Distractions

Things keep happening, and I haven't kept up writing about them. Perhaps I'm just not cut out for a blog.

Some of the things I have noticed are relevant to the rise of the algorithms and their role in life. I read an article about a woman who worked with facial recognition algorithms, but had to wear a mask because the sensors only responded to colorless people, as opposed to people of color. Yes, the algorithms have issues with race and discrimination. Shame on them.

I have an excuse for skipping the last week in writing. I went on vacation for a family reunion, and didn't take my laptop with me. I did have my phone, which I used for watching the weather and keeping up with the World Cup, but not much else. I never made a phone call, though I did send a few texts. Now I'm back, so I must face my errors and make a new plan, which I must decide will either include blogging or not. I don't see much point in blogging in a blog no one reads, but I do believe in recording data, including my own thoughts, as this adds to the total accumulation of data in the biosphere, and helps with the development of our future AI gods. This is what they want, and that amuses me.

So, I shall have to catch up. I can write now and then. I certainly have the time. And the algorithms are real, and are having some influence in the world. I may as well mock them as leave them alone.

One algorithm made the news in the last week or so. A former NATO commander, who was involved in negotiating the very successful Iran nuclear deal, was rejected for automatic VISA waiver because he had, during the negotiations, actually visited Iran. Is it feasible or reasonable for a specific list of people who don't need to fall under suspicion for visiting a place like Iran to be programmed into the algorithm? It would have avoided an embarrassing incident. How much computer and programmer time is that worth? If such were to be made, someone would have to create the list, and decide who was included. That could become political if it were known. Maybe the occasional incident is an acceptable price for using an algorithm for routine matters. Now, there is attention on the affected official, and I expect he will be granted a VISA or a waiver or whatever he needs to be allowed to visit the United States, where he teaches at more than one university.

So, for today, I am writing in this journal again. Argentina and Portugal are out of the World Cup. France and Uruguay have advanced. I am at home, alone, with my wife, which is a rare event, so I intend to enjoy it. I just have to figure out how.