Daily Reads-48 (Level-1)

Reading Suggestion-1

Article Name: Labour and Artificial Intelligence: Visions of despair, hope, and liberation
Author Name: Anupam Guha
Source: Hindustan Times
Category: Technology

Summary for this article:

In this article, the writer talks about the threat to human labour with the Artificial Intelligence(AI) coming into picture.

AI is unique in that it can rather cheaply replace a vast spectrum of mental, creative, and intuitive human labour says the writer. Also, unlike many machines that cannot be considered human-like AI however can perform creative or empathic types of labour. This poses a huge threat of humans being robbed of their jobs.

What’s the solution? The worst could be to do nothing which could only lead to neo-liberalism.

The technocrats are offering a solution of implementing Universal Basic Income wherein an individual would be granted minimum pay irrespective of them ending up as mere couch potatoes which for the very reason invalidates this option

There is another way the author suggests in which AI would not be considered AI as a technological artefact alone but rather as a component of public policy as well.
But, who would control the AI remains a vital question. A serious discussion is the need of the hour to address this and the management of the future led production by the AI.

The author concludes by saying that incorporating the AI for the public good could be a viable solution

Words to learn from this article:

Demographic: Relating to the study of human population
Dearth: Not sufficient; inadequate supply of something
Euphemism: Using a soft or a mild expression instead of a harsh and a severe one. Eg: Passed away instead of died; Fell off the back of a truck instead of stolen
Neo-feudalism: A phenomenon where the corporations take full control and the working class act and work accordingly
Panacea: Remedy

Reading Suggestion-1: Click to read full article

Reading Suggestion-2

Article Name: The modern-day ‘no stroll zones’
Author Name: Richir Joshi
Source: The Hindu
Category: Environment and Society

Summary for this article:

In this article the writer who keeps travelling between India and UK for work and family reasons throws one stark realisation which all of us though aware wouldn’t make it heard.

By talking about UK and India. He says how the walking area which was once immense in UK has been gradually shrinking, while in India where in few places like Delhi appear to be designed for non- pedestrians therein cities like Calcutta which though manage walkable areas yet the conditions for these help very little to help walking and hence only people who have no choice but to walk consider the walkable area.

With pollution and impure air taking its toll over the years which is the result of us mankind, the writer concludes the article by yearning to walk in the fresh air.

Words to learn from this article:

Sadistic: Gaining happiness by causing pain to others
Perverse: Behaving in a way that is unacceptable by others
Biped: An animal that uses two legs to move from one place to another.
Comes from Latin bipedem. bi-two, pedis -foot.
Hacienda: It’s a Spanish word that means a large estate or a plantation
promenade: Leisure walking

Reading Suggestion-2: Click to read full article

Reading Suggestion-3

Article Name: Of cattle and climate
Author Name: Anoop Kohli
Source: The Hindu
Category: Environment and Politics

Summary for this article:

Sharing this beautiful piece from the article,

“The time has come, as the Walrus said, to talk of many things,
Of ships and shoes and sealing wax, of cabbages and kings,
Of why the sea is boiling hot, and whether pigs have wings” -Lewis Carrol”

The writer here talks of two major issues – The Paris climate deal and the cattle slaughter Issue surrounding the Hindu sentiments

As for the Paris Climate agreement the writer says that whichever path you follow do not forget to take some action to reduce the global greenhouse gas emissions and for the cattle slaughter issue the author says with mature and well thought regulations – the ones that respect the community sensitivity could be the viable solution