*[Enwl-eng] What makes us human

2 views

Skip to first unread message

ENWL

unread,

Jun 15, 2023, 10:57:33 AM6/15/23

to "ENWL-uni"

A scientist on his 'beautiful' disease

When discussing our top story this week, a colleague reflected on how the ubiquity of artificial intelligence will leave us craving accounts of the human experience.

The article in question is by Antonio J. Pérez Pulido, who suffers from spinal muscular atrophy. He reveals how, despite the difficulties, the pain and the financial cost of his treatment, he finds it the most beautiful disease in the world.

Not all of us can express with such clarity and rigour something that affects us this closely, but when someone can, it's an amazing experience to read.

The European Parliament has just approved a draft of the first law regulating the use of AI in the European Union, with the aim of shaping global standards. The law could be in force by the end of the year and seeks to tread the line between mitigating risk and enabling innovation. But that is a fine line indeed.

Rules connect us by demanding the same duties and guaranteeing the same rights. Trying to explain this to a toddler, however, is quite difficult. They are designed to push boundaries as far as they can. This may test our patience to its very limits but perhaps that's part of the process. Our expert proposes that positive education doesn't mean running away from punishments. In fact, quite the contrary.

The war in Ukraine continues and the counteroffensive has just begun. Our briefing looks at the strategy, the goals and the chances of success.

Former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi died earlier this week. He rose to the top of politics off the back of a business empire that spanned property and media. His legacy is certainly mixed but undeniably wide-reaching.

Since we downgraded Pluto to the category of dwarf planet, we were left with eight planets in the Solar System. But, what if there's a ninth? And, if so, where would it be and how could we locate it? Well, there might be a 'messenger' in outer space trying to give us more information on the subject.

- Claudia Lorenzo, Culture Editor for The Conversation Spain

I suffer from the world's most beautiful disease - and also the most expensive to treat

Spinal muscular atrophy is one of the genetic diseases with the highest associated mortality. It is also the most expensive to cure.

Was this email forwarded to you?
Join the hundreds of thousands of people who subscribe to email newsletters from The Conversation. Subscribe now.

Recap

EU passes law to regulate AI – here’s what it will cover and what it won't

Why positive education doesn't have to exclude punishment

Ukraine's long-awaited counteroffensive has finally begun - but why now and to what end?

For the curious

Podcast
Researchers are constantly pushing at the edges of human knowledge. In a global podcast from The Conversation, Dan Merino and Nehal El-Hadi get leading scientists and scholars to connect new discoveries with the biggest trends, ideas and issues of today. New episodes every Thursday. Follow wherever you get your podcasts.

Recommended newsletters for you

Global, best of the network, twice a week. Curated by the executive editors. Give it a go
Imagine, deep dives in possible climate actions. Give it a go

------------- * ENWL * ------------
Ecological North West Line * St. Petersburg, Russia
Independent Environmental Net Service
Russian: ENWL (North West), ENWL-inf (FSU), ENWL-misc (any topics)
English: ENWL-eng (world information)
Send information to en...@enw.net.ru
Subscription,Moderator: en...@enw.net.ru
Archive: http://groups.google.com/group/enwl/
New digests see on https://ecodelo.org
(C) Please refer to exclusive articles of ENWL
-------------------------------------

Reply all

Reply to author

Forward

0 new messages