existentialautotrip issue for March 5, 2023
# 1595
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Cover
umami yummies
Soy sauce, ripe tomatoes and miso are examples of foods rich in umami components
Amtsga - This is my work "Own work"
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Commentary
Here is a recent conversation I had with ‘ChatGPT’:
Me: is there a nickname for “ChatGPT?”
ChatGPT: ‘ChatGPT’ doesn't have an official nickname, but you're welcome to come up with one if you like!
Me: After a very little thought i've settled on GeePee as a good nickname for “ChatGPT.”
ChatGPT: That's a fun nickname! As an AI language model, I don't have feelings or emotions, so you're welcome to call me whatever you like. Just keep in mind that I will still respond to "ChatGPT" as well!
"I, Jimmy Carter..." James Earl Carter is sworn in as President of the United States using his nickname "Jimmy" in January 1977.
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Commentary, Part Two
Our President will be making two impactful appointments in the coming days.
One is a new President of the World Bank, with the opportunity to replace the outgoing CEO with someone sympathetic to the issues of climate change.
The second appointment will be to the Federal Reserve where he hopes for a person dovish to labor: sympathetic to workers and reluctant to push unemployment higher. This person should also be analytically rigorous: able to persuade colleagues around the table at the Federal Open Market Committee.
Not necessarily headline-grabbing but seriously important, far from boring.
Ladies and Gents of our Economic Order: May I suggest confiscatory taxation of our super-rich as an untried method for the dampening of our economic growth so desired by scions of industry.
1916 Rea Irvin illustration depicting a bore putting her audience to sleep
Rea Irvin - https://books.google.com/books?id=U2YhAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA1052
Illustration by Rea Irvin for the short story "Why He Married Her: The Romance of a Master Mind" by Ellis Parker Butler, published in The Green Book magazine, volume 15, in 1916.
A book pic and a Press Secretary’s client on Fox News
One of my better days.
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Kat’s Gen Z Corner
One of my nine favorite books of 2022:
Caste: The
origins of Our Discontent
A must-read to understand the history of black people in the United States.
Cover image
Random House - Amazon.com
Cover of the book "Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents" by Isabel Wilkinson (Random House, 2020)
My job (Ed. As NY State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal’s Press Secretary) can be really fun. Our latest project has been to stop Madison Square Garden from using facial recognition technology to eject ticket-holding fans from their premises simply because their paranoid CEO James Dolan perceives them as harmful to his financial interests and/or ego. The following is an update on this, which included a press conference, a letter, multiple statements — one of which made the NYTimes — an appearance on Fox 5’s morning show (see photo), and Dolan melting down on live TV for the first time in four years. Billionaires are sensitive, too, I guess.
Following MSG Entertainment using facial recognition to eject a fourth person with a valid ticket simply because of their employment at a law firm engaged in litigation against the company, elected officials and privacy advocates rallied outside and sent a letter to MSG on January 15 to demand MSG Entertainment immediately stop the use of the inappropriate technology on fans. On January 23, state electeds introduced a bill (S2424) to close a “sporting event” loophole in an 80-year-old law that prohibits “wrongful refusal of admission” to patrons with a valid ticket to “places of public entertainment or amusement.” In retaliation, Mr. Dolan revoked the invitation of an elected official to celebrate a Hockey Pride event with the Rangers, and, on live television, doxxed a civil servant and threatened to punish all fans by refusing to sell alcohol at random games. In a statement in response, Senator Hoylman-Sigal said, “New York shouldn’t allow petty tyrants to impose their warped fantasies on the public while reaping millions each year from taxpayer subsidies.”
MONTHLY HEALTH REPORT CARD: March 5, 2023
Weight-lifting
February was a good month for me.
I was at the club three times weekly. Pretty perfect.
My energy level is high and I happily anticipate my visits.
Although I don’t anticipate my strength growing, at age 80, that it has not waned for the last year is a positive.
Walking is great, but strength-exercising is also important.
Walking
February was also a good month for walking.
As a matter of course, I walk anywhere from three to five miles a day and I did that this month.
In addition, my speed and endurance seem both improved.
One of the benefits of city-living is that we can walk to most of the places we frequent.
Which is why we moved here in the first place.
Consider one or two instances in our routines that we may convert to an opportunity to walk.
Illness
Happy to report no illnesses.
Injury
None.
Diet
I have stayed on my diet for most of the month and my weight has remained stable.
Oral Health
No issues. I floss regularly.
Substance Abuse
I continue to drink coffee in he morning and afternoon, and alcoholic drinks at dinner time. But only at dinnertime.
Manage Stress
Being retired and living alone I am deprived of the joys of gainful employment and daily social intercourse. But, on the other hand, I avoid the attendant stressful situations that result from both of those endeavors.
Sleep
The last week of February saw a somewhat miraculous turn of sleep-events: I slept for six hours each night without using any sleep aids, particularly melatonin which I have used for several years. Will these blessed events continue into March. I pray they will.
Regularity
While my current diet is a great improvement over my diet of a year ago that got me into short-lived but very uncomfortable issues with my digestive system, it’s not perfect.
My biggest improvement has come by a strict regime of eating meat or fish only once a day at dinner. My ‘off’ meal is usually a bowl of Miso Soup and an apple, plant-based food only.
I have not been trying hard enough and twice a week use stool softeners to make sure I remain regular.
Memory
Stay mentally active. Staying mentally active may help sustain your memory and thinking skills. You can read, play word games, take up a new hobby, take classes, or learn to play an instrument.
Meal planning for us cooks is a useful exercise.
Yet, despite all I do, my memory loss is a nuisance. I walk into a room and forget why I chose to come here. This part sucks.
Social Activity
Social interaction helps ward off depression and stress. For most of February I was fine but the last few days I have been a bit isolated. I will work to correct this.
Grades this month
I get ‘A’s in weight-lifting, walking, illness, injury, oral health, and sleep. I get B’s for substance abuse and stress.
And ‘C’s for memory, social activity, and regularity.
An Ontario secondary school report card
Her Majesty in Right of Ontario - https://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/document/forms/report/1998/report98.html
A standard report card template for the province of Ontario
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Local Bits
Blogmeister [Second from right] with friends at the 50th reunion of guys who grew up together.
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Tucker’s Screen Corner
All That Breathes - Directed by Shaunak Sen
Amidst the darkening backdrop of Delhi's apocalyptic air and escalating violence, two brothers devote their lives to protect one casualty of the turbulent times: the bird known as the Black Kite. Please find my full review of this incredible film here
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Chris’ Corner
pic: use for Chris corner
Made a splash today
Not that I chose to dive into the lake on a cold day..
Today I got to fish on the Lower Paloma River and Lake Elizabeth. The weather was cold (53 degrees) and rainy for most of the day which was a great test of my gear. As an avid cycling friend of mine says often, “there’s no bad weather, only bad gear”. Until I tumbled into the lake from the boat, my gear held up very well!
Today was one of those days where everything should be miserable, but everything was magical. The guide told us it was going to be a rough day with little fish activity. Instead, I caught the three largest brown trout of my life as well as many other impressive browns in very rainy, windy, and cold weather. I tumbled out of the boat headfirst but wasn’t hurt, and I had a change of clothes in my dry bag so after a very cold strip down and warm dress up, we kept going. At the end of the day, we got out of the river to find our truck had a bad flat tire. No problem! The guy I was fishing with has worked in an auto shop for 40 years! I felt like the guy in Caddyshack who shoots the best golf round of his life in a thunderstorm. It was just awesome. When we got back to the lodge, the other anglers had very tough days which made our magical day feel all the more lucky and something to cherish.
As I hope you can see in the pictures, this lake and river are just breathtaking so when we did get a break in the weather, the views were spectacular.
Three more days of fishing and then onto dreaming of the next trip.
Chris
Lovely scenery. But avoid diving into water fully clothed on a cold day.
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Art
The statue of David is an iconic masterpiece of Renaissance sculpture and is widely considered to be one of the greatest works of art ever created. It was created by the Italian artist Michelangelo in the early 16th century and depicts the biblical hero David standing in triumph after defeating the giant Goliath.
The statue of David has been an important symbol of the city of Florence, Italy for centuries. It was originally commissioned by the city as a symbol of its strength and independence, and was placed in the Piazza della Signoria, the civic heart of Florence. Later, it was moved to the Galleria dell'Accademia, where it has remained on display for the public to see.
The statue of David has not only been a source of pride for the people of Florence but has also had a significant impact on the city's economy. It is a major tourist attraction and draws visitors from all over the world. In addition, the statue of David has had a profound influence on art and culture, inspiring countless artists and scholars over the centuries.
Overall, the statue of David is an incredibly important and cherished work of art that continues to be a symbol of the city of Florence and a testament to the ingenuity and artistic brilliance of Michelangelo.
The Statue of David, completed by Michelangelo in 1504. 517 cm × 199 cm (17 ft × 6.5 ft). Galleria dell'Accademia, Florence
Jörg Bittner Unna and one more author - This file was derived from: 'David' by Michelangelo Fir JBU005.jpg , applied denoise filter by Wilfredor
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Food
I have adopted a daily intake of a large cup of decaf genmaicha tea. I came across the tea while researching for my Japan trip: Japanese tourists talk about greatly missing the availability of the beverage. Their enthusiasm directed me to try it. I did and after a lifetime of rejecting every other kind of tea, I fell in love with the taste of the tea. I ordered it online plus a jar of dried lemon slices. I have drunk it daily ever since, starting three months ago.
So, after the fact, I asked my ChatGPT, Is genmaicha tea good for one's health?
The response:
Genmaicha tea is a Japanese green tea that is blended with roasted brown rice. While there is not a lot of research specifically on the health benefits of genmaicha tea, it does contain many of the same health-promoting compounds as other types of green tea.
Green tea, including genmaicha, is rich in antioxidants, which have been shown to help protect the body against cell damage caused by free radicals. These antioxidants, known as catechins, have been linked to a variety of potential health benefits, including reduced risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and some types of cancer.
Additionally, some studies have suggested that drinking green tea may be beneficial for improving brain function, reducing inflammation, and supporting weight loss efforts.
The roasted brown rice in genmaicha tea also contains nutrients such as fiber and minerals like magnesium, which are important for overall health.
Overall, while there is not a lot of research specifically on genmaicha tea, it is likely to provide similar health benefits to other types of green tea. However, as with any food or beverage, moderation is key, and excessive consumption of genmaicha tea may lead to negative effects such as increased caffeine intake or interference with certain medications.
One of several Genmaicha Tea choices available on Amazon
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Chuckles and Thoughts
"If you look at photos of the Gettysburg Address there's a guy off to the right who I think is Keith Richards."
~ Dave Barry
Keith Richards podczas koncertu w Warszawie w 2018 r.
Jerzy Bednarski - Own work
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Social Life
My social life is as quiet as it’s ever been. I’m sure it will turn around (I work at it) but meanwhile I am using my extra time well. I continue to organize my notes and my apartment, I continue to develop this ezine, and I’m spending more time on shopping, cooking, and enjoying meals watching mostly Korean dramas.
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Mail and other Conversation
We love getting mail, email, or texts, including links.
Send comments to domcapossela@hotmail.com
or text to 617.852.7192
This from Kat, our Gen Z connection:
Hi Dad,
As part of our Valentine's celebrations, Will treated me to a long weekend in Miami. It was far more beautiful than I expected, and flying only 2.5 hours to experience 80 degree weather was luxurious. Everywhere we visited was new and shiny, like Boston's Seaport, maybe with a hint of superficiality. We enjoyed staying in the posh neighborhood of Bickell and touring the artsy neighborhood of Wynwood (no, I didn't knock over the Jeff Koons statue, although I was there the same day). Parts of Miami Beach were lovely, and the water was the clearest and most calm I’ve ever seen. I wish we had more time on the beach and to peruse Coconut Grove, a fabulous yuppie hotspot where we met up with my high school friend Tyler for brunch. In fact, four separate New York-based friends of mine were in Miami that weekend. I think Miami is replacing LA as New York’s sister city. It is a perfect little getaway.
Blog meister responds: Sounds wonderful, my dear.
Hi, from Miami.
Eat your heart out!
:)
And this from Jim P:
Dom,
I enjoy your discussions about ChatGPT. It is all the rage at the writing program and BU. We are tying to figure out how to deal with it.
Here are some recent articles: Why ChatGPT Is Both Exciting and Unsettling for Students, Faculty | BU Today | Boston University
I’m not sure what to make of it in terms of writing – too busy grading papers 😊- but I thought you might find it interesting.
Then Jim added:
I like your nick name. I have really not looked into it that much though as I say it is all the range here at BU. I’m a Luddite at heart. Even a smart phone is too much for me. But I did join a committee on Gee Pee so I will learn more about it in time – and by that time it might have outsmarted us!! 😊
Blog meister responds:
Thanks for these, my friend.
GeePee [my nickname for ChatGPT; and it's ok by GPT for me to call it that] works wonderfully for a layperson.
Even for academics, I would certainly use its answers as jumping off points to make it easier for us to help construct an outline but as a container to hold a bunch of ideas as references as you proceed on your writing.
I've already replaced 50% of my usage of Wiki, and 80% of my use of my search engine and browser.
Microsoft launches its ChatGPT powered Bing to compete with Google
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Short Essay*
Umami was first recognized as a distinct basic taste, along with sweet, sour, salty, and bitter, in the early 20th century by Japanese chemist Kikunae Ikeda in 1908. He used ‘umami’ to describe the savory flavor that he tasted in traditional Japanese broths and sauces. Prior to this, the taste was often referred to as "deliciousness.
Ikeda identified the source of the umami flavor as glutamate, an amino acid found in many foods. He went on to isolate monosodium glutamate (MSG), which he claimed was the pure essence of umami flavor and began selling it as a seasoning.
In the decades since Ikeda's discovery, the taste has become an important part of culinary culture and is used by chefs around the world to enhance the flavor of savory dishes. It is a complex, savory taste that is described as meaty, rich, or broth-like and encompasses a wide range of taste experiences. In culinary terms, the word "savory" is often used to contrast with "sweet", meaning that a dish is more focused on delivering a satisfying, satisfying taste rather than a sugary or dessert-like flavor.
Umami (or savory) is typically associated with foods that are high in protein and low in sugar including soy sauce, miso, and fermented products like cheese, esp. Parmigiana, cured meats, mushrooms, esp. shitake, soy sauce, anchovies, meats, stews and soups, esp. chicken soup, seaweed, and tomatoes.
Kikunae Ikeda
Unknown author - Google Arts and Culture
Kikunae Ikeda, 8 October 1864 – 3 May 1936) was a Japanese chemist and Tokyo Imperial University professor of chemistry who, in 1908, uncovered the chemical basis of a taste he named umami. It is one of the five basic tastes along with sweet, bitter, sour and salty.
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People
Ikeda graduated in 1889 from Tokyo Imperial University in chemistry. In 1891, he became a professor at the Higher Normal School of Tokyo, in 1896 he became an associate professor at Tokyo Imperial University. From 1899, Prof. Ikeda studied in Germany for two years at the laboratory of Prof. Friedrich Wilhelm Ostwald at the University of Leipzig, which was then the center of physical chemistry. After a brief stay in London, he returned to Tokyo in 1901 and became a full professor in chemistry at Tokyo Imperial University.
In 1907 at the Tokyo Imperial University in Japan, Ikeda was eating dinner with his family when he suddenly stopped. That day the dashi broth in his soup was more delicious than normal; after stirring a few times he realized the difference was the umami flavor from the addition of kombu, a species of brown macroalgae and flakes of fish known as katsuobushi. He understood that kombu was the secret to that flavor, and from that day on he studied the chemical composition of kelp. Some noted that the taste of the umami is similar to the flavor of the haute cuisine that the French chef Auguste Escoffier created.
By 1908, he had isolated brown crystals of glutamic acid (glutamate) which conveyed the characteristic flavor. The chemical monosodium glutamate (MSG) is the chemical basis for the umami flavor. He chose to call it Ajinomoto (味の素, "essence of flavor"). By 1909 he had developed a process for mass-producing MSG. He was able to extract MSG from wheat and defatted soybean, and patented the process for its manufacture. Today, MSG is mass-produced from fermented cornstarch, sugar cane or beet. His Ajinomoto Co., Inc. currently employs over 32,000 people. With this method the global production of MSG increased rapidly.[6] MSG ranks today as one of the top flavor enhancers after salt and pepper.
Kikunae Ikeda also studied other foods to see if they contained umami, and confirmed that glutamate was responsible for part of the flavor of meat, seaweed and tomatoes. He believed that humans likely developed a taste for glutamate because it signaled the presence of proteins.
On 18 April 1985, the Japan Patent Office selected him as one of Ten Japanese Great Inventors.
*The Blog Meister selects the topics for the Lead Picture and the Short Essay and then leans on ChatGPT and Wikipedia to provide the bulk of the content. The Blog Meister usually edits the entries.
**Community Pictures with Captions are sent in by our followers. Feel free to send in yours to domcapossela@hotmail.com
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