Welcome to 'Monthly Musings: A Curated Reading List'. I'm thrilled to share my love of reading with you. As an avid reader, I save articles that I find interesting and share them with family and friends. I have been looking for a more concise way to share a summary of my most recent reads. Hence, this newsletter. This newsletter will give you curated content under different categories to check out monthly. I will publish this on the first of the month and it will have the links to my readings from the previous month. I will include a very short description, so you know what you are about to read (or not).
Please feel free to add your own favorite readings of the month in the comments so others can benefit as well. Take a look below and let me know your thoughts including what was interesting/useful for you.
Quote of the month: “Aspire not to have more, but to be more” – St. Oscar Romero
Technology
I am sure by now everybody has heard and even experimented with ChatGPT. I have read tons of articles and listened to many shows discussing this technology. I have no idea how this is going to affect our lives long-term. Are we ready for this? Who controls it? How does it (really) work? So many questions. Articles below are some of the best I have read on this topic.
1.) We are just beginning to understand the power of "Generative AI”.
The Brilliance and Weirdness of ChatGPT (pdf version) - NY Times2.) Listen/read the contrarian view of an English teacher. He compares ChatGPT with the invention of the calculator.
How one teacher thinks AI could help his students - On Point
3.) Lastly, apart from ChatGPT, there are other practical tools out there using AI to do some amazing things.
Check this video “5 Mind-blowing Artificial Intelligence Tools” by Kevin Stratvert (Youtube).Privacy on the Internet is a perennial issue. Watch out for companies trying to use your email to track you.
Everyone Wants Your Email Address. Think Twice Before Sharing It. (pdf version) - NY Times
Culture, History & Politics
Monday, January 16th was celebrated as MLK Jr. Day. I wish I was involved in some service that day. I did listen to the speech he gave while accepting the Nobel Peace Prize Lecture in Oslo, 11 Dec. 1964 (full audio). You can read the full speech here.
He starts by saying “the richer we have become materially, the poorer we have become morally and spiritually. We have learned to fly the air like birds and swim the sea like fish, but we have not learned the simple art of living together as brothers.”
He urges us to take action by saying “if we are to survive today, our moral and spiritual ‘lag’ must be eliminated.” And then he addresses three main evils: racial injustice, poverty, and war.
His speech is as relevant today as it was almost 60 years ago.
Data & Analytics
This is the field I work in, so I will always have something in this realm, but it may not apply to most people who are reading this.
This is an interesting find but not at all surprising. Unfortunately, we all love toys (in this case, the toy is the latest and greatest software) but most of them end up having little or no impact on business because we fail to create the culture to use these tools for the benefit of the organization at all levels.
Action and Inaction on Data, Analytics, and AI (pdf version) - MIT Sloan Management ReviewDonald Farmer has an answer to the previous bullet. In his newsletter, he describes the qualities of an analytical leader who can help create data driven culture.
Read it here!
Personal Development
The start of the new year is when we see a plethora of quotes, guides and advice on how to change ourselves in the new year. They rarely get my attention, but this one, though it is an old article, was quite enjoyable and taught me a few things as well.
The Best Advice You’ve Ever Received (and Are Willing to Pass On)
(pdf version) - NY Times
Health
I don’t drink alcohol for religious reasons, but I read this article with interest as it contradicts previous research which concluded that a glass of red wine everyday is good for your health. New research states “alcohol is harmful to the health starting at very low levels.” As the super bowl is approaching, keep this in mind😊
Even a Little Alcohol Can Harm Your Health (pdf version) (PBS video clip)
Entertainment
If you are looking for a movie to watch with your family, I would recommend Thirteen Lives. You can read about it here and watch it on Amazon Prime. I promise, you will not be disappointed.
January 2023 - ChatGPT, MLK & Alcohol
This is awesome, validated and authenticated without the biases of AI.
Very thoughtful content. Brilliantly compiled...