Based on the provided excerpt, I agree that AI has made English skills more valuable and that studying the art of literature, including analysis and writing, is increasingly important in a world of AI. The interaction between humans and AI relies heavily on effective communication and the ability to prompt AI systems appropriately to yield desired outcomes.
The example given in the reading demonstrates how the way a user prompts an AI tool like ChatGPT can significantly impact the response and the thinking process involved. The tool's output can vary depending on the specific instructions given. This highlights the importance of understanding language, context, and how to effectively communicate with AI systems. By having strong English skills, individuals can craft prompts that elicit desired information, insights, or responses from AI tools. Furthermore, the stakes of using AI extend beyond the classroom and into real-world scenarios, such as medical diagnoses. In these contexts, the ability to accurately communicate with AI systems becomes crucial. A doctor's prompt could determine the accuracy of an AI-generated diagnosis, highlighting the potential consequences of language and communication in AI interactions. While AI technology continues to advance, it does not render English skills unnecessary. AI systems are designed to assist, augment, and enhance human capabilities, rather than replace them entirely. The nuanced understanding of language, critical thinking, and effective communication fostered through studying literature and English skills remains essential in interpreting and utilizing AI effectively. In conclusion, AI has amplified the importance of English skills and the study of literature in a world where human-AI interactions are increasingly prevalent. These skills enable individuals to prompt AI systems accurately, think critically about their outputs, and utilize AI technology in a wide range of applications. As AI continues to evolve, the integration of strong English and language arts skills with AI literacy will empower individuals to navigate and leverage the benefits of AI in various domains. The character of Shylock in William Shakespeare's play "The Merchant of Venice" has long been a subject of debate and interpretation. Arguments can be made for both seeing Shylock as an evil character and as a victim, as the play presents complex facets of his character and the circumstances he faces.
One can argue that Shylock is portrayed as an evil character due to his vengeful and ruthless nature. He seeks a pound of flesh as collateral for a loan, demonstrating a desire for revenge against Antonio, the merchant. Shylock's insistence on strict adherence to the bond, even in the face of mercy pleas, can be seen as an act of malicious intent. Furthermore, his famous monologue in Act III, Scene I, where he expresses his desire for revenge, is often cited as evidence of his malevolence: "Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions? Fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer as a Christian is?" On the other hand, one can argue that Shylock is a victim of prejudice and discrimination. Throughout the play, he faces constant mistreatment and mockery from the Christian characters. He is subjected to anti-Semitic slurs and stereotypes, such as being referred to as a "Jew" rather than by his name. Shylock's desire for revenge may stem from years of enduring discrimination and being marginalized by the dominant Christian society. Additionally, Shylock's famous speech about the humanity shared by Jews and Christians can be seen as an attempt to challenge the prejudices and dehumanization he experiences. It highlights his humanity and emphasizes the hypocrisy of the Christians who claim moral superiority while treating him with contempt. Taking these factors into consideration, I would argue that Shylock is more of a victim than an evil character. While his actions can be seen as harsh and vengeful, they are a response to the mistreatment and marginalization he faces. The play raises important questions about justice, mercy, and the consequences of societal prejudice. By portraying Shylock as a complex character, Shakespeare invites the audience to examine their own biases and consider the impact of discrimination on individuals. It is worth noting that interpretations of Shylock can vary, and different productions of the play may present him in different ways, emphasizing either his villainous or victimized qualities. In our society today, a group that continues to face marginalization and discrimination is the transgender community. Transgender individuals are often marginalized due to their gender identity, which does not align with the sex assigned to them at birth. The dominant group in this context refers to cisgender individuals, who identify with the sex assigned to them at birth and whose gender identity aligns with societal expectations.
Transgender individuals face various forms of discrimination and challenges. One example is discrimination in employment. Transgender individuals often encounter barriers when seeking employment, such as facing prejudice during job interviews or being subjected to unequal treatment in the workplace. This can result in limited job opportunities, lower wages, and economic instability. Another example of discrimination faced by the transgender community is limited access to healthcare. Transgender individuals often struggle to access gender-affirming healthcare, including hormone therapy and gender-confirming surgeries. Many face discrimination and bias from healthcare providers, leading to inadequate or unaffordable healthcare options. This lack of access to proper healthcare can negatively impact their physical and mental well-being. Additionally, transgender individuals are more vulnerable to verbal and physical harassment, hate crimes, and violence. They often face social stigma, rejection, and bullying, which can result in high rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide within this community. Discrimination against transgender individuals can also manifest in legal barriers, limited legal protections, and difficulties in obtaining legal recognition of their gender identity. It is important to acknowledge and address these forms of discrimination and marginalization faced by the transgender community. Promoting inclusivity, education, and awareness can help dismantle prejudices and create a more equitable society for all individuals, regardless of their gender identity or expression. Visual communication, especially through mediums like photo essays and storytelling, is indeed a powerful tool that can effectively convey narratives and emotions. While the saying "a picture is worth a thousand words" suggests that visual imagery can tell a story on its own, it is important to recognize that both visuals and text have their unique roles and contributions in communication.
Visual communication, through photographs or videos, has several advantages. Firstly, visuals have the ability to evoke immediate emotional responses. A well-captured photograph or a compelling video can convey a message, elicit empathy, and engage the audience on a deep level. Visuals can also transcend language barriers, making them accessible to a global audience. They provide a universal language of expression that can be understood and appreciated by people from diverse cultural backgrounds. Additionally, visuals are often more memorable than text, as they leave a lasting impression on the viewer's mind. However, visual communication also has its limitations. While visuals can evoke emotions and capture attention, they may not always provide the necessary context or depth to fully convey complex ideas or narratives. Text, on the other hand, allows for detailed explanations, descriptions, and the exploration of nuances. It provides an opportunity to engage with abstract concepts, provide background information, or convey the inner thoughts and motivations of characters. Text also allows for a slower and more deliberate consumption of information, enabling readers to reflect and interpret the material at their own pace. In today's world of dominant visual communication, text still plays a crucial role. It provides additional layers of information, clarifies ambiguity, and complements visual elements. Text can be used alongside visuals to provide captions, headlines, or descriptions that guide the viewer's interpretation or enhance the intended message. It helps to bridge the gap between what is shown visually and what needs to be understood conceptually. Ultimately, the combination of visual communication and text can create a powerful synergy. By using both mediums effectively, storytellers and communicators can harness the strengths of each to create a rich and immersive experience for the audience. Whether it is a captivating photo essay, an informative infographic, or a compelling article with accompanying visuals, the marriage of visual communication and text can amplify the impact and effectiveness of the message being conveyed. The haunting image of a starving child in Sudan being observed by a vulture, which was famously captured by photojournalist Kevin Carter in 1993, has been discussed and circulated for years. Whether Carter ought to have assisted the child is a difficult question with no simple solution. On the one hand, it makes sense that he wanted to record the pain he was seeing and draw attention to the situation. His job as a photojournalist is to use images to tell stories, and the picture he took certainly did that. On the other hand, it is challenging to imagine not being moved to assist a child in such a desperate situation. Carter might have attempted to assist but was unable to; however, we may never be certain. According to me, a photojournalist's job is to take pictures that tell a story, but they also have an obligation to behave morally and sympathetically. I think Carter could have done more to help the girl and the vulture, whether it was finding someone else who could help or taking the child to a feeding centre himself. Although I can see how interfering in a situation might change the plot, I believe there are some instances where human life and dignity must come before the plot. For this reason, the photograph of the starving child and the vulture is a potent one that raises challenging moral issues. While I think photojournalists have a duty to tell a story through their images, they also have a duty to act morally and honestly. It is a delicate balance that calls for careful thought and moral discernment.
Stereotyping is the act of unfairly assuming that all objects or people who share a certain trait are the same. It's unfair to generalize about a whole group of people based on your dislike of one individual. This is shown in the real world, by one of the ABC 20/20 specials called "What Would You Do?" This episode illustrates teenage vandalism and the variations in reactions when the vandals' racial backgrounds change. This shows society's true reactions to racial profiling. In my opinion, I wouldn’t care what race they were, I would avoid direct contact. Due to the concern for my safety, however, I would contact the authorities, and keep an eye on them to make sure the children didn’t leave to cause further damage or run away. I believe the people in the video reacted the way they did from their past experiences and stereotypes. As most cannot be blamed for racial profiling, generally speaking, it depends on their individual experiences, convictions, and values, people may respond to instances of racism in a variety of ways. While some might decide to speak out against it and stand up for the victim, others might decide to keep quiet or even continue the racism. The details of the scenario presented and the unique traits of the bystanders involved would both influence how each individual would respond in the "What Would You Do?" episodes.
Are apologies enough? Truly can one forgive for receiving words that may deem to be deceitful? In the instance of Pope Francis apologizing to Indigenous delegates for abuse at residential schools. Pope Francis said he felt sorrow and shame and asked God for forgiveness. After all, the indigenous have been through the least they deserve is an apology. Not seeing it coming, chief Gerald Antoine, a first nations delegation leader mentions that they have been waiting for this. Proving that Pope Francis apology was enough and his efforts were valuable, because if the people affected deem it to be sincere then I am in complete agreement and acceptance with his apology. Apologies however most of the time are not accepted by all. This is valid information as humans have different and strong opinions. Which differ from our experiences. This is shown in the instance of Toronto police chief James Ramer apologizing to the Black community as race-based data is released. His apology was swiftly rejected by many, proving that his efforts were useless as he can talk and apologize. However when it comes down to it how are his claims stopping systemic racism? As It was specifically stated that no officer will be punished for the data released. In my opinion, learning from these two examples, apologies are just words until someone does an action to support what they claim. Which would have made these two circumstances a lot more effective.
Hasan Minhaj's video essay about police misconduct in the USA. Has educated me and brought my attention to many things. Such as Police brutality, qualified immunity, police records and how cops are trained. Whilst showing a further understanding and opinions on the many topics. I believe the way cops are trained to stay on guard, to be ready to act instantly to potential threats is just fine. However, this gets unreasonable when given information about how they are being trained. Cops spend only eight hours with conflict de-escalation and one hundred and twenty-nine hours with weapons and fighting. Being thought to shoot first before conflict occurs with hand games, to learn not to hesitate. They are being thought fear-based training which leads them to think of us as potential threats. With such little training in conflict de-escalation, they can make and have made poor choices. With mostly no consequences as they are protected by a legal concept called qualified immunity. Before getting sued it has to also be proven that the police officer violated a law that was clearly established. This means officers can get away with anything as long as another police officer hasn't been sued for it before. They have police unions which are all rigged in their favour as the unions only care about current members even if they are bad cops. Allowing them authority to clear their database like their search history, see the footage of the scene, confidential police records and much more. Therefore give no punishment to the officers. This is causing more problems as it is leading to many going rogue with the freedom of knowing they are protected or have an advantage if they do get sued. In conclusion, I believe that police misconduct is a very real thing in today's world and that this is something that is utterly unfair for being associated with the government.
To me anything can be art it depends on how you view it, which is where creativity falls in place. As in my opinion to call something "art" creativity is needed. Creativity to me means to use of the imagination or original ideas. It makes something or someone unique and different from something else or the "standard". Therefore I believe the definition of art is subjective and varies greatly between cultures and individuals. The definition of art however, I see as the use of one's imagination or unique ideas. Especially in the creation of a work of art. I see art and creativity as broad subjects in terms of definition, as the human brain is truly interesting when it comes to creating.
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Author~ Anshita Chatterjee ~ Archives
June 2023
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