Quality Data

I saw a meme which said something to the extent of “if you put together all the receipts in your purse, you’ll have a book about why you’re broke”. As funny as this is, I made up my own: if you put together all the short runs, long runs, walks, and workouts, you’ll have a little book about why you’re in shape, feel better, are able to run after your children, can stand up without pain, and (fill in the blank).

Personally, I like my version better.

Do you think the programmers at Gummy Drop use AI to study patterns of play or how often a user swipes left versus right? Missed opportunity if they don’t.

Gummy Drop aka Gummies

Did you know there are dog behaviorists? It’s a thing. I saw one on a commercial whilst watching the Dog Show after the Thanksgiving Day Parade. At least, that’s what her title was. Maybe it was made up.

Speaking of AI and behaviorists because I know you’re in awe I somehow put these two random topics together – the news media stated police department policies are being implemented to prevent officers from using AI to write their reports, specifically in immigrant-related fields. It begs the question (from me anyway) why does this have to be stated? Oh I know. Because AI is artificial. Says so in the name. Tis not real. Tis fake. Well, not “fake” but definitely an interpretation of artificial. Basically, fake.

Several takeaways from this piece of news.

1. I understand the concept of work smarter, not harder. And I’d like to believe a well-meaning, overworked, underpaid officer(s) of the law justified the use of AI with the aforementioned attributes. However, how does one justify not knowing or understanding AI is an abstract medium which combines the entirety of the world’s thoughts with artificial interpretation? This means…it is fallable, it is inaccurate, it is just an interpretation subjected to human norms. Which means…it must be checked for accuracy. Period. It is not “fire and forget”. It is not “one and done”. In my opinion, it is more work to use chatGPT and similar programs because I must crosscheck it for meaning, much of which was not my intention.

2. The reliance on AI and the programs mentioned previously is widely concerning. Just me? Students have felt the negative effects of succumbing to AI-written papers. One does not achieve a phD using chatGPT. Trust me. All 6,000 pages (to include drafts, crap I had to remove, and sources) were from the corners of my mind, not a robotic rendition of what I thought I was typing. And if you think people cannot tell the difference between what you wrote and what AI wrote, you are mistaken. I see it a mile away – words not normally used in conversation, sentences much too perfect, similar words or phrases used excessively, and a general lack of positional stance, i.e., remaining too neutral. This is why I refuse to use it to write awards packages. It’s not me. Because it is not.

3. Let’s go back to immigration. Because I’m a scholar in this field and I believe it lends me integrity. What judge, lawyer, or human impacted by immigration wants to read a report entirely generated by AI? I don’t see any raised hands. We want the humanistic approach, the real officer who was on the ground, who encountered another human, child, or family. We want passion and beliefs. It does not matter the fallacy of an experience. It matters because people make decisions based on the entirety of it. AI cannot (at the time of this writing) imitate human experience, the very experience which made us human. Blows my mind.

4. I was not intending to include this but here we are. Working smarter as opposed to harder is misleading. Although I adore the catchy phrase, and am guilty of using it, I believe it encourages shortcuts never intended to become norms. Working hard is not a problem to be fixed. Dare I say we have gotten so far away from working hard that we now rely on something else to think for us. Haha tied it back in. Rather than thinking for ourselves or challenging our brains to come up with an accurate depiction of what we saw, lived, or shared, the reliance on artificial intelligence has made us dumb(er). So much for smarter.

And this concludes today’s very long-winded post. A notable takeaway: I wrote every word myself. From the very dark confines of my own mind. Aren’t you so glad you stuck around for it all? Also, I must have watched a lot of TV.

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I ask you –

Share you thoughts on AI.

(The post Quality Data first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

It’s really happening –

It’s been a whirlwind since I posted last Wednesday.

First, my dissertation defense is scheduled for 19 March. The date is about 45 days sooner than expected. I need to get busy finding a top hat. It’s actually happening.

Next, I couldn’t find this candy anywhere. Originally, I purchased it at TJ Maxx or equivalent store…Ross, etc. The label was dark so I don’t really know. I looked everywhere. Then, I found it at Target. Online. If you want to order said candy, you must purchase at least $35 of merchandise. So instead of spending $35 on candy + other items, I spent nearly $60 on all candy made by this brand. Good purchase? I don’t know but now I have a lot of candy!

Then, this happened. Gummies. I’m uncertain how many years it’s been since I deleted the game (nearly 3?). I know it’s a waste of time but I gave myself stipulations for playing. For example, if I want to play during the day, then I must be walking. So now I take a few extra walks. For exercise purposes, of course.

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I ask you –

Have you ever restarted a game?

What’s your favorite candy?

Wish me luck this week!

(The post It’s really happening – first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Lofty Goals

I seriously overestimated my ability to complete a 40 source annotated bibliography during spring break. It’s not that I couldn’t do it, it was entirely manageable, but I encountered some unexpected issues that prevented me from completion. First, the Internet was undergoing prolonged maintenance. As we use a local company, the customer service is incredible but sometimes things take longer than a conglomerate company with billions of dollars at its disposal. Then, our birthday happened, aka making evening plans in lieu of writing. Finally, I’m still figuring out how to navigate volleyball games with my ideal writing schedule. Luckily, this was a late game which theoretically meant I could write pre-game. Instead, I spent that time getting ready for said game, getting mini ready for said game, and doing all the things I would normally do before bedtime (remember, late game). Alas, the excuses are rampant.

All the food I ate on my birthday, minus some incredible nachos and probably a few other things is above. It was pretty yummy!

Pretty sure I’ve forgotten to share here how I gave up Gummies on Jan 1st and haven’t returned. I realized that my game play was becoming a slight problem, my productivity wavered, and I wondered if I could truly commit to quitting. Based on how the first several days went, I think I may have been addicted. Seriously. My fingers automatically went to the app each time I picked up my phone, I was severely tempted to play out of boredom, out of response, out of habit. Fortunately during that time, there was plenty to do around the house and it might have been the most productive period, partially due to the school break but also in a concentrated effort to forego Gummies. Sometimes I still get the urge to open it up and play “for a minute” – but I know about addictive tendencies and “a minute” will stretch into hours. Be strong!

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I ask you –

Have you ever set any lofty goals?

Do you overindulge on your birthday? Every time.

On a scale of 1 to Rick Roll’d – did you think believe I’d ever quit Gummies?

(The post Lofty Goals first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

500 Posts!

Remember my suspicions that teachers have a draft for the decision making process of which kids end up in each class? I think it’s been debunked but I’m dying on this hill.

Well, I believe there’s a draft in the workforce, too. In a conversation with McK about some employee needs, we discussed a switcheroo. My idea was like a draft because she was really trying to get the best end of the deal. haHA. So when I made her an offer, her reply was this: “That’s like trading a quarterback for a wide receiver.” Now, the humor in this is that McK (for all her sports abilities) is not the most knowledgeable about football. Her vain attempt to counteract my offer with (albeit very true) sports lingo is suspicious as I am certain she either a) attempted a shot in the dark or b) googled it. Nonetheless, I almost wanted to sweeten the deal due to her effort. But I didn’t.

In the past 500 posts, I’ve mentioned my gummies addition at least a dozen times so it’s only fitting I share my 600th daily check in. There’s been some starts and stops over the years, but my claim to fame is 8 yrs playing!

Anyway, I’ve written 500 posts on this blog. Some days I’m amazed I still find things to talk about, but if you know me then you know how much I talk so it stands to reason.

Nonetheless, thank you for continuing to read my nonsense!

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I ask you –

How many posts have you read from Running on Fumes?

Are you surprised I’m still playing Gummies?

Fantasy Footballer’s: how’s it going out there?!

(The post 500 Posts! first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Cue the Frustration!

You can’t reason with someone who is having unreasonable feelings.
Presumably anyone with anxiety

Season 7 of Grace & Frankie streams at the end of April. Don’t come at me with your Vietnam War comments. I’m well aware of her previous publicity. Everyone makes mistakes. She’s an actress. A great one. Life goes on. In related news, I’m sad this will be the final season. I have laughed, cried, and lived with this show from the beginning. It’s a riot.

Image Credit: Netflix

On the subject of movies, have you ever heard of “Top Gun”? Rumor has it there will be another movie premiering end of May. It’s only been rescheduled two, three, five times. I’ll believe it when I see it – and I do plan to see it opening weekend. Iconic in its own right.

Last week, whilst changing phone service providers, I had an ‘I’m becoming my parents’ moment’. Turns out my phone was too old to transfer service properly so I needed a newer phone. The phone was only 5 yrs old! I probably frustrated the young assistant manager with my blank stares and horrific sticker shock. He handled it well. Then I spent the remainder of the evening and some of the next day trying to log in to all my regularly accessed apps. You know, like my blog. You’ll all be pleased to know I’m now the proud owner of some fancy contraption that can call Mars and will most likely spontaneously combust in my hands. Oh joy.

I lost my check in record of 960-something days and 3 cities’ progress

In an effort to tie this semi-random post together, I’m soliciting for a director to write and produce my life story. Must work for free. The content is self-explanatory and abundant. All you need to do is follow me around for a week before you realize this could be the easiest job ever or you run screaming for the hills.

The cost of phones these days is exorbitant. Did I mention pro bono?

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I ask you –

Are there any upcoming movies or shows you’re looking forward to seeing?

When was the last time you bought a new phone? What did you pay??!

But seriously – I need a director. I’ll pay you in stressful moments and fancy coffee!

Day(s) in Photos, pt 29

Finally found a huge pretzel! It’s not pretzel bites, but it will do for the time being.

When I have time on my hands, I attempt to decorate them.

Beer shoes?!? Brooks outdid themselves this time. I feel like these shoes speak volumes to runner’s priorities.

Although I love the below list of words, I feel as if it’s missing one: whackadoo!

Credit: @hardcorecomedy2.0 via Instagram

Finally, the moment you’ve all been waiting for – ta da!!! 2 years of Gummies netted me a whole hour of unlimited line boosts. I was super excited by this prize until I realized it was not the same as a whole hour of unlimited lives. So in approximately 12 mins I was out of lives and had to wait 10+ mins to get another life, repeat, etc.

I really need to get help.

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I ask you –

On a scale of 1 to no longer being my friend, how much do you love huge pretzels?

What word is missing from the list?

Honest opinions only: is my Gummy addiction out of control?