Category: Technology

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An AI dog?

All of the love, none of the responsibility

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the hot phrase this year. Everything AI is being discussed, from saving humanity to being demonized as taking all the jobs. There is one job that AI may be taking over sooner rather than later—that of the family pet.

It is not the first time a robot has been introduced as a replacement for Fido, but the economics of a robot pet are more compelling than ever. The modern AI is a lot more sophisticated than the ones powering Teddy Ruxpin of the 1980s, or the virtual pet phase that was kicked off with Neopets in 1999. Let’s call our new super-electronic pet “Gadget,” and see what he can do.

Potentially powered by an advanced Nvidia with its Blackwell architecture, your new Gadgetwill come pretrained to be your loyal companion. It will be powered by a rechargeable lithium battery pack, and it will have its own kennel that will charge it when entering.

Forget about vet bills—your new Gadget would come with a warranty, hermetically sealed and waterproof. So no more need to pick up your pet’s poop when you take it on a walk. Of course, Gadget can walk, run, and sit, just like a puppy. All this is completely flexible—Gadget will adjust its speed to match yours and will be as active, or a couch potato, as you wish.

The built-in AI processor will learn from your engagement with Gadget, so it will continue to learn and customize its programming to match your needs. “Fetch your drink” mode comes standard.

All this technology is contained in a soft, nonallergenic faux fur, custom designed to your specifications. It is machine washable for easy cleaning, and stain resistant, so it can go anywhere you want. It also has an electric heater, so on those cooler nights, it can keep you warm.

Just imagine, when the weather is great, your Gadget will come to remind you to go on a walk. When the weather is poor, it will snuggle with you and provide you with a warm companion. All this, and with the ability to adjust its personality as you desire! No more feeling guilty that you didn’t walk your dog enough, or that you left your pet for the day when you were busy.

The future is ready to come to you. With Gadget,you will get calibrated and consistent affection, with low maintenance needs—no special dietary requirements, no escalating vet bills. With proper care, your Gadget will have a longer lifespan than you, so you don’t have to worry about saying goodbye to your beloved pet.

So if your family is not yet ready for the full responsibility of a biological pet, or you don’t trust your kids to be able to take care of a dog that they’re demanding, consider Gadget. Coming soon, the “AttackMode” software upgrade, where it will become an automated guard dog on demand. Available with a subscription pack, your friendly Gadget can be trained to become a security asset for your home.

If this vision of the future sounds great, or dystopian, feel free to send us a message at editor@theparklander.com. We would love to hear from you, and to publish your responses.

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Taking a digital detox

How often do you use your phone in a week?

According to a 2024 study by the American Optometric Association (AOA), the average person spends just over seven hours a day looking at a digital screen. For the purpose of the AOA study, excessive screen time was defined as over seven hours, which means about half of the U.S. population exceeds that.

Once upon a time, parents often told their kids to turn off the TV and run outside. Now all age groups appear equally guilty of excessive screen time. Were our parents right to ask us to limit our screen use?

The AOA study found that the cost of our excessive screen time is costing the U.S. around $73 billion a year, in vision and other related symptoms. These include blurred and double vision, eye pain, headache, migraine, back pain, and neck pain. They impact both direct medical costs and, more importantly, lost productivity and well-being.

Beyond physical symptoms, according to Cleveland Clinic, excessive screen time is stressing many out, and a digital detox may help to provide relief.

Dr. Kia-Rai Prewitt of Cleveland Clinic explains, “Social media connects us with others in many beneficial ways. But at the same time, it can also have an unhealthy effect on people.” Anxiety and depression can accompany negative social media experiences, and it affects self-esteem.

Dopamine is triggered by our brain’s search and explore functions. We are wired to release dopamine when we make human connections. Stanford psychiatrist Dr. Ann Lembke explains in her book, “Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence,” how social media apps can cause the release of large amounts of dopamine to our brain’s reward pathways. With every scroll or swipe, the action provides a hit of dopamine to our brain, similar to an addictive drug.

In a study published in the journal Psychology Science, researchers found that our brain reward centers were more activated by social media than by images of food or money.

When you sign off, this source of dopamine is removed, and your brain will go into a dopamine-deficit state. This is why social media feels good when you are using it, but you may not feel as good when you stop.

The long-term dopamine exposure is still being studied to see if it will lead to desensitization, as with illicit drugs.

A digital detox allows you to see if technology is affecting your productivity as well as your well-being, both physical and mental. It allows your brain to withdraw from the additive effects of excess dopamine. According to a Standard Medicine Scope article, one month is the minimum duration typically required to reset the dopamine reward pathways, and it may decrease the anxiety and depression that social media can induce. Upon returning from detox, the article recommends prioritizing app usage toward connecting with real people and consolidating its use to specific times of the day.

So if you are looking for ideas to improve your overall well-being, look into digital detox this January, and have a healthy and happy 2025!

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How to stay active in your daily life Tips and gadgets to keep you moving

Staying active doesn’t have to mean spending hours at the gym. With a few smart adjustments to your daily routine and the help of some innovative gadgets, you can keep your body moving and your energy up. Here are some simple tips to stay active and some fitness gadgets to help encourage you along the way.

Turn Everyday Moments into Activity

  • Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
  • Park farther away from your destination to account for extra steps.
  • Incorporate short stretches or squats during TV commercials or quick brain breaks.

Level Up Walking and Standing

  • Invest in a standing desk or a desk converter to alternate between sitting and standing throughout the workday.
  • Get a treadmill desk/walking pad if you’re able to add walking to your work routine.

Tip

Elevate your walks:

Bala Bangles helps tone your arms while you walk.

Track Your Activity

A fitness tracker, like an Oura Ring or an Apple Watch, can motivate you to reach daily movement goals, monitor your sleep and heart rate, and even remind you to stand if you’ve been inactive for too long.

Make Workouts Smart

Bring the entire gym experience to your home with an interactive fitness mirror such as the Tonal or a smart home gym machine like OxeFit. Various workouts and programs are available, including live-stream workout classes.

Stay Hydrated

Keep a smart water bottle like HidrateSpark to track your hydration levels and ensure that you are drinking enough water to fuel your activity level.

Encourage Active Family Time

Get the family involved with gadgets like smart jump ropes to turn family bonding into an active experience. Simple games such as playing tag or swimming with the family are also fun and great ways to stay active together.

Maximize Small Moments

Carry lightweight resistance bands for quick workouts on the go or use an under-desk pedal exerciser during meetings or downtime.

With these small shifts and a few new gadgets, staying active can seamlessly fit into your lifestyle, improving your health without overhauling your routine. Whether it’s tracking steps or standing while working, every little movement adds up!

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Are you zombie scrolling too much? Try to cut down

It’s 2024. Will your average screen time go down this year?

In 2023, the average time that people spent staring at a screen was just under 7 hours, slightly higher than the worldwide average of 6.5 hours a day, according to DataReportal. Some of it is on your computer, which accounts for half of the screen time. The other half is on your mobile device. Effectively, half of our waking hours is spent looking at a screen.

Is this healthy? Probably not. Health experts recommend less than 2 hours in front of a screen daily (excluding school or work), according to the National Institute of Health (NIH).

It’s not surprising. Data from Harmony (www.harmonyhit.com), a healthcare information technology company, shows that 40% of Americans are trying to cut down on their screen time this year, and another 36% feel like they should. Like all new year’s resolutions, this may not be easy.

The top application we are using when on the phone is messages. This is followed by all the social media sites—YouTube at #2 and Facebook at #3. TikTok, the latest fashionable app, is #6, just behind Instagram.

According to the study, half of Americans feel they are addicted to their devices. The younger you are, the more you tend to feel that way. The top reason is that our entertainment is more and more coming through our phones now. People often reach for their phone when bored.

In our search for the next viral video that keeps us entertained, we end up constantly checking our phones. Researchers call the behavior of scrolling for new content without a specific purpose “zombie scrolling.” Often, even if the news is bad or depressing, we still constantly look out for it; Merriam-Webster has termed this “doom scrolling.”

According to Harmony’s December 2023 study, 48% of Americans zombie scroll; they are scrolling without a specific purpose. More alarmingly, 27% of us text while at the stoplight. This might contribute to why we are hearing more honking and road rage than in the past. Also, if you ever wondered if others share the habit of using their phone on the toilet, you will find that you are among the supermajority—3 in 5 admit to doing it.

A University of Rochester Medical Center study in 2023 listed some of the signs of addiction to our smart devices:

  • Losing large amounts of time mindlessly checking apps or browsing the internet on your phone
  • Feeling anxious or restless when you cannot access your phone
  • Use of your phone has interfered with your productivity at work or at home
  • Using your phone in dangerous or inappropriate situations, such as when driving or crossing the street
  • Struggling to wait to check your phone when you receive an alert

It is hard to imagine that, just a few decades ago, baby boomer parents would have frowned upon hours and hours of TV watching. Now, every age group is spending much more time in front of the screen. Many parents nowadays still try to limit their children’s screen time. NIH reports the following among those 8 to 18 years old:

  • 28% said that their parents set TV-watching rules
  • 30% said that their parents set rules about video-game use
  • 36% said that their parents set rules about computer use

A NIH-sponsored study showed that, when parents set media rules, children’s media use dropped by 3 hours per day!

Recently, TikTok started implementing a screen limit of 60 minutes for kids under age 18. The limit can be disabled or extended via entering a passcode.

Even among adults, the Harmony survey showed that 55% feel that they waste time on their phones. And previous studies showed that excessive phone usage is linked to anxiety among younger adults.

Smartphones are a power tool for us to stay connected with our loved ones, and like all tools, we need to use it to benefit ourselves. So if you feel like you are zombie scrolling too much, or when the next world event upsets you and you feel like doom scrolling, try these suggestions from Harmony to cut down on screen time:

  • Doing activities that don’t require a phone
  • Putting the phone away while around others
  • Using the “Do not disturb” feature

Early studies are showing that even a small reduction has shown benefits in respondents’ mental health. So for 2024, try some of these suggestions, and maybe you will end up less anxious in a turbulent world.

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April (meteor) shower, conjunctions, and more…

Interestingly, April begins and ends with a New Moon this year. I tell my students that “New Moon” essentially means “No Moon,” because the Moon can’t be seen at night during that phase. During a New Moon, the Moon is directly between the Sun and the Earth and is, thus, out entirely during the daytime. Of course, our calendar months are based on the cycle of the Moon’s phases. There are 12 complete lunar cycles in a solar year (along with a few extra days) and, hence, we have 12 months in a year.

This month’s challenge for beginners: finding Gemini, the Twins. First, find Orion. Next, draw a line from its super-bright star Rigel (below the famous Belt) through the bright, reddish star Betelgeuse (an equal distance above the Belt), and that line will roughly point toward Gemini.

Gemini has two bright stars, Castor and Pollux, that form the heads of the twins. Castor is whiter (think “Casper the Ghost”) and Pollux slightly more yellowish (like pollen). The Big Dipper roughly points toward Gemini as well (draw a line from the handle through the cup of the Dipper).

This month’s astrophotography challenge: See below. There is a plethora of potentially dazzling close encounters in the sky in April!

Sky highlights this month:

  • April 1. New Moon. No foolin’, this is a great time to go observing at a dark site as moonlight will not be a limiting factor.
  • April 4 — conjunction of Mars and Saturn. This should be a beautiful sight in the morning sky just before dawn for you early risers. These two planets will be very close together in the sky and of similar brightness. Venus will be nearby as well and will greatly outshine them both. Check it out!
  • April 4 — conjunction of the Pleiades and the crescent Moon. If you sleep through the morning’s conjunction, you have another chance on April 4 to witness a beautiful alignment. In the early evening sky, a thin crescent Moon will pass near the Pleiades star cluster. This promises to be absolutely gorgeous and presents a great opportunity for photographers.
  • April 16 — Full Moon. This is nicknamed the “Pink Moon” by some ancient Native American tribes for the time of year when certain pink flowers and vegetation would begin to bloom.
  • April 22 — Lyrid meteor shower. This is an average meteor shower in terms of the number of “shooting stars” you may see per hour. It is best seen in very dark skies after midnight.
  • April 29 — see Mercury! The closest planet to the Sun will reach its greatest distance (“elongation”) from the horizon this evening. Look for it around 45 minutes or so after sunset.
  • April 30 — conjunction of Venus and Jupiter. The two brightest planets (from Earth’s perspective) will cross paths in the morning skies before dawn.
  • April 30 — New Moon (again!). Perhaps you know that a second Full Moon falling in a calendar month is nicknamed a “Blue Moon” (OK, fellow nerds, I know that definition’s not quite accurate, but let’s go with it please!). In April, we have a second New Moon on the calendar. I’ve seen some refer to this as a “Black Moon.”

With all these great photography opportunities, April might be the time to dust off that DSLR or try out your cell phone camera on a steady mount. If you post any pics, be sure to tag the Parklander® and me on Instagram (@theparklander @jeterk1971) — We’d love to see your work!

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New year’s nights

Congrats on completing another journey around our local star! For the record, you traveled about 584 million miles (940 million Km) around the Sun at an average speed of about 66,000 mph (30 km/s). Alas, your FitBit probably didn’t even give you credit for that… 😊

This month’s constellation challenge for beginners: Orion. One of the most recognizable constellations in the entire sky, Orion the Hunter is a great reference point from which to begin surveying the winter sky. Orion’s Belt is an asterism of three bright stars in a line that is hard to miss. At a roughly equal distance above and below the belt are two of the top 10 brightest stars in the night sky — reddish Betelgeuse above and bright-white Rigel below.

This month’s telescope challenge for beginners: the Orion Nebula. There is a tiny smudge just below Orion’s Belt, forming part of his dagger, which is an enormous star-forming region. It can be seen with the naked eye, so even small telescopes will reveal it as a fuzzy little cloud (“little” because it’s 1300 light years away!). And for slightly larger scopes, look for four very luminous, newborn stars very close together at the heart of the cloud. They are in a somewhat trapezoidal arrangement and, thus, are called the Trapezium.

More celestial highlights this month:

  • 2 — New Moon. We start out 2022 with some particularly dark skies (minus the Moon’s glow) — enjoy!
  • 3/4 — Quadrantid Meteor Shower. With only a crescent Moon out, this should be a nice meteor shower to see from dark skies. Best seen after midnight, but, as always, no binoculars or telescope needed — just lay back and enjoy some “shooting stars”!
  • 4 — Perihelion. Believe it or not, this day marks the closest that Earth will be to the Sun in 2022. Earth’s orbit is nearly a perfect circle, so our slightly varying distance from the Sun during the year has a negligeable effect on our seasons. Remember, it is Earth’s 23-degree tilt that produces its seasons.
  • 7 — Mercury at its greatest elongation. We don’t get many chances to see Mercury compared to other planets (it hangs out near something called the Sun). But this evening will feature our Solar System’s fastest-moving planet at about its highest possible point above the Western horizon after sunset (still relatively low in the sky, though).
  • 17 — Full Moon. This moon was named the Wolf Moon by early Native American tribes.
  • Throughout January. Various launches are planned from Kennedy Space Center, though none seem to have a confirmed launch date as of the writing of this article.

Enjoy the brilliant and bountiful winter constellations and happy hunting in Orion. Wishing you and yours a pleasant journey on your next trip around the Sun.

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Robotic Surgery is a ‘game changer’ in complex surgeries at Broward Health Coral Springs

For over a decade, Broward Health Coral Springs has provided surgeons the ability to perform complex surgeries using the assistance of advanced robot. Robotic surgery consists of a surgeon console, patient-side cart, and vision cart, allowing doctors to view 3DHD imagery of organs, vessels, and lymph nodes while operating on patients with mechanical arms ingeniously programmed to wield the smallest of tools.

“The whole goal is to enhance medical care,” said urologist Azeem Sachedina, M.D., “and from that perspective, there is no question robotic surgery is an absolute game changer.”

Often using the da Vinci surgical system, robotic-assisted procedures allow surgeons to control mechanical arms that bear surgical instruments and a camera. Robotics can sometimes enable surgeons to make smaller incisions rather than traditional large incisions, which in some cases may lead to a faster recovery with less pain. With surgeries such as hysterectomies and myomectomies, as well as prostate, gastrointestinal and other procedures, outcomes can be a benefit for the patient.

Zoyla Almeida, M.D., a gynecologic oncologist and Chair of Robotics at Broward Health Coral Springs, has done over 2,000 robotic procedures to date. Of those surgeries, there have been few limits to which reproductive health issues she can correct, including hysterectomies for both cancerous and benign conditions, pelvic prolapse, and treatment for endometriosis, which can cause severe blood loss, pelvic pain, and infertility. She said that the da Vinci system in many cases has the ability to sometimes see much more of the human body by using impossibly small cameras that not only capture high definition views of organs but also surrounding blood vessels and tissue. 

Broward Health urologist Michael Tyler, M.D., also continues to see the benefits from technological advantages provided by robotic assisted surgery, saying that “the difference between traditional and robotic surgery is significant. With the robotic technique, we can really control the surgical environment. When I am at the console, it’s basically like I am at the bedside.”  

Dr. Almeida, agrees, adding robotic technology in the operating room may allow her to see and correct endometriosis and ovarian cysts in patients who may have suffered for years before exploring robotic surgery as an option.

“Women know their bodies well, and if they think something is off, they should definitely seek attention immediately and not ignore it,” said Almeida. “With robotic technology like we have today, complex surgeries may no longer need to be invasive as they were years ago.” 

Broward Health Coral Springs has acquired additional and more upgraded robots within the last few years to fulfill patient and physician demand. Broward Health surgeons say the demand for minimally invasive robotic surgery is gratifying. Mark Shachner, M.D., operates at Broward Health Coral Springs on patients experiencing digestive issues with the da Vinci and called it an enormous revolution.

To learn more about minimally invasive, robotic surgeries offered at Broward Health Coral Springs, click here

 Photo Caption: (l-r) Dr. Zoyla Almeida is presented with a recognition for surpassing over 2,000 robotic cases by Jared Smith, Broward Health Coral Springs Chief Executive Officer.  

Robotic Surgery is a ‘game changer’ in complex surgeries at Broward Health Coral Springs

Photo Caption: The Broward Health Coral Springs surgery team. 

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The sad truth: Vision problems have no age boundaries

From young children to the elderly, no one is immune from vision problems. For some, it’s genetic; for others, it’s a part of the aging process. Four of the most common eye problems are cataracts, floaters, macular degeneration, and glaucoma. 

The National Eye Institute says that in the U.S., at least 24 million people over age 40 have cataracts, 11 million have age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and nearly 3 million have glaucoma. Eye floaters affect nearly 30% of the general population.

The sad truth: Vision problems have no age boundaries
Phoropter, ophthalmic testing device machine

Cataracts

“Routinely, people over 60 develop cataracts, but they can also occur among children,” says David Rand, M.D., a specialist at the Rand Eye Institute, a premier eye-care facility that for 35 years has treated thousands of people throughout South Florida and around the world. “Cataracts cloud the natural lens inside the eye and can be caused by sun exposure, trauma, a medical condition, genetics, and aging.” 

Warning signs include a need for more light, a lack of clarity, and glare from car lights or lampposts when driving at night. “Regardless of the degree, vision can be restored surgically,” Dr. Rand said. “There is more urgency among young children because their vision can be affected permanently.” Mild cataracts can be temporarily treated by changing the prescription of one’s glasses, but once visual quality becomes a problem, surgery is the definitive treatment.

Floaters

Millions experience eye floaters or “shadows” on the retina, and it’s a chronic problem that can impact the quality of life. Most are caused by age-related changes in the eye’s vitreous, a jelly-like substance that deteriorates over time. They occur primarily during middle age, or earlier, and develop due to an inflammatory condition. 

“As a physician, I’m concerned that a patient who has an acute increase in flashes or floaters may have a retina tear or detachment,” said Carl Danzig, M.D., a vitreoretinal specialist at Rand Eye Institute. “It’s very important to seek a diagnosis as early as possible.” 

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

When new blood vessels grow under the eye’s retinal tissue, it’s referred to as “wet” AMD. When there is a thinning of the macula, a part of the retina responsible for clear vision in direct line of sight, it’s referred to as “dry” AMD. 

“If you have trouble reading a menu, small print, or have problems driving at night, dry AMD may be the cause,” said Dr. Danzig. Vitamins with the AREDS2 formula are used for both types, but they’re especially recommended for patients with intermediate-stage AMD or worse. “The standard treatment for wet AMD is intravitreal injections; surgery is not a first-line treatment.” 

The sad truth: Vision problems have no age boundaries

Glaucoma

When there is damage to the optic nerve due to high or fluctuating eye pressure, glaucoma can occur, and if untreated it can lead to vision loss. Although diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and a history of trauma are contributing factors, a genetic predisposition is also common. “If a family member has glaucoma, it’s very important to be examined and monitored to be certain that glaucoma does not develop,” says Dr. Rand. “The important point common to all treatment options is to adequately lower and maintain the eye pressure to an acceptable level to prevent progression well before it becomes advanced enough to threaten the vision.”  

Glaucoma can be asymptomatic in its early stages, but gradual vision loss may still occur. “Sadly, many patients are unaware they have glaucoma until they lose their vision,” he said. According to the specialist, certain types produce painless vision loss, while other forms cause significant eye pain, pressure, and/or headaches. Among young children, it may lead to tearing or excessive eye rubbing.  

David Rand, M.D.

Dr. Rand completed his undergraduate education at the University of Miami and received his medical degree from the university’s Miller School of Medicine, Honors Program. He completed his postgraduate internship in internal medicine at the Staten Island University Hospital and completed his residency at the State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center. He has published scientific papers and presented before prestigious organizations, including the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology and the Radiological Society of North America.  

Carl Danzig, M.D.

Dr. Danzig is a vitreoretinal disease specialist with experience treating a variety of complex eye disorders. He graduated cum laude from Tulane University and was accepted into the Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society. After receiving his medical degree from Temple University, he completed an internship at Crozer-Chester Medical Center and residencies at Martin Luther King Jr. Hospital/Charles R. Drew University in Los Angeles and the State University of New York-Downstate, Brooklyn. He also enrolled in the University of Texas/Southwestern Medical Center’s vitreoretinal fellowship program.

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Tik-Tok vs. YouTube: Social media influencer behemoths duke it out in the ring

There are two facts of life that remain constant: Technology continues to evolve, and people love to fight. That is why, during the “Battle of the Platforms,” a myriad of big-name social media influencers, representing their respective social media platforms of YouTube and Tik-Tok, duked it out in the ring to both settle their beefs and decide which platform’s creators reign supreme.

Headlining the ticket was the fight between two social media icons — Tik-Tok superstar and self-proclaimed “bad boy,” Bryce Hall, and YouTube vlog powerhouse and family man, Austin McBroom. The two, having possessed a public quarrel for a good amount of time, decided things should be quelled in the most exciting and entertaining method, a good ole’ amateur boxing match. Add even more social media stars and rivalries to the mix, and you have a great night of in-person social media entertainment.

The social media star-studded series of boxing bouts took place at the distinguished Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. Adding to the spectacle were condensed performances by A-list hip-hop artists such as Trippie Redd, Lil’ Baby, and DJ Khaled interspersed between each heated brawl. Also present was prolific commentary by social media creators and provocateurs FouseyTUBE and Keemstar. 

Whether you use it or not, there is no denying that the Tik-Tok platform has made serious waves in the space of entertainment. Its trend-based and short-form content, which adapts to each user’s specific interests and preferences, creates an addicting and mindlessly entertaining app that can keep anyone, especially teens, scrolling for hours at a time. 

YouTube’s impact on the entertainment industry needs no introduction. The internet video service, along with Netflix, put basically all of cable TV on its knees, persuading and swiping its audience with more personable content that viewers could consume without having to purchase a bothersome cable package.

At the cornerstone of both YouTube and Tik-Tok are the creators. Not only do they produce the content for the platforms, but they also give them a face and a soul. The most notable creators possess a combination of talent, charm, and glamour, which turns them into luminary icons who abide in the hearts and minds of their devoted fans. Just like teen pop idols of the past, such as Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, and Justin Bieber, their fans will fight their battles, defend them to the end, and follow each venture they partake in.

Aware of the extraordinary gravity that these social media stars possess, event organizers see social media influencer-based events as a lucrative avenue to pursue. Based on the impressive spectacle and success of this recent event, whether it be boxing or other sensational exhibitions, I predict the public will definitely be seeing more influencer-studded events in the future.

Miami could possibly serve as the new hot spot for these influencer events. In addition to the work put in by LiveXLive, Battle of the Platforms’ central organizer, Hard Rock itself was a key force in producing and carrying out the event. With Miami’s known and ever-evolving image as a neon-lit destination for glitz, glamour, action, and fame, perhaps the Battle of the Platforms is the catalyst for South Florida’s path to emerging as the new Las Vegas.

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Technology’s threat to our security and democracy

Make no mistake about it: Our advanced technology is posing a serious threat to national security as well as to the foundation of our democracy. No one said it more clearly than the brilliant physicist Stephen Hawking: “The creation of artificial intelligence may be the worst event in the history of civilization.” He’s not alone. SpaceX founder Elon Musk, who knows something about technology, says, “Artificial intelligence could start World War III.”

The application of artificial intelligence to military operations
is so great that nations have formed units of cyber warriors.
In other words, they are skillful hackers. In effect, we are in an arms race of a different kind. Because so much of what we
do is computerized now, it’s all vulnerable. A system is secure only until it’s breached. You’ll remember that last year we saw the worst-ever cyber attack on the U.S. when our Department of Energy was hacked. A cyber expert reported that at least 50 organizations were hacked. Microsoft’s president, Brad Smith, said he was impressed by the sophistication and scope of the attack.

In their book “Cyber War,” Richard Clarke, a security
expert, and Robert Knake explain what cyber warriors can do. For instance, they hacked into Syria’s defense system
to reprogram radar to show empty skies at a certain time
so that Israeli fighter planes could attack a manufacturing plant. Hackers can also cripple a nation in various ways. For example, Russia shut down Ukraine’s banking system for
a week. Think of the consequences of that in the U.S. We already know that our electric grid is fragile and vulnerable.

The danger of ‘deepfake video’

Add to these threats the developing technology that allows the creation of video that’s so real and convincing, you cannot tell it is fake. They’re now called “deepfakes.” Before long, with the advancing technology, a kid in his basement could produce one and put it on social media.

Two law professors with expertise in technology are waving red flags of danger. Writing in Foreign Affairs magazine, Robert Chesney of the University of Texas and Danielle Citron of the University of Virginia describe scenarios that could launch a war. Imagine the consequences of a video showing a nation’s leader announcing that missiles have been fired at another country, or of an ISIS leader announcing a chemical attack — videos that could cover the world in minutes and that cannot be determined to be fake.

Clarke and Knake warn about another aspect of this that’s especially frightening. Skillful hackers can sneak into a computer system without being detected. Once they can bypass a system’s security, they can go in at any future time and adjust programs to do great damage. Some systems in the U.S. may already have been breached without us knowing.

The threat to our elections

Besides the aspects of war, the available technology poses a threat to the functioning of democracy in various ways. As you know, U.S. intelligence agencies are sure that Russia interfered in our presidential elections, spreading false information and targeting individuals to receive specific information on social media. The truth may never catch up to the inflammatory falsehoods that spread like wildfire through social media because they’re more interesting and colorful. People are more likely to spread false information if it reflects their bias.

Cyber warriors in a hostile nation can sow confusion about our elections, discontent based on false information, and scurrilous lies about a candidate or officeholder, which can affect the outcome of an election. In their article about deepfake videos, Chesney and Citron say “the prospect is chilling” that the technology can disrupt our democratic elections, which are

the foundation of our democracy. “There is no silver bullet for countering ‘deepfakes,’” they say. Will we have a functioning democracy if we cannot agree on what’s true and lose public faith in the legitimacy of our elections? A believable fake video could destroy the career of a public official.

The world’s leaders are not ignoring these threats, but what can they do? The Transatlantic Commission on Election Integrity is meeting without fanfare to deal with the integrity
of elections. The commission is led by Michael Chertoff, who was secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and Anders Fogh Rasmussen, who was NATO secretary- general and a prime minister of Denmark. Deepfake videos are one of their concerns. They’re trying to push nations into a cooperative effort to deal with the threat to elections because no nation can do it alone. As they put it, “The future of democracy is at stake.” Can a warning be stronger than that?

In any event, the technological genie is out of the bottle. Algorithms, artificial intelligence, and the rest cannot be put back in. Those who are now waving the red flags of danger may be the Paul Reveres of our time. Are we listening? What will we do? What can we do?

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Rewind: Keeping seniors connected with loved ones during times of isolation

The Alzheimer’s Association has partnered with the State of Florida’s Department of Elder Affairs to keep seniors connected with loved ones during social isolation. Through Project: VITAL (Virtual Inclusion Technology for All), senior-friendly tablets from engagement technology provider iN2L will be distributed to nursing homes and assisted living facilities (ALFs) throughout the state.

“There are more than 580,000 people in Florida living with Alzheimer’s and related dementias. Approximately two-thirds of the people living in ALFs have some form of dementia,” said Alzheimer’s Association Florida Regional Leader, Angela McAuley. “Project: VITAL has provided the Association the opportunity to extend our reach to not just those living with dementia, but to all seniors in Florida who are vulnerable to the negative effects of social isolation.”

During the pilot phase, the Alzheimer’s Association will work with 150 care communities, 40 of them in South Florida, supplying two tablets per community, as well as virtual training on how to use the equipment and platform. The tablets are preloaded with software programming from iN2L, enabling residents to connect with their loved ones via video chat with a simple tap on the home screen.

The tablet further fosters connection with family by creating individual profiles for every resident, with the added ability for family to add personal photos and videos to those profiles for residents to view whenever they like.

Also included on the tablet is an easily-personalized library of applications that supports cognitive, emotional, social, physical, and spiritual wellness for the ultimate person-centered engagement experience.

“We are excited to be working alongside the Alzheimer’s Association to provide the technology and tools for Project: VITAL.” said Lisa Taylor, iN2L CEO. “We know how important meaningful connection is to older adults’ health and well-being, and during COVID-19, it is absolutely critical.

“Our tablets are a connection care package for senior living residents, equipped with one-touch video chat tools for virtual family visits, as well
as over 1,000 content applications to connect residents to their interests and passions – all designed to keep them healthy, happy, and entertained during these uncertain times and beyond. We are thrilled that more seniors in the state of Florida will benefit from this solution,” she added.

“We’re hoping the use of these customized tablets will facilitate critical connections with the families, especially during these times – but, we want to use them for sustainable models for the future,” said Richard Prudom, Secretary of the Florida Department of Elder Affairs. “We want to ensure the safety of our vulnerable seniors while keeping their loved ones connected.”

The first 50 tablets were shipped on Friday, April 24 with the remaining 100 tablets on May 1.

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Local Libraries Deliver

Upgrades make reading easy, accessible

The mental image the phrase “public library” frequently evokes involves metal shelving filled with worn bindings, with a severe-looking librarian perched behind the counter, index finger primed for shushing. Certainly, those shelving units and librarians are real, but the Broward County Public Library delivers so much more, and right to where you need it.

Take the Northwest Regional Library’s collection of eBooks (electronic books) and audiobooks (recordings of books read aloud.) For the full-time busybody, both options provide opportunities to enjoy stories without the hassle of trying to get to the library twice. The offerings simply disappear from your device after the loan period concludes, thus erasing the need to keep track of a book for longer than the day or two you need to read it. eBooks and audiobooks checked out through the Broward system don’t have late fees! Audiobooks are a nifty companion for the daily commute and road trips, often playable through your car’s sound system.

What’s that? You don’t have a device to download eBooks or play audiobooks? Worry you’re your local library shall provide. Digital tablets can be checked out for three months and renewed for another three months — that’s half a year. That might get a person a sixth of the way through their reading backlog!

For kids on summer break, Northwest Regional has child-friendly tablets that come with educational games, no internet required. These Launchpad Learning Tablets can be checked out for 21 days with two 7-day renewals.

It helps, too, that these kinds of technological upgrades make reading more accessible for the dyslexic, the visually impaired, and the otherwise disabled. While Broward Library has made plenty of impressive high-tech upgrades to its community services (virtual reality devices, portable wi-fi hotspots, amateur robotics labs, and more) throughout the region, what stands out is its dedication to making its services available to every resident, regardless of mobility or income level.

Impressive examples include accessible computer software that turns websites into braille for the blind, which is offered at several library locations; as are assistive listening devices that amplify sound but minimize background noise, aiding those with hearing loss. West Regional Library has a sign-language story time for children who have speaking and hearing difficulties. The county library even distributes specialized phones for people with any hearing, seeing, or speaking disability — at no charge. According to the 2017 census, 22.5 percent of Broward’s population is composed of seniors and just under 7 percent of non-seniors have a disability, so these additions to the library’s offerings have come at a time of need. They will join the dearly loved but more analogue Books-By-Mail program in offering as many options to as many residents as possible.

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