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≈ Today’s World Is Stressful. It’s Your Job to Manage It ≈ Some Thoughts On a Strategy. In the crowd I “hang” with, we agree on a lot. (Quotation marks because most of the hanging is done through texts, and phone calls, with occasional face to faces that require travel). We agree on favorite places we’ve been. Favorite restaurants. Favorite vodka. Bucket lists. Life philosophies. We’ve known each other forever. And then there’s the stuff we don’t all agree on, worst places we’ve been, whether Clapton is the best ever, and restaurants, like the place everyone loves but one of us still actively warns complete strangers to avoid. Yes, and some politics, a little. Yet, somehow, miraculously, we still talk to each other and enjoy being with each other. No shouting. No unfriending. No dramatic exits from a group chat followed by an obscure social media meme. It’s a modern miracle worthy of study. This is called a choice. (Remember that word, it keeps coming up). There are things w...

≈≈ Fitting Exercise Into Your Day Without Using Any Time ≈≈ ≡ Nine Simple Things That Help ≡ **First, and most importantly, I’m not a doc, so if you’re thinking of getting into exercise talk to your doc before you do. You can send them the link so they can see what the routine is. They may want you to get checked out first. OK, disclaimer done, now it’s on your back 😊 So, I’m one of those older Northeast people that hasn’t migrated south for the winter. There’s a myriad of reasons. Our kids are here, grandkids as well. We’re comfortable in our home and happy here. We love the seasons and, not least of all, I have a wife and a watch and they both work. She works here, so here’s where we live. Super Cool Watches We have relatives and friends that are full-time South as well as those that are snowbird Floridians. They laugh at us in the winter, some pretty funny memes and comments. In the summer we ask if they’re enjoying the heat and humidity, both reported in one number, reg...

≈≈ In Today’s World, What is the Role of Religion? ≈≈ - Dangerous topic? Let’s see. - If you look at the percentage of wars throughout history fought primarily over religion, the number is surprisingly low, about 7%. That’s not to say religion hasn’t been used as a pretense, or that it isn’t deeply intertwined with ethnic identity, nationalism, or power. Who’s right, who’s wrong, whose G-d is the real one, if there is one at all. Religion is woven into our culture , politics, family, and identity, so it’s impossible to fully separate it from how we interact with one another. But, in the final analysis, religion is statistically far from the predominant driver of conflict. Up front: I’m a devout atheist. That puts me in a mixed marriage, as my wife is solidly Jewish. And yes, as they say, some of my best friends are of different faiths (although some may deny the “best” part, some even the friend’s part). They pray differently, believe differently, and even p...

Thursday’s Thoughts – Background and Residual Nuance ~Six Quotes~ “It’s a helluva start, being able to recognize what makes you happy.” Lucille Ball. For younger readers, Lucille Ball was the 1940s–50s Beyoncé. Smart, fearless, wildly talented actor, entertainer and businessperson. Women weren’t supposed to own much of anything in Hollywood, Lucy owned a movie studio. She got there because she was hell bent on doing what made her happy and the obstacles of her era were just part of the journey. That quote of hers has always stuck with me, and it was one of the earliest Thoughts I sent to my granddaughter. Years ago, when she started high school, I inadvertently started a tradition. No master plan. No long-term intent. I just knew high school was stressful, confusing, and loud, and I wanted to put some stuff out there for her to think about. A little perspective, some diversion, a little guidance, and, TBH, a little staying connected. So, every week, I sent her an ema...

≈ “Fool Me Once” - Toys and AI ≈ We received a surprising number of interesting emails after our last blog, “AI as Friends,” which basically asked, perhaps uncomfortably, whether stuffed animals should be your child’s besties. The responses ran the full spectrum, exactly as you’d expect. Some were in complete agreement, some landed in the “yes, but…” category, and a few were firmly in the kids should interact with AI early, while their brains are most absorbent camp. There were even a handful of “Wait… they can do that?” reactions. And honestly, that’s all good. Anything that sparks real discussion is worth writing about. Love it huh :) Having just past the heart of gift-giving season , we thought it was a good time to build on that interest and talk specifically about children and interactive AI toys . Full transparency: this blog is essentially the result of a discussion between me and… me. We’ve known each other a long time. Our thoughts are informed by research...

AI, Babies, and Holiday Gifts. At what age should a child have a phone or smart device? The “accepted rule” seems to be 12–13, but almost half of the kids now get them at 10. But how about if I suggested birth? Maybe a month old? No? Silly question? Not really. Because ready or not, technology, and especially AI, is marching straight into your child’s life this year through Holiday gifts that blur the line between toy and "bestie". “Child’s play” is about to go through an existential transformation, and parents should think before they jump into the abyss. Here’s a blurb lifted straight from one AI-toy product page: “Through your child’s regular interactions with it, (cuddly toy) will develop its own unique personality. The depth of its emotional expression makes (cuddly toy) an advanced AI robot that offers a rich bond of companionship and comfort for your child.” And the ads insist your child will bond with it for life. For life. Cuddly Toy that creates a friends...