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)

Get rid of them, if possible

“The greater the power, the more dangerous the abuse.”

—Edmund Burke

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

WE support the plan of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to make a shorter list of party-list groups participating in the May 2025 elections.

If possible, we must eliminate party-list groups that siphon millions of taxpayers' money, but their representatives do not actually contribute to the development and enhancement of the sectors they represent in the House of Representatives.

Many party-list solons, in fact, aren’t assets but real and present liabilities in congress.

We know of some party-list solons who are there only for personal whims and caprices and not for the sectors they claim to champion. One of them is from Iloilo who is very active in the social media promoting the junkets this party-list solon has been making.

The party-list in the Philippines has been abused excessively and some of the solons inherit the positions from their parents who coined the idea of organizing party-list groups to shortcut their way to congress.

 

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There are party-list congresspeople who have enriched themselves in their first term; they also use their positions to junket abroad and receive astronomical allowances and other unnecessary expenses.

They also lobby for kickbacks and act as “liaisons” of corrupt fellow government officials and unscrupulous contractors.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia said the poll body wants to cut down the number of groups who would be fielding bets in the party-list system to around 130 starting in next year’s elections.

A total of 177 party-list organizations participated in the May 2022 polls.

“Hopefully, we can reduce the number of party-list groups to just around 130… so that it will really be representative of the truly marginalized and underrepresented,” Garcia was quoted in the Philippine press.

Kudos and please expedite the chopping blocks.

 

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ACCESSORIES MAKE THE WOMAN. A well-dressed woman is someone who knows the fine art of accessorizing. Accessories are the finishing touch that gives us our individuality and shows us just how far we can go with a little imagination.

IT'S OUR FAULT. We were created with flat teeth because we are not supposed to be carnivore; therefore, we can't eat meat but only vegetables. But when Prometheus discovered fire and handed the knowledge to mankind, we learned how to cook and thus we started to eat meat--and started to suffer heart attack due to high cholesterol.

BIG IDEAS. The five biggest ideas in science are: 1. The Atom 2. The Periodic Law 3. The Big Bang 4. Plate Tectonics 5. Evolution. This is according to book authors Charles M. Wynn and Arthur W. Wiggins.

THEY CAN BE REMOVED, AFTER ALL. Tattoos can be removed by skin grafting, by infrared coagulation treatment, or by salabrasion in which table salt is scrubbed into the anesthetized skin. The hypertonic irritant solution disperses the tattoo pigment particles. Scars will be produced.

THE SUN IS OUR SKIN'S NO. 1 ENEMY. We should always make sun protection a priority. Let's use a sunscreen formulated for our skin along with our moisturizer. Much of the evidence of aging, rough skin, wrinkles, age spots, etc. are really the result of too much sun.

THE REAL McCOY.  Although frequently associated with Darwinism, the phrase "survival of the fittest" was coined by Herbert Spencer, an English sociologist. It is the process by which organisms that are less well-adapted to their environment tend to perish and better-adapted organisms tend to survive.

IGNORE THE EARTHQUAKE SOOTHSAYERS. The test of a hypothesis is whether it makes predictions that are borne out. Unfortunately, geologists do not yet have a clear enough understanding of earthquake phenomena to predict reliably and consistently where and when earthquakes will occur.

STROKE AWARENESS. Facial droop uneven smile? Arm numbness, arm weakness? Slurred speech, difficulty speaking or understanding? It is stroke! Acting fast is key to treating stroke. May is Stroke Awareness Month.

STAND UP STRAIGHT. This sounds so ridiculously simple, but it's one of the most evidential traits of those women we so admire. Stand against a wall with head, shoulder blades, and heels touching, and buttocks pushed into the wall.

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