Is Earth a seeded planet?

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“One possibility is that we will build 3D printers and create organic humans based on our software personalities just to experience reality through five senses. An organic creature can keep learning its entire life. So our future software selves might find a need to bring some of our minds back into organic form just to keep up the challenge and the learning. And you know where this is going. If the scenario I described might happen in the future, how can we know it didn’t already happen and we are the second-generation organic humans?”

Scott Adams thinks it is and makes his case here.

Panhandling

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panhandlerI suspect many people feel awkward when they find themselves stopped a few feet from a — what is the correct term — panhandler? Beggar seems harsh. Let’s go with panhandler. As you coast up the exit ramp you silently hope you make the light or get stuck far enough down the ramp to avoid having to engage with the man/woman. (“Can you help a brother out?”)

In my experience, most panhandlers let their handmade cardboard sign communicate their message/plea. In cities, however, I gather they can be more aggressive. Is this encounter as awkward for the “asker” as the “askee?”

I frequently make a donation, not always. But when I find myself stopped a few feet away, I usually smile and make a little chit-chat, even when I don’t give money. And while I’m sure they’d rather have a fiver, most smile back and seem to appreciate the interaction (my imagination? phony?).

It would be easy to become invisible to the hundreds of drivers that pass each day. Perhaps you’d rather hear “Get a job!” than endure that strained silence.

Bob Priddy: How it began

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In December (2014) Bob Priddy will retire from his job as news director of The Missourinet. The network’s first and only news director. In this interview Bob talks about how the network began; interesting people and big stories; politics and history. I was privileged to work with Bob for almost 30 years and he’s one of the most talented and interesting people I’ve met. The interview runs just under half an hour. Hardly enough time to reflect on his amazing career.