I took this picture almost a month ago but I'm pretty sure I never blogged it, so here you go! This is Buckingham Mansions, an apartment block around the corner from our flat, on a rare sunny winter day. I loved the light and shadow. We're supposed to have sunshine today too, and colder temperatures though still above freezing.
I spent most of yesterday switching out displays in the library. We're putting one up involving an annual science reading project by the 10th grade, in which the kids recommend (or not) science-related books they were supposed to have read over Winter Break. It was a lot of work and of course the cynical side of me wonders how many of the recommendations were written by Chat GPT. At least I only have to pin them to a bulletin board, and not grade them!
I shouldn't be so suspicious, but it's the result of my reporting background. As we were always taught, "If your mother says she loves you, check it out."
Remember the architecture/planning fail that I wrote about on Jan. 19? The ugly barriers erected on the sloping sidewalk in front of Five Guys? Well, some signs have gone up indicating they were placed there by Camden Council and directing people with questions to call a hotline or write an e-mail address for "complaints." I wrote yesterday, not so much to complain as to say, "What's the objective here? How long are these barriers going to stay and what's the ultimate fix?"
I don't really expect an answer but I'm curious to see if I'll get one. This is the kind of thing that, back in my day as a reporter, would have produced a story in the local paper telling people what the heck is going on. Nowadays, with local media on life support, people are left to speculate online -- which is how we wind up with Q-Anon and lizard people.
Me, I will just continue to idly wonder and display my mystification on this blog.
The winter sun lighting up the facade of Buckingham Mansions against the sapphire blue sky is great!
ReplyDeleteYou are right about checking things out and not taking everything for granted or as truth. Social Media have a lot to answer for, and I am not sure if the bad doesn't outweigh the benefits.
The building itself is photogenic
ReplyDeleteOur local papers were Murdoch owned but they were quite good at covering local matters, including local councils. We have online independent media sources but it is not the same as a local paper.
ReplyDeleteCan you pick out Chat GPT writing? I've noticed one blogger whose English isn't perfect is now using it, and while the results are good, I miss his real imperfect English writing, and it does come across as being unnatural.
This has me thinking: Did my mother ever say she loved me? Beautiful light on Buckingham Mansions. I enjoy following your mystification.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the footpath questions, perhaps you should change the title of this blog to "Rebel Without A Cause".
ReplyDeleteI had an interesting little side-trip into conspiracy theories, so thank you for that. 😀
ReplyDeleteLizard people? What is wrong with people? I suppose humans have always been so, but they now have a much wider audience.
ReplyDeleteHere in Lansing, our local daily is so bad no one buys or subscribes. You can get the obits for free and that's about all that's worth looking at. An free independent weekly covers council issues, candidates, arts, so much better. That's great, but there's something wrong with it overall. When going through the basement I found old issues of the paper my mom had saved. They were thick and deep with information on local events, issues, everything. I miss that. And that is a GORGEOUS photo with the lighting.
ReplyDeleteLove the sunrise picture; bodes well for a new day!
ReplyDeleteThere is a What's Happening in Camden Facebook here page that would likely post about those barriers and then people just offer up whatever excuse or reason pops into their heads.
It always irks me to see miles and miles of interstate reduced to one lane traffic with not a single person in sight working. Sometimes I think it is a ploy to create job security by trying to appear busy when in fact, they are back at headquarters enjoying hot coffee and donuts.
ReplyDeleteDo some Bloggers use AI to generate their blog posts?? How bizarre. What is the point of blogging if you are not actually writing the thing yourself!
ReplyDeleteI am interested if you get a reply to the email. I am reading a book my Doctor recommended called The Joy of Movement, and in it is mentioned the story of Melbourne where they decided to give each tree an email address so people could report any problems they noticed with the tree. Instead people wrote to the trees, love letters etc. Jean in Winnipeg
ReplyDeleteWas that early morning light or late evening light on the Buckingham Mansions? It is golden, no matter which.
ReplyDeleteYou never know- you may get a response to your email but in actual fact, they probably don't know yet what they're going to do there or how long it will take.
I think it is quite an issue for teachers these days with students cheating by using answers from Chat GPT.
ReplyDeleteThat's a nice photo of that building - you do like your shadows, Steve!
I wrote an email to the NYT complaining about misleading their readers in the article about the Colombia immigrant plane issue. I don't imagine I will hear back.
I love the experienced voice saying supposed to have read rather than just read! I imagine teachers can easily spot the fakes.
ReplyDeleteIt will be interesting to see if you get an answer about those barriers.
ReplyDeleteThe light in your top photo is beautiful. That looks like a very nice apartment building.
Enjoy Your Weekend There Mr Crank - That Capture Of The Building Totally Rocks But The Middle Of The Night Olga Girl Takes The Cake For Sure - Strong There Brother Man
ReplyDeleteCheers
Oh , the good old days when there wasn't very appropriate things to copy on the internet. I think displays are important to give kids recognition for THEIR work.
ReplyDeleteI would not want to be a teacher or manager having to deal with the possibility of AI work. It was bad enough when students could just find prewritten things on the internet to use. Honestly, I see more downsides to ups when it comes to AI.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous golden light in the Buckingham Mansions photo!
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