Learning About Sustainability

 “Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs,” according to the UN World Commission on Environment and Development. This information was retrieved from the UCLA Sustainability website.¹ 

I have been procrastinating again. I think I am intimidated by the word sustainable because it sounds like a specialized scientific field. However, I have been learning about ecology for over 50 years, so I think I know something about the field. What it means to me is that I will leave a world for my children and grandchildren and their descendants that will be healthy for them. It’s hard for me to see all the plastic that goes into garbage bins, knowing now that that plastic will be found in our bodies. It is hard for me to see all the gas-powered cars on the road, not to mention trucks and planes. It is very hard for me to see our government make damaging choices for the vast majority of the world. I’m sure there will be difficulties in the future, even if we do what we can to remove carbon from our air and fuels, but we know these things are harmful. Let's get rid of them.

So what do I do now? I recycle everything I can, including textiles, and drive an electric car. I wear clothing past the “stylish” trend - yes, I’m old - and help my neighbors whenever I can. I am not allowed to garden vegetables, and the Association sprays the lawns every year or two. I have made my concerns known. I donate books I have read to the library for its book sales. Yet I am certain that there is much more I can do, which is why I chose this topic. I want to learn what I can do to waste less food (I know I should shop at Costco less) and how I can employ sustainable spending. I feel helpless when the government transfers vast quantities of wealth upward, knowing that it can cause market collapse, but maybe there is something I can do about that as well. Come along on my adventure. It’s free!

^{1    https://}sustain.ucla.edu/what-is-sustainability/,accessed ^6/21/26.

Earth Day 2026

In the March 1st New York Times, there is an amazing article. The title is “We Asked For 50 Climate Fixes. You sent us 3,200.” When you feel discouraged by news of the National Parks being opened to businesses, by chemicals in our water and brains, and politicians going to war, remember news like this is not making headlines. I keep in touch with Greenpeace, Audubon Society, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Minnesota Conservation Volunteer, Sierra Club, The Nature Conservancy, and Alt National Parks on Facebook. Also on Facebook, there are groups for raising monarchs, science of all kinds, climate resources, and prairie, wetlands, and forest restoration. 

If you look back at the first Earth Day, April 22, 1970, you can’t help but notice how much the environmental movement has grown. Gaylord Nelson (Sen. WI) was upset about the oil spill near Santa Barbara. We are all more aware of our impact on the planet.

I was living in Port Hueneme at the time, and my former husband subsequently lost his job because of the spill. We’ve had devastating oil spills since then, as well as chemical fires, nuclear accidents, and epidemics. Recent news about mining near the Boundary Waters and changes in the climate seem insurmountable. If you are anxious about the direction our country is taking, find a group and join. You will meet others who think as you do and are doing something about it. What’s the alternative?

A Podcast for You

 Once again, I have neglected my blog, wanting to do a lot of research before I post anything, but in my email, a gift. Earth911 has a podcast on making sustainability profitable. Here is the link.

https://earth911.com/podcast/sustainability-in-your-ear-jasper-steinhausen-on-making-sustainability-profitable/. 

Happy listening!

2026 Theme: Garden/Volunteers for Sustainable Development

In the cold spell that usually falls around New Year's Day, I am delighted to get emails (and maybe catalogues) from garden companies. They know their audience! It's cold and gray, but the promise of beautiful flowers can be had immediately. Bluestone Perennials makes a point that its plants come in sustainable pots with no styrofoam. So I may have to talk a bit about sustainability, especially since it is the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development (IVY). These are two of my favorite topics. 

In my lifetime, bees and butterflies have gone from copious to scarce. As children, my brothers and I caught a myriad of butterflies and pinned them to cardboard. I can't undo my ignorance from that era, but I have been blessed with a friend who taught me how to raise monarchs. In addition, my love for flowers has attracted bees, birds, and even hummingbirds. 

Sustainability became a buzzword years ago. I have a book written by a man who taught a class at the Clearing about sustainability. I have yet to read it, but I have read about the topic every chance I get and will continue to do so. Of course, it's going to take volunteers, because our governments are more concerned with their own survival than that of our species and other species. But consider what volunteers have done since the first Earth Day in 1970. I have a neighbor who does not recycle. I don't expect her to change, but I had a new appreciation of the three beautiful human beings I had the honor to raise. They have always recycled and probably don't think about it at all. It's the little things that make a huge difference in the world, but only if they are done on a huge scale. 

Have a great year. We little or no control over the government as a single person, but we can make a huge difference in government policy if we make our opinions known. Here's to a healthy future for all species.

Rumors

 I heard a rumor today that AI could write better than a human, and the person who tried it believed it was better. Then I told him that the resume he sent to an employer could be put through an AI detector. His chances of getting that job might be harmed rather than improved. So many rumors abound about AI that I don't want to even begin to discuss them. However, in another conversation, a dear friend said she didn't want to have anything to do with AI. I told her it was here to stay, and she insisted she would have nothing to do with it. I told her that ship had sailed, but she really believed she could keep it out of her life. 

How do we go about informing the public about what they need to know? When I became unemployed in 1978, computer science had just begun to transform our civilization. People I knew and respected didn't want to spend the time to learn it. They called me when they needed help. Today's children have grown up with it, and are light-years ahead of me.

Shortly after I wrote this, in October, a friend sent me a barrage of articles about the harm AI is causing or may cause. It caused a blockage because I didn't have the time to read them all immediately, and I didn't really want to read them. So much for my impartiality!

I'd like to finish with a summary from Snopes, soon to be outdated.

(1) Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a branch of technology that focuses on developing machines and systems capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence. This includes tasks such as learning, problem-solving, perception, and language understanding. AI is achieved through the use of algorithms and computational models that enable machines to analyze data, make decisions, and improve over time. AI has applications in various fields, including healthcare, finance, transportation, and more. According to the Snopes Archives, AI has environmental costs, such as energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, but it also offers potential benefits in mitigating climate change and improving efficiency. Additionally, AI-generated content, such as images and text, is becoming increasingly sophisticated and realistic, raising questions about authenticity and the potential for misinformation. It is important to stay informed about the advancements and implications of AI through reliable sources like the Snopes Archives.

(1) https://www.snopes.com/factbot/?query=AI%3F, accessed October 13, 2025

On Working With Wizards

On Working With Wizards

Ethan Mollick has done it again. I hope he doesn't mind me referring people to his Substack because he is light-years ahead of me. The email I got from him showed how quickly AI is advancing, discussed problems with that new level, and used AI in his writing effectively. This is the link: On Working With Wizards. I am still trying to get through his book, Co-Intelligence, Living and Working With AI. It's easy reading, it's just that this puppy I adopted doesn't let me sit for long or read before I fall asleep. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to learn more about AI and its potential impact on our lives. By the way, I have downloaded Grammarly, so my writing should be getting better. As a techie, I have lost my edge. You should see me when something goes wrong with my TV or network. My oldest son gets stuck with helping me. Thankfully, he is patient. Now, if there were only a budget AI that could help me pay for the expenses of old age, hearing aids, dental implants, cars, and unknown unknowns. I know it's out there. 

Another Good Take on AI

Alberto Romero on his substack, wrote the following.

The Algorithmic Bridge

85 Things I've Learned About AI

In 1,000 days of ChatGPT

This article is excellent. I have learned some of these things, but not all. I hope to keep learning, even if it is 10 years after Romero started.

Best Information About AI

 I have been remiss, sewing a king-size quilt for my daughter and then traveling to Superior, Wisconsin, followed by three blissful days with my girls in Milwaukee. Today, I have rested and unpacked, and finally checked my emails. I have started reading Ethan Mollick's book, Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI. I immediately signed up for his Substack Column, One Useful Thing. His discussion of AI is amazing, so that is my post for today.    Happy reading!!!!

Mass Intelligence

https://open.substack.com/pub/oneusefulthing/p/mass-intelligence?r=d4qhu&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email

Introduction to AI, Continued

 For drawing and generating pictures using AI, there are several advanced programs and tools available. The most popular ones include

1. DALL-E: developed by OpenAI, DALL-E is a powerful AI model capable of generating images from textual description.
2. DeepArtIO: uses neural networks to turn your photos into artwork inspired by famous artists’ styles.
3. DeepDream: Originally developed by Google, DeepDream uses neural networks to create dream-like, surreal images.
4. Runway ML: A platform that provides various AI models, including ones for image generation, which can be used by artists and designers.
5. Artbreeder: Allows users to create and evolve images using AI by blending different images together.
6. NightCafe Studio: An AI art generator that allows you to create artwork from text prompts using various algorithms like VQGAN+CLIP and others. 

If you would like a specific diagram or detailed image of a unicorn made of triangles, I recommend using DALL-E or similar text-to-image generation tools. These tools can interpret detailed descriptions and create intricate images based on the input provided.

I asked Google Gemini to draw a unicorn. It has never seen one, but was able to draw this likeness.

 

 Then I asked It to draw a unicorn using only triangles. My quilting friends are thrilled.

Introduction to AI 2

 When I started looking for information about AI, I starated with this; The Future of AI, by Steve Hargadon. Steve is a well-known educator whom I respect. There are video discussions about the issues surrounding AI. I think it must have been a beginner’s guide, because the videos only run from April to August of last year, but it’s a good place to start. Next, I visited Learning Revolution, again by Steve Hargadon. This site looks more current than The Future of AI.

I also found Experience AI for teachers, by Google DeepMind and Raspberry Pi Foundation. This web site has lessons for teachers to teach students. Not sure how effective they are, written by non-teachers, but I have downloaded one lesson. 

At TechLearning, they discussed the benefit AI will provide because it requires higher-level thinking skills.

 Illinois’ Learning Technology Program Has a workshop today, which I am missing! Darn! 

I was shocked to see how many AI platforms are already up and running. Here are just a few;

GE Gemini (Google)

GPT (OpenAI)

CL Claude, (Anthropic)

CO Copilot (Microsoft)

LAT Latimer (Future Sum)

LEO Leo (Brave)

META Meta (Meta)

PER Perplexity (Perplexity)

PI Pi (Inflection)

POE Poe (Quora)

YC YouthCat (Discord)

These were a few collated by a presenter whose name I did not get. Please message me if that is you, so I can give you credit.

That’s all for today, but do take a look at these and see what you can learn.

Theme for the year AI

 I have struggled all month with my choice for the word of the year. I have finally settled on Artificial Intelligence. There is too much going on in politics and most of it is appalling to me, so I have chosen to turn off the news and explore something I have wanted to learn about. I first tackled this topic for the Illinois Retired Teachers Association last August. It was an overview, the very sketchiest of prezis, but I was amazed at how much has been done. Today, I listened to a podcast from Freakonomics (Episode 619) called "How to Poison the Machine" in which Ben Zhao explains how he tries to preserve copyright values for original creations. It was fascination to me that we have people working on ways to prevent harm from computer applications. I highly recommend listening to it.

I wasn't sure how to define AI, so I asked ChatGPT, which is one of the applications that produces verbal answers. The reply was much better than I could have imagined. 

"Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems. These processes include learning (the acquisition of information and rules for using the information), reasoning (using rules to reach approximate or definite conclusions), and self-correction. AI applications include expert systems, natural language processing (NLP), speech recognition, and machine vision."

Here are some applications it listed for me.

“  1. Machine Learning: A subset of AI that involves the use of algorithms to allow computers to learn from and make predictions based on data. This can include supervised learning, unsupervised learning, and reinforcement learning.

2. Natural Language Processing (NLP): The ability of a computer program to understand human language as it is spoken and written. NLP involves reading, deciphering, understanding, and making sense of human languages in a valuable way.

3. Robotics: The design, construction, operation, and use of robots. AI in robotics allows robots to perform tasks autonomously or semi-autonomously.

4. Computer Vision: A field of AI that enables computers to interpret and make decisions based on visual data from the world, including images and videos.

5. Expert Systems: AI programs that mimic the decision-making abilities of a human expert. These systems use a knowledge base of human expertise and an inference engine to solve specific problems.

AI is used in various industries, including healthcare, finance, automotive, and entertainment, to improve efficiency, provide insights, and create innovative solutions."

You'll notice that I am putting quote marks around everything I got from ChatGPT. That's not my thinking. Very thorough and concise. I tend to wander in my head.

I then tried to list the pros and cons of using AI.

Here is my spontaneous thinking:

Advantages                                

• Clear, accurate and detailed.                                  
• Retrieves information quickly and easily.

Disadvantages

• Can NOT be differentiated from human work.
• Users must understand what they are trying to do.
• Ethics are not considered by AI.
• Inherent bias of programmers.

Compare that measly list with what ChatGPT gave me.

Advantages (Chat GPT)

1. Efficiency and Productivity: AI can automate repetitive and time-consuming tasks, allowing humans to focus on more complex and creative work. This boosts overall productivity and efficiency in various industries.

2. Data Analysis and Insights: AI can process vast amounts of data quickly and accurately, identifying patterns and trends that might be missed by humans. This leads to better decision-making and strategic planning.

3. 24/7 Availability: AI systems can operate continuously without the need for breaks, ensuring constant service and support. This is particularly useful in customer service, healthcare, and other critical areas.

4. Precision and Accuracy: AI algorithms can perform tasks with high precision and accuracy, reducing errors and improving outcomes in fields such as medicine, engineering, and finance.

5. Personalization: AI can analyze user data to provide personalized recommendations and experiences, enhancing customer satisfaction and engagement. This is widely used in e-commerce, entertainment, and marketing.

6. Innovation and Creativity: AI can assist in creative processes by generating ideas, designs, and content. This includes applications in art, music, writing, and game development.

7. Enhanced Security: AI can improve security measures by detecting and responding to threats in real-time. This is important in cybersecurity, surveillance, and fraud detection.

8. Improved Healthcare: AI is revolutionizing healthcare with applications such as diagnostics, treatment planning, and personalized medicine. It helps in early detection of diseases and development of new drugs.

9. Resource Management: AI can optimize the use of resources in various sectors, such as energy, agriculture, and manufacturing. This leads to cost savings and sustainability.

10. Accessibility: AI can enhance accessibility for people with disabilities through technologies like speech recognition, image recognition, and automated translation.

11. Predictive Maintenance: In industries like manufacturing and transportation, AI can predict equipment failures before they occur, reducing downtime and maintenance costs.

12. Support for Decision-Making: AI provides decision support by analyzing data and presenting actionable insights, helping leaders and managers make informed choices.

13. Scalability: AI systems can scale operations efficiently to handle increased demand without a proportional increase in costs or resource use.

• Disadvantages

Job Displacement: Automation and AI can lead to job losses, particularly in industries involving routine and repetitive tasks. This can result in significant economic and social challenges.

High Costs: Developing and implementing AI systems can be expensive, requiring substantial investments in technology, infrastructure, and and skilled personnel.

Privacy Concerns: AI systems often rely on large amounts of data, raising concerns about data privacy and security. Misuse or mishandling of sensitive information can lead to breaches and ethical issues.

Bias and Discrimination: AI systems can perpetuate or even exacerbate existing biases if they are trained on biased data. This can lead to unfair treatment and discrimination in areas such as hiring, lending, and law enforcement.

Lack of Transparency: Many AI algorithms, especially deep learning models, operate as “black boxes” with decision-making processes that are difficult to understand or explain. This lack of transparency can be problematic in critical applications.

Dependence on Data Quality: AI systems are only as good as the data they are trained on. Poor-quality or incomplete data can result in inaccurate or unreliable AI outputs.

Security Risks: AI systems can be vulnerable to attacks, such as adversarial attacks where malicious actors manipulate input data to deceive the AI. This can compromise the safety and reliability of AI applications.

Ethical Concerns: The use of AI raises various ethical issues, including the potential for surveillance, loss of autonomy, and the moral implications of decision-making by machines.

Job Skill Gap: As AI technology advances, there is a growing demand for specialized skills that many workers may not possess. This can lead to a skills gap and require significant investment in education and training.

Complexity and Maintenance: AI systems can be complex and require ongoing maintenance and updates to ensure they function correctly and adapt to changing conditions.

Over-reliance on AI: Excessive dependence on AI systems can reduce human skills and judgment, potentially leading to a lack of critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

Environmental Impact: Training large AI models, especially deep learning models, requires significant computational resources, which can have a considerable environmental footprint due to energy consumption.

Unemployment and Economic Inequality: The benefits of AI may not be evenly distributed, potentially exacerbating economic inequality as some sectors and workers benefit more than others.

Misuse and Malicious Use: AI technologies can be misused for harmful purposes, such as creating deepfakes, autonomous weapons, and sophisticated cyber-attacks.

That's all for now. Am I guilty of #11?

Friends

 Did you ever notice that when you are with people you love, you usually laugh a lot. I am in two quilter's groups and when we get together, we have a good time. Some of us are quietly working on projects by hand or machine, but we all have good stories to tell. One will start and then another joins in with another funny story and suddenly we have spent a half hour laughing. 

I think it's the same with family. Just being in the same room as my kids, their spouses and grandkids causes instant elation. And they all have dogs. I miss my dog Messy, who died last month, but I am still grieving for a while. It's great to get jumped on and licked (ooh, ick) and adored by them. Of course, I always have a little treat for them.

It's still November and heaven knows what December will bring, let alone a new/old presidency. I am reading uplifting books and pages, talking to friends, and sewing, writing, walking, cooking. I always balance my life with the gratitude that at least I am not in a nursing home YET. Still, I bet I can find the troublemakers in a nursing home and have some fun when I do go.

The Holidays

 The holidays are so much fun for small children. Starting with Halloween, kids are so excited at the approach of the holiday. I had the pleasure of a delightful afternoon with two of my grandchildren in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin this year. The weather was warm enough for the two princesses to go bare-armed and the town really got into the spirit of the day. My daughter and her husband wore costumes and I wore a ruana I had gotten in Bogota, Colombia in 1972. For each block we walked, the girls got to eat one piece of candy. They were pretty wiped out by the time we got home. In case you haven't read my favorite Halloween story, go to this post.

This year I was having a hissy fit because I didn't think I would have family home for the holidays. I managed to invite them, rather than just assume, and they invited me. I'm ancillary to their families now, and I think that's supposed to be a good outcome to having children, but how I miss having them all together at once. 

This weekend my daughter and family stayed overnight. Within five minutes of my granddaughters' arrival, they had changed me into a princess. Now that they are both preschoolers, I can almost keep up with them. I will cherish these moments of joy, just as I cherish the moments with my children and my downstate grandchildren. I have been writing again, and that's one of the good things about not having to clean, cook and decorate. Let's hope I get my first book of poetry done this year!

Losses are not fun

 One of the ways I have fun is to quilt. I also love to read, write, and search for genealogy nuggets. All of which are solitary activities. Being human, however, I need to be around people some of the time. 

I recently read a book called The Introvert Advantage. I realized I am an introvert, which explains why I find it stressful to be around large groups of people. In graduate school, I would gravitate to the kitchen during parties, while my first ex-husband was putting a lampshade on his head. Now that I realize I need alone time, I quit beating myself up for not being more social. 

I have been single now for thirty years, living alone since the youngest moved out in 2007. I have learned to accept that there will be tough days, but I am happy for the most part. My favorite people live mostly nearby and I can see most of them any time. 

There have been losses this year, which are not fun. One of my dearest friends died last summer and I still miss her most days. The Center for Gifted has closed permanently, done in by COVID. It was one of a kind, run by brilliant people who loved gifted kids and each other. The kids loved the classes. I often wondered if I should tell them I would teach there for free. It's gone, and I helped empty the storage unit. It leaves a big hole.

I don't look forward to old age. I remember when my mom lost her last best friend. She was glad she could go quickly (a stroke), not bitter about her loneliness. 

I try to enjoy each day, because I am so lucky to still be alive. There are many times in my life I could have died but didn't, thanks to modern medicine and psychology. 

Last weekend I had great fun walking two miles with my son and his dog. You can't buy that. 

I cleaned up more of my quilting mess this morning and look forward to cleaning my house. That's not fun, but it cheers me up. 

Last week I heard a report on BBC that music releases endorphins. That must be why I love to sing so much and I do sing three times or more during the week. I also love hearing the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, which I heard last Friday. Yes, I have fun every week, even when I am processing losses.

Dictionary and Thesaurus Work

Fun:

Definition: action or speech that provides amusement or arouses laughter.

Synonyms: amusing, blithe, blithesome, carefree, cheerful, cheery, convivial, enjoyable, entertaining, festive, frolicsome, funny, gay, glad, gleeful, happy, jocund, jolly, joyful, joyous, a lark, lighthearted, lively, perky, playful, sunny, vivacious, absurd, amusing, droll, entertaining, hilarious, ludicrous, playful, ridiculous, silly, whimsical, amusement, indulgence, joy, luxury, pleasure, recreation, relaxation, satisfaction, thrill, to be entertained, be fond of, be pleased, delight in, dote on, drink in, eat up, flip over.

Fun is play, pleasure, gaiety, merriment, source of enjoyment, amusement, playful, often a noisy activity, and teasing. Happiness is contentedness, joy, delight, and satisfaction.

Why is it so hard to pin a single idea on fun? Because there are so many ways to have fun. I had fun this month celebrating the Fourth of July with family. For the last many years, I had not made plans for the Fourth, but felt lonely when I knew there was a village-size party going on just a few miles away. I must have said something to my daughter, because she included me this year, and I am forever grateful. Grandkids are great fun, and usually nonjudgemental. We went to the pool, ate a yummy meal and had a sleepover. Then they came to my house and we joined the village celebration; parade, pool, bandshell and barbecue. My oldest son joined us and he is always fun to have around. He takes great delight in people and outdoor activities. He brought his dog, so we had 3 dogs playing in the yard.

This week I am teaching at Summer Wonders, which is a wonderful program for gifted kids by the Center for Gifted in Northbrook, Illinois. I couldn't have imagined what fun it would be. I am teaching first through third graders how to make and fly kites, paper airplanes, and rockets. The kids are so enthusiastic to have these skills and actually have their object fly. I had to cram all last week to gather materials, learn what would be appropriate for their age (I taught 3-5 year-olds with disabilities most of my career), and develop a plan of action for the class. Worth every hour I put into it.