What Makes a Human in the Age of Artificial Intelligence?

Zaric O'Brentt 

In this age of Artificial Intelligence (AI) advancement, there's no doubt that AIs are on the brink of mastering practically everything that humans do. We are witnessing how technology can accomplish remarkable feats that were once beyond human comprehension. Our reliance on these technologies, whether for simple or complex tasks, is growing rapidly. AI is evolving into an entity that not only imitates human-like traits but also surpasses us in intelligence and capabilities.

It is no wonder that a time may come when sheer human strength can no longer win wars, when we lose control over things as AIs are far superior to us, and when society no longer requires human intervention to operate the economy as AIs could handle those complex tasks far better than humans. Instead of seeing exhausted bodies and worn eyes everywhere, we'll witness robots working non-stop, yet maintaining their energy and productivity—they will become the new standards of efficiency.

What makes a human in the age of AI, then? After a short vacation, I rushed to check on my dog and noticed her enthusiastic reaction upon my return. It made me wonder about her feelings of loneliness and longing, and then it struck me—humans possess an innate capacity for empathy, something that AI cannot authentically imitate. 

While intelligence and power may lose their relevance for humans in the future, our true distinction lies in our ability to genuinely express empathy.

With the rise of intelligent entities, may we be reminded that it's empathy—expressed through love and kindness—not our intelligence and power—that truly makes us humans in this age of AI.

FRAULEIN, FRAULEIN... YOU ARE MY PRETTY FRAULEIN: THE INSIDE STORIES

    Fraulein, Fraulein... you are my pretty Fraulein. Have you heard this song before? Perhaps you have; it is still widely sung in karaoke bars, singing competitions, radios, and other venues.

    "Fraulein" is the title of the song. Many believe that the song was written by Lawton Williams, an American country singer and songwriter. He served in the army during World War II. Williams' previous songs were not commercially successful; it is said that he began writing in the late 1940s, but nothing became popular until he wrote the immortal song "Fraulein."

    Fraulein rose to prominence in 1957, when it was recorded by Bobby Helms for the Decca label and released as a single the same year. It was named Country Song of the Year at both the Billboard and Cashbox awards.

    Williams received a star on the Walk of Fame at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville in 1991. He passed away in 2007.

 

THE INSIDE STORIES OF THE SONG

    The term "fraulein" is derived from a German term that refers to an unmarried German woman. 

Photo Credit: Bundesarchiv via Wikipedia

It was an honorific term, similar to Miss. Originally, the word fraulein stemmed from the root word "frau," which was widely used as an honorific term for a married German woman. It was the same as saying 'My lady' and 'Madam'. However, as time passed, the word frau became devalued and less honorific for women in the 1800s. Around 1970, the word was widely regarded as 'diminutive of woman' and came to be regarded as sexist by modern feminism. It later became taboo, leading to the word's prohibition in West Germany by the Minister of Interior in 1972.

    Some speculated that Lawton Williams' friend Hank Williams wrote the song rather than Lawton Williams himself. "Where I loved her and left her But I can't forget her 'Cause I miss my pretty Fraulein," Lawton sang the song, presumably referring to a German woman he yearned for. It should be noted that Lawton was living in Texas at the time and was married to Jeanette Crews, so falling in love with a German woman while married to his wife would appear contradictory, unless he had a secret affair with the woman in Germany. Furthermore, Lawton had never visited Germany, so it would be impossible for him to abandon a woman in Germany when he had never been there in the first place. Hank Williams, on the other hand, stayed there for about a month in 1950.

       Hank Williams wrote the song approximately a year after he went to Germany, but it was kept hidden until his death in January 1952, when it was believed that the band member and Lawton Williams would hand it over to Bobbie Helms some years later, and he had a great hit with it.

    Bobby Helms recorded his own version of "Lonely River Rhine" in 1960, and the lyrics reveal a dark history of the singer: he had a wife, but when he moved to Munich, he "stole love" from a local girl, only to later leave her and learn from the newspapers that she had committed suicide by drowning herself in the Rhine, and that the person was the one he truly loved.

   Title: Fraulein

Far across the blue waters

Lives an old German's daughter

By the banks of the old river Rhine

Where I loved her and left her

But I can't forget her

I miss my pretty Fräulein

Fräulein, Fräulein

Look up toward the heavens

Each night, when the stars start to shine

By the same stars above you

I swear that I love you

You are my pretty Fräulein

When my memories wander

Away over yonder

To the sweetheart that I left behind

In a moment of glory

A face comes before me

The face of my pretty Fräulein

Fräulein, Fräulein

Walk down by the river

Pretend that your hand's holding mine

By the same stars above you

I swear that I love you

You are my pretty Fräulein

 

Source: Musixmatch

 

    Regardless of the song's backstory, it cannot be denied that it still has a positive tone and impact on listeners today, as it evokes old memories and conveys the difficulties of a long-distance relationship, particularly in the days when communication was difficult.

 

      Fraulein, Fraulein.. You are my pretty Fraulein. 

 

PRESIDENT RODRIGO DUTERTE TURNED 77 TODAY, MARCH 28, 2022

  President Rodrigo Duterte turned 77 today, and his birthday wish is for the country to have a clean, fair, and honest election. 

"His (President Duterte's) Birthday wish for this year is to have a clean, fair, and honest election in May 22, as he has time and again underscored the importance of a peaceful transfer of power as part of his enduring legacy," said Secretary Martin Andanar, Acting Presidential Spokesperson.

 

Who is President Rodrigo Duterte?  

    Rodrigo Roa Duterte was born on March 28, 1945, and is also known by the nicknames Digong, Rody, PRRD, and Tatay Digs. He earned a law degree from San Beda College of Law in 1972 after studying political science at the Lyceum of the Philippines University. Following the People Power Revolution of 1986, he worked as a lawyer and prosecutor in Davao City before becoming vice mayor and, later, mayor. Duterte was Davao's mayor for over 22 years, winning seven terms. In 2016, Duterte's presidential campaign resulted in his election victory.

    Duterte is known for being foul-mouthed. Some found it offensive, while others found it appealing. He is also known for his preference for using adlib when speaking and explaining in public rather than the more traditional method of reading. To some, it was ineffective, but to others, it demonstrated his sincerity in his words. And while some consider his presidency to be a failure and possibly the worst in history, others consider it to be a success.

    Anyhow, happy 77th birthday to the Philippines' current President, Rodrigo Duterte, PRRD, tatay digs, digong, or whatever you want to call him.

 

Ferdinand "Bong Bong" Marcos Jr. Considers Himself a Machiavellian

By Zaric O Brentt

    On March 26, 2020, Ferdinand "Bong bong" Marcos Jr. attended the 'Deep Probe: the SMNI Presidential Candidates Interview,' where one of the panelists, prof. Clarita Carlos, asked if he considered himself a Machiavellian (clarified that she meant "Machiavellian in terms of taking every means to produce an end, not the other Machiavellian):

 

"Am I Machiavellian? Well... I’ve studied him quite thoroughly, and I know very many Machiavellians in my life," Bong Bong Marcos answered.

“Certainly, we have to be aware of everything that is going to help whatever it is that you are hoping to achieve. And on the national scale, that means you have to understand very well what the situation is on the ground... I suppose in the same sense, it’s a way of being careful, and being very, very knowledgeable about what are the things that have to come into play, so that you will achieve success. Whatever that success, however you define that success. So in that sense,  I am a Machiavellian," he said.

 

 According to Dictionary.com, Machiavellians are a follower of the principles analyzed or described in The Prince, especially with reference to techniques of political manipulation. 

     Indeed, Machiavellians are people who believed in the teachings of Niccolo Machiavelli.

Who is Niccolo Machiavelli?

   Niccolo Machiavelli was an Italian Diplomat who lived during the renaissance. He is known for his book The Prince which is now widely used by Political Science students. With this, he is often called as the father of modern political Philosophy and Political Science.

   Some of his famous quotes are as follows:

• One who deceives will always find those who allow themselves to be deceived.
• It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both. 
• There is no avoiding war; it can only be postponed to the advantage of others.

     Many people associate Machiavelli's works and stances with the slogan "the end justifies the means." According to Doctionary.com, the slogan means, "A good outcome excuses any wrongs committed to attain it"

    Ex.  Robinhood was justified good for he was able to help the poor (end) though he stole money from the rich (means)

  BBM's explanation for why he considered himself a Machiavellian was simple and clear: "Being very careful and Knowledgeable (means) to achieve success (end)"

 

 

The Taal Volcano has been raised to level 3 following a Phreatogmatic Eruption

 

Due to a phreatogmatic eruption on MARCH 26 AT 0722H, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology raised the status of Taal Volcano to level 3.

     According to the Philvolcs, a small phreatogmatic burst occurred in the Taal volcano's Main Crater, followed by a continuous phreatogmatic burst that produced a 1500-meter-high plume that generated volcanic earth quake and infra sound signals.

     Phreatomagmatic eruptions are volcanic eruptions that occur when magma and water mix (Wikipedia.org)

"TAAL VOLCANO BULLETIN (UPDATE)

Ika-26 ng Marso 2022

Alas-8 ng umaga

 

Pinababatid sa lahat ang pagtaas ng alerto ng Bulkang Taal mula sa Alert Level 2 (pagtaas ng aktibidad) patungong Alert Level 3 (magmatic unrest). Kaninang ika-7:22 ng umaga, nagkaroon ng panandaliang phreatomagmatic burst sa Taal Volcano Main Crater na nasundan ng halos tuloy-tuloy na phreatomagmatic na pagputok na lumikha ng plume na may taas na isang libo’t limang daang (1500) metro na may kasamang volcanic earthquake at infrasound signals.

 

Sa kasalukuyan, itinataas ng DOST-PHIVOLCS ang alert status ng Bulkang Taal mula sa Alert Level 2 (pagtaas ng aktibidad) patungong Alert Level 3 (magmatic unrest).  Sa kalagayang ito, ang magma na nanunuot sa ilalim ng Main Crater ay maaaring magdulot ng karagdagan o malakas na pagputok. Mariing iminumungkahi ng DOST-PHIVOLCS sa lahat na lumikas mula sa Taal Volcano Island o TVI at mga high-risk barangays ng Bilibinwang at Banyaga, Agoncillo at Boso-boso, Gulod at silangang bahagi ng Bugaan East, Laurel, Batangas dahil sa panganib ng pyroclastic density currents at volcanic tsunami kung sakaling magkaroon ng malakas na pagputok. Maigting na pinaaalalahanan ang lahat na ang buong TVI ay isang Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) at ang pagpasok dito at sa mga high-risk barangays ng Agoncillo at Laurel ay dapat ipagbawal. Lahat ng mga aktibidad sa Taal Lake ay dapat ipagbabawal sa ngayon. Hinihikayat ang mga residente sa paligid ng Taal Lake na maging mapagmatyag at mag-ingat dahil sa posibleng ashfall at vog at maging laging handa sa posibleng evacuation kung sakaling ang aktibidad ng Taal ay lumala. Ang mga may-katungkulan sa civil aviation ay nararapat na humikayat sa mga piloto na iwasang magpalipad malapit sa bulkan dahil sa naglilipanang abo, umiitsang bato, at pyroclastic density currents tulad ng base surge na maaaring makaapekto sa aircraft na idudulot ng posibleng biglaang pagputok ng bulkan. Ang DOST-PHIVOLCS ay masusing nagbabantay sa kalagayan ng Bulkang Taal 24/7 at handang agarang ipabatid ang anumang pagbabago nito sa lahat ng kinauukulan.

 

DOST-PHIVOLCS"

THE ONLY WAY TO DEFEAT BONGBONG MARCOS IN THE 2022 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

    

     Before I get into the major topic of the day, let me provide some context for what is really going on with the Filipino voting culture. Yes, you read that correctly: Filipinos have their own voting culture, which means they have their own voting standards.

    I'll be blunt: the majority of people vote for a particular candidate based on his public image rather than his policy. It's not surprising that many well-known and popular individuals who suddenly win the election while having little knowledge of the position they're applying for.

   What is the reason of this? Simply because the vast majority of Filipinos vote emotional appeals rather than rationality. This group is classified as fanatical.

    Try to ask random voters who they are going to vote for and ask them to list the plans and policies of that candidate, I am confident that the majority of them will say, "I am going to vote for him/her because he/she is kind, he/she came from poverty, he/she understands how we feel, or he/she is good looking or famous." However, I am confident that only a few of them can name their candidate's platform thoroughly.

    Believe it or not, this is the truth of Philippine voting culture. Why does this keep happening? Obviously, because political parties and strategists realize and utilize this culture as propaganda, which includes, but is not limited to, name calling, glittering generalities, and plain folks.

  Over the years, we've seen that 'appealing to emotion' has been successful in winning elections, and that detailed platforms and programs aren't enough to evoke people's sympathies.

  Thus, in the Philippines, having a good image and public relations, an appealing to emotion personality (which I believe helped President Duterte win the presidential election in 2016 because of his maangas style, which really struck the so-called fanatical spirit of the people), and dare I say, sound campaign songs can win elections.

     

   While we cannot deny that Bongbong Marcos is now topping presidential polls and that more people prefer him to be the next president, this is merely because BBM is more appealing to the general public at this time.

    To figure out how to defeat BBM in 2022, we must first understand how he came to have the majority's support despite the Marcoses' numerous issues.

     Today, we must recognize that nostalgia is the name of the game. It may sound absurd, yet it is true. According to Merriam-Webster, nostalgia is defined as a wistful or excessively sentimental yearning for a return to or of some earlier period or irrecoverable state.

    A candidate who succeeds in making people nostalgic for his previous successes or achievements would almost certainly win the election. As a result, candidates who lack dramatic experience engaging individuals in the past are more likely to lose.

    Among the present presidential race, we have at least two candidates who might create nostalgia in the people: Vice President Leni Robredo and Ferdinand “Bong Bong” Marcos, Jr.

    Why is it possible for Leni to elicit nostalgic feelings? Is this related to his late husband, former DILG Secretary Jessie Robredo? No, I don't think so. Most people associate Leni with the Liberal/Yellow Party, or should I say the Aquinos (despite changing her hue, she is still classified as yellow), and it is from this position that she may be able to evoke nostalgia.

    People, on the other hand, associate Bongbong with his father, former President Ferdinand Marcos, and the Philippines during his reign.

    See, today's game isn't about the candidates' name or his or her current and recent successes, but about who has the most sentimental past in the minds of the masses.

    If that's the case, why is Bongbong Marcos currently at the top of the surveys? And why does the Marcoses' nostalgic appeal appear to be more appealing than the Aquinos' right now?

    Have you ever looked at old photographs of yourself when you were younger? If you haven't already, give it a shot and you'll discover a mystery.

    Seeing your younger photos makes you nostalgic or remember about the past, or as they say, "good old days." You would most certainly assume that these good old days were the perfect times of your life, and I bet you will not or will just vaguely recall the horrible moments from the past.

    When people look at BBM today, they recall the good old days of his father's era. They just vaguely recall the experience of agony and miseries of the past since it had happened so long ago that they could no longer absorb the negative recollections.

    Consider what would have happened if one of the Marcoses had run for president right after Cory Aquino's presidency ended. It would have been a very different scenario.

    Why does the Marcoses' nostalgic appeal appear to be more alluring right now than the Aquinos'?

    Has the Filipino forgotten the democracy they had thanks to the yellows' assistance? Have they forgotten the legendary People Power movement of 1986?

    While I do not believe that the so-called democracy was a success, let's just say that it once clung to the hearts and minds of the people, no wonder why the late President Benigno "noynoy" Aquino III won the election in 2010. It bore some parallels to the present election since obviously Noynoy won not because of his own achievements, but because Filipinos were reminiscing about the yellows' prior victories as a result of Cory Aquino's death, which was, as I said, quite opportune. The death of Cory swayed Filipino sentiment in favor of the Aquinos.

    Today, though, nostalgia is in favor of the Marcoses. I don't think people forgot about the Aquinos' accomplishments; it's only that nostalgia from the Aquino era was leveraged during President Noynoy's campaign. It seemed as though the sweetness of the sugar had faded, and people were now delighting in something sweeter and fresher.

    Imagine if the Noynoy Aquino of 2010 ran against Bongbong Marcos of 2022 in a presidential election, it would be a very tough battle. However, as I already discussed, the ace card was played during Noynoy's candidacy, and the only option now to defeat the Bongbong Marcos of 2022 is to discover something more nostalgic than his father's era. 

    And I believe that there is someone other than Leni Robredo who has a nostalgic appeal and can beat Bongbong Marcos, if the other candidates would give way and realize that this is the only way to prevent Marcos from winning the election.

    Have you heard the song "Lalaban ako sa mundo kapalit ma'y buhay ko, Lalaban ako para sa Pilipino?"

    To conclude, I am not campaigning for or against anyone in this post; rather, it is my personal take on the current political landscape as a Political Scientist.

 

 

Gloves Off: What Manny Pacquiao's hands do?

Manny Pacquiao is a professional boxer, media celebrity, and politician who rose to prominence by winning twelve major world titles across eight weight divisions. He is now regarded as a boxing legend of all time.

 

He is globally known as "Pac-Man." While some believe the name came from the Japanese video game Pac-Man, due to his speed, the name actually comes from the first three letters of his name and surname. Thus, "Pac" refers to Pacquiao, and "Man" refers to Manny, making it "Pac-Man." In the Philippines, he is known as "Pambansang Kamao" (National Fist) because of the pride and honor he brought to the country. Despite many aspiring boxers bringing pride to the Philippines through boxing, no one has yet reached the heights he has achieved.

 

What propelled Manny Pacquiao's boxing career to the point where he could defeat or even knock out much taller foreign boxers? Apart from his speed, it was his powerful hand, particularly his left hand, that knocked out even the so-called boxing giants.

 

His journey in boxing was not easy. Because of his height and reach disadvantage, he was the "underdog" in the majority of his professional boxing fights. His opponents often underestimated him, as seen in some pre-fight interviews, due to his size and reach disadvantages, believing they could easily beat him. However, not with Manny wearing his gloves.

 

With his gloves on, the nice guy and underdog Manny transformed into a boxing monster, upsetting great boxers, some of whom were in their prime.

 

With his great boxing hands, he is truly a blessing to himself, his family, and the entire country.

 

However, have you ever wondered what Manny Pacquiao's hands do when he takes his gloves off? Are they still great outside of boxing? I have listed at least three things Manny Pacquiao's hands do when his gloves are off.

 

1. Helping other people. Manny Pacquiao's hands give help to others, especially his countrymen. Having once experienced poverty, he always says he knows the difficulty the poor experience. Thus, in his foundation, the Manny Pacquiao Foundation, its mission is to give back and fight for those less fortunate.

2. Worshiping God. One of the biggest turning points in Manny's life was when he became a Christian. While we knew he was already religious because we could see him bending his knees in all corners of the ring before fighting his opponents, the Manny Pacquiao who has been "Born Again" is different. He really had a complete transformation. And I know most of you can see this.

 

He even said in an interview that he gave up everything that was not acceptable in the eyes of the Lord.

 

What's more admirable about him is that it was just when he became a Christian, he was knocked out by Juan Manuel Marquez in 2012, which he said was the most embarrassing moment in his boxing life. Yet he didn't blame God or say anything against him.

How would you feel if you were obeying God and instead of receiving blessings, you faced embarrassment? It must be really disappointing, right? (Sighhh! I guess you must read my book "The Preacher's Son: A Journey through Resentment and Struggle").  Anyway, Manny's downfall didn't affect his hands in worshipping God or his faith in him. He may have fallen down in the eyes of the people, but his hands still rose up in worshipping God.

3. Serving the country. While many are doubting his ability and throwing everything against him for entering politics, it did not stop him because he believes that in this way he can better serve his countrymen. As a result, he was able to win as a congressman, senator, and is now running for presidency. Even outside boxing, he is proving all odds wrong.

 

With that being said, can he win the presidency in 2022? I guess if you ask Manny the same question, he would have told you, "It's like asking me if I can beat the giant Margarito?"

 

Well, whatever happens in his political career, he has proven his dedication in his work, and his hands serve the country. We cannot deny that.

 

Some are saying he should have just focused on social work rather than entering politics; it would be so ambitious of him to even run for presidency; he is not that intelligent to lead the country to prosperity... but man! Did the past presidents who had so-called intelligent minds truly lead the country to prosperity? If intelligence is the key to prosperity, then all of them must be fools.

 

To end this, I should say Manny Pacquiao is truly great with his gloves on. But those same hands are even greater when he takes them off.