Halloweek
and some "singular" observations on life
Boo, guys! It’s that spooky time of year again (though everything these days feels pretty darned spooky, no?) As a kid, I was never a fan of donning a costume and traipsing around the nighttime neighborhood for a usually unsatisfying candy haul: a minimum of Mounds and Kit Kats, and (alas) a maximum of Good ‘n Plenty and Candy Corn. I came around some when my five Seyfried offspring were little, more still with the advent of Aiden and Peter. Now, while I still don’t enjoy October 31, I greatly enjoy THEIR enjoyment (that counts for something, I hope).
Among the trove of Halloween memories, though, a standout for me was The Year of Our Pandemic 2020. Isolated and weary, Sheridan, Ya-Jhu, Steve and I still tried to make it a special evening for our resident kiddos. How’d we do? Read all about it:
SINGULARITY
I have become familiar with two uses of the word “singularity.”
One is the idea that there will come a time (soon!) when artificial intelligence will surpass human intelligence (“the singularity”). Many of my fellow writers regard this development with suspicion and dread, as more and more clients are using A.I. to publish their articles, instead of paying a living scribe. My take: whether I like it or not, it’s well on its way, and I do believe we (man and machine) can effectively, and even creatively, collaborate in the future. Hey, I loved The Jetsons! I’m an optimist!
“Singularity” also refers to the theory that in the beginning, the universe exploded from a tiny black hole, (the “Big Bang”), and that everything we are came from one substance. I love this poem by Marie Howe…
Our essence, our singularity, is a beautiful thing. Even in the midst of the greatest change and uncertainty, we can still find happiness (and lovely music).
MUSIC: “Happiness Does Not Wait”
BLOG PREVIEW: The Gas House District, a notorious area of lower Manhattan, was named for the giant gas tanks there. The district was home to a huge population of poor Irish immigrants in the late 19th century. I was last week years old when I learned that I too once lived there (the tenements were razed for the construction of Stuyvesant Town, my childhood neighborhood). Join me tomorrow over at Working Title (and in Old New York).
INSPIRING QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
He that will believe only what he can fully comprehend must have a long head or a very short creed.
—-Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
Today’s quote comes from the great French theologian and scientist Teilhard de Chardin. In this largely incomprehensible world, I still have faith, my friends—in love, in hope, in beauty, in happiness. All of which I wish for you this week.
