Unruly elite

I'm beginning to really dislike the term 'ruling elite,' it's a trigger word that can mean anything or nothing.  Semantics is not my strong suit, but isn't anybody in a position of leadership or responsibility considered elite?  Likewise, isn't the most popular kid in high school considered elite, as is the guy on the bowling team with the highest average?

And should there be a distinction between being 'ruled' as opposed to being 'governed?'  I think usage of the term 'ruling elite' accomplishes little except to lead us to false arguments because the term itself carries emotional weight and is a distraction.  I await the dispassionate logic of Uncle Ken on this one; my mind is open (and sometimes empty).

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An old topic, AI, is back in the news.  Current research indicates that AI can be just as error prone as human intelligence, which is not promising.  On the other hand, another group of researchers has found that an AI that teaches itself performs better than an AI that has had human programmers, at least in the case of the game of Go.  This one AI, taught by humans, has beaten three of the world's top Go players.  A later version of this AI, knowing nothing of the game, taught itself to play at such a level that it thrashed the older AI handily.  Spooky.

But playing games is one thing, and decision making that involves human welfare is another thing entirely.  I hope that none of the AIs develop a sense of curiosity and wonders what will happen if they shut off those pumps or decide to disconnect the power grid.  A robust OFF switch should suffice for the time being.

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Uncle Ken, it sounds like you have been watching too much television, which can rot your mind.

I, too, am guilty of this.  One thing I've noticed on the news channels is that there is a lot of talking and very little information.  They bring in an 'expert' or two, blab with them a few minutes and then blather on for another twenty minutes and the audience learns little or nothing.  I'd like to see a Q&A where the only answers allowed are 'yes' or 'no;'  we shouldn't be getting more confused by the rambling answers of those being questioned.

This will require a more astute class of questioners but then we might get better answers and be able to decide on good courses of action.  Otherwise the fog of misinformation will only get thicker.