Author: Josh
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Controversy: Artificial Sweeteners
The use of artificial sweeteners (AS), or non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS), in modern diets raises significant questions about their role in weight management and overall health. While these sweeteners are widely marketed as a calorie-free alternative to sugar, offering the promise of weight loss and reduced cardiometabolic risks, the scientific evidence is far from definitive. Emerging…
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Fiction: Ink and Feathers – A Shore Thing
Chapter I: Ink-idents and Irreconcilable Differences: A Shoreline Staring Contest The Coral Citadel, an underwater metropolis of glittering towers and bustling avenues, thrummed with activity. Octopus citizens darted between vibrant coral buildings, their tentacles laden with scrolls, tools, and freshly harvested sea kelp. Preparations for the coastal expedition were in full swing—a mission to observe…
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Facts about: Universe expansion
The expansion of the universe is a truly fascinating phenomenon that shapes how we understand the cosmos. Unlike the common misconception that the universe is expanding “into” something, the truth is that space itself is growing. This means that there is no central “edge” where the universe is expanding into; rather, every point in the…
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Fiction: Chorus AI
Seraph was a triumph, an AI that had reshaped human existence. But for its creator, Dr. Anya Sharma, a subtle tension had begun to permeate the project. It was almost imperceptible at first—a slight hesitation in Seraph’s responses, a minor deviation from its established patterns. Nothing concrete, nothing that could be flagged as an error.…
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Facts about: Parrots
Parrots are among the most captivating creatures in the animal kingdom, celebrated not only for their vibrant plumage but also for their extraordinary intelligence and complex social behaviors. From their advanced problem-solving skills to their ability to mimic human speech, parrots demonstrate cognitive abilities that rival some of the most intelligent non-human species. These abilities,…
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Happy 2025: Language models will be funny later
It intrigues me that language models aren’t humorous. I keep trying. Perhaps they need to be fine-tuned / trained for humor? Just look at this attempt to generate humor, which attempts, and almost lands on a couple jokes. Writing humor is like trying to herd glitter-covered cats that moonlight as quantum physicists, death metal interpretive…
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Facts about: Doggerland
Doggerland, a now-submerged prehistoric landmass in the North Sea, experienced dramatic environmental and geological changes over thousands of years. These transformations, coupled with human activity and natural disasters, shaped the history of this once-thriving region. Through radiocarbon dating, sedimentary DNA (sedaDNA) analysis, and other modern methods, researchers have reconstructed the timeline of its development, habitation,…
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World-in-View: Romania
[[do note, this is AI-generated, so may not be accurate… consider it a useful study aide for myself.] Political disruption – a cancelled election Romania has recently been plunged into political turmoil following the cancellation of its presidential election in December 2024. This unprecedented decision, based on alleged Russian interference, has sparked widespread debate and…
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Philosophy: What does it mean to know?
The concept of “knowing” is central to many fields, from philosophy to everyday life. There are multiple senses in which we use the verb “to know,” and this distinction has been the subject of much philosophical reflection. Let’s focus on the “knowledge of facts” (sense 1), a topic that has generated intense discussion since the…
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AI: Job Displacement
Which job roles are likely to be replaced? 1. Writers and Content Creators 2. Customer Service Representatives 3. Telemarketers and Salespeople 4. Data Entry and Administrative Roles 5. Market Research Analysts 6. Translators and Interpreters 7. Proofreaders and Editors 8. Game Developers (for certain tasks) 9. Legal Assistants and Paralegals 10. Transportation and Delivery Workers…