I wasn't really sure where I wanted to go with this post today. I had some things happen yesterday that got some thoughts kicking around my head, but I just wasn't sure I could put them down in a cohesive manner. I'm still not promising anything, so you better buckle in!
This is my first #threetunetuesday post originated by @ablaze.
I'm on a Listserv (yes, they still exist) for education technology professionals. As you can imagine, one of the big topics lately has been ChatGPT. One of the things we have to deal with as education tech professionals is a federal law called CIPA. It's the Children's Internet Protection Act and it is supposed to keep kids safe from the more nasty stuff on the Internet.
The question was brought up about whether or not ChatGPT is CIPA compliant.
One of my colleagues from inside the state responded with this:
"Could just be the latest trend of companies using buzz words to try and draw attention to their products, the same way they were throwing around "blockchain" a few years ago."
I'll be honest, my heart sank. I was getting ready to respond with something (anything), but I stopped myself, nope, not going to bite.
It was then that another one of my colleagues from a different part of the state replied with this:
"I doubt this is another buzzword situation like “blockchain”, with the difference being that ChatGPT is actually a useful product."
By now my blood was on the verge of boiling, but I still refrained from replying. First, I suck at debating, so I doubt I would have been able to hold my own should the conversation turn. Second, what's the point? People are so ingrained in their thinking that 90% of the time you are not going to change their mind. Why even try.
It just makes me sad that others who make tech their life don't see the benefit of blockchain. It's almost like they are purposely trying to rile you up. It's like they are fishing in the dark.
Of course, the song above is about something entirely different than crypto or fishing for that matter, but I still felt like it fit in pretty well. I do love crypto, don't you? This is a pretty classic song. Probably not the best version of it that is out there. It sounds like they had some balance issues with the audio, but you get the idea.
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band are iconic. If you go into an old honky tonk, there is a good chance you will eventually hear this song.
The fact is, just like love, I believe in crypto. I believe it has the power to change our lives. We just need to believe in it. Do you believe in it? Of course you do, you are here right? Like I said, it just baffles me that people don't see the benefit of blockchain. I get it, crypto has gotten a bad rap, but the basic underlying fundamentals are pretty sound.
I doubt any of these guys would argue that two key encryption or distributed ledger is a bad thing, but when you throw out the words crypto and blockchain, they automatically shut down. We are supposed to be the fore-runners. The guys living on the bleeding edge. Not the boomers. I just want to shake them and tell them to wake up!
That's okay though. They can keep making fun of crypto and blockchain and thinking it is never going to amount to anything or it has zero use case. The day will come when I can buy me a boat. Just like this song by Chris Janson.
I actually got to see Chris live in concert at the Grand Ole Opry the last time my wife and I were down in Nashville, TN. You wouldn't know this from the song above, but he is a pretty dang good harmonica player. He was doing some crazy stuff during the four song set we saw him play.
This is a pretty catchy tune and it fits in with the whole fishing theme I started out with, so there you go.
I've got a bonus track for you though, just to throw you a little bit. Referencing my comment above:
"I just want to shake them and tell them to wake up!"
I do love me some System of a Down. This is probably their most popular song and one of my favorites from them. Enjoy!
Sports Talk Social - @bozz.sports
