On the ethical use of LLMs
The ethics of LLM use can be reduced to “don’t use it and not expect to get found out”
What’s in a pronoun?
While on holiday last year, a travel companion asked a question at dinner about kids these days and pronouns, that I wish I’d answered better. This is that answer. — Why do you wear clothes? Why do you wear those clothes? Is is out of habit? Have you ever wondered why you behave the wayContinue reading What’s in a pronoun?
Good bye, Jacob Zuma
Defiant to the end, Jacob Zuma is the second president of the Republic of South Africa to be recalled by the African National Congress. Tonight he resigned during a speech that was clearly not written by him. When Thabo Mbeki was recalled almost ten years ago, it also made history for South Africa’s fledgling democracy. AtContinue reading Good bye, Jacob Zuma
On violence in South Africa
Last year on Facebook, I engaged in a discussion with a friend about the fact that violent acts seem to be the norm to make people notice things, in place of that time-worn cliché of “rational discussion”. While my response does refer directly to South Africa, in hindsight it could apply elsewhere. Here it is,Continue reading On violence in South Africa
South Africa is bankrupt
If you believe all the news, we’re completely bankrupt. There’s no money to fix potholes and traffic lights in Johannesburg, with the (2010® FIFA® World® Cup®)®* fast approaching. There’s no money to run and maintain Eskom, our electricity provider. There’s no money for the pebble-bed nuclear reactor in the Cape. Then there’s the wonderful storyContinue reading South Africa is bankrupt
Good news (sort of)
"Police are investigating how a controversial Zimbabwean politician – hell-bent on stalling the power-sharing talks – has come into possession of a R1,4-million armoured Mercedes-Benz allegedly registered with the South African government's VIP protection unit." (Source)
Sarah Connor? *blam*
Max du Preez, well-known (and well-respected) journalist, has made an interesting and I dare say accurate description of our Governor of the Reserve Bank, Tito Mboweni. He uses the words "Terminator", and "robot-like" in his continual increase of the interest rate to combat inflation. While this is hardly the forum for economic discussion, I think it's amusing that the three people in charge of our economy's names all start with "T": Thabo, Trevor and Tito. That makes T3 …
So it begins
The African National Congress, the ruling party of South Africa, has amended the SA Constitution to increase the number of members in the National Executive Committee, reportedly to increase the number of women in high office.
Zille: SA’s future is at risk
"Johannesburg – The future of South Africa is at risk because the ANC is not interested in democracy but interested in power, said Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille on Saturday."