Some musings on the life, the universe, and everything, then a personal update at the end. 😊

As usual, my main entertainment other than reading is Amazon Prime (USA via VPN). The more I watch, the more I feel totally disconnected from the world. I am very much rocking the ‘In the world but not of it’ vibe. I watch what goes on and I simply see zero connection to my own way of looking at life. I don’t know if it is age, my own personality, or a combination of both. [BTW This is very much my own take on it and in no way related to the Christian/bible related saying.]

I watch these shows (police procedurals, mysteries, romance, etc.) and I just don’t understand how anybody can think like this. I have the exact same thoughts when watching YouTube news clips. [I am not unaware that one thing I should do is just to stop watching them 😊].

Why does nobody speak out about the stupid crap they see? (Exception below) – That said, I know why I don’t — (other than in this barely read blog). I’m overwhelmed by the effort it would take to make people listen. Especially since I don’t do social media at all.

One of the exceptions that proves the rule I think:

https://youtube.com/@simplyresilientme?si=XQVELME01xv1o9jT – The YouTube channel

This video in particular: https://youtu.be/UP8fcLP59OQ?si=OWhJNM7-n-f2bipW

This lady is just great to listen to. But she only has 26K followers. Which seems a commentary to me on the audience rather than her.

And this guy on fitness over 40: https://youtube.com/@sendykafitover40?si=8lI-EH7IS9TqBnHi

He is a little quirky but he makes a lot of sense. And I have implemented much of what he promotes.

Artificial intelligence.

I’m realizing more and more that this really is something that people need to be aware of and be able to use. If you are younger and still working I would say it is CRITICAL to integrate into your job in one way or the other. Not talking manual labor here of course, but almost anything else.

For someone like me, older, retired for all intents and purposes, still an excellent thing to know about. The ability to use AI to do research or learning is such a force multiplier.

Having said that, I’m struggling. Maybe the next blog, if I have achieved any success in being able to utilize it, I will share that.

Below are some articles I think are interesting.

🔥🔥🔥 AI Finally Finds Something Trained Scientists Have Missed for Decades This has to be one of the most incredible and slept-on pieces of AI news I’ve ever heard.

A number of professional scientists have been trying to figure out how a particular kind of bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria) become mobile and do what they do This has been a mystery for a very long time, and this group of scientists are the world experts on the topic They gave a bunch of data to a new Google model trained to do novel research and create novel hypothesis It created a novel hypothesis that the human researchers had missed, which they say was because of their own bias Upon testing it, it turned out the AI was correct

If you care about this stuff you should listen to the entire episode. It’s extraordinary. Basically they had been trying to figure out how this particular virus was able to do what it did. They knew X, they knew Y, they knew Z. And they assumed that because XYZ that _____ could not have been possible (listen to get the full detailed explanation). But what they didn’t realize is that they were making an assumption. A faulty one! They were blinded by bias (their words), which didn’t allow them to see the solution. And this is why they’re so blown away by what the AI did. Once they saw the hypothesis they weren’t blown away. It was obvious. What they were blown away by was the fact that it found the solution when they had not, because of their bias. Keep in mind: they’re the world f-king experts on this!

The implications here are unbelievable. Think of how many research papers are out there. Think of how much data is lying around waiting to be explored. These are all dots waiting to be connected. And there aren’t nearly enough researchers to do that work.

This is how we get new, real benefit from AI. Especially in health, where we desperately need to look at how molecules interact with cells and such. So unbelievably hyped about this! Go check it out. THE PODCAST | THE COGNITIVE REVOLUTION PODCAST

https://venturebeat.com/ai/like-humans-ai-is-forcing-institutions-to-rethink-their-purpose – I think this is going to absolutely eviscerate the way many of these institutions work. And good riddance I say. Especially entrenched dinosaurs like teacher’s unions in the USA.

https://news.ucr.edu/articles/2025/05/29/does-planting-trees-really-help-cool-planet

Well, although the conclusion isn’t world changing it is still worth doing. When my brother died, instead of sending a wreath I had 10 trees planted in his name. 😊

Personal Update

I’ve been ill for weeks and am only barely recovering from it now. And I have my doubts about that even. ☹

I’ve tested negative for influenza and COVID. I doubt it is pneumonia. The hospital can’t diagnose anything specific. It felt like a bad cold and now although all the symptoms are gone I cannot clear this phlegm (sorry for TMI). My worry is that not getting  rid of it will cause the onset of another cold or something more serious.

Ah well. Anyway. I’m trying to not let it get me down. I’ve only left the house a couple of times in the last 20 days and almost any talking leads to coughing attacks.

Well – [update 16.June] It actually it turned out to be a sinus infection and it is responding to anti-biotics. Finally. But very fatigued still.

Home Network:

Learning:

• I have been dabbling with Python, Linux, and working on my Thai. I am spread too widely but I am learning stuff no matter what.
• I would say I am A1 now with my Thai and I hope I am close to the inflection point to consider myself A2 … My goal was to reach by the end of June and in spite of a long illness, I would say I am close. I won’t quite make it but it was a relatively good sprint.

Travel:

• I saw a YouTube video about living in Da Nang. Even with all I have said about Vietnam in the past, I am considering a visit. I’ll have to check. It looks so peaceful. I also looked at Uruguay. Some of these things are ok to think about but I have noticed recently that I waffle about how much time I have left and if I really want to spend time doing ‘whatever’. New places to live, travel, etc.
• A good Canadian friend, a bit younger than me, and in better general health, is living what I thought I wanted a few years ago. He really does live out of his suitcase and travels minimally. Now that I finally have just one residence (to consider as a base), could I do that? I don’t know. I don’t know if I’m entering a long slow decline or not. Writing about this when I’ve been under the weather for weeks may not be the best idea either 😊.
• As my health and energy permit, I have been organizing my condo. Health permitting I’m returning to Clark for a few days at the end of this month just to see people, straighten out some banking stuff, and do a final bag run.

I noticed that being completely free of the house was a relief and going back for a 4 day visit is not causing me anxiety at all.

After this trip I believe I will finally commit to renovating the kitchen.

A parting thought from a book I was reading the other day. I just liked the phrase.

‘Achieving cultural escape velocity.’ – I love it.