Thursday Things: Slow Cooked Edition
9 January 2025. Vol 7 No 2. By Dan McGirt. #283
Thursday Things is here! This week we learn from an AI teacher and try to outlive our friends.
If you enjoy this edition, please click the heart icon in the header or at the end of the post to let me know.
Alas, this teacher was replaced by a robot. But who gets the apple now? Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash
AI teachers
AI is everywhere these days. Artificial intelligence is taking on so many tasks you start to wonder what’s going to be left for humans to do. Teach school, perhaps?
Nope. AI is moving in.
AI will replace human teachers in new Arizona charter school
Unbound Academic Institute has received the OK to open a Tucson charter school without human teachers: AI will provide two hours of day of interactive, individualized lessons in literature, math and science to fourth- to eighth-graders, reports Radhika Rajkumar on ZDNet. Human "guides" will provide emotional support and, presumably, keep students from goofing off.
In the afternoon, students will attend virtual "life skills workshops" on topics such as "financial literacy, public speaking, resilience, and critical thinking led by what Unbound calls 'community mentors,' who range 'from local entrepreneurs to civic leaders'," she writes.
"The AI system will analyze their responses, time spent on tasks, and even emotional cues [via webcam] to optimize the difficulty and presentation of content," Unbound's charter application states. "This ensures that each student is consistently challenged at their optimal level, preventing boredom or frustration.
What could possibly go wrong? All sorts of things, I’m sure.
This is clearly more of an experiment that a definite path to the classroom of the future. I’m a little skeptical of AI discussing literature. But there is one strength of AI that makes this approach intriguing:
AI is especially good at personalization -- applying that to education could yield results for students at different learning stages who aren't served by current one-size-fits-all structures or don't get the attention they need in a busy classroom. "Students can advance based on competency rather than age or time spent, beneficial for both struggling and gifted students," Unbound says.1
The existing model of schools has its roots in the industrial age. The school day as I and generations before me experienced it was based on a factory setting, an assembly line of classes and a standardization of curriculum, teaching methods, assignments, and expectations. Individuality was not emphasized. Lining, following instructions, raising your hand, and moving when the bell rings were.
That was arguably a good system for producing future factory or office workers doing rote tasks. Not so much for most 21st century jobs. Maybe our AI overlords are on to something here. But whose agenda will they be teaching?
Slow aging
I have a crock-pot2 that I mainly use for slow-cooking (crocking?) sweet potatoes. I could bake the potatoes but I have had bad experiences with forgetting that there is a potato in the oven until it has become a shriveled mummified husk. So I cook the sweet potatoes on low heat for 5-6 hours, usually two at a time. Then I eat one and swear I’ll save the other one for tomorrow. But I usually eat that one right away too.
The crock-pot is on the counter and therefore less likely to be overlooked, even though it takes longer. Look, it works for me! The point is the crock-pot slow cooker cooks things slowly. And if we consider life a process of gradually being cooked until we die, wouldn’t you rather your life cooked away a crock-pot rather than, say, the microwave?
This metaphor seemed more promising when I started. You can tell I did this without any AI assistance!3 Anyway, if you want to slow cook the aging process, here are seven tips to help you:
People who age more slowly than their friends usually adopt these 7 morning habits
Ever wondered why some people seem to age slower than their peers? It often comes down to their morning habits.
Adopting certain rituals in the morning can have a profound impact on how gracefully we age. Those who age more slowly usually have a few common practices to kick-start their day.
In this article, I’ll share 7 morning habits of people who age slower than their mates. You might want to consider incorporating them into your own routine.
As usual, go read the article for all the details. But I’ll give you the list here:
Hydrate immediately
Practice mindful meditation
Prioritize a balanced breakfast
Regular morning exercise
Limit caffeine intake
Embrace the sunlight
Prioritize quality sleep
Does this in any way resemble your morning routine? If not, these are some easy options to slow down the Crock-potâ„¢ brand slow cooker that is life.
I’m a metaphor. An awkward, forced metaphor. Drink more water! Photo by MChe Lee on Unsplash
Thank you for reading!
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Well, a Crock-Pot™ brand slow cooker, which is what Crock-Pot™’s trademark lawyer would prefer I call it so that crock-pot doesn’t become a generic term for slow cookers. Too late!
I decided to get some AI input after the fact.
ME: How can I use a Crock-Pot or slow cooker as a metaphor for aging?
AI: A Crock-Pot or slow cooker makes a wonderful metaphor for aging because it emphasizes patience, transformation, and the value of time. Here are some ways to develop this metaphor:
Slow and Steady Development: Just as a slow cooker takes time to transform raw ingredients into a flavorful dish, aging allows experiences and lessons to blend and mature, creating depth and richness in a person’s character.
Low Heat, High Impact: A slow cooker works on low heat but achieves remarkable results, much like the quiet, consistent growth we experience over time. Aging is not about rushing to milestones but about steady, meaningful progress.
Building Complexity: Ingredients in a slow cooker might start distinct, but over time, they meld into a harmonious whole. Similarly, with age, diverse experiences, relationships, and challenges combine to create a well-rounded individual.
Patience and Purpose: A Crock-Pot reminds us that good things can’t be rushed. Aging is a process that requires patience, allowing wisdom, resilience, and self-awareness to emerge fully.
Overcoming the Rough Edges: Tough cuts of meat become tender in a slow cooker, symbolizing how time and experience soften the hard edges of youth, leaving behind strength and tenderness.
Would you like help developing this metaphor further for a specific purpose?
ME: No, no, I’m totally going to wing it. I’m sure it will be fine.