So let’s just say it’s the case that there are no new ideas. Mark Twain famously thought so.
So does Google’s AI:
“True originality is unlikely after centuries of human thought, meaning innovation is actually the recombination, recontextualization, or new application of existing ideas. Creativity is viewed as a ‘mental kaleidoscope’ rearranging old ideas into new patterns, perspectives, or personal expressions.”
Don’t ask me why, but recently, I started watching “The Miniature Wife” on Peacock. Although the concept is reminiscent of a 1989 comedy, “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids,” this story is about the complex dynamics in a troubled marriage, with the fate of the world hanging in the balance as a subplot. Comedic relief is largely missing.
Elizabeth Banks plays the six-inch-tall wife, shrunk to that size by her mad scientist husband, played by Matthew Macfadyen. Unfortunately, the provocative bits of content about big questions in this series are interrupted constantly by giant ads, which sends a sad message of its own. What good is a subscription to Peacock if it only yields such an irritating format?
Meanwhile, the idea of confronting just how small our lives and concerns are in the overall scheme of things was enhanced this week by the spectacular Artemis II moon venture.
Only from outer space can we glimpse just how tiny each of us is in a vast universe of other stars and universes. Collectively, as a species, we amount to a speck in the sky.
One hopes that we as a species can learn from this insight, and that we can perhaps figure out how to do more than joke about it.
Our best scientists, artists, poets and (rare) leaders have been urging us to try and transcend our tribalism, embrace our enemies, and live in peace — but are we truly capable of that?
Check out this morning’s headlines.
Maybe it’s just too big a challenge for us, small as we are.
HEADLINES:
Trump Says U.S. Will ‘Blockade’ Strait of Hormuz After No Peace Deal Reached (NYT)
After collapse of U.S.-Iran talks in Pakistan, the path to peace is less clear (NBC)
World Leaders Push to Save Iran Talks Amid Israel’s Attacks in Lebanon (NYT)
4 ways the war in Iran has weakened the United States in the great power game (The Conversation)
Nancy Pelosi, top Dems urge Eric Swalwell to exit governor’s race after Chronicle report (SFC)
Investigation Opened Into Sexual Assault Allegation Against Swalwell (NYT)
Van Hollen: Trump ‘genocide’ post shows Republican Party is ‘bankrupt’ (The Hill)
Growing List of Orban Loyalists Defecting Before Critical Election (NYT)
An Orban loss in Hungary’s election could be the turning point Putin fears (France24)
Inside America’s race to hide the world’s money (Reveal)
Longevity isn’t just about the latest gadget. The actual keys to a longer life are in plain sight (CNN)
The Coming AI Superstorm (Dispatch)
The 70-Person AI Image Startup Taking on Silicon Valley’s Giants (Wired)
“AI polls” are fake polls (Silver Bulletin)
Scottie Scheffler’s Masters Hopes Fade After He Is Swallowed By Sandworm (Onion)