Technology

NOT AS YOUNG, SLIGHTLY OLDER THAN BEFORE

/ Alan Atkinson / Leave a comment

In the late 1970s, at one of the Christmas gatherings, when delicious super tender, hot and spicy beef rendang (1) was served, I thought that it would go well with chocolate. As it was the Christmas season, with lots of chocolate going around, I decided to try the combination of eating chocolate with beef rendang. Unusual combination of food – yes. I thought it was out of this world. It literally was! However, I don’t believe I went for that combination of a chocolatey, hot spicy beef rendang again. I wonder why…💭🤔Maybe, at that time I was slightly younger. Now, I am slightly older.

Many (you can’t use the word “multiple” here…it doesn’t sound like it will gel in this sentence) may ask me, “Why is being younger better than being older?” Good question. The perception could be is that when you are younger, you dare to do more things, that is walk the journey and then “connect the dots; not connect the dots first, then move along the connected dots”.

Maybe so. It could be because the young are brash and do things without giving it much thought. Like they would dare go bungee jumping, even though the other end of the cable he or she is attached to, is not secured to anything. I don’t know.

When my wife, Jeannie and I, first went to the U.S., yes United States of America, not the local U.S. (Ulu Selangor) (2); we had to do the touristy thing: We visited Disneyland at Anaheim. We stayed in Hollywood, at a hotel behind Holiday Inn. It kind of looked that we were staying at the Holiday Inn at that time, but we weren’t 😀. We caught a hotel shuttle that took us to Disneyland, Anaheim. I remember passing Knott’s Berry Farm, which was another theme park, that was close by Disneyland.

As we passed the theme park to get to Disneyland; I thought the name of the theme park was “GUTS”. If it wasn’t, it should have been named that. It was actually the Knott’s (for knotted guts after you’ve been on one or more [if you can take on more than just one ride. you have to be stark-raving mad!]) Berry Farm (a misleading name. You ain’t gonna find or pick berries there). Their rides definitely were not meant for the weak hearts a.k.a. normal people. And the people that went on these rides – they definitely got their thrills (terkejut [3]) and spills. We’ve got to give them credit.

From the road as we passed “the farm”, we could see the “Supreme Scream” ride I think, which had just opened a couple of days earlier. We could also see the Boomerang. Jeannie and I must have been way too young (underage, perhaps?) because we were not going to take one of those rides; not on your nellie. That meant that we were normal people.

What do normal people do? They go to Disneyland. Our first “ride” as we got inside Disneyland, was when we hopped (not literally, you know what I mean) on an open bus that that took us around the theme park. We had a barber shop quartet, dressed in colourful outfits, wearing perfectly round panama-style hats, stand on the steps at the back of the bus; and sing and entertain us, the passengers all along the route. We used Disneyland money to pay for things. We smiled and laughed a lot. We went back home smiling and happy, not scared out of our wits.

A barbershop quartet.

Now, that we are not as young as we used to be, which is slightly older than before; we tend to think or map all our moves out, leaving nothing to chance unless its Magnum, Toto or 1+3D (4) (for some people. The thrilling anticipation as the results come out…). I wonder why? All our moves are calculated, more or less. More more than less.

However….however, the younger will act on instinct…with the help of Google and the “in-thing” of today, Artificial Intelligence or ChatGBT. They are faster off the mark… they want quicker results…and get them. If the results aren’t up to their mark, them make adjustments and keep going. They seem to have topography of their ideas.

In the meantime, us that are slightly, just slightly older than the younger…we will go for coffee and scones.😋😉😁

result of veering off…

NOTES:
1. Beef Rendang is a Malaysian curry. It is the curry of all curries, mouth-watering delicious, all the time. It is a dry curry which means it is with very little or no gravy. The beef is ridiculously tender.
2. Ulu Selangor is a district in the state of Selangor, Malaysia.
3. Terkejut is a Bahasa Malaysia word for “shocked”
4. These are “games of chance”.

He found his thrills… The great Fats Domino, “Blueberry Hill”

AN AFTERNOON AT STEEL RIVER

/ Alan Atkinson / Leave a comment

2nd Edition, May 2nd, 2024. 8.20pm

It was about 3.30am when I decided to hit the sack or turn in. It was a good evening, where I managed to publish an article and get some other work done. It did not take too long for me to fall off sleep.

I was up bright and early in the morning at 9.00am. It was a public holiday today, celebrating Labour Day. My cousin Chris, and his wife Evelina; was coming to pick Jeannie and I up at 10.30am, and together, we were going over to their friend, Allen’s place. Chris introduced Jeannie and I to Allen when we met at Grand City Restaurant in P.J. (1) a few months ago.

Traffic was quite smooth and after multiple x multiple turns, we arrived. I was trying to get my bearings to see exactly where we were in K.L.. (2) All I knew was that we were somewhere in Sungai Besi. (3) “Sungai Besi” is Bahasa Malaysia for “Steel River”.

It was good to meet with him again. His beautiful condo was definitely a place to unwind, chill and relax. Allen saw to it that it had all the trappings of comfort. In it, included a very large maintenance free, wall mounted aquarium. What else could one ask more of? The aquarium was his tv.😁

We weren’t there for very long as we had to leave, and take a short walk to a cafe for lunch by following Allen. A friend of his was joining us there.

As we arrived at the cafe, so did his friend, too. Introductions were made. Sidney is a very close friend and former La Salle School, P.J. classmate of Allen’s.

The cafe was Called, “Memorie”; with it’s tagline, “Taste of Eurasian”. That was going to be interesting.

The red door entrance. The first thing we noticed about this cafe / restaurant is that it is quite spacious. No knocking of elbows when you want to cut through the food with a knife and fork. Doesn’t it look Eurasiany? Very pleasant set-up.

We sat right inside, which was the front of a ship. No kidding. Jeannie said, we could stand in front of the ship and pretend to fly, like in the film, “Titanic”. Not to mention, sing the song, “I Believe I Can Fly”. Doesn’t sound quite right. I think it’s, “My Heart Will Go On”. Must be because I am not quite a fan of Celine.

Sitting on “deck”, in the front of the ship. Not sure who was going to sing, “My Heart Will Go On”. It is obvious from the wide spread of food on the table, our hearts were going to go on.

Jeannie and Evelina did most of the food ordering. I ordered the Shepperd’s Pie. Allen ordered a green curry noodle (I think) dish, which did not have any shrimp ingredient – just the way he liked it.

Clockwise,7 o’clock, The two “Alans” sitting together: Allen junior; Alan (Senior), also known as the Hatted Writer; Jeannie, Evelina (Christopher’s wife); Christopher and Sidney.
Clockwise,7 o’clock, The two “Alans” sitting together: Allen junior; Alan (Senior), also known as the Hatted Writer; Jeannie, Evelina (Christopher’s wife); Christopher and Sidney.

The food arrived quite fast. It not only looked good, it tasted good as well. The Shepperd’s Pie came with some french fries, some leafy stuff and half a cherry tomato. Yes, half a cherry tomato. So, the focus zoomed in on half a cherry tomato instead of the whole dish. That fact stuck in my mind. The Shepperd’s Pie had the usual mashed potato baked as atop layer of the pie. The pie’s filling was beef. I thought it would come with minced beef. Instead it came withy chunky pieces. Tasted good. In fact, all the dishes were good.

My contribution towards ordering of the food. This is Shepperd’s Pie. Looks good. Notice the half the cherry tomato? Decoration purposes (Only?).

There was lots, o.k., o.k., “multiple” stories told of school days and what they did. I had a little bit to share of La Salle P.J. School days as I studied there when I was in Standard One through Standard Three (Year 1 to Year 3 in “today’s terminology). I still remember when my Standard One class teacher, Mrs. Lee, came to our house one day to complain (share her concern), that I was slow in class. I didn’t think of myself as slow. I just did not want to waste time on trivial matters like Year 1 school work. I had big dreams and I was making plans on how to achieve them.💭😏

The wide array of Eurasian food ordered. Besides my ordering contribution of the Shepperd’s Pie, there was Devil (or is it Debil? Maybe, this is A.I.’s [Artificial Intelligence] way of spelling it, I don’t know) curry (Who in their right mind would come to a Eurasian restaurant and not order this primary dish?), the other two dishes were fish / seafood based). The egg omelet dish had not been served yet.

We adjourned back to Allen’s condo for coffee for some of us, and the hard stuff for the others. Sidney shared a lot about playing squash on wide courts, as he was still playing at tournaments “at his age”. I don’t quite using “at his age”, “at our age”, etc; as it is meant to indicate that we are suppose to slow our pace down, or we can’t do this or that anymore. So, here, when “at his age” is mentioned, it is meant to indicate that he plays in the “Masters” – indicating the seniors’ age group.

The view from the condo was quite breathtaking. It was slightly hazy. We were told that the night view can be spectacular. Looking at the picture below, you can see that construction for high rise buildings are still on the go.

By the time we left, it was half four, or half past four, or 4.30pm in the afternoon for some, and evening for others. We all thanked Allen, who was the perfect host. He invited us to go over again soon for another good “session” like the one we just had.

On our way back, we were met with sputters of rain along the way, nothing much. We reached home at about 5 on the hour. I thought I’d go on my 10km walk. However, the skies thunders gathered and before long, the rain followed.,

The view from Allen’s condo on the 11th floor. Menara Merdeka 118, the world’s second tallest building; can be seen on the far left. The KL Tower and Petronas Twin Towers, both amongst the tallest buildings in the world, can be seen from the left, just after the Menara Merdeka 118. Watching the vehicles go by, minus the pollution and noise from them; can be quite therapeutic.

Addendum (I wonder if we can call it this. By jove, we can. 😁): May 2nd, 2024; 8.20pm:
Allen added that I missed out on mentioning us reminiscing on some of the Malay hits of the ’70s and ’80s by “Freddie & the Flintstones”, “Search”, “Alleycats” and many more. Oh yes, and Allen is quite the singer and dancer: he’s a good singer, he’s nimble and he’s got the moves.

NOTES:
1. Petaling Jaya or P.J. as it is more commonly referred as, is a city in the state of Selangor, Malaysia.
2. K.L. or Kuala Lumpur, is the capital of Malaysia.
3. Sungai Besi is Bahasa Malaysia, which literally translates to “Steel River”. It was a historical mining town with many heavy industries such as steelworks, waste steel plants and other steel industries. Sungei Besi Tin Mine site was the largest and deepest open cast alluvial tin mine in the world and in Malaysia. The town has since developed from a large area of village settlements. wikipedia

WHAT’S LIFE GOT TO DO WITH IT?

/ Alan Atkinson / Leave a comment

LIFE DOESN’T GIVE US A PURPOSE. WE GIVE LIFE A PURPOSE.

MY GOAL IS NO LONGER TO GET MORE DONE BUT RATHER TO DO LESS WITH AN EMPHASIS ON QUALITY.

MAY YOU HAVE THE COURAGE TO BREAK THE PATTERNS IN YOUR LIFE THAT ARE NO LONGER SERVING YOU, CONTINUE TO IMPROVE ON THOSE THAT ARE, AND ADOPT NEW ONES .

~ ALAN IAN ATKINSON
Writer, Author, Storyteller

LEMON COFFEE?

/ Alan Atkinson / 1 Comment

The day has come and gone by so quickly, that I’m left in wonder. Is the day and time moving really fast, or are we moving really slow? That is the question. Or are the days shorter now than it was 20 years ago?

I figure if it was, it would probably be a few seconds shorter. The other answer, more likely the logical one (as Spock of tv and movie series Star Trek would have said); is that we cramp too many activities in our daily schedule. Armed with an armament of sophisticated mobile phones, tablets, laptop computers, electronic tracking devices (many of which we pay a premium monthly subscription fee for use of the various apps and software that we have been convinced [unknowingly] to be of high importance to us, and is the only way to go, “moving forward” {sounds sophisticatedly business like}), we feel that we have more time on our hands. And we do.

However, we now do not know what to do with ourselves during this free time. We also may not want to be seen as not doing anything or being lazy. We may ever feel some guilt that we have free time, some free time, that is; time that we earned by paying for the likes of subscriptions, etc. So, we pile more things to do to our schedule. Back again, we are busier than bees. Then, we probably become highly work stressed, efficient people.

Easier said than done, we should be less work stressed and more work fun. My wife, Jeannie and I met my cousin Chris, and his wife, Evelina, at Backyard for coffee. One thing led to another and the next thing was we accompanied them to IPC, popularly known as Ikano Power Centre, where they had a couple of things to do.

On our way out, we stopped at a traditional Chinese tea shop for a drink. I did not order a drink for myself as I am not a tea person. After they finished their drink, while we were walking to our car, we passed by HWC Coffee.

I noticed the “HWC Coffee” brand (1) had quite a few outlets in P.J. and Subang Jaya (2). However, I never ventured to try their coffees. Until now. Since I did not have a drink while the others were yum cha-“ing” (3) their tea; I decided to get a HWC coffee.

I ordered Lemon coffee. Lemon coffee? What’s that? This I had to try. On the menu, it states that this drink is only served cold. This was going to be interesting.

The drink came in a sealed plastic cup; the same type of cup that New Apollos restaurant near my house serves their iced coffees in. It looked like an iced americano with some whitish, yellowish liquid stuff at the bottom of the drink. This I assumed to be the lemon in the drink. It was.

Lemon coffee. Notice the whitish, yellowish liquid stuff towards the bottom of the drink?

I let Jeannie have a sip of the drink. She immediately did not like the drink, saying that the lemon made the coffee more acidic than it already was.

I took a sip. My first sip was the lemon. Then, I pulled the straw up higher so that I could taste the coffee. Then, I stirred the drink so that the lemon could mix with the coffee.

First impressions: This is an acquired taste. Definitely not for the traditionalist coffee drinkers.

I liked the lemon. It was as how lemon should be. The coffee tasted ordinary on its own, in the medium weak-to-strong range. When the lemon was mixed thoroughly with the coffee, the drink tasted just about ok. Definitely an acquired taste, that you need to let it grow on you. The best time to have this coffee is when you come into the building out of the sweltering sun, your throat parched.

Stop by at a HWC Coffee cafe, try their lemon coffee, and let us know what you think of this drink. Nice?

I will have a go at this Lemon Coffee drink again when it is a very hot afternoon and I come across a HWC Coffee cafe in the future.

NOTES:
1. The name HWC Coffee ( Hei Wo) is derived from chernozem or black soil that plays a central role in high-quality bean cultivation. In 2017, HWC Coffee set up a coffee plantation in Panama, that offered full-fledged services from coffee beans cultivation to coffee roasting. hwccoffee.com.my
2. P.J. or Petaling Jaya and Subang Jaya are cities in the state of Selangor, Malaysia.
3. Yum Cha has Cantonese origins. In Cantonese, drinking is “yum” , and tea is “cha”. It was amongst people chatting in Cantonese where the practice of yum cha flourished. During the Qing Dynasty (1644 – 1911), people would stop by small houses to catch-up with each other and drink tea. joyfulhouse.com.au

HOKKIEN NEW YEAR, SILENT, CLIKITY-CLACK

/ Alan Atkinson / Leave a comment

Sunday afternoon. 9th day of the lunar new year or more commonly known as Chinese New Year, here in Malaysia. It is the Hokkien New Year, celebrated by…yes, the Hokkiens. They seemed to have set off every firecracker and fireworks in the country, beginning from a couple of hours just before midnight. This did not affect my sleep. When I was sleepy, I just went to sleep, which was around 2.45am.

It’s 12 minutes pass noon. I did several experiments before – all of which came out with the same results which means that the sun is directly over Subang Jaya, or at least in the USJ area; only at 1.00pm. This means that the sun is 90deg to the ground only at 1.00pm; and not 12.00pm. Do the shadow test, where when the sun is rising from the east, it causes a shadow of an object, building, etc. At 12.00pm, there will still be a shadow in the west. Only at 1.00pm; when the sun is directly overhead; there is no shadow.

Our day begun when Jeannie, the Batik Influencer; and I, went for the 8.30am mass at St. Thomas More church in Subang Jaya. Mass was refreshing and rejuvenating. We then, headed to New Apollos restaurant for breakfast after mass. Jeannie ordered a Loh Mai Kai (1); I ordered two Tau Sa pau (2). For drinks, we both ordered Kopi peng (3); mine was the “kaw” (4) ‘version’. I usually like my coffee thick or strong; not diluted.

I am beginning to believe that sugar prices have dropped tremendously because some of the food that I have eaten recently seemed to have had a ton of sugar added in for good measure. The tau sar pau today was no exception. For me, I feel that I could do with 95% – 98% less sugar.

I have been looking for ways to “upgrade” my productivity over the past few weeks. I have read that one way is by using a mechanical keyboard. It does improve productivity. I researched quite a great deal (basic research) on why the choice should be mechanical keyboards instead of the membrane, silent, soft-touch ones; we see almost everywhere.

Logitech MX Mechanical with the Logitech wrist pad (sold separately).

I noticed that most of the big department stores all use mechanical keyboards. I asked employees how they felt using this type of keyboard. Most of them said they could type with confidence and it is more comfortable. I asked many people who do use these mechanical keyboards. Gamers use them for feel, speed and accuracy.

Logitech MC Keys

I have not used mechanical keyboards for the longest time (an American phrase?) I consider them old-fashion. I replaced them with membrane type keyboards, the latest and mainstay of which I have been using for nearly two years is the Logitech MX Keys. It is an excellent keyboard all round, well built, but pricey. The MX Keys is like driving a vehicle with automatic transmission – smooth, not much travel between action and result. Love it. However, I was looking for something more. I am writing / typing more and needed a keyboard that would over-deliver. Maybe, I am in the mood for a change because I have had the MX Keys for almost 2 years.

The MX Keys drive is like driving a vehicle with automatic transmission – smooth, not much travel between action and result.

MX Keys. The automatic backlighting is great, too. Though it can be annoying at times.

The battery life on the MX Keys won’t disappoint. Everything about this keyboard is inviting. I wanted more. Should I go back to the old fashion type of keyboard (mechanical: loud, noisy clikity-clack, bigger, heavier, less than looking slick)?

Logitech MX Keys (top), Logitech MX Mechanical (centre), Logitech MX3 mouse (right), Logitech wristpad (bottom).

I tested mechanical keyboards from several brands whenever I could at the IT stores. Whenever I asked people for their experience on using these type of keyboards, many would answer what they read or hear about the keyboards, “There is a good tactile feel”. What on earth is that? I mean, really…what on earth is that? I researched that phrase. (5) To me, I like the deeper travel when I press each key as I tend to tap the keys with a bit more emphasis when I type fast and, and even harder when I put down an exciting idea or point.

After much deliberation; I purchased the MX Mechanical. I have been using it for several days now. Still tend to make a few typo errors. However, I think I will overcome it when I get more familiar with this keyboard.

Should you get this keyboard? It costs a pretty penny. If you are into a lot of typing, and not in a “silent retreat” or “library”, environment; meaning where certain amount of noise is tolerated; then go for it. Think of this as a sports car of keyboards. Sportscars tend top be noisy but make up for the noise pollution with performance. Finally, the choice of keyboard will ultimately be up to each user – The one that works for use is the one to get.

Now, I have not talked about a whole plethora of customization that can be done with this keyboard. Examples are key swaps, hot-wiring. My purpose for these essay is to reach out to the everyday folk who may want more for their daily use than what they have now. Perhaps, I may put up an article when or once I tinker with the many options available.

For now, it is time for a mugga (for coffee), as in cuppa is for tea.

NOTES:
1. Loh Mai Kai: Also spelt as “Lo mai gai” literally “glutinous rice chicken”, is a classic dim sum dish usually served during yum cha. Wikipedia
2. Tau Sar Pau is red bean paste bun, is a popular sweet and soft favourite bun that goes well with coffee or tea.
3. Kopi peng is a combination of Malay (kopi) and Chinese (Peng) for “iced coffee”.
4. Kaw is a Hokkien word which means “thick”.
5. Linear switches don’t have much resistance, and can be pressed in one smooth motion. Tactile switches have a bump that you’ll hit halfway through pressing, which makes them slightly louder and give a physical response as you type. And clicky switches have that same bump, but make a much louder noise.
Business Insider, 8th September, 2023
Linear switches feel smooth when you press them, from top to bottom. Tactile switches have a noticeable bump partway through the keypress, which lets you know that you’ve activated the key. Clicky switches feel similar to tactile switches but add a click sound to match the tactile bump.
nytimes.com, 5th December, 2023

OUR STORIES : UNIQUE

/ Alan Atkinson / Leave a comment

EARTH: Population: 8 billion.

Every single person on planet earth that is here, present; has a story of their own to tell; whether it is in their mother tongue language, English or a different language; whether it is in the form of pictures, dance or any means of communication; with the hope that what is communicated to the audience; will be received by the audience in exactly the way that it was communicated, without losing the essence of the message. What is most important is that each story is different.

This is something that A.I. or Artificial Intelligence and ChatGPT can never do as these can only generate information that was pre-installed with data. Whatever information that is churned out from these two software is sort of a “done this, been there” information. Admittedly, “can never do” could be a bit far fetched.

Don’t surrender decision making to computers all in the name of making life easier for us. The truth is: it doesn’t.

While on your own path, wherever that leads.
Run your own race, wherever that goes.
Quit comparing your life with another.
We are all on a journey, but our paths are different.
Our stories are unique.


~ ALAN IAN ATKINSON
Writer, Author, Storyteller

WHAT IF…?

/ Alan Atkinson / Leave a comment

A poem

Today, with modern science and technology, men and women have a longer life span. It is a reason to rejoice about, right?

For some, yes. For many, what if we live longer but run out of money to support us? How are we going to live, then? Is there a point to live this “extra life”?

What if we run out of things to do with our extra life? Do we sit around the whole day and watch tv? Or do we stare out into space, expressionless; not knowing what to do with ourselves?

What if the people of the world decide to put an end to all the wars in the world? Best part is, it is not all talk. They decide to act on that decision.

What if the people will then not know what to do with themselves in times of peace? As the world has never experienced total peace.

What if the countries of the world decide that with this new found world peace, they become borderless countries? Then, everyone becomes a citizen of the world.

What if famines and starvation ends? Countries would no longer have to destroy excess produce or produce that has not been sold, just to maintain their prices.

What if everyone experiences lasting peace and happiness. No more wars. no more famines. No more starvations. No more rich. No more poor. The world has plentiful for everyone.

What if there is no more sickness or disease? What if there is no more worry?

What if we no longer identify people by skin colour or race?

Are we prepared for this change? We, as people of various nations, non-governmental bodies, the United Nations have been talking about this principle in theory. While it may seem that there are many bodies from countries around the world, that may have been thinking of such a day when this can materialize; has there been a serious concerted effort to make this happen?

What if we can eat the best chocolate available in the world, everyday, and not have to worry about getting fat or having adverse health issues?

What if we lead a sedentary life without having to exercise?

What if travel to any part of the world was now “Beam me up, Scotty”? (1) That everybody has teleporters. Which makes travel free?

What if the idea of rich or poor no longer existed? What if people no longer need to use money and other financial instruments to “buy” things. The exchange of some financial instrument or other, goes out of style? People revert back to an exchange of what they have for something another person has. No value is placed on the items in exchange. The world is in abundance for everyone.

We have considered ourselves one that is civilized. Now, with the “what if”, are we ready to be happy? To live like a true civilized world? Can we? Who makes the first move? Are we ready for such a change? One that guarantees global peace and harmony.

If only what if?

NOTES:
1. A quote from Captain James T. Kirk of the tv series, “Star Trek”.

PLEASURE AT LEISURE

/ Alan Atkinson / Leave a comment

My classmate back from the good ol’ La Salle school days, Leslie; and I, met for breakfast at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf at Sunway Pyramid. Leslie messaged (texted in modern terms, or whatsapped me, saying that he would be at Pyramid (referring to Sunway Pyramid) early this morning, to collect his Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds that he had pre-ordered a couple of weeks earlier. He messaged me last evening.

We had scrambled eggs on toast with black coffee at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf at Level “G”.

The breakfast at CBTL was tasty. I made the mistake of heavily peppering the scrambled eggs before trying a bite to taste it. Old habits perhaps?

Their Americano or Long Black, whichever you want to refer to the black coffee (I know all or most coffees are black😉😏). However, this refers to the coffee without the clothes on. No, not me with out clothes on, the coffee. The coffee. Focus people🤣. We generally like our coffee without milk or sugar – plain black. This is what I mean by “without the clothes on”.

We caught up with some news of our other classmates. Our main chat centred around the Sony earbuds he was about to pick up and the new Samsung Watch 6 Classic 47mm that was recently launched.

“This is how you do it”, Leslie showing the hand gesture to take the photograph from my phone camera.

Leslie decided on the choice of grey color earbuds instead of the usual black. These WF-1000XM5 earbuds, (you know ’em small tiny ones?) came in a nice, larg-ish box. I believe this to be an introduction package with a few additional goodies. What I found a bit strange was the many scraps of general receipts and other information, instead of an official receipt or document with the purchase. It seems SONY’S online system will pick up the sale information later. Maybe their online system was down… I am not too sure…

We, then headed to the restaurant that sells Ramen and other such dishes. The menu did not look too appertizing to me. Plus, we wanted to have a light lunch.

We decided to go to Starbucks which was just next door to this restaurant selling ramen type food.

We sat at a table, indoors, as the weather was so very hot and humid.

We each ordered a tuna sandwich and a Caramel Mochiato coffee, iced, without cookie but with caramel decorated whipped cream on top of it.

The tuna sandwich, with the bread toasted, was cut into 3 equal smaller sandwiches. It was good.

The Caramel Mochiato coffee, iced, without cookie but with caramel decorated whipped cream on top of it (sounds like James Bond’s “stirred, not shaken” martini); was nice but sweeter than we would have liked to be. No cookie – The cookie only comes at the edge of the glass, with the venti size drink only.

The Starbucks Caramel machiato coffee with screaming whipped cream (screaming because the cream was whipped)😉Tuna sandwich – light lunch.

I made arrangements (texted) with Chen Yao, the manager of Harvey Norman, to get ready the Watch 6 Classic 47mm, so that we could just pick it up without waiting too long at the store. Chen Yao was on leave. She contacted the store and got the watch ready for Leslie’s collection – just pay and go.

One happy guy with two gadget toys to fill his evening today, setting them up.

Now, for the next event on the calendar for this evening.

THE TROJAN HORSE

/ Alan Atkinson / 3 Comments

Picture this:  A completely physically disabled person from the neck down, now able to walk, and have complete function of his limbs as any normal human being would.

A blind man no longer needing the spittle mixed with mud and placed on his eyes to see.

A speech impeded person now able to speak fluently in 25 countries. Ok ok. That may be a bit of stretch…25 languages you say?

Lazarus! Get up from the dead and come out from behind that rock. Oops! sorry, wrong story. That is from the bible. Hang on, hang on. Come to think of it, what if….?

This is what a tech company is hoping to do through its development of ultra high bandwidth brain-machine interfaces to connect humans and computers.

Now, let’s think for just a bit. The cost of producing man-sized robots to perform most, if not all the physical tasks a man can do, would be astronomical. What more to maintain them? In a relatively short lifespan, these “technological marvels” will began their destiny in becoming obsolete as soon as they are built, due to continuous superfast technology improvements and inventions. They could end up as scrap sooner than later.

Let’s consider questioning the costs of a complete man-size robot: The manufacture cost will be exorbitant. Multiply that by the numbers of units they intend to build.

Now, let’s cover another area. He, on several occasions, said that robots are a threat to mankind.

He could be the trojan horse within our midst. He may want to take control over mankind. Why want to conquer another planet when the earth seems his for the taking.

The whole idea of implanting a chip in the brain by connecting the brain’s neuron nerves to the microchips wires. It is to help stimulate the weak, infected or dead cells to start working again.

“First this product will enable someone with paralysis to use a smartphone with their mind faster than someone using thumbs,” Elon Musk said in April 2021. Neuralink also believes its device will eventually be able to restore neural activity inside the body, allowing those with spinal cord injuries to move limbs.

Based on the above, assuming that a paralyzed person with very little or no handphone skills, can now use a smartphone with their minds faster than those using their thumbs.

Does this mean a paralysed person can run faster than a normal trained athlete? Will normal aspirated athletes have to compete against these specially aided people?

Will this groundbreaking technology over-ride what the person may experience when moving? Will it suppress the pain?

How does it work? Will it force the person to move his limbs even though that person may feel great pain? Will the chip override the actual feeling of pain? Will the person have full control of himself?

How is the chip powered? How is the chip tracked? Does the chipmaker have override control? Does the person with the chip implanted, have any control besides basic limb movement? Will this chip function in the same way and intensity for each and every person, regardless race, creed, age?

Can this chip be transferred from one human to another? Can it be transferred to an animal?

There has been unverified news circling that Elon Musk is a kind and generous man. Does this mean he will be giving the chip away for free, especially to the needy?

I am intrigued by this popular, yet mysterious man, Elon Musk. He is one of the world’s richest men. He is said to be South African – born in South Africa, acquiring Canadian citizenship through his Canadian-born mother. He did his higher education in the United States. He still retains very much of his English accent.

How is it to be determined who gets the first few waves of these microchips? Is there going to be a basic, economy, fast, superfast, pro and ultra choice of chips (sounds like the chips are being scavenged from smartphone devices? Will rental / selling prices consummate with each chip range? Or will you have to buy the chip and pay a monthly subscription to keep these chips working for you?

There are questions after questions which mainly lead to questions on ethics. While there is no doubt who the owner of this microchip is, the idea in which this microchip was thought of in the first place, would be considerably altered by now, and continues to be “fine-tuned” as we speak / write.

Am I onto something? Implanting a chip in a person may seem bizarre but the idea is not knew. There was a popular television series, “The Bionic Man” and another series, “The Bionic Woman”, in the 1980s and 1990s, which was followed by several movies where people, ordinary people became bionic.

Bionic means a man or woman having ordinary human powers increased by the aid of bionic devices (real or fictional). They show their capabilities when “working out in gymnasiums to become bionic men”, for example.

It is interesting how mankind behaves to these warnings. Nobody is doing anything. Absolutely nothing! No one seems alarmed that a danger like this is right at their doorstep. The Trojan horse has managed to come past the gates.

We seem so quick as to surrender (o.k. the word “surrender” may not be the right word) relinquish our freedom of choice, the same freedom to make decisions to Artificial Intelligence (A. I.) without even giving it much thought.

Guess what? The A. I. that you surrender your decision making is not absolutely automated (at least for now). It is controlled by somebody or an organization. A. I. did not just spring out of nowhere on its own.

We need to seriously be more informative and engage in the conversation about the ethical and social aspects of A. I. and brain-machine interfaces. We should not rely on the excuse that we are not qualified in this area, so we leave it to those who are and hope for the best.

We are in control of our lives now or have some semblance of it. Or do we?

NOTES:
I have always admired Elon Musk for his foresight in technology. I may not agree with many of his decisions. He has the vision to see far ahead into the future with the end game in mind, using his technological ingenuity to bridge the now and the future.

The aim of this essay is to raise and provide thought provoking questions. The intention is to not go in depth and include detailed analysis.
1. Joedan Valinsky, CNN Business “Elon Musk is no longer the richest man on the planet, according to Forbes”; Thursday, December 8th, 2022.

The Drum