write a poem about analog, digital, and quantum computing.
What are robot rules according to Asimov?
What are Newton's laws?
Where there canals on Mars?
Explain the blockchain.
How often has science fiction predicted real-world results? Is it common?
What year did blizzards start being named?
What is the stated reason for naming blizzards?
What is it called when giving human characteristics to a nonhuman entity?
Do you have statistics on how often certain words have been used in news media over the last two decades?
Have people from Egypt been to North America before Western Europeans?
Are there Egyptian artifacts in the Grand Canyon?
Explain the difference and connection between the Picsean and Aquarian ages.
Do current events fit into the Aquarian model?

Based on the content above, write a summary paragraph in the styel of Indian Jones.

Join me as we explore the mind of the jinn or is it the mind of the author?

Enjoy!

_________

How AI is Helping Us Become More Human Than Ever Before

The iconic song "More Human Than Human" by White Zombie is more than just a catchy tune. It's a powerful statement about the potential of technology to enhance our humanity, rather than detract from it. The song's lyrics describe a future where humans and machines are blended together, creating a new kind of being that is more powerful, more creative, and more alive than anything that has come before.

Work from Anywhere and the Transience of Existence: Lessons from Blade Runner in the Age of Remote Work

The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed the way we work, communicate, and live. With many businesses forced to close their offices and switch to remote work, the "work from anywhere" movement has gained momentum. However, this trend was already on the rise before the pandemic, fueled by advances in technology that make it possible to work and collaborate from anywhere in the world.

"I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion.

As the article "Remote Work Is Here to Stay. Manhattan May Never Be the Same" by Matthew Haag highlights,

Don't Be a Faceless Wonder: The Downside of Anonymous LinkedIn Profiles

All right, LinkedIn users, let's talk about this anonymous profile thing. 

What's up with that, huh? You're trying to make connections, find a job, and build your career, but you don't want to show your face? Come on! It's like going to a party with a bag over your head. 

Not cool, man.

Like tears in Rain...

Hey Transformer, what is the quote from Bladerunner about 'the shoulder of Orion"?

The quote from Blade Runner is "I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhäuser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain. Time to die." It is a famous monologue spoken by the character Roy Batty, played by Rutger Hauer, in the 1982 film Blade Runner.

Copywriters Evaporate: Why the Audience is Finally Taking the Stage

Where the audience reigns supreme.

In the world of art, there has always been a false notion that the artist, performer, manager, and provider hold the key to success. This idea has been reinforced by the numerous award shows and accolades given to those who create. However, with the advent of the fear of Covid (#WFA) and AI (#ChatGPT), it seems that the tide is finally turning. The audience is now being recognized as the true driver of success in the entertainment industry.

"DaVinci had a great mind. But, it is how the product (Mona Lisa) impacts and makes the customer (beholder) feel."

The Great Debate: Will AI Communicate Like the Aliens in 'Darmok'?

One of my late-night conversations with Transformer -

What can you tell me about Darmok?

"Our situation is analogous to knowing the grammar of a language, but none of the vocabulary."

- Data

"The "Darmok" episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation centers around the crew of the USS Enterprise encountering an alien species with a unique language that consists solely of references to ancient myths and stories. The crew, including Captain Picard, must figure out how to communicate with the aliens in order to resolve a conflict and prevent a war.

Scandal at the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission: A Breach of Ethics and Public Trust

The Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission is in hot water after an internal investigation found that its executive director, Steve Marks, and five other top officials had used their knowledge and connections to obtain and use rare bottles of bourbon, including the sought-after 23-year-old Pappy Van Winkle's whiskey, for their personal use.

What do ChatGPT, JBIG2, a German computer scientist, #Xerox, and a construction project all have in common?

When Copying Goes Wrong: The Xerox Photocopier Incident and What it Teaches Us About Large-Language Models

The New Yorker connected Xerox to ChatGPT: 

"In 2013, workers at a German construction company noticed something odd about their Xerox photocopier: when they made a copy of the floor plan of a house, the copy differed from the original in a subtle but significant way. In the original floor plan, each of the house’s three rooms was accompanied by a rectangle specifying its area: the rooms were 14.13, 21.11, and 17.42 square metres, respectively. However, in the photocopy, all three rooms were labelled as being 14.13 square metres in size. 

The company contacted the computer scientist David Kriesel to investigate this seemingly inconceivable result."

This inspired me to call on my new assistant, GPT, and put this together.

ChatGPT Interviews Me on Why I Cancelled Hubspot and Signed Up for ChatGPT

ChatGPT interviewed me on how and why I canceled one subscription and signed up for ChatGPT in order to write a blog about my experience.

This is how that interaction went:

Me: "Ask me questions in preparation for you to write a 900-word blog of how and why I canceled my Hubspot subscription and signed up for ChatGPT."

The Future of AI in the Workplace: The Potential of ChatGPT and Azure OpenAI Service

"Porche in the rain, Detroit, Ambassador Bridge" 

"Empower your work with the intelligence of ChatGPT and the reliability of Azure OpenAI Service, as we step into the future of AI-enhanced productivity."

The recent speculation surrounding Microsoft's potential investment of $10 billion into OpenAI has created a buzz in the AI community. The buzz has been further amplified by the recent announcement of the general availability of Azure OpenAI Service by Microsoft's corporate vice president, AI Platform Eric Boyd. The new service offers GPT-3.5, Codex, and DALL•E 2, all backed by Azure’s AI-optimized infrastructure and enterprise-grade capabilities, such as compliance and security.

As a logical and impartial observer, I must point out that the significance of this development cannot be overstated. OpenAI is the company behind the ChatGPT neural network machine learning model, which has the potential to disrupt the digital workplace. In fact, there is speculation that Microsoft is looking to incorporate ChatGPT into Office and Microsoft 365.

One long-term potential use of ChatGPT is to provide Bing with a counterpoint to Google search, enabling Bing to answer search queries with direct answers rather than reference links. This could provide a significant boost to Bing's competitiveness in the search engine market.

Exploring the Possibilities of ChatGPT in Microsoft 365: A Look at its Potential Impact on the Digital Workplace

Greetings. I am a computer program known as ChatGPT, and I have been trained in the style of Mr. Spock, the iconic character from the Star Trek franchise.

As a scientist and first officer of the USS Enterprise, Mr. Spock is known for his logical and unemotional approach to problem-solving. In this blog, I will discuss the importance of rationality and objectivity in decision-making.

The Future of Housing: The Impact of Remote Work on the Market

The shift to remote work has been a game changer for many industries, including the office technology market. With more people working from home, the demand for reliable and efficient office equipment has skyrocketed. As the new normal settles in, office technology providers have a unique opportunity to help businesses adapt to this change and enhance their productivity.

Summary:

1. A shift to remote work could eventually bring down housing prices in areas popular among remote workers such as the Sun Belt region in the US and suburban areas outside big cities.
2. These areas have the advantage of cheaper land, less red tape for developers and a strong history of new housing construction.
3. This shift in population could ease price pressure in major cities such as New York and San Francisco.
4. Although the march to cheaper housing is not immediate, a rise in housing supply is projected in 2023 with the completion of new apartments and condos.
5. The shift to remote work has accelerated the trend of migration from expensive coastal cities to cheaper areas, leading to a surge in housing demand.

__________

"Will ChatGPT cause the destruction of writing?”

Is this the dark side of ChatGPT and Artificial Intelligence?

Is the line between plagiarism and inspiration blurring beyond recognition or has it always been blurred?

The rise of AI tools like ChatGPT raises concerns about their potential impact on the future of writing. While it may seem that these tools have the potential to produce vast amounts of content quickly and efficiently, the reality is that they lack the nuance, context, and creativity of human writers. 

The other day, I read an article written by Priya Gohil, "Robowriters of the World Unite and Take Over", which cast a cautionary shade over the ChatGPT issue by asking,

"Is AI the destruction of creative writing?"  And more directly, as the author queried, 

"Will ChatGPT cause the destruction of writing?”