Sports Illustrated had a reputation for many years as the best of sports journalism. My father was a subscriber when I was in my teens and in spite of having little interest in sports (I played Chess and followed the then current Vietnam War), I often enjoyed the writing.

Imagine my surprise when on my news feed began appearing stories about Sports Illustrated using AI to write articles.

So pursuing a business ethics story I began to do research on AI and its effect on journalism. The proverbial image of “opening a can or worms” is not adequate for this situation. It was more of an explosion.

I have been reading about AI for years but not closely. Close examination reveals multiple disasters and constant crisis. I was not surprised by this. In writing about business ethics, you constantly encounter situations that threaten the planet and human life. These are almost always resolved or limited or subject to human intervention – – and things often got better.

AI is an exception. When you research it, the most striking things about the writing is the air of inevitable disaster. It is viewed by experts and industry observers as well as many in government as the coming unavoidable tragedy, the oncoming storm.

I share this point of view.

It cannot be stopped. It will change how we do financial transactions, how the internet functions, how warfare is conducted and the list is almost endless.

Philosophically it raises the question of “what purpose do human being serve?” It does that because much of what we think of as creative or intelligent, AI programs can do.

Let me give you example. Vincent Van Gogh lived long before the concept of AI. But less us bring him to life for just a moment. He will create at this current time, one painting. Just one. He paints stars and sunflowers. We hand this off to an AI graphics program and tell it to create versions of this painting in high definition picturing a variety of things from pictures taken in the past. It can create thousands (really millions) of new and original renditions of his work. That one painting patterns, brush strokes and technique can be duplicated by machine over and over again almost to the state of infinity.

The same can apply to writing, composing music, architecture and the list goes on. And while the AI lacks originality in the class human sense, it can and will and has combined works. You could take our Vincent Van Gogh painting and combine it with a Turner landscape. The AI program will happily churn out millions of those hybrid works if you so desire. You can combine authors, musicians, and so on – and in a real way create new and original work.

Am I suggesting that AI will replace art? No, it will make it less profitable and less human. There will probably be a lot more of it. We will see “new works” from Dickens, Beethoven and Whistler.

But that’s just creativity. What about routine activities like selling, buying and just general blue collar work? AI allied to robotic devices could make virtually all of that doable without humans.

And do I really need to get into the implications of the military use of AI? Presumably in a few years, AI’s could autonomously launch, win and conclude conflicts on their own. Just the idea of a small drone autonomously, patiently, unemotionally hunting down a human being gives me chills. And that is the smallest imaginable chuck of the military effects.

Can we as a species limit the power and use of this new technology? I say species because the problem of AI is far larger than the modern nation state can successfully cope with. Unless there is some worldwide agreement, the chance of preventing abuse is simply non-existent.

Consider how AI could revolutionize crime, espionage and political harassment. Stopping bad actors from using this technology is essential if we are to preserve the basic elements of civilization because AI is a massive wrecking ball of technology.

The last time we faced anything like this was with the development of nuclear weapons. We have successful so far in dealing with that technology in the sense that we yet survive. And that gives me hope for the future.

We human beings have survived ice ages, wars and our own failures of judgment over the ages. Our track record for survival is pretty good.

You might say, “Well James, you’ve led us into a dead end of horror and failure? Is that the best you can do?”

I’m still wrapping my mind around the concepts and, of course, I expect to return to the topic again.

This thing is very, very bad in its implications. We are about to see change at a rate, human beings have never experienced before. The Great Depression, the collapse of the Weimar Republic, the end of colonialism and all the other massive changes in the past are going to be trivial by comparison.

This is going to change every element of our lives and it is going to do it with considerable speed.

I promise you if I can find answers to this problem, I will share them with you.

James Alan Pilant

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/sports-illustrated-accused-of-using-ai-for-stories-report_n_65662118e4b028b0f3cdf145

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/nov/28/artificial-intelligence-openai-non-profit-money

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/south-park-blames-kathleen-kennedy-144049731.html

I have another blog on Facebook simply called “Business Ethics.” Many times I have commented on the destruction of the Star Wars franchise at the hands of Disney. Kathleen Kennedy was a key player in the decision making that resulted in “The Last Jedi.” I have been fierce in my criticism.

South Park is taking on Kathleen Kennedy. I have only seen the clips provided but they are devastating. And I suspect this satire is going to have an effect. Maybe under this kind of comedic assault, she will finally face some consequences for what she has done to Disney and in particular the Star Wars story.

But this is making me reflect on what I do. I write and comment and have for a good number of years and yet this satire is going to have far more effect in the real world than my writing has.

However, my audience is not South Park’s and their audience isn’t mine. We aren’t speaking the same language and while I may admire their effectiveness. I often find their work offensive and in poor taste.

So, I will enjoy the satire and continue with my work.

Colorado judge chides company that tried to pay $23,500 settlement in coins weighing 3 tons (msn.com)

A firm paid a legal settlement in loose coins in a great metal box. This is what is know in the law as “bad faith.” It is to be assumed that people live and negotiate without vile intent. Paying a fine by a cumbersome means is not a legitimate form of payment or obedience to a court order.

Reading the comments on this article was a horrible experience. People seemed to feel that payment can be made any way you want under the law. They flashed the term, legal tender, as if that mattered in this circumstance. The truly pitiful delight they seemed to want to take in paying in loose coins spoke poorly of their character and judgment.

There is right and wrong. There are right ways to do things and clearly wrong ways to do things. Paying a multi-thousand dollar fine in loose change is a very real middle finger perhaps attractive to the boors and barbarians among us. But courts and settlements are not to be mocked and there will be penalties for this kind of nonsense.

We as American citizens have a responsibility at all times to conduct ourselves in a reasonable manner. I would add that we should adhere to the standard of ladies and gentleman. Although these last years of horrid politics has called into question whether or not Americans any longer understand the duties of a gentleman.

Nevertheless, we should do what is right and keep our symbolic middle fingers to ourselves and always, always appeal to the better angels of our nature.

James Pilant

Most of Justice Thomas’ $267,000 loan for an RV seems to have been forgiven, Senate Democrats say (msn.com)

Apparently a great number of people find Clarence Thomas’ conduct to be just fine. If a man has spent his life as a hard cold right wing warrior, you will have many defenders. Clarence Thomas (and his wife) have many allies in government, media and among the punditry. They say there is nothing wrong with him taking gifts and trips from the wealthy. Not even loans, the kind that you don’t have to pay back disturbs their equanimity.

He lives a life of enormous privilege paid for by wealthy conservatives. His actual salary pales in significance to the number and value of what he receives.

Yet, we are told over and over again on conservative media that there is nothing wrong in having wealthy friends and taking the occasional goodie. That’s just common practice. This does inspire a certain curiosity for what is “common practice” among conservatives. There does seem to be a certain craving for luxury items among the conservative elite. I could refer to an certain governor’s lectern, for instance.

And Clarence Thomas’ failure to report these many, many items? Why, that’s just a grey area of the law. Thomas says he spoke to apparently completely and utterly anonymous lawyers of great repute – who tole him he did not have to report these kinds of gifts. I have one of those law degrees and I an unable to envisage any attorney under any circumstances telling Thomas that these gifts did not have to be reported. But who I am compared to the many anonymous figures in law that he says he consulted?

And then we have the wife of Clarence Thomas, Ginni Thomas. She has a non-profit political advocacy organization that she founded. So, people can make contributions to her organization. And we are told there is nothing wrong or unethical about the wife of a sitting Supreme Court Justice gathering political contributions. I am not so sure of that. It appears to me that you could give money to her organization and it would not be far-fetched to assume that you had gained some influence with her husband. However, much this may be denied.

I believe that the evidence provided publicly can lead to only one conclusion.

Clarence Thomas’ conduct is unethical and wrong.

No judge should take expensive gifts. No judge should fail to report accurately on their financial disclosure forms. No judge should have a wife who runs a political organizations that take contributions.

It is true that some of this falls into a grey area of legality or illegality. But a good and honest man would not have found so many grey areas to live in and Clarence Thomas appears to frolic in them.

He won’t resign, of course. To his allies, he is shining example of what is right and true. After all, aren’t his decisions vital for their interests?

But I will call him out for his moral failings.

It must be done. If we are to live in a moral world where evil and immoral acts have consequences, tolerating his conduct with out speaking or writing is just wrong.

We have an obligation as citizens of the United States to rebuke our leaders when they have strayed from morality and ethics.

Let us not be afraid to carry out our duty.

https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/russia-ukraine-war-news-09-30-23/h_79cabaddb694215355e81219150f9515

My first thought is that – it is amazing how many strange stories start with the words: “These two guys …”

These two guys in Ukraine found an advanced missile system abandoned in a back yard. So, dollars signs appeared before them or whatever passes for value in a just invaded area, and they apparently decided to hide it and maybe get some value out of it later.

And it turns out, that they hit the jackpot, they hadn’t found just any old advanced missile system but a very expensive one. According to the authorities, a little less than a million dollars. (I suspect it might be a reload for a SA-22.)

However, when a foreign nation invades and leaves stuff in your yard, it doesn’t belong to you. So, they’re in some kind of trouble. That in the midst of this war, that the Kyiv Regional Police are still in business and enforcing the law is truly amazing.

The patriotic thing to do would have been to give it to the military so they could very kindly and speedily return it to the Russians.

The Business Ethics lesson here for Americans is that if a foreign power or one of our branches of the military leaves a whole bunch of interesting stuff in your back yard, you are supposed to return it. And by the way, hiding it under a tarp is unlikely to be effective.

Ethics Roundup for Sept. 25th

Reading over my last posts, it seemed to me confusing to put the links to the stories after my comments, so on this one, there will be the link and then any comments I wish to add.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/costs-of-child-care-kara-lodato_l_64cbe4f1e4b01ca159892291

According to the article, modern families with children in the United States average 27% of their income on child care.

This is pretty appalling. Don’t we want families to have children? As a nation building an environment child friendly and educationally strong should be priorities.

If we as a nation subsidized child care, more women and some men could enter the workforce, a win for every body. And if we had well payed, well educated caregivers for these children, well – that would be just good for everybody.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/beyonce-flies-out-disabled-fan_n_65108cf9e4b09cd54cbd1cb5

A disabled man want to see Beyonce perform. The airline refuses to serve him because of his “oversize” wheelchair. Beyonce pays to have him attend the concert.

This is positive business ethics! And a very fine example, indeed.

Good public relations and smart decision making go a long way. It is surprising how few businesses ever consider a good public relations move if it costs any sum at all. Innovation, intelligence and a willingness to risk a few buck can make a big difference in a business’ success.

https://apnews.com/article/writers-strike-deal-hollywood-wga-3336824c06795931845c889f1e08b3ff

The writers strike may be ending and we may soon see many television shows and other entertainment that have been on hiatus during the strike.

Is this a good outcome? I want to know more details particularly how the rank and file react to the agreement. So, give me a few days. It’s hard to make ethical observations while the details are hazy.

https://apnews.com/article/asian-games-esports-faker-00dd2440001d4c6796e9643969a6de5a

Coming to a television near you??

Egames – that is, popular computer games played competitively in an environment similar to the Olympic games.

Thirty years ago, the idea that competitive gaming with a television audience was considered a joke and a pipe dream.

Well, now it is a reality. Right now it is taking place in Asia but the United States can’t be far behind.

The game they are playing competitively today is “League of Legends.” A simple online search reveals an enormous market of all things, League of Legends, from figurines to art and gift cards.

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/sep/22/nfts-worthless-price

Non-Fungible Tokens – Two years ago they were hot, all the rage. What are they? Ownership rights in a digital file which had a picture, video or text. They were going to worth millions, maybe more.

At the moment, this form of crypto investment is largely worthless.

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/sep/17/flight-attendants-threaten-strikes-alaska-american-united

Flight attendants have been paid badly for years, often working unpaid for hours a day and suffering a veritable deluge of insult and abuse from passengers.

They deserve a raise and they have made preliminary moves which point toward a likely strike.

Currently the airlines have completely recovered from the COVID crisis and are making record profits. It is time to share the wealth.

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/sep/25/crypto-king-or-conman-is-sam-bankman-fried-about-to-be-sent-down-for-a-century

This is hard to discuss. People invested in crypto-currencies which as far as I can tell have only a vaguely real existence. But even though, doubting people like me thought this was all just crazy. It was a very profitable form of crazy. This fellow, likely to go to prison for a century, was once considered to be worth 26 billion dollars.

This unregulated, non-governmental currency did real harm and has now impoverished many. Let’s try not to do this again. No more imaginary currencies or other only vaguely existing measures of value.

https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/25/business/legacy-admissions-curious-consumer/index.html

A legacy admission is where the child of a graduate of an institution is admitted on those grounds alone. It is completely totally wrong. It defies any standard of merit and is a truly pitiful offspring of the privileges extended to royalty and the very wealthy of previous corrupt generations.

That this truly nauseatingly, evil practice even exists in the United States is surprising. It is an enshrinement of family connection over any kind of merit.

I live in Northeastern Oklahoma. This is in many way millions of light years from the great opinion setters in Washington and New York. I must admit how much I envy them. After all who expects intelligent observations and good writing from the middle of nowhere?

So, I was delighted to be once more the recipient of the that vast embodiment of Establishment wisdom, David Brooks. It is so kind of him to wander down from the plains of Olympus to cast a few minor pearls in my direction.

In this case, the pearls were cast in the form of a “tweet,” in which he complained that his meal at the Newark Airport was 78 dollars. Clearly the decline of the United States, even perhaps all of western civilization, can be observed in this travesty pricing. This hamburger was a vital piece of evidence in our cultural wars and disputes, and only a master of observation could have possibly realized it.

Now, there are people, just a few, who do not appreciate these thrown pearls which under any measure of objective evidence they should treasure.

And these people have been saying and, even worse, writing mean things. I hesitate to call attention to this pitiful criticism, but even in the wild country of Northeastern Oklahoma, we know that opinion setters like David Brooks are all but invulnerable to criticism from the chattering masses of humanity he dwells so far from.

So, what did these pitiful complainers say? They pointed out that a hamburger and fries run roughly seventeen dollars and that the rest of the bill was for his drinks, apparently scotch. So, seventeen dollars for food and sixty-one dollars for alcoholic beverages.

And these complainers can’t help themselves but to also suggest that a hamburger costing seventeen dollars is not quite so indicative of societal decline.

This is all very unfair and I want David Brooks to know that out here in Northeastern Oklahoma, I’ve got his back.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/david-brooks-78-burger-tweet_n_650cafcee4b0adc2891391b9

Here I am posting once again after a long hiatus. I don’t mind confessing that my absence has a lot to do with getting COVID and suffering long term effects. It came pretty close to killing me and for a long time and even now I get tired and drained of all energy at odd moments during the day.

I have been blogging on a regular basis of Facebook. I have a site called Business Ethics, and every day I make witty, acidic and occasionally accurate observations on the news. It is not quite as serious as this web site.

Well, let’s get going. Each paragraph is followed by a link to the story. I hope you enjoy. JP

The Events of this Week.

The social media site formerly known as Twitter scored at the bottom of six social media companies when rated for how they handled climate disinformation. This is appalling. Surely the platform can do more to eliminate lies. I am certainly not a “free speech absolutist.” That kind of stance empowers the evil among us. Truth, fact seeking and the use of reason are hall marks of our civilization and we should rely on those values pressing forward.

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/sep/20/twitter-x-musk-climate-misinformation-social-platforms

It appears a man was directed onto a collapsed bridge by Google Maps. A law suit had been filed. Is the company responsible for providing safe and accurate maps? A lot of that will be determined by how the company advertises and its policies toward safety. I expect they will claim that they merely map and the consequences of an inaccuracy must fall upon the user. I will be watching this as it works its way through the courts. Strangely enough I halfway think the company will settle just to avoid the litigation, but that is just a random thought on my part.

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/sep/20/google-maps-collapsed-bridge-negligence-lawsuit

What does this resignation mean? My perception is that Murdoch has been gradually stepping down for the last decade and not much will change. But I can be wrong and I have been in the past. This prediction business even when well informed is pretty tricky. I am glad that he is gone. He was a dark cloud on our society, a curse upon the truth and well meaning people everywhere.

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2023/sep/21/rupert-murdoch-stepping-down-chair-fox-news-corp

There are still pieces of good news even bordering on miracles in this day age. Here I present a case in point. A toddler wanders off with two family dogs in tow and is found safe and sound napping in the forest. Sounds like something out of the Brothers Grimm!

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/sep/21/lost-michigan-child-sleeping-dog-pillow

A Senator has been indicted. This story broke a few minutes ago. I don’t really want to comment until I get some more information but it is obviously a major story.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/robert-menendez-indicted_n_650d98c2e4b04db03fdc1805?wef

There are many disgusting and pitiful men in Washington pretending to serve the nation. But one currently stands out for his cruelty and his overwhelming stupidity, Tommy Tuberville. The alleged Senator from Alabama has placed a hold on military promotions causing havoc among the officer corps. The following video editorial scorches him nicely and I suggest you listen.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/lawrence-odonnell-disgraceful-senator_n_650d628ee4b0514b68958836