Hello frens,
As much as I expected January to be magically better than all of last year, it wasn’t quite as different. The new year, let’s get back to the grind hasn’t worked out phenomenally, but I still persist (although not with all my power lol). January, all in all had me finding comfort in the mundaneness of things, if you will. Yes, I know I’m one of the few people who can brag about the simple pleasures in a world that’s unkind to most. But here I am.
Speaking of writing, I’ve sent out a letter into the void of nothingness. There’s no response yet. But if it ever comes, I’ll let you know.
In other news (there’s honestly none), I did read a couple of papers this month (was it 3? I should really keep track of ‘em), was fascinated by a seminar lecture, revisited an old lecture, replaced my Twitter addiction with funny fandom compilations and the like.
Surprisingly though, I still have fresh finds!
Here’s a transcript from the Undark Magazine Podcast titled: In India, mismanaging the monkey menace
It was an approximate 10 minute read, but it shines light on how we in India manage human-wildlife conflict. It is not great to say the least, and the problem is much greater than the conflict itself. When there’s nothing in it for the people ‘tasked’ with managing a conflict, what do you do?
Strangely, it reminds me of the dog menace at IIT-M. Tweet here
Discovered Phil Plait’s Bad Astronomy Blog and Newsletter!
What I love about the blog is the enthusiasm honestly. I think Phil does a great job of being enthusiastic himself and making us all a bit more enthusiastic about space. I’ve binge read his articles this week and the newsletter was a separate story altogether. Let me mention this here. This person puts up something new on the Bad Astronomy blog NEARLY EVERYDAY. That’s brilliant work-ethic, for one. I struggle with putting up a coherent Newsletter (haha this one!) every other week for reference. One of these days, when I’m feeling it, I’ll do a week of blog posts and do a Newsletter summing ‘em up. What do you think? Hah!
Singing in colour with Maria Thaker
I’ve been looking up animal behaviour research recently and this talk was right on the money!
The past few days saw the use of AI to monitor faces in India. The use of AI is not new to monitor students or to fight crime. But there is bias baked into AI. And that is a problem too.
Pls bear with me lol. I know I’d seen a dissection of a paper in the AI Twitterverse about how it does not do well at recognising emotions of people from different races. I JUST CANT FIND IT. It is very, very important considering AI is being implemented into the system, effectively giving judgements, and it is BIASED. Here’s an article that delves into it.
Here’s where India is using such technology
AI-based attendance in schools – Tamil Nadu Government shows the way.
Read why it might not be such a great idea where people have done it here.
Installing cameras to ensure women’s safety in the UP? Read about it here.
Now add in the already flawed emotion recognition AI that has bias built in. Notice the problem? Yes?
I’m pretty sure I read this over Twitter too, but we must recognize not all problems are engineering problems. Which means not all problems need to be solved with technology. Sure technology can make things efficient. But societal problems are deeper, humane and require other measures.
On that note, here’s a film about a society built on optimization and efficiency of work (also adding DUST has fantastic sci-fi movies for free over at YouTube) The age restriction, I believe, is to go with the gory part towards the end.
TW: semi-nudity, suicide
That’s all for this time. See you next soon with an edition centered around, um let’s see, physical and chemical properties of neurons in older (and ‘simpler’) metazoa+stuff around it+general commentary+niche shiz sorta (might join reddit again lol). Here’s the review, just in case. Also throwback to the time I couldn’t pay attention when a presentation on this paper was on because I zoned out. Heh, those were the times (sorry Sulu :)).