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Toronto star warns of AI

 

Toronto’s new Nobel laureate has a dire warning for us

Canada’s latest Nobel laureate has a grim message about his own creation. Geoffrey Hinton, the Nobel Prize-winning “godfather of AI,” quit Google last year to warn the world about the technology he helped create. “These things could get smarter than us and might go rogue,” he said earlier this year. “That’s not science fiction...That’s real.” Kate Allen chronicles Hinton’s fascinating life — and his urgent warning. Go deeper: Hinton told reporters AI has great potential, like revolutionizing health care. But for all its virtues, the technology needs more guardrails against misuse. Immediate risks range from “fake videos corrupting elections” to sophisticated cyberattacks, he said. Meanwhile: Hinton also used his new platform to blast Doug Ford for his decision to close the Science Centre, which he once offered $1 million of his own money to repair. Here’s what he had to say.

  

Poilievre A Bad Option for Next PM

Pierre Poilievre’s populist style, while highly effective at mobilizing discontent, can present risks when applied to actual governance. Historically, leaders with similar approaches—who emphasize rhetoric over policy depth, focus on short-term political gain, and exploit public anger—have often faced challenges once in power. Populist governance tends to falter when confronted with the complexities of state management, which requires nuance, expertise, and coalition-building.

Historical Examples of Populist Leadership Struggling in Government:

1. George W. Bush and the Post-9/11 Era

In the United States, President George W. Bush came to power with a populist appeal to patriotism and traditional American values. Post-9/11, his administration relied on simplistic rhetoric—"You're either with us or against us"—to mobilize public support for actions like the Iraq War. However, as time passed, the lack of solid evidence for Iraq's possession of weapons of mass destruction led to deep public distrust. His administration’s reliance on emotional appeals over factual rigor resulted in long-term damage to both America's global standing and domestic confidence in the government.

Lesson for Poilievre: Simplified narratives that rally immediate support can collapse under the weight of complex geopolitical realities, leaving long-term governance impaired. If Poilievre's rhetoric does not align with the intricacies of policy, especially on issues like inflation or healthcare, a similar breakdown could occur.

2. Viktor Orbán in Hungary

Orbán, the Prime Minister of Hungary, has held power for over a decade, largely on a populist platform of anti-immigrant rhetoric, nationalism, and promises to protect Hungary from globalism. While Orbán remains popular among certain sectors of the population, his governance has been marked by growing authoritarian tendencies, suppression of dissent, and economic problems. His policies have undermined democratic institutions, and his isolationist strategies have harmed Hungary’s relationship with the European Union.

Lesson for Poilievre: If Poilievre were to lean heavily into us vs. them rhetoric and populist economics without fostering cooperation or compromise, it could weaken Canada’s institutions and global partnerships. Hungary’s case demonstrates how populist leaders often drift toward authoritarianism when governance demands solutions beyond populist promises.

3. Donald Trump (2017–2021)

Perhaps the most significant modern example is Donald Trump, who, like Poilievre, used populist rhetoric to gain political power. Trump’s tenure as U.S. president was characterized by constant confrontation, both domestically and internationally. He campaigned on promises of quick fixes—building a wall, bringing back manufacturing, and "draining the swamp"—but found that governing required compromise and institutional cooperation. His disdain for expert advice (e.g., during the COVID-19 pandemic) and his fixation on political gain over governance integrity culminated in deep polarization and a chaotic end to his presidency, particularly with the Capitol riots in January 2021.

Lesson for Poilievre: Poilievre’s use of emotive, anti-establishment language, like Trump’s, might not translate well into the realities of statecraft. Trump’s inability to effectively manage the pandemic or economic crises due to prioritizing rhetoric over facts shows the dangers of governing without a deep, policy-oriented approach.

4. Silvio Berlusconi in Italy

Silvio Berlusconi was a populist leader who dominated Italian politics for years, largely through his media empire and charisma. His rule, however, was rife with scandals, corruption, and mismanagement of the economy. While his populist policies helped him stay in power, they led to economic stagnation, and Italy struggled with massive debt and inefficiency during his time in office. Berlusconi’s focus on self-promotion and short-term political victories came at the expense of Italy's long-term growth and institutional stability.

Lesson for Poilievre: Like Berlusconi, Poilievre might risk focusing too much on personal brand-building and staying in the spotlight rather than governing effectively. Berlusconi’s failure to address Italy’s deeper structural issues due to prioritizing political gain could be a cautionary tale for Poilievre, who might similarly neglect Canada’s long-term needs for economic and institutional health.

Why Populism Struggles in Governance

Populist leaders, once in power, often find that governing requires compromise, coalition-building, and addressing complexities. Their appeal to the public is often based on oversimplified solutions that are hard to implement when faced with the multifaceted nature of government bureaucracy, economic forces, and international relations.

1. Complex Issues Require Nuance: Populists thrive on simplicity, but issues like inflation, healthcare, or environmental policy require careful, detailed approaches that populist rhetoric tends to ignore. A Poilievre government may find itself unprepared to handle the intricate realities of such issues.

2. Polarization Weakens Governance: While populist leaders are effective at rallying their base, they tend to alienate large segments of the population. This division hampers effective governance, as seen in the U.S. under Trump. A highly polarized Canada under Poilievre could make it harder to pass legislation or find common ground, leading to gridlock.

3. Expertise Matters: Governance involves a reliance on expert advice, particularly on issues like the economy, environment, and public health. Populists often reject or downplay expert recommendations in favor of popular sentiment. This approach can lead to disastrous policy outcomes, especially in crises where specialized knowledge is crucial.

Conclusion

The historical record suggests that populist leaders, while effective at gaining power, often struggle to govern effectively. Their reliance on simplistic narratives and emotional appeals for short-term political gain tends to falter when faced with the complex demands of statecraft. If Poilievre were to take a similar approach in office, he might face the same pitfalls that plagued leaders like Trump, Berlusconi, and Orbán: governing not for the long-term benefit of the country, but for the maintenance of political power through populism, often to the detriment of institutional stability and national progress.

Cop Tortures Black Student by Accident, And Gets Fine

Cop Tortures Black Student by Accident, And Gets Fine

Rachel Saliba, a Toronto Police Sergeant, faced disciplinary action following an incident of mistaken identity involving Hasani O'Gilvie, a Black University of Toronto student, in 2021. Saliba, alongside other officers, wrongfully detained O'Gilvie, believing he matched the description of a suspect. Despite O'Gilvie's attempts to identify himself, the situation escalated, resulting in his being tasered five times and forcefully restrained, even after his identification was verified.

Saliba admitted to misconduct and faced an eight-month demotion, proposed at a police tribunal. Her role was seen as an unnecessary and excessive use of authority, leading to the student's ongoing trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This case became emblematic of racial profiling and the disproportionate use of force by law enforcement in Toronto, with calls for greater accountability within the police force​.

Sgt. Rachel Saliba was demoted from Sergeant to Police Constable (1st Class) for an 8-month period, we can estimate the minimum loss in pay by comparing the lower end of both ranks' salary ranges.

• Sergeant salary: CAD $120,000 per year (minimum)
• Constable 1st Class salary: CAD $109,000 per year (approximate)

Annual Loss:

The difference in annual salary is: $120,000 - 109,000 = 11,000 \text{ CAD/year}$

Loss for 8 months:

Since 8 months is $\frac{8}{12}$ or two-thirds of a year, the proportional loss would be:

$$\frac{8}{12} \times 11,000 = 7,333.33 \text{ CAD}$$

Thus, the minimum loss in pay for 8 months would be approximately CAD $7,333.33.

n the Toronto Police Service (TPS), disciplinary actions can range from minor reprimands to more severe penalties like demotion or dismissal, depending on the offense. Here’s a comparison of demotion (as in the case of Sgt. Rachel Saliba) with other common disciplinary measures:

1. Reprimand (Verbal or Written)

• Nature: A formal warning issued to the officer, either verbally or in writing. This is typically for minor infractions or first-time offenses.
• Impact: No direct financial impact, but a reprimand goes on the officer’s record, potentially affecting promotions or special assignments.
• Comparison: No loss in pay. Far less severe than a demotion.

2. Suspension (With Pay)

• Nature: The officer is suspended from duty but continues to receive full pay. This is common while investigations are ongoing.
• Impact: No financial loss, but there’s reputational damage, and the officer cannot perform their duties.
• Comparison: No loss in pay. However, reputational damage can affect career progression.

3. Suspension (Without Pay)

• Nature: A more severe form of suspension where the officer is removed from duty and does not receive pay for the duration of the suspension.
• Impact: Financial loss for the duration of the suspension.
• Example: If an officer is suspended for a period of 3 months without pay, and their annual salary is CAD $100,000, the loss would be: $$\frac{3}{12} \times 100,000 = 25,000 \text{ CAD}$$
• Comparison: Potentially more severe than demotion, depending on the length of suspension.

4. Demotion (As in Rachel Saliba's case)

• Nature: The officer is reduced in rank, leading to a corresponding pay cut.
• Impact: Financial loss due to lower pay and loss of status. For example, as calculated earlier, Sgt. Saliba could face a minimum pay loss of CAD $7,333 over 8 months.
• Comparison: Financial loss over time but retains employment and some level of responsibility.

5. Dismissal (Termination)

• Nature: The most severe punishment, where the officer is removed from the police force.
• Impact: Complete loss of employment, salary, and pension benefits.
• Comparison: Ultimate financial loss, as there’s no income from the police force moving forward. Much more severe than demotion.

6. Reduction of Duties or Loss of Special Privileges

• Nature: The officer may be removed from special units (e.g., detective roles, tactical teams) or have responsibilities reduced without a formal demotion.
• Impact: May not involve an immediate pay cut but could limit future earnings or career advancement.
• Comparison: Potential long-term career impact but no immediate financial loss like demotion.

7. Reassignment to Less Desirable Posts

• Nature: The officer may be transferred to less prestigious or more challenging positions, often perceived as a punishment.
• Impact: While it might not affect pay, this can limit career development opportunities and personal satisfaction.
• Comparison: No immediate pay loss, but it could affect long-term opportunities.

Summary:

In comparison, demotion like Sgt. Rachel Saliba's is a moderately severe punishment. It involves a direct financial loss over time (in her case, around CAD $7,333 over 8 months) and a loss of rank and status. However, it is not as severe as dismissal or a long suspension without pay, both of which could result in greater financial damage or career-ending consequences.

 October offers a variety of exciting networking events in Toronto for IT professionals seeking new opportunities:

• Elevate Festival (October 1-3, 2024): This high-profile tech and innovation festival is perfect for IT professionals. It brings together startups, investors, and tech leaders. You'll have the chance to network with industry innovators and attend talks from influential figures across different sectors, making it ideal for those seeking inspiration and connections in tech​(

  Elevate Festival
  ).

• Cybersecurity Summit - Cyber Thursday (October 17, 2024): If you are particularly interested in cybersecurity, this event is an excellent opportunity to network with experts in the field. The summit offers in-depth sessions on the latest cybersecurity trends and tools, providing an opportunity to connect with professionals from major organizations​(

  TestingMind
  ).

• Speed Networking at Par Bar (October 11 and 24, 2024): For more intimate and rapid networking, these events are tailored for business professionals looking to expand their contacts quickly. They offer a casual atmosphere that allows for quick and meaningful exchanges, perfect for job seekers​(

  NetworkNite
  ).

Each of these events provides valuable networking opportunities tailored to different aspects of the IT field, helping you make connections that could lead to new job prospects.

 The narrative surrounding Dr. John Bumpass Calhoun’s experimental trials with rodents, particularly his notorious “Universe 25” experiment, encapsulates a multifaceted exploration of social behavior, population dynamics, and the intricate tapestry of life that unfolds under the pressing weight of overcrowding. In the tumultuous decades of the 1960s and 1970s, Calhoun, a distinguished ethologist and behavioral researcher, embarked on an ambitious series of experiments that sought to create an idyllic microcosm for mice—an endeavor that would eventually unravel the complex underpinnings of social interactions in the face of existential threats posed by population density.

The Genesis of the Experiment

The conceptual framework for Calhoun's experiment was predicated upon the idea that an environment replete with resources—ample food, water, and shelter—would cultivate a thriving population of rodents, allowing them to flourish in an ostensibly utopian existence. Calhoun meticulously designed a large enclosure, which he dubbed "Universe 25," and populated it with a modest number of mice. In these controlled surroundings, the initial results were promising; the mouse population burgeoned as the creatures reveled in their newfound abundance, seemingly embodying the very essence of prosperity.

The Ascendance and Decline of the Mouse Society

However, the euphoria of exponential growth was fleeting. As the population expanded and the confines of Universe 25 became increasingly cramped, Calhoun observed a disquieting transformation in the social behaviors of the mice. What began as harmonious communal living devolved into a chaotic maelstrom of dysfunction and despair, a phenomenon that Calhoun would later articulate as "the behavior sink." This disintegration manifested in a plethora of aberrant behaviors: increased aggression among males, the proliferation of sexual deviance, and a marked withdrawal from social interactions among both sexes.

The societal fabric that once held the mouse community together began to fray, giving way to a grim tableau of isolation and hostility. Female mice, initially nurturing and social, became neglectful of their young, while males, once cooperative, engaged in fierce territorial disputes. The once-thriving population began to experience a significant decline in birth rates, exacerbated by the growing sense of desperation and despair that pervaded the enclosure.

The Catastrophic Collapse

Ultimately, the culmination of these sociobehavioral declines precipitated a catastrophic collapse of the mouse society. The population reached its zenith and then swiftly plummeted, as the mice could no longer sustain their community in the face of overwhelming social dysfunction. The enclosure, which had once teemed with life, devolved into an almost ghostly shell of its former self, populated by a fraction of the original inhabitants.

Cultural Reverberations and Broader Implications

Calhoun's work transcended the confines of the laboratory, reverberating through cultural and literary channels. His findings served as a profound source of inspiration for works such as Richard Adams's Watership Down and the animated feature film The Secret of NIMH. These narratives, while fictional, echo the themes of social organization, survival, and the indelible impact of environmental factors on behavior, drawing parallels to the human experience.

Moreover, the implications of Calhoun's experiments extend far beyond the realm of rodent behavior. They resonate within the context of human society, providing a cautionary tale about the perils of overpopulation, resource depletion, and the fragility of social structures. As urbanization accelerates and populations burgeon, Calhoun's legacy prompts critical reflection on the ways in which we organize our communities and manage our shared resources.

In this age of rapid change and unprecedented growth, the lessons gleaned from Calhoun’s ill-fated mouse utopia serve as a somber reminder of the delicate balance that must be maintained between provisioning for a burgeoning population and preserving the integrity of social bonds. As we navigate the complexities of modern existence, the findings from Universe 25 continue to illuminate the pressing need for sustainable practices and thoughtful community planning in the face of relentless demographic pressures.