Benefit every cell in your body
Some people love it—exercise that is. They are people who, for years, have made physical activity a part of their daily life and are motivated by the ‘high’ they get. They even declare it to be addictive. Others are inspired by the prospect of weight loss and view exertion as a necessary, but disagree-able chore. They start with gusto, are left breath-less and sweaty, discover that after two weeks the scale has not moved one iota, get dispirited and quit. Maybe next year!
The benefits of exercise have been researched extensively. Glenn Gaesser, a professor of exer-cise physiology at the College of Health Solutions at Arizona State University in Phoenix, stresses that regular exercise offers many benefits well beyond burning calories. Exercise has a positive effect on pretty much every cell in your body—heart, bones, brain, muscles and all other organs. Fitness seems to provide better prospects for longevity than just trying to lose weight. Sharper thinking, less depression, reduced anxiety, better sleep, stronger bones and muscles, and easier weight management, along with a lower risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancers of the breast, colon and other organs have been observed in people who embark on a regimen of even moderate activity.
Lack of time or limited abilities are roadblocks for commitment to a long-term exercise routine but, if one understands that exercise is any movement that increases the heart rate beyond resting levels, then it is not difficult to incorporate a lot of additional activity into one’s day. Replace some car journeys with walking, park at a distance from your destination and walk the rest of the way, use the stairs rather than lifts, or partake in light or vigorous exercises during television commercials.
Make activity fun. Invite a friend to take a fitness class with you, join you on a brisk walk or go swim-ing. Take yoga, tai chi or Pilates. Play spirited music while cleaning house energetically. (Stop rolling your eyes.) Gradually increase your activity level. Even light exercise provides a huge range of benefits for the body and mind.
Get moving. You will be the better for it.
What is artificial intelligence?
Artificial intelligence is a fast-evolving technology that allows computers and machines to simulate human intelligence and problem-solving abilities. It enables computers to identify people and objects in pictures and to understand language. Theoret-ically, the technology will evolve to the super AI level that not only has the ability to think, reason and learn, but will also possess cognitive abilities that surpass those of human beings. Even though it presents a vast array of positive, exciting appli-cations in multiple fields, it also raises concerns regarding ethics, privacy and employment.
Retiring Colleagues
If you are aware of teacher friends and colleagues who are contemplating retirement this year let them know about ERTA and invite them to join. The first year is complimentary.
Ordering a Pizza in 2024
Dr. Phil McRae spoke at the spring luncheon about artificial intelligence (AI). He described what it is, what it can do now and what it will be capable of in the future. It is a powerful technology currently in its infancy. It can be used to do incredible good but, in evil hands, can do profound damage. Because so much of our personal information is already on the internet and potentially obtainable by AI, the following conversation of unknown origin—intended to be funny—is all too plausible.
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Caller |
Is this Pizza Hut? |
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No sir, it’s Google Pizza. |
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Caller |
I must have dialed the wrong number, sorry. |
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No sir, Google bought Pizza Hut last month. |
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Caller |
Okay. I would like to order a pizza. |
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Do you want your usual, sir? |
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Caller |
My usual? You know me? |
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According to our caller ID data sheet, the last 12 times you called you order-ed an extra-large pizza with three cheeses, sausage, pepperoni, mush-rooms and meatballs on a thick crust. |
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Caller |
Super! That’s what I’ll have. |
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May I suggest that this time you order a pizza with ricotta, arugula, olives and sun-dried tomatoes on a whole wheat gluten-free thin crust? |
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Caller |
What? I don’t want a vegetarian pizza! |
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Your cholesterol is not good, sir. |
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Caller |
How the (beep) do you know that? |
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Well, we cross-referenced your home telephone number with your medical records. We have the result of your blood tests for the last seven years. |
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Caller I have other sources of cash. |
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Google That does not show on your latest tax returns, unless you bought them using an undeclared income source, which is against the law! |
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Caller What the heck!! |
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Google I am sorry sir. We use such information only with the sole intention of helping you. |
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Caller Enough already! I am sick to death of Google, Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp and all the others. I am going to go to an island without the internet or TV and where there is no phone service and no one to watch me or spy on me. |
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Google I understand sir, but you need to renew your passport first since it expired six weeks ago… |