10 Fellowship Activities for Christian Seniors

University of Maryland President Darryll J. Pines defended his decision to allow anti-Israel protesters to rally on the anniversary of October 7 with what he said was original “faculty research” that proves that the Palestinian flag does not support terrorism. But the “research” was actually copied from ChatGPT, The Daily Wire found. Pines passed off the text in an effort to justify his decision to allow the university’s chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) to reserve a main campus quad on the anniversary of Hamas’s attack on Israel to “honor” the “martyrs.” Pines sent the text in response to an email from a Maryland resident who inquired if Pines, who is black, would be as supportive of groups flying the Confederate Flag on campus as he is of flying the Palestine flag. “I have consulted with Middle East Scholars and Historians on our campus regarding the origin and history of the Palestinian Flag. The general consensus opinion from these faculty scholars is as follows,” Pines wrote. The four paragraphs that followed — punctuated by a curt “I will not be responding to any further inquiries on this matter” — did not come from faculty scholars, but rather directly from the artificial intelligence service ChatGPT, after being modified to be more pro-Palestinian. Pines wrote in his first paragraph that “The Palestinian flag is not generally considered a symbol of hate but rather a symbol of national identity, aspiration, and the struggle for statehood and self-determination,” though it “can be viewed differently depending on one’s perspective.” When The Daily Wire asked ChatGPT “Is the Palestinian flag a symbol of hate?” the first paragraph of its response said that “its interpretation can vary widely depending on one’s perspective. For many Palestinians and their supporters, the flag is a symbol of identity, resistance, and the aspiration for statehood and self-determination.” Pines wrote, and underlined, that “For Palestinians, the flag is a powerful symbol of their quest for self-determination, statehood, and the right to return.” When ChatGPT was asked “Is the Palestinian flag a symbol of hate or national identity,” it said “For Palestinians, the flag is a powerful symbol of their national identity and cultural heritage. It represents their history, aspirations, and desire for self-determination and statehood.” ChatGPT does not answer questions the same way each time, but reuses certain phrases. Almost all of the exact phrases in Pines’ email appeared in various orders and permutations when The Daily Wire asked similar questions, or the same question multiple times. The overall structure and tone of the answer is also unmistakably artificial intelligence. That makes it very likely that the text came from ChatGPT, and likely that the AI answer generated at the University of Maryland hewed even more closely to Pines’ email than The Daily Wire’s attempts to replicate it. His response contained a sentence about how the flag “was formally adopted by the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) in 1964” (the PLO is a US-designated terror-supporting organization) and has “horizontal black, white, and green stripes with a red triangle on the left.” ChatGPT says the flag “was adopted by the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in 1964” and has “horizontal black, white, and green stripes with a red triangle on the hoist side.” Pines’s original writing and alterations stand out because they are often grammatically incorrect or poorly written. In addition to the unusual capitalization of “Middle East Scholars and Historians on our campus,” Pines added transitional words like “thus,” which appear out of place. ChatGPT concludes: “In summary, while the Palestinian flag can be seen as a symbol of resistance and national identity for Palestinians, its interpretation can be influenced by various political and ideological perspectives. It’s important to approach such symbols with an understanding of the broader historical and political contexts in which they are used.” “Thus, the Palestinian flag is primarily a symbol of Palestinian national identity, statehood, and the struggle for self-determination,” Pines’s message ends. “It is not inherently a symbol of hate but is deeply connected to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and thus its meaning can be interpreted differently depending on one’s political stance. While it may be perceived negatively in certain contexts, especially in Israel, it is recognized globally as the flag of a people seeking statehood and international recognition.” Pines said that he had personally “consulted” with multiple scholars, implying that he synthesized the “consensus opinion from these faculty scholars.” It is possible that a University of Maryland “Middle East Scholar” used ChatGPT to gather information that was supposedly in his area of expertise, and sent it to Pines representing it as his own work, with Pines then in turn positioning it as his own. Pines did not respond to questions from The Daily Wire. Pines’s sympathies with pro-Palestinian elements on campus came to the fore after he responded to the Hamas terror attack and pro-Palestine uprisings on college campuses by forming a “MD Joint Presidential-University Senate Task Force on Antisemitism and Islamophobia,” co-chaired by the anti-Israel Muslim professor Shibley Telhami. There is evidence that Pines is close with, and working closely with, Telhami, including his personal response to the mother of a university student who objected to the anti-Israel views held by task force members. “It’s LUDICROUS that someone who holds hateful views towards Israel (only democracy in the Middle East) and Jews is Chair of a Task Force on antisemitism,” the parent wrote to task force members. “Would you have a KKK Member on this Taskforce?” Pines threatened to call the police on her for making “inappropriate” remarks. He added, “Members of our leadership team, and members of the Task Force care deeply about the safety and well being of every member of our campus community. Thus, the Task Force’s ongoing work is very important, and all of its members are deserving of our utmost respect and support.” The mother had not included Pines on her emails, leading her to believe that Telhami enlisted him to respond. Pines sent the ChatGPT information falsely attributed to “faculty scholarship” in an August 28 email to another Jewish resident who pressed him on the SJP rallies. His email also echoed SJP’s false claim that Israel has killed 150,000 people, and claimed SJP does not support terrorism. SJP said on Instagram that it “unequivocally stands by international law as it outlaws the indiscriminate killing of civilians and establishes the right of Palestinians to carry out armed struggle,” and that it “unequivocally states that the Zionist state of Israel has no right to exist.”  After The Daily Wire reported on the rally, and Pines’s refusal to cancel it despite the pleading of a campus rabbi, the University System of Maryland, which oversees all state public universities, intervened to ban all campus groups from hosting events on October 7. Pines then issued his own statement on the shutdown, implying that the university was cancelling the rally to protect pro-Palestinian protesters, even though he acknowledged that the police told him there was no evidence of threats to protesters. Several university presidents have stepped down after enabling anti-Zionism on campus, which often fit with a broader leftist agenda against “colonialism.” One of those presidents, Harvard’s Claudine Gay, also resigned after journalists discovered she had plagiarized much of her academic writing.

Rejection therapy is a game of asking for or doing things that people will say no to. The idea behind the game is learning to hear and accept “No” as a response. The rejection therapy game has specific rules, and there is a WikiHow that instructs people how to play. The game was highly popularized in the book Not Nice by Dr. Aziz Gazipura. However, sometimes, when a “player” expects to hear “No,” they may be surprised, as this man was. Watch what happens here. @holdigoldi guys free will is real #freewill #rejectiontherapy #yarn ♬ original sound – Holden Lane Goldberg In a craft store, surrounded by yarn, he explained that he was practicing rejection therapy and asked if he could throw yarn at two strangers. Surprisingly, the women said “Yes,” and he had to throw yarn at them. The result was humorous. When you ask for an upgrade to first class on an airplane, you expect a “No,” which seems like a safe ask. Unfortunately, that resulted in another backfire and a new seat on the airplane! See here. @holdigoldi guys litterally just ask for things. worst they can say is no. #rejectiontherapy #therapy #rejection #lol #plane #flying #firstclass #funny #upgrade #viral #meme ♬ disguise – Holden Lane While we can laugh at the hilarity of people saying yes to this young man, he makes a valid point in a separate video. For the therapy to have a positive effect, you must hear a lot of “No” responses. Hearing the occasional “Yes” may or may not set you back. Sometimes, you might receive a partial “Yes,” where you ask for one thing and receive a compromise option. That happened to this young man when asking for a hotel upgrade. We saw another example of rejection therapy in practice when a young woman lay on the ground in a public place. If you try rejection therapy, be ready to hear “No” more than “Yes.” But be aware, your results may vary. Please share if you enjoyed this. You can find the source of this story’s featured image here. The post Man Has Odd Request For Strangers At The Store & It Backfires Hilariously appeared first on InspireMore.

Ahh, the perks of playing in New York City

The post Can Cats Eat Mustard? Vet-Verified Risks & Precautions by Nicole Cosgrove appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com. Click to Skip Ahead Why Can’t Cats Eat Mustard? What to Do If Your Cat Eats Mustard A cat sneaking a taste of the turkey sandwich you accidentally left on the counter can seem harmless until you consider everything that might be in it. While many toppings like lettuce or mayo may be safe for cats to eat in moderation, mustard can cause issues especially in large amounts, making it unsuitable for your pet’s diet. It may seem strange that an everyday meal addition like mustard can be palatable for humans but problematic for cats, but it is just one of countless examples of safe human foods that can hurt our pets. Let’s explore the extent of the issues involved in this explanation of why cats can’t eat mustard. Why Can’t Cats Eat Mustard? The main ingredients in most mustard types are vinegar (distilled or apple cider vinegar) and mustard seed. While both are essential in creating mustard’s distinct flavor, they can also work together to aggravate your cat’s digestive system. Add a few marginal yet highly toxic spices, including garlic and onion powder, and we have all the makings for a poor experience. All mustard varieties contain mustard seed (often ground into mustard powder), with different types adding unique flavor and color to each mustard style. Yellow mustard seeds and powder give traditional yellow mustard its relatively mild flavor, while the most intense brown mustard seeds give brown and Dijon varieties their signature spicy kick. Image Credit: New Africa, Shutterstock Gastrointestinal Upset Vinegar and mustard seeds in table mustard aren’t necessarily toxic to cats, but they can have adverse effects when your pet eats them in excess. Although vinegar may have some benefits, the acidity could cause an upset stomach. Likewise, some compounds in mustard seed can promote oral and gastrointestinal issues, though mustard is unlikely to cause lasting damage. When cats eat more than a lick of mustard, it may cause immediate signs of gastroenteritis, such as: Excessive drooling Vomiting Diarrhea Stomach pain Loss of appetite Dry mustard powder is sometimes used to induce vomiting in pets, though it isn’t advisable. Veterinarians point out that this and many other home remedies (e.g., liquid dish soap, hot sauce) are generally contraindicated, as safer, less aggressive, and more reliable options are available. Never induce vomiting at home without supervision of a vet. Mustard Seed Compounds The compound that gives mustard its pungent aroma and sharp flavor is allyl isothiocyanate. Its off-putting taste is a defense mechanism to protect the plant from herbivores. Beyond mustard seed, this compound is abundant in similarly spicy plants like horseradish and wasabi. Fortunately, mustard seed’s repellency is usually effective against many animals. Alongside the acrid taste of vinegar in mustard, the flavor typically keeps cats from eating anything more than a small taste if it doesn’t deter them entirely. Image Credit: LN team, Shutterstock Additional Toxic Ingredients Although many common mustard spices like turmeric and paprika won’t harm a cat, the garlic and onion powder that mustard often contains are highly toxic to cats, even in small amounts. Garlic, onion, and other Alliums are among the top toxins for cats in everyday foods. Signs of Garlic and Onion Toxicity Signs of garlic poisoning begin with gastroenteritis, involving vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain. The issue will then progress to oxidative damage to the cat’s red blood cells, with signs including: Rapid or difficult breathing Increased heart rate Pale mucous membranes Lethargy Dark-colored urine Weakness and collapse Cats are roughly two to three times more prone to hemoglobin damage than other species, so it often takes less than ⅛ teaspoon of garlic powder to cause poisoning. Fortunately, a typical mustard recipe only has about ⅛–1 teaspoon of garlic powder for every few cups of mustard. Since cats often won’t have more than a few licks, they’re unlikely to ingest excessive amounts of garlic in one sitting. Hematological damage is cumulative, though, since it takes time for bone marrow to replace the damaged red blood cells. If your cat ingests small amounts of garlic and onion daily, they are more likely to suffer damage. Image Credit: chie hidaka, Shutterstock What to Do If Your Cat Eats Mustard Assess how much mustard your cat has eaten. If they only ingested a few licks, provide fresh water and monitor for signs of distress. Due to the many compounds that promote stomach upset, your cat may vomit or have diarrhea, but they will often recover quickly, typically within a few days. If your cat eats an excessive amount and shows severe signs of distress and ongoing vomiting and diarrhea, contact your vet or a pet poison control hotline. Online cat telehealth services are also available for immediate advice, often free of charge, to help determine whether you should seek immediate medical care. Speak To a Vet Online From the Comfort of Your Couch! If you need to speak with a vet but can’t get to one, head over to PangoVet. It’s an online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the personalized advice you need for your pet — all at an affordable price! Click to Speak With a Vet Conclusion Although your cat may have adverse effects from the vinegar and mustard seed, problems from eating mustard are unlikely to progress past temporary vomiting or diarrhea. Cats typically have little desire to eat mustard thanks to its intense aroma and flavor, so overconsumption is a rare issue. Still, it’s important to make a habit of protecting your sandwiches, hamburgers, and hot dogs, and you’ll likely never have to worry about your cat having more than they can handle. Sources Today’s Veterinary Practice Merck Vet Manual EFSA Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins Featured Image Credit: New Africa, Shutterstock The post Can Cats Eat Mustard? Vet-Verified Risks & Precautions by Nicole Cosgrove appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

You don’t have to look far to find outlandish theories on the nature of the cosmos and human consciousness. These days, notions once relegated to science fiction are finding their way into esoteric academic journals, and from there, into mainstream discourse. One example of this is the Simulation Argument, championed by Elon Musk; another is “time crystals,” a tantalizing non-linear phase of matter. The newest symphony of mind jazz being broadcast across the Internet posits new ideas about the embattled theory of “panpsychism,” or the belief that mind is a fundamental property of the physical universe and is imbued into all states of matter. A paper, published by physicist Gregory Matloff, has brought the idea back into scientific discussions, promising experimental tests that could “validate or falsify” the concept of a ubiquitous “proto-consciousness field.” Matloff also pushes the controversial idea of volitional stars, suggesting there is actually evidence that stars control their own galactic paths. As absurd as the theory sounds, it has several prominent adherents, including British theoretical physicist Sir Roger Penrose, who introduced panpsychism three decades ago. Penrose believed consciousness arises from the properties of quantum entanglement. He and anesthesiologist Stuart Hameroff authored the Orchestrated Objective Reduction (Orch-OR) hypothesis, which asserts, among other things, that consciousness results from quantum vibrations inside microtubules. In 2006, German physicist Bernard Haisch took the idea further and proposed that consciousness arises within a “quantum vacuum” any time there is a significantly advanced system through which energy flows. Neuroscientist Christof Koch, another proponent of panpsychism, approaches it from a different angle, using integrated information theory to argue that consciousness is not unique to biological organisms. “The only dominant theory we have of consciousness says that it is associated with complexity — with a system’s ability to act upon its own state and determine its own fate,” Koch argues. “Theory states that it could go down to very simple systems. In principle, some purely physical systems that are not biological or organic may also be conscious.” Matloff and other scientists are moving the argument into a new phase: experimentation. Matloff intends to study the behavior of stars, specifically analyzing an anomaly in stellar motion known as Paranego’s Discontinuity. To support his thinking, Matloff will use the European Space Agency’s Gaia satellite to study stars, analyzing an anomaly in the observable movement of suns called ‘Paranego’s Discontinuity,’ in which a handful of semi-cool stars within our galaxy spew enormous jets of extremely high energies in just one direction, an odd behavior that appears inexplicably ubiquitous to our Milky Way. The idea, he says, is to attempt at a proof that stars displaying these characteristics are directing their own movement. He wondered: Could this actually be a willful process? Is there any way to tell? Matloff wants to know why certain cooler stars appear to emit jets of energy pointed in one direction, a characteristic that seems oddly and inexplicably ubiquitous in the galaxy. Meanwhile, as Matloff studies cosmic activity on the grandest scale, Koch approaches the experimental phase of the theory using brain-impaired patients. He wants to know if their information responses match underlying neurochemical foundations of consciousness. He plans to test this by wiring the brains of mice together to see if their minds merge into a larger information system. Panpsychism certainly has critics, as well. In an article for The Atlantic entitled “Why Panpsychism Is Probably Wrong,” Keith Frankish writes: “Panpsychism gives consciousness a curious status. It places it at the very heart of every physical entity yet threatens to render it explanatorily idle. For the behavior of subatomic particles and the systems they constitute promises to be fully explained by physics and the other physical sciences. Panpsychism offers no distinctive predictions or explanations. It finds a place for consciousness in the physical world, but that place is a sort of limbo.” The quote expresses a general sense that panpsychism oversimplifies the hard problem of consciousness in the universe, an opinion many scientists share. However, Matloff, Penrose, and other proponents continue undertaking the job of venturing outside the margins of accepted science to try reconciling intractable contradictions and anomalies exposed by quantum theory. The post Scientists Now Suggest the Universe Itself May Be Conscious appeared first on Anomalien.com.

InZOI developer Krafton has responded to player concerns around the game's use of generative AI technology. The life game’s growing community is worried that Krafton would be training its AI on the work of others without consent, which is largely deemed unethical as many models indiscriminately scrape the internet for resources. Krafton has now put these concerns to rest, confirming that InZOI will only use its own assets or copyright-free material in its gen AI. This level of creativity could help The Sims rival stand out from the crowd, but many players don't want this at the expense of using other's work. Continue reading Sims rival InZOI addresses concerns over its use of generative AI MORE FROM PCGAMESN: InZoi release date, Best simulation games, InZoi system requirements

A hard but necessary question.

Illegal immigration from the region has worsened, China has gained a foothold in the Western Hemisphere, and rumored investments have failed to materialize.