A common creationist argument against biological evolution is ''incredulity'' that a random process could ever produce something complex and functional and "engineered" as life. And it is counter-intuitive, even to some very smart engineers. Biological evolution is relatively slow, and computer simulations of evolution-analogies have been too limited or too niche to convince anyone.

That is, until recently. Enter ChatGPT (and many others).

Each of these systems has some level of tangible life-like complexity. Normies see a sort of intelligence there. While there is indeed plenty of engineering going on, the gist of the system however relies on ''randomness''. These systems start with arrays of billions of random numbers. The neural network algorithms adjust those numbers, according to training data which is randomly selected and randomly permuted. Eventual use of a trained neural net involves random "seeds" to reinitialize new state between sessions. Randomness is essential throughout the process.

Yes, there is clearly an engineering force at work, specifying the algorithms. But it's not any more specific about details than the laws of physics tell a dog how to chase a squirrel. Algorithms ~ laws-of-physics.

The datasets being fed to neural networks are not engineered much. They are most akin to observations a living system makes about the world. Datasets ~ observations.

Like in fitness-selection in evolution, the algorithms make it more likely for data-fitting combinations of random numbers to have stronger influence. Reproduction ~ learning.

Enough about how randomness is not enough.

Some rough numbers from a recent Catholic high school graduation ceremony in our area.

• Region population: 142,000
• Visible minorities: 18,000
• Graduating class size: 380
• Number of non-white/male students missing the "honour" level (>80% average): 30
• Number of white/male students missing the "honour" level: 80
• Number of non-white/male students earning an award in excess of "honour" level: >100
• Number of white/male students earning an award in excess of "honour" level: 15
• Number of racial groups specifically rewarded for graduating: 1 ("As an Indigenous graduate, [...] receives his eagle feather. The eagle is the strongest and bravest of all the birds, and to receive this feather is a great honour. It is our sincere hope that this feather brings you success and strength as you go forward in your future endeavors. This gift of achievement is presented by Miss [...]")
• Number of un-Catholic religion awards issued by the Catholic school: 1 (Islamic)

Hey you.

If you really just can't bear to live any more, I will naturally emphasize. If I know you and see a chance, I'll try to talk you out of it. In Canada, the federal government will "help" you, but it really is not hard to go through with it. We live in a world full of things that can privately and "safely" maim our own bodies. It may ruin your friends'/families' lives, but I guess, whatever. I will pity y'all.

But.

I will find you absolutely despicable if, in the act of offing yourself, you endanger other people. It crosses the line from sad mental illness to outright EVIL. No pity. No sympathy. Closer to hatred. Legally speaking, someone may be entitled to use lethal force against YOU, to defend innocent drivers on a highway beneath the bridge you're on. Ironic, but still better than letting you kill someone else down below. Damn you.

Just on the odd chance you were hanging out on the local flying club's facebook page and something flickered on your screen:

leaving just this behind:

this is what the social media person at the BFC thought you were unworthy of seeing:

The boys are at it again. After a brief "surprise appearance" at the Kevin Williams Band show on May 24, the next event is on Saturday 2024-06-15, just beside the Farmers Market, presented by the City of Brantford. We hope to entertain a whole new audience.