Daily Archives: November 20, 2015

Opinion – Quicker than pizza delivery: Medical marijuana service aims to satisfy – LA Times

November 20, 2015 By in Healthcare, Millennials, People, Politics Tags: , , , , , , Leave a comment
English: Discount Medical Marijuana cannabis s...

English: Discount Medical Marijuana cannabis shop at 970 Lincoln Street, Denver, Colorado. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Let me quote from this article in the LA Times:

Carlos and I are bombing around San Francisco in his 1999 Maxima, delivering marijuana to people who have ordered it from Eaze, a company that many have called the “Uber of cannabis.”

Source: Quicker than pizza delivery: Medical marijuana service aims to satisfy – LA Times

Whilst I recognize that America is No 1 for innovation, I also question whether

US society has lost its way.

We have seen recently that middle-aged white Americans are dying in increasing numbers from alcohol abuse, drug related illness or simply committing suicide. America also has an obesity crisis.

Perhaps, there’s a case for US national service, either social or military service, to break out of peer-group pressure?

Thoughts?

Medical marijuana usa

Medical marijuana usa (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

AI robot touted as future English-learning tool for Japanese kids | The Japan Times

November 20, 2015 By in Education, People, Politics Tags: , , , Leave a comment

This is the top-trending article in the Japan Times today. It’s a must read!

Source: AI robot touted as future English-learning tool for Japanese kids | The Japan Times

The article claims that Japan has long been criticized for its low-level of English, but children could soon become more proficient in the language just by chit-chatting with an artificially intelligent robot.

It looks like this is the end of the road for young English-speaking travellers trying to earn a crust teaching English in Japan and China.

Over the years, I have spent a lot of time trying to learn foreign languages both traditionally with tutors and over the internet. Whilst I recognize that there is a place for AI and robotics to replace the mechanistic part of language training, I think there will always be a place for expert teachers.

Thoughts?