Caife, an ea?

Coffee, is it?

by | 2023/02/15 | Short stories

Caife, an ea??

“Coffee? Are you sure, Michael?”

"I've given up drinking, Sémí!" I said, as I squirmed in my chair. Sémí looked at me and was shocked. “Sick, is it? Are you sick?”

"You could say that, my friend," I said. You'd think it was a crime. It bothered me that I had to defend myself every time I refused an alcoholic drink.

"You look good, Michael, it's hard to believe there's a health problem involved." He raised his eyebrows questioningly, and stared at me.

"Don't bother with that now, Sémí, don't we have other more important things to discuss and the world's major problems to solve! I put my hand up, and called out to Big Butt: "We're ready, Thomas!" Big Butt started running towards us.

"A pint of porter and a cup of coffee, please," I said, trying to prevent any other problems.

“Do you think I'm a fool? You were checking to see if I was awake, weren't you?” He winked at us, and stood there waiting for my answer.

“Thomas, I need coffee. Do you understand – coffee?” I was angry now.

"Don't worry Michael, I was only joking!" said Big Butt and he was very surprised at how he had angered me. “Coffee and pint coming!”

“Michael, don't go overboard there – I was only joking too! Sorry about that!” Séimí was taken aback too.

It was a Saturday afternoon in February, and although it was quite cold outside, the sun was shining and people were strolling around the city. We were sitting inside by the window in the Smugairle Róin in the center of the city, perched on our seats' people watching'. When I was looking out at the world like this, it gave me a new perspective, and I realized that I felt that I was under a kind of attack and therefore, overreaccting. Although I was not directly under attack, at the same time, there was cultural conformism involved and I was swimming against established social norms. It's not easy to do something like this, but it's not worth lying or getting angry. I had better be honest, and I had better keep control of myself.

I took a deep breath, and gathered my thoughts. "Sémí, it was an excuse earlier, when I said that the reason I wasn't drinking alcohol was because of a health problem. I thought it would be easier to refuse a drink that way." I stopped and took another deep breath.

“Coffee and a pint, guys!” announced Big Butt and him back again! Enjoy them!” He took off at a blazing speed as others beckoned him.

“I'm a little embarrassed to share the real reason with you, Sémí. But I'm too heavy and want to lose some weight – so although this is a health risk, I'm not sick, per se! I stopped drinking completely at the beginning of the year, and I feel better and I've also been losing weight for a while. Why wouldn't I continue with this strategy that is working well for me, Sémí?" I was nervous that Sémí would give me the cold shoulder.

“Michael – forgive me for what I said. I didn't mean to pressure you. At first, I was joking, but when you said you had a health problem, I became worried about you. I asked you about your health, not to pressure you but because I was worried about you, Michael. I'm so relieved you're all right, son! My advice to you is to have a thick skin and don't mind the slagging! Now – to your health!” said Sémí as he tipped his glass.

"Cheers, my friend!" I replied, and I was much more comfortable now. I was glad we had that difficult conversation, and I learned a lot because of it. The most important thing I learned was: Do what's best for you, regardless of what anyone says!

Before he left, Sémí had one more thing to say. "You are setting a good example, Michael! Maybe I'll have a cup of coffee myself next time!” He wasn't kidding this time!

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Léirmheas: Poker Face – Macalla ó Ré Eile!

Review: Poker Face - Throwback to another Era!

by | 2023/02/08 | Reviews

Review: Poker Face - Throwback to another Era!

A detective program recently came out on the Peacock streaming service in the United States. I read a review that piqued my interest and watched the first episode of the series. It instantly reminded me of other detective programs that used to run on TV in the old days – (days) when we only had live TV. We used to know the program schedule by heart, and we knew with certainty what day and time 'Columbo' or 'The Rockford Files' would be on the TV. We all looked forward to the new episodes every week, followed by conversations at home and in the office. What was so special about those programs? I think the main characters had magnetic personalities in different ways. Also, both programs had a layout that was not like other detective programs that used to run (in those days).

Rockford and Columbo!

In 'The Rockford Files', you witness the private life of the detective. You see Rockford in his untidy mobile home on the beach in Malibu in California, and you get to know Rockford himself, his family (his father) and his friends (policeman Denis Becker and ex-prisoner Angel). The person himself comes first in this episode, and after that comes his detective work, which is also quite interesting.

In Columbo's case, on the other hand, you don't see him at home at all. But he has exceptional qualities as a detective. You see a murder happen at the beginning of each episode, and then Columbo targets the murderer. Columbo seems forgetful, and the criminal underestimates his abilities. But when Columbo is about to leave after asking the criminal his questions, and that same criminal is finally breathing a sigh of relief, Columbo turns back to him/her and asks him/her the critical question, which starts like this: “Oh and one more thing…”

But what about the new program 'Poker Face'?

The show's creators, Rian Johnson and Natasha Lyonne, combined elements of 'Columbo' and 'The Rockford Files' to create this modern detective program. Natasha Lyonne is also the detective Charlie Cane in this new series. Natasha is a first-rate actress, who has starred in the famous series 'Orange is the New Black' and 'Russian Doll'. In this series, Charlie used to work as a card sharp in poker tournaments, but she has now retired from that job. She is now a wanderer traveling from place to place doing temporary work. You see Charlie struggling in her private life, and in that way the program is similar to 'The Rockford Files'. She is not an official detective, but murders happen wherever she goes, and she finds out who committed them. Charlie has a special ability that used to be useful to her when she was playing poker, and is also useful to her as an amateur detective. Charlie is a 'lie detector', because she knows whenever someone is telling her a lie. That ability comes into play in the program, and it helps her in her pursuit of the murderer.

The program has a great layout, in my opinion. First, unlike most other detective programs and like 'Columbo', you see the actual murder. Then, you go back earlier than that in the same place, to the time Charlie arrived on the scene. Charlie observes every detail, especially anything that happens in conjunction with the murder. Then she puts all the clues together to piece together an accurate picture of the murder.

Charlie catches the murderer out, when she asks him/her a lot of hard questions. Eventually, the murderer can no longer deny the truth, and admits his/her guilt.

It's a great approach, and I love that last part, when Charlie – the cat, faces the murderer – the mouse! Charlie wins every time without question!

I recommend you watch this series as soon as possible. I don't think it's available in Ireland yet, but no doubt it will be before long.

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Réalta Rac-cheoil na Seascaidí ar Shlí na Fírinne!

60's Rock Star Dead!

by | 2023/02/01 | Obituary

60's Rock Star Dead!

You would think that reading the obituary column is not pleasant, and I must confess that I was once of the same opinion. But after reading a few, I saw a special value in them, and then I was hooked. It is a summary of a person's life, and although not all of them are special, they are worth reading because the odd gem is to be found. It is very exciting to read such a special obituary, because you get an insight not only into the life of the deceased, but also into your own life. That is a very beneficial experience, no doubt. The singer and writer David Crosby died recently, a man who was very famous in the sixties in America and around the world. I read a lot of obituaries about him, and mostly they were just a long list of facts. But then I read the report written by Steve Chawkins in the 'Los Angeles Times' and it really hit home for me. I was laughing, I was crying, nodding my head and shaking my head, while reading the obituary. At times I almost felt like I was in the presence of the 'Croz' itself. And most powerful of all, I saw that 'Croz' lived life to the fullest, under obligation to no one on earth! But without a doubt there was a price to pay, and 'Croz' paid dearly for it! You see the strengths and weaknesses of 'Croz' clearly laid out on the table, and through that, you get a small glimpse of the human condition itself. I encourage you to read that column if you can! But in the meantime, here are just a few highlights.

A Few Highlights

Crosby and his bandmates sold 35 million records. He was twice inducted into the 'Rock & Roll Hall of Fame' — once as a member of the group 'The Byrds' and once as a member of the group 'Crosby, Stills & Nash'.

Crosby sailed around the world in a schooner called the Mayan. He was the pilot of his own plane. He had a huge ranch near Santa Barbara in California. As he got older, he was struck by a burst of creativity and released four albums and did a series of successful concerts with his son in the band CPR.

More amazing than that, he was still alive at the time! He suffered from diabetes and arterial disease, and had eight cardiac stents. When hepatitis C destroyed his liver in 1994, doctors saved his life with a transplant. He was addicted to alcohol, heroin and cocaine. He stopped after spending 11 months behind bars in Texas for drug and weapons offenses.

When asked in the 2019 documentary "David Crosby: Remember My Name" how he managed to keep going, he succinctly replied: "I have no idea, man!"

His first band 'The Byrds' fired Crosby after he insulted them badly! It was a great band, and their songs were chart toppers. 'Mr. Tambourine Man' went to the top of the charts, and the song sold a million copies at the time.

Matters quickly soured between Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young (CSNY), and they fought together for more than fifty years. He wrote in his autobiography: “I know I have an ego! Not everyone agrees on its health, size and value!”

“There was a clear dynamic between the four of us, and we've all done terrible things,” Crosby said of CSNY to Vanity Fair magazine in 2019. “But I've let them down worse than anything they've ever done to me. I was a junkie! There is no lower stage in human development than being a junkie, which I did right in front of them.”

His life came to a head in 1982 when he was accused of possessing drugs and guns. He spent nine months in prison, and then gave up drugs.

He wrote in his book 'Long Time Gone' about prison: "It was serious business: barbed wire, machine gun towers, and a huge buck with no neck wearing a cowboy hat and saying to me: Hey, rock star, get over here,boy!”

Crosby met her son James Raymond for the first time in 1994. They became great friends, they had a band together (CPR), and I think that was when Crosby finally found forgiveness and closure in his complicated life.

 

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An tarcaisne a chur i gceann na héagóra!

Adding insult to injury!

by | 2023/01/25 | Current Affairs, Language Affairs, International News, Opinion

Adding insult to injury!

I have an incredible story for you today, a story that awakens memories of our own history in Ireland, in relation to our language.

In September 2022, bad storms blew across northwest Alaska. They were caused by typhoon Merbok, and they caused a lot of damage in places where Native American people live. The United States government (Federal Emergency Management Agency – it's called FEMA) provided money to repair the damage. Many Indigenous people had to apply to get money. Because they have their own languages, FEMA had to provide them with instructions in Yup'ik and Inupiaq.

FEMA awarded the translation contract to a small company in California, called "Accent on Languages." It was an utter disaster!

Strange Phrases!

When candidates started working on their applications, they expected instructions to help them fill out the paperwork. But instead, all they had to read were gibberish and strange phrases. For example, here is one sentence: "Tomorrow, we will go hunting, and we will not take anything with us." Here's another: "Your husband is a polar bear, skinny!"

Another document was in the wrong language. Instead of being in the Iñupiaq language, it was written in Inuktitut, a language that uses its own alphabet. Inuktitut is spoken 5,000 kilometers away from the area in question, in Labrador and Quebec in Canada.

In one press release, the 'State News Desk' was translated as "When she said that, the dog ran further away from the curtain".

An abrupt response

Tara Sweeney, an Iñupiaq who previously worked for the US Department of Home Affairs, told the AP that there was "symbolism" in the errors that went back to when Alaska Native languages were being erased in residential schools. in the 1900s.

“Like thousands of others in Alaska, my mother was beaten because she spoke her own language at school. When you see the federal government now, distributing documents in our languages, , I can't describe the feeling that that symbolism inspires in me" said Sweeney, talking to 'Associated Press' (AP) .

Jaclyn Rothenberg, a spokeswoman for FEMA, told the AP that the company "Accent on Languages" was fired and FEMA redid the translation. The aid was not postponed as a result of the error, Rothenberg told the AP.

Caroline Lee, CEO of "Accent on Languages", said that in their 30 years of translating, they had never experienced such a catastrophic failure. She fired the translators who were responsible for the mistranslations. Following this disaster, new measures were put in place to ensure that this would not happen again. FEMA will also be reimbursed in full, she said.

Conclusion

This story informs us about the problems faced by minority languages around the world. Wherever various empires have oppressed the native peoples, they have almost wiped out their languages. They added insult to injury in making a terrible mess in their efforts to use the same languages they destroyed in the first place. I have to say that I fully and completely agree with what Tara Sweeney has to say on the subject. After understanding this story, it dawned on me that FEMA did not ask the tribes in question to make the transfers. Don't they know their own languages best? The United States government should have a policy in place to offer a contract like that to those who speak the minority languages.

Bad things happen in Ireland too, unfortunately, when it comes to our own language!

I remember one terrible example where Cork County Council - a county where the Múscráí Gaeltacht is located - used 'Google Translate' to provide original content on the County Council's website in Irish.

Or you may remember the major problems faced by the Central Statistics Office a few years ago, as their system for providing information about the most common names given to children did not include names with fadas on them. The CSO's explanation for their system being faulty was technological difficulties.

It was no surprise then, that both the HSE and "Bank of Ireland" said that technological issues were the cause of all the fadas being missing in their own systems.

The bottom line is that we all have to constantly put pressure on our governments, whether in Ireland or Alaska, to protect our native languages!

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Intleacht Shaorga Ghiniúnach!

Generative Artificial Intelligence

by | 2023/01/18 | Current Affairs, Science and Technology, International News, Opinion

Generative Artificial Intelligence

According to experts on the subject, artificial intelligence (AI) will reach a point, soon enough, where the machines will be more powerful than their creators. Undoubtedly, the power of AI is increasing faster and faster and the technology is just starting out! Like it or not, AI will play a central role in our lives before long.

When we think of IS, it seems that we think of robots and machines. Although we are correct, it is essentially software. When you run AI software on the distributed computing system called the Cloud, that forms a very powerful platform. AI software uses algorithms to process data located on the internet, to make decisions without any human intervention. The AI branch called Generative AI generates images, text - including poetry, music and artwork.

As a new field of AI, Generative AI is developing rapidly. There are now products online that allow users to try Generative AI for themselves, for free. One organization is responsible for that – OpenAI.

OpenAI

OpenAI was started in San Francisco in 2015 as a non-profit organization. In 2019, however, OpenAI partnered with Microsoft. Microsoft invested $1 billion in it at that time, and they are thinking of investing 10 billion soon. Microsoft intends to integrate Generative AI with their search engine, Bing (similar to Google).

In 2020, OpenAI announced GPT-3, a language model trained on trillions of words from the internet. In 2021, OpenAI released DALL-E, a deep learning neural network that can generate digital images from textual descriptions.

Around December 2022, OpenAI received widespread media coverage after they launched a free preview of ChatGPT, their new chat bot. According to OpenAI, over a million people logged in in the first week.

DALL-E and ChatGPT

You can create images with DALL-E and create text with ChatGPT.

I asked DALL-E to create a picture of 'a clock in the desert in the style of the artist Salvador Dali', and DALL-E drew some amazing computer generated images that were all very interesting. I recommend you try DALL-E. There is an app available for your smartphone, and you will have a lot of fun playing with it.

When I asked the question "do many people speak Irish?" on ChatGPT, part of its response was as follows (with a few corrections):

"Many people speak Irish in this country, where the language was a living language before. Irish is the official language in this country and it is also being used as a language of education in some schools and as a spoken language in some areas of the country, including the Gaeltacht areas."

I suggest you try ChatGPT as well. Go to the site https://chat.openai.com/chat and you will be able to use it for free!

Advantages and Disadvantages

We need to discuss the pros and cons of Generative AI. Undoubtedly, it is a controversial topic. On the one hand, this technology puts powerful new tools in our hands, to help us in new ways that were not available before. Writers, artists, musicians and the like will be able to quickly create comprehensive frameworks using Generative AI, and will be able to spend more time in creative thinking!

On the other hand, there are great challenges to be solved because of important issues. It will be difficult for the law to keep up with the rapid pace of technology. Because Generative AI relies on the data available on the internet – data of all kinds both good and bad, the system is fundamentally biased as a result. Basically, this system is unable to distinguish between high quality and poor quality data. There are also issues of copyright, intellectual property and plagiarism of other people's work. Perhaps even worse, cybercriminals will be able to use technology to commit more sophisticated cybercrime online.

Conclusion

Whether we like it or not, there is no stopping the development of this revolutionary technology. We need to reduce any negative impact as much as possible. We will have to implement new rules and regulations to do that, both nationally and internationally.

In my opinion, when Generative AI is used correctly, new miraculous abilities are placed in our hands, abilities that will improve year after year.

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