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Showing posts from February, 2024

The potato paradox - GPT4 style

 Let's break down the problem: Initially, you have 100 kg of potatoes, and they are 99% water by weight. This means that 99 kg is water and the remaining 1 kg is the solid non-water part of the potatoes. After dehydrating, the potatoes are 98% water by weight. However, the weight of the non-water part doesn't change because only the water is lost during dehydration. "You have 100kg of potatoes, which are 99% water by weight. You let them dehydrate until they're 98% water. How much do they weigh now?" So, if we let x be the new total weight of the potatoes after dehydration, we know that 2% of this weight is the non-water part (since 100% - 98% = 2%). We already determined that the non-water part weighs 1 kg when the potatoes were 99% water. Now we can set up the equation: 0.02 * x = 1 kg Solving for x gives us the new total weight of the potatoes after dehydration. \[ 0.02x = 1 \] \[ x = \frac{1}{0.02} \] \[ x = 50 \] So, the potatoes now weigh 50 kg after dehydra...

The Paradox of Liberals Universalism

The Risk of Universalism  within liberal ideology represents a profound and often overlooked paradox, particularly in its implications for the very foundation of democracy. This exploration delves deeper into how the liberal commitment to universalism— the belief in a one-size-fits-all approach to governance and social organization—can, paradoxically, undermine the democratic values it aims to promote globally. The Paradox of Universalism At the heart of liberal universalism lies the conviction that certain principles, notably those concerning human rights, democratic governance, and individual freedoms, are universally applicable and desirable. This conviction drives the liberal agenda to promote democracy worldwide, often with little regard for the complex tapestry of cultural, historical, and socio-political contexts within which societies operate. The paradox emerges when the methods used to advance these universal principles inadvertently erode the democratic fabric they seek ...

Navigating the Illusions: A Critique of Liberal Optimism

In the tapestry of contemporary political thought, liberalism stands out for its unwavering optimism and its unshakable faith in human progress. As a philosophy that has shaped much of Western political and social landscape, liberalism carries with it the promise of a better future, one where freedom, equality, and rationality reign supreme. However, beneath this glossy veneer lies a series of assumptions that, upon closer inspection, reveal a framework not only flawed but potentially dangerous in its disregard for the complexities of human nature and the unpredictability of history. This essay aims to dissect these foundational myths of liberalism, challenging its proponents to confront the realities that it too often ignores. The Myth of Unending Progress Central to the liberal creed is the belief in progress - the notion that human societies are on an inexorable march toward betterment. This view not only presupposes a linear trajectory of history but also implies an inherent goodne...

os 3 cavaleiros

 Numa terra muito, muito próxima, onde o sol brilha com a intensidade das controvérsias políticas e as ondas do mar batem ao ritmo das promessas eleitorais, existe um reino conhecido como Portugal. Neste reino, um cavaleiro valente, ou melhor, um político audacioso chamado André Ventura, líder do grandioso partido Chega, apresenta-se como o salvador.  Ele vai-nos trazer os 3 cavaleiros da salvacao. As gentes gritam eufóricas. O Primeiro Cavaleiro: Saúde Com uma varinha mágica, Ventura propõe transformar os hospitais em fortalezas de eficiência, onde as filas de espera se evaporam mais rápido do que álcool nas mãos. Imagine um sistema de saúde onde ao espirrar, um médico aparece ao seu lado, pronto para lhe oferecer um lenço e … uma consulta. Uma utopia onde médicos e pacientes se encontram com a facilidade de um match no Tinder … sem deslizes para a esquerda.  O Segundo Cavaleiro: Educação No reino da Educação, Ventura promete uma revolução digna de contos de fadas. Com s...

The Spontaneous Order of Social Robots and AI: A Hayekian Perspective

In an age where the frontiers of technology, particularly in the realms of social robots and artificial intelligence (AI), beckon with promises and challenges, it behooves us to consider the insights of Friedrich Hayek. As a fervent advocate for the spontaneous order arising from individual actions and the market's invisible hand, my perspective on these technological marvels diverges from the prevailing narratives calling for heavy-handed ethical frameworks and top-down regulations. Instead, I posit that the principles of self-organization and market forces offer a more robust and adaptable foundation for the evolution of AI and robotics. The Miracle of Spontaneous Order At the heart of social robotics and AI development lies the incredible potential for innovation and adaptation. This potential is best realized not through prescriptive mandates from regulatory bodies but through the spontaneous order that emerges when individuals and organizations pursue their diverse goals and s...

Shaping Humanity: The Ethical Crossroads of Social Robots and Human Values

In the ever-evolving landscape of technology and innovation, social robots stand at the forefront, not merely as instruments of service but as harbingers of transformative change in human behavior and societal norms. This exploration ventures into the intricate dance of human-robot interaction, shedding light on the profound potential of robots to acquire social skills and, more intriguingly, to redefine the fabric of human social dynamics. The Emergence of Social Robots Gone are the days when social robots were relegated to the realms of science fiction. Today, they are a tangible presence in our daily lives, serving roles from companions in elderly care to educational aides for children. Their function, however, transcends simple assistance. Designed to engage on a social level through both verbal and non-verbal communication, these robots mirror the complexities of human interaction, signaling a pivotal shift in their integration into our social spheres. The Path to Social Integrati...

The Green Tango: A Paradoxical Waltz of the 2020s

Once upon a modern time, in the bustling valleys of Eco-Utopia, a grand spectacle unfolded, known to the weary and the woke alike as "The Green Transition." This wasn't just any transition; it was a flamboyant parade of ideals, a testament to the spirit of the 2020s. The protagonists of this saga? The ever-so-passionate, ever-so-aspirational Generation Z and their trusty sidekick, the Millennial, both riding the wave of sustainability, armed with reusable straws and dreams of a greener tomorrow. But hark! A paradox lay in their path, a riddle wrapped in an enigma, swathed in biodegradable packaging. These eco-warriors, in their quest for sustainability, craved the green, but not the kind that leaves a dent in their wallets. They longed for a world where avocados grew on community trees, and electric cars rained down from the heavens, subsidized by the gods of Silicon Valley. The green economy, a beacon of hope, shining brightly on the horizon, promised clean energy, zero ...

ALEXANDRE

Vou falar de uma personagem que me fascina desde que a conheci. Aos 16 anos comandou o primeiro exército aos 18 era general, aos 21 Rei e aos 30 tinha aos seus pés o maior império da antiguidade. Auto-intitulou-se Deus, o que só um génio ou um louco ousaria. Alexandre era ambos. É impossível não cair no feitiço deste jovem macedónico de uma inteligência brilhante, coragem sem limites e determinação avassaladora. Mas o meu fascínio por este homem não reside só nestes atributos mas na invulgar combinação com outros, tanto ou mais importantes, como o seu apurado sentido de justiça, uma inquebrável conduta de honra e uma profunda lealdade e respeito para com os seus súbditos. Acredito que a matéria-prima de que são feitos os heróis é 90 % imaginação e 10% de realidade. Mas não é menos verdade estas personagens míticas são necessárias. Elas servem-nos de catarse aos nossos desejos de absoluto, de perfeito, algo que, pela sua força, beleza, inteligência ou audácia, transcenda as limitações h...