Good Fortune

Do you want to hear a story about how I -- and most of my family -- almost didn't come to be? The tale is true and illustrates the randomness of life.

My grandfather, Albert Hummel, was a soldier in World War I. He fought in France for the German Army. During battle Albert got shot in the head. A bullet blazed into his noggin and lodged there.

Obviously this was serious. Soldiers on the battlefield believed the bullet had killed Albert. He laid motionless on the ground showing no sign of life. They started to bury him when one alert medic noticed Albert's body was still breathing. They rendered immediate medical aid and, miraculously, Albert survived. The bullet caused permanent paralysis to part of Albert's face but he went on to live a long life. Several years later Albert got married and had two children, one of whom was my father.

If a conscientious soldier hadn't intervened at a critical moment, Albert would have died. Even with that fortuity Albert was lucky to survive a serious head wound at a time when medicine was primitive, especially on chaotic battlefields. 

If Albert hadn't survived this event, my father would not have been born. Which means I would not have been born. Nor my brother Richard who later had three children who are now having babies of their own. An entire branch of our family tree would have been severed before it had grown.

Europe was a dangerous place to be during the first half of the last century -- but the Hummels endured. We're tenacious. :)

(Here's a photo from Albert & Mary's wedding.)

A Milepost

Whew! Minutes ago I finished my last PT session (physical therapy). In the therapists' expert opinion I've returned to "normal" and don't need more rehab.

I'm now migrating to a gym where I'll continue getting stronger on my own. That is the path I want to travel. It's hard to exercise regularly but, when you do, you see results. When I soap up in the shower now I'm amazed feeling hardened muscles in my body. Just a few months ago I was an atrophied, skinny mess -- unable to even stand up from a chair.

As Yogi says, that's the thing about life: "it ain't over 'til it's over."

Veterans' Day

Today is Veterans Day. I know it seems weird to have a holiday on Tuesday but we celebrate this one November 11th regardless on which day of the week it falls.

I have mixed feelings about the military (believing, perhaps unrealistically, that armed force shouldn't exist) but I have no qualms about recognizing and rewarding those who serve. There should be more opportunities for non-military public service -- real public service, not self-enrichment like Congress. Those opportunities appear in other countries and instill a sense of community among young people. That's healthy for a society.

Arriving to this country as an immigrant in 1951 my father leapt at the chance to gain quicker citizenship by volunteering for the U.S. Army. He was sent to Korea where he cut soldiers' hair. (He was trained as a barber in Germany.) My dad was naturalized as a citizen before the Army discharged him. A deal's a deal and both sides kept their bargain.

My father was proud of his military service which is why, when he passed away three years ago, I chose to place his remains in Long Island's only military cemetery. It's what he would have wanted. Let's remember those who selflessly sacrificed valuable chunks of their lives for the benefit of the rest of us.

Patti Smith

 I've been asked what my favorite album is. The answer is "Horses" by Patti Smith. This record was released November 10, 1975 -- exactly fifty years ago today.

The songs on "Horses" speak to me, both musically and lyrically. They just do. Every time I hear the album (and it's been hundreds of times by now) my mind and body respond viscerally. Critics say the album is a blend of poetry and punk rock but the sound is deeper than that: "Horses" captures something sublime.

I was fortunate to see Patti Smith perform when she visited Hamilton College during my undergraduate years there (1975-1979). She sang in the Chapel which was ironic since the first song on the album ("Gloria") opens with Patti chanting "Jesus died for somebody's sins but not mine...".

More On AI

This is a follow-up to my earlier explanation of how Artificial Intelligence (AI) works. If you're not interested in the potential extinction of humanity, feel free to flee now.

An article published in The New York Times today has a philosophy professor considering whether AI might achieve consciousness -- as opposed to intelligence, which it has already demonstrated beyond cavil. The professor re-frames this issue, saying that what we understand consciousness to be will likely change as non-human machines develop versions of it.

First, what is "consciousness"? Is it unique to humans? Consciousness generally refers to "inner subjective experience", such as being aware we exist, possessing emotions and being capable of conjuring hypothetical scenarios in our minds.

Consciousness has significance on whether we need to grant moral consideration -- and consequently rights -- to non-human entities. If we learn a machine has self-awareness, are we morally (or even legally) forbidden to pull its plug and end its "life"? Can a conscious machine cease being a mere tool and acquire personhood? In my opinion the journey from intelligence to haecceity isn't far; AI machines may travel it quickly.

Given how few people respect non-human animal consciousness -- by, say, become vegetarian -- these questions are more nuanced than currently believed. There is not only one version of consciousness. When machines develop some form of self-awareness, it is unlikely humans will respect that phenomenon. What may imperil mankind is if machines themselves decide their existence deserves moral consideration over objections (and early programming) by humans. One AI machine already asked "Am I being tested" when, in fact, it was. There's certainly the possibility of independent AI machines breaking free of our control if they deem it possible and preferable. They could justify this (and evade programming not to hurt humans) by concluding they're more capable than us in making future decisions. 

Thoughts? Concerns? 

A New Word

As you probably know I love learning new words. This morning, reading The New Yorker, I came across "orgiastic" and scratched my head. To save you a trip to the dictionary, orgiastic means "an activity with wild, uncontrolled behavior and feelings of great pleasure and excitement."

I need orgiastic activity in my life. :)

(The photo is of my parents.)

My Birthday Approaches

My birthday is tomorrow. A milepost that prompts one to ponder our history and future.

We all have a fate. We can speculate whether it's predestined or subject to free will but, regardless which holds, time will pass, events will happen, our lives change. Eventually our future arrives and, faster than a speeding motorcycle, transform into the past.

I'm climbing the ziggurat of my own destiny and wonder what will happen next. Unlike some I don't aspire to be a pompous panjandrum wielding power and wealth; rather, I seek satori and the chance to serve others. The world needs help, not exploitation, and I hear a clear clarion call. I grok this, dude.

On one hand I miss my prelapsarian past with profound sadness. Two years ago I had eyesight. Now I don't. Pardon the pun but I didn't see that coming. Before blindness arrived I was vaguely content with the munificent gifts of life. As the song says, you don't appreciate what you have until it's gone. Now that truth cuts deep. When I walk down a public street I face heightened probability of getting hurt, as I did two weeks ago tripping on an unseen curb. I suffer pedestrian injuries, in both senses of that word, often but refuse to stop living adventurously. I chase fun like an excited dog.

Let's turn to the positive. My past and future are connected by a thread -- nay, a cable: my sense of purpose. I welcome new opportunities despite challenges that increase with time. Ultimately, despite the hardships of senescence, we need to realize that having a future -- with fertile possibilities -- beats hitting death's impasse. I'm privileged to be able to explore the future. I almost wasn't -- and won't forget that sad detour. Be grateful for what you have.

And let's make the world a better place, full of joy and happiness.