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“As photosynthesizing creatures, seaweeds provide us with the oxygen we breathe.” Thanks to their enormous capacity to absorb terrestrial carbon emissions, they could help us fight global warming. But there are risks to be taken into account.
Indigenous cultures have long maintained a holistic relationship with nature as part of well-being and wholeness. Now, emerging practices such as the Japanese meditative exercise of Shinrin-yoku, or “forest bathing,” are renewing this relationship with nature to support mental and physical health.
Abuse against children is prevalent among people closest to them. We, as true believers of Christ, must stand against this abuse and protect the children.
Christians should be at the forefront of defending child rights and campaigning for stronger laws to protect children. Church leaders and laypeople must denounce the evil of child abuse by the clergy.
Though the internet has made it easier for us to connect with others, it is also used to exploit and abuse children. We must call for all abusers and enablers of online crimes against children to be held accountable and face justice.
A leading artificial intelligence researcher, some call the “godfather” of AI, says the technology is developing at a “scary” rate and warns that it should not expand beyond our ability to control it. Geoffrey Hinton, a longtime researcher at Google and newly-retired at age 75, has added his voice to those saying that the potential dangers of the new technology deserve scrutiny.
As Facebook, Apple, and Google pour billions into AI development, there is a fledgling branch of academic ethical study that aims to study its moral consequences, contain the harm it might do, and push tech firms to integrate social goods like privacy and fairness into their business plans.
Behavioral scientist Gerd Gigerenzer looks at how AI and algorithms are shaping our future–and why it is important to remember they aren’t human. He thinks too many of us are now letting AI make the decisions for us. The alternative is start thinking, he says.
Public trust must not be abused by AI-managing companies whose style of operation remain inaccessible to the users. Transparency is the first rule that must be made effective. Excessive intrusion into personal lives and instrumentalizing and monetizing personal behaviour must be prevented.
We are at a turning point in history. Francis believes the Church must both remain faithful to the Gospel and embrace radical reform if it is to fulfill its mission of evangelizing the world.
