Chat GPT: Danger and Disruption

[OPINION, ANALYSIS and FUN.]   NOTES   Aside from perhaps the war in Ukraine and the classified document issues facing Trump, Biden and Pence etc., the biggest thing in the news is probably the artificial intelligence program ChatGPT which is now being made widely available to the general public.  ChatGPT is, of course, can do Read More …

Musings of a Fifty-Year Graduate

[ANALYSIS and OPINION.]   As I write this, it is the 50th Anniversary of my high school graduation.  I won’t get into how Watergate compares to January 6th and/or how the Vietnam War compares to Ukraine etc.  Suffice it to say these are extremely precarious, and even dangerous, times both in terms of international relations Read More …

SHOULD STUDENT LOANS BE FORGIVEN ?

[ANALYSIS and OPINION.]   Student debt, particularly federally guaranteed student debt, is a big problem.  According to studentloanhero.com there is $1.75 trillion in federally guaranteed student debt out there.  And, over 11 percent of those loans are more than 90 days in arrears.  That amount of student debt, if it were all forgiven, would amount, Read More …

LIBERTY DIES:  POLITICIANS FIDDLE

[ANALYSIS AND OPINION] For the last eight months, we, (whom we shall sometimes also refer to simply as “SS”, which is a sister website of reasonandbalance.com),  have dealt with two global giants that control, by far, the lion’s share of all internet browsing.  Not only that but because they allow companies to advertise on their Read More …

LIFE’S PURPOSE: FAITH VERSUS REASON

What is the purpose of life? Where does religion fit into this determination? Where does logic and reason come into play? Do the answers to these questions dictate a certain form of government? Read More …

MUSIC QUICK & DIRTY

Major and minor musical chords and scales are compared. Dominant seventh chords in rhythm and blues and rock and roll are aslo described and explained. Examples on piano and guitar. David Dixon Lentz discusses. First musical blog post and video at reasonandbalance.com, Read More …

The Evils of Cashless Business

Is a cashless society good?    It may be faster to do everything by plastic and  electronically.  But there’a a huge risk in going down the cashless path.   Erosion of liberty….A huge additional risk of a cashless society is that it further subjects everyone to the risk of total loss if our financial system is subject to a major and pervasive internet/computer hack….Who is benefiting from this policy?  The betting here is that its a few monied oligarchs. Read More …

Reparations: Are Democrats Handing Victory to Trump in 2020?

Reparations: Are Democrats Handing Victory to Trump in 2020?   (OPINION)   Is it wise for a political candidate to support reparation payments to Black Americans to atone for the sins of slavery?   Currently there are a few candidates seeking the Democratic Party’s Presidential nomination who support paying Black Americans reparations as compensation, presumably Read More …

Running the Pittsburgh Marathon abbrev

Yes, we did a second video.  This one is about half as long as the War and Peace version but still full of the most important information.  After all everyone is pressed for time these days. At long last we lined up and ran the Pittsburgh Marathon.  We’ve been trying to run the Dick’s Sporting Read More …

MARATHON TRAINING WRAP UP

  Hooray !   At long long last training is complete.  Well at least we accomplished most of our training goals.  So, we are off to Pittsburgh, but not without some nagging questions.  Will we line up at the right weight?  Are we suffering from any lingering dings or injuries?  What will the weather in Pittsburgh Read More …