It’s impossible to ban cellphones in campuses

“What if I got hit by lightning while walking with an umbrella? Ban umbrellas! Fight the menace of lightning!”

―Cory Doctorow, Little Brother

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

IF the Philippine National Police (PNP) hierarchy wanted to ban the use of cellphones for cops who are on duty, Filipino Senator Sherwin Gatchalian is toying with the idea of banning the use of cellphones in schools.

In fact, the senator has urged the Department of Education (DepEd) to come up with an order to deny the students access to cellphones while in school.

We doubt if Vice President and DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte-Carpio, a leading presidential wanna-be in 2028, will lend her ears to Gatchalian on this controversial matter unless she wants to lose votes among the cellphone-crazed students.

Whether they like it or don’t, PNP chief, Police Major General Rommel Francisco Marbil, and Senator Gatchalian are bound to fail.

It’s impossible to separate man from the most valuable gadget owned—and being enjoyed to the fullest—by a human being in the age of technology.

It’s like proposing to ban prostitution, marijuana, religion, gay marriage, to name only a few.

 

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Prostitution is bad per se, but it’s impossible to eradicate the oldest profession on earth. Religion has been exploited and used to control the mind of man and to scam the gullible, but the likes of Quiboloy continue to attract a horde of followers and enrich themselves.

The church opposes gay marriage? Everyday gay couples are in the news not only for defying the ecclesiastical authorities but for also publicly exchanging marriage vows.

Authorities have fought tongs and hammer against marijuana for more than 50 years to no avail. In fact, marijuana—or the use of marijuana—has been legalized in many states in America.

Marbil will look like a fool if he really believes cops enamored of the smart phones will totally shun the gadget.

Gatchalian will look like stupid if he thinks the school authorities will succeed in preventing students from having access to mobile phones. There are always a thousand ways to skin a cat, so to speak.

Gatchalian, chair of the Senate basic education committee, made the proposal as an alternative to his plan to file a bill banning the use of mobile phones so that students will be encouraged to read more books than scroll through social media.

 

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In a recent radio interview in Manila, Gatchalian said, “We have no control over them outside the schools. But inside, the DepEd has jurisdiction to release a policy banning phones during class hours and inside classrooms. We can also come up with a bill which will have the force of law.”

He added: “Based on my observation, many students use their phones during recess, during lunch break, instead of talking among each other or studying or reading. Cellphones can be addictive. Adults can get addicted to YouTube or TikTok. How much more the children?”

“I have read new research over the weekend that excessive use of gadgets and cell phones have a negative effect on the youth,” Gatchalian added.

The senator has proposed that the Senate can revive a similar House proposal during the previous Congress for a cellphone ban in schools.

 

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SEX SCANDAL. French President Francois Faure expired in 1899 during sex, which so terrified his lady of the evening that her vagina constricted intractably, necessitating the surgical removal of the dead president’s weapon.

ANCIENT CONDOM. The earliest known illustration of a man using a condom during sexual intercourse is painted on the wall of a cave in France. It is dated between 12,000 and 15,000 years old.

THREE SECONDS ONLY. A typical orgasm lasts from three to 10 seconds, with contractions occurring every 0.8 seconds for both men and women.

DON’T TRUST. We can't trust all who are dear to us. Julius Caesar trusted Brutus and paid dearly for it with his life. Jesus Christ trusted Judas only to be sold to his torturers; Leon Trotsky trusted Lenin; Michael Jackson trusted his doctors, to name only a few.

Self-centeredness inhibits our love for others, and we are all afflicted by it to one degree or another. For true happiness to come about, we need a calm mind, and such peace of mind is brought about only by a compassionate attitude. (How to develop compassion, The Compassionate Life)

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two daily newspapers in Iloilo.—Ed)

Key role in elections

“AI is a tool. The choice about how it gets deployed is ours.”

—Oren Etzioni

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

IT seems there is a strong basis for fears that Artificial Intelligence (AI) may play a key role in the coming elections worldwide, including the Philippines.

The widespread influence of AI is actually expected to be featured in the first election this year 2024, during and after voters cast their ballots. This may be felt in the making and distribution of public messages about candidates as well as electoral processes.

Campaign Legal Center (CLC) has been working hard to help address the impact of AI on our democracy, including educating the public about what to expect in upcoming political campaigns and recommending policy solutions lawmakers should adopt to mitigate the greatest risks to our election system. 

It was reported CLC has particularly highlighted the danger of political ads that use AI technology to generate deceptively realistic false content — such as “deepfakes,” which are manipulated media that depict people doing or saying things they didn’t say or do, or events that didn’t really occur — to mislead the public about what candidates are asserting, their positions on issues, and even whether certain events actually happened.

If left unchecked, Adav Noti of Advancing Democracy Through Law has warned these fraudulent and deceptive uses of AI could infringe on voters’ fundamental right to make informed decisions.

This development came as Microsoft, the tech titan most closely associated with AI, has announced nearly $10 billion in investments in artificial intelligence abroad in recent months, the price it is reportedly willing to pay to remain a top player in this crucial market.

The overnight success of OpenAI's ChatGPT thrust generative AI as Silicon Valley's latest tech revolution, lifting Microsoft, OpenAI's main backer, to become the world's most valuable company.

Since then, it was reported that the maker of Windows and its rival Google have been competing furiously, rolling out tools that produce text, images or lines of code on the basis of a simple query.

 

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PERFECT VIEW. A man burdened with life's trials and hardships asked God, "Why so many hills and mountains to climb in life?" God answers him, "For you to have a better view."

OUR REAL MEASURE. Hardship is one way of measuring one's strength, so if our problems are extra big, let us be extra flattered because that is how much God believes in us.

EINSTEIN’S BIG BLUNDER.  This is a cosmic mystery story which states that the future of the universe lies in the hands of dark energy, an unknown form of energy that caused cosmic expansion to begin accelerating a few billion years ago. According to latest study, Einstein failed to recognize the dark energy.

CELIBATE. The Kama Sutra was written by Mallanga Vatsyayana, who was rumored to be celibate.

EVOLUTION OF HUMAN KNOWLEDGE IS REBIRTH OF SOCIETY. We have enriched this universe with diverse ideas for thousands of years with shifting of one paradigm to another. We have abundance of ancient and modern ideas way back from Babylonian and Egyptian antiquity, but only human knowledge has made a dramatic impact in our evolution as society.

 

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ALL IN THE NAME OF RELIGION. During the 20th Century 110 million people were killed by their own kind in 250 wars--mostly religious wars in the name of sectarian "gods." Casualties of religious battles had been dumped in the biggest killing fields in the world.

TEACH IT, PLEASE. Sex education was first introduced into English schools in 1889. (After more than 100 years, many schools in "conservative" countries are still hesitant to teach sex education!)

LESS ATTRACTIVE. People who regularly watch pornos find their partners in real life increasingly less sexy, regardless of how attractive they are.

ANTI-TOOTH DECAY. Semen contains zinc and calcium, both of which are proven to prevent tooth decay.

SPEARM banks keep their donor semen at approximately -321 degrees Fahrenheit. At that temperature, it could be kept indefinitely.

POPULAR. The condom is the most popular form of contraception globally with four in 10 choosing it ahead of any other form of protection.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two daily newspapers in Iloilo.—Ed)

Let’s avoid soft drinks

“I don't drink soda cause carbonation freaks me out.”

― Dave Rygalski, Gilmore Girls

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

JUST because Iloilo City has been placed under the state of calamity as recommended by the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) doesn’t follow that Ilonggos can now substitute water for soda or alcoholic beverages.

There is still no substitute for water; water is still the No. 1 thirst reliever, the healthiest and most natural of all liquid drinks anywhere in the world.

Health experts said water helps our body keep a normal temperature, lubricate and cushion joints, protect our spinal cord and other sensitive tissues; and get rid of wastes through urination, perspiration, and bowel movements.

The average daily water for men is about 15.5 cups and for women about 11.5 cups for healthy individuals, according to Dr. Howard E. LeWine, chief medical editor of Harvard Health Publishing.

That might mean we need only four to six cups of plain water, depending on other fluid sources such as coffee, tea, juice, fruits, and vegetables.

Because of the El Nino there has been a reported “water scarcity” and thus some residents prefer to drink soda despite being warned of its adverse health effects.  

The move to declare the metropolis under a state of calamity, by the way, will pave the way for the city government to use more than P12.5 million from its quick response fund to help those affected residents.

 

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Health authorities have warned that sugary beverages like soda are linked to a long list of adverse health effects, starting with obesity, poor blood sugar control and diabetes.

Recent studies have reportedly found an association with high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart disease.

Having as little as one soda per day measurably reportedly increases the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

And diet sodas, which have been found to increase hunger and disrupt metabolism, are not any better, according to health experts.

The National Library of Medicine has declared that soft drink consumption has become a highly visible and controversial public health and public policy issue.

Soft drinks are viewed by many as a major contributor to obesity and related health problems and have consequently been targeted as a means to help curtail the rising prevalence of obesity, particularly among children.

Soft drinks have been reportedly banned from schools in Britain and France, and in the United States, school systems as large as those in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Miami have banned or severely limited soft drink sales.

In fact, many US states have considered statewide bans or limits on soft drink sales in schools, with California passing such legislation in 2005.

A key question is whether actions taken to decrease soft drink consumption are warranted given the available science and whether decreasing population consumption of soft drinks would benefit public health.

 

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POTENTIAL OF RELIGIONS. All the major religions have the same potential to help humanity. It's not just Christianity, Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Judaism.

SMOKING makes us grow older. Early wrinkling occurs due to reduced levels of the oxygen needed to keep skin healthy. Smoking is the prime source of oxygen deprivation. If a smoker is in the process of quitting, he or she must drink lots of water.

STRESS CAN DESTROY OUR SKIN. A continual menu of stress causes the skin to become sensitive and prone to breakouts. Regular exercise and mediation will help diffuse its effects. Lying on a bed with our head hanging down off the side is a super destresser.

WHO IS MORE PROMINENT? Millions of people today know of Nebuchadnezzar, and have never heard of Pericles, simply because Nebuchadnezzar is mentioned prominently in the Bible and Pericles, the father of Athens, is never mentioned at all.

CLITORIS POWER. The tip of the clitoris has about 8,000 nerve endings--more than anywhere else on the human body. (Cosmopolitan)

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two daily newspapers in Iloilo. —Ed)

 

Public display of affection means BBM approves LAM’s wrath?

“You must have anger, as rightful wrath is what makes you create your own ethical standards.”

— Kamal Haasan

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

THERE can only be two reasons when some celebrities or prominent couples suddenly indulge in public display of affection or PDA especially when we lest expect them to perform it.

Either they wanted to belie rumors their union is on the rocks, or they wanted to send a curt message. Or both.

If we can read between the lines, the most recent photo of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and First Lady Marie Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos (LAM) posted online and published in several newspapers during their 31st wedding anniversary in La Union, could be a PDA meant to deliver a laconic but strong message:

“We are inseparable, stronger, and we have a common stand on various issues in life, including political matters—especially if they involve our reputation.”

Interestingly, the first couple’s PDA occurred days after First Lady LAM slammed Vice President and Department of Eduction (DepEd) Secretary Sara Duterte-Carpio in a broadcast interview in Manila for attending a rally and laughing while her father, former President Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte, called President Marcos Jr. “bangag” or high on drugs.

“She (Mrs. Duterte-Carpio) crossed the line,” barked First Lady LAM.

 

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In the aftermath of the hullabaloo, President Marcos Jr. was palpably silent and didn’t join the fray, so to speak.

His silence could be misinterpreted he approved of his wife’s “hit job” or he was under the saya, or “under her skirt” and wouldn’t complain about anything the wife did or plans to do and say both in private and in public.

Did he allow his partner in life (hell hath no fury like a wife insulted) to do the talking for himself and the dressing down of the “uncouth” vice president because it wouldn’t look nice for a man—and a president for that matter—to lambast the person next in line for the highest position of the land?  

If husband didn’t agree with the wife’s public demeanor and diatribe toward a known political ally, there would still be a wedding anniversary celebration, of course, but any PDA would be pigeonholed if tension was still nimble and fresh.

No PDA during an important occasion in the couple’s life could be misconstrued that a brewing spat has stolen the occasion’s sparkling and buoyant moment.

 

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No partners can fake a DPA as it is an act of intimacy between a couple that is in view of others. Hugging, kissing, or holding a partner's hand in public are some examples of PDA. Sharing a private intimate moment in a public forum such as social media can also be a form of PDA.

There are reportedly common myths about PDA. These are:

— PDA is always sexual or inappropriate. While this can be true for certain levels of PDA, most of the time, it is very light touches and kisses that are often unnoticed by others.

— PDA only happens in newer relationships. Again, this is false as we find that those in newer relationships tend to be a bit more conservative as they are more aware. Inappropriate levels tend to start happening when things are somewhat more established.

— When partners don’t participate in PDA, there is something wrong in their relationship. Wrong again. PDA is completely suggestive, and what seems to be the perfect amount for some can be too much for others.

 

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BEWARE THE DEADLIEST NATURAL TOXIN. Botulinal toxin, produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, is the most potent poison for humans. It has an estimated lethal dose in the bloodstream of 10-9 milligrams per kilogram. Death occurs when the respiratory muscles are paralyzed.

TO ALL LOVERS OF CIGARETTE. Cigarette smoke contains about 4,000 chemicals. Carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, methane, and nicotine are some of the major components, with lesser amounts of acetone, acetylene, formaldehyde, propane, hydrogen cyanide, toluene, and many others.

Women drive and cross the street more safely than men. Men account for 70% of pedestrian fatalities since 1980. Between the ages 18 and 45, males outnumber females as fatal crash victims by almost three to one according to the Nat'l Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two daily newspapers in Iloilo.—Ed)