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Flag debate has
no easy solutions
Re: “Elections count, even in Sunol school district” (Page A6, Sept. 14).
I was disappointed in your editorial regarding the Sunol school district flag decision.
I concluded your objection would be biased when you characterized the public attendees as being” thrown out” of the meeting room. More importantly, while I understand your support for LGBTQ rights I did not see any discussion about the actual policy you would endorse. Would any group, regardless of their political views be allowed to have their flag raised at a school? If not, who would decide?
It is a slippery slope you support.
Kent Buckles
Alamo
AI issues require
more care, thought
Re: “Writers deserve more for helping OpenAI’s success” (Page A7, Sept. 14).
Diya Sabharwal’s op-ed on writers deserving a cut from the profits generated by OpenAI because, after all, the generative pre-trained transformer models were trained on the works of these writers is a timely reminder of the ethical issues of OpenAI.
While she presents the issues from a writer’s point of view, the ethical consideration is a two-way street. People today are increasingly using ChatGPT (and other generative AI applications) to come up with product ideas, marketing slogans and even published works. One way to think about this is that just as a civil engineer does not need to credit the calculator or MS Excel for their design, authors have no ethical obligation to give credit to AI.
These are complex issues and deserve serious thought.
Prakash Narayan
Fremont
National discussion may
save stroke victims
Strokes strike Americans iN their prime at an alarming 28% increase, reports Stamford Health. I know firsthand. Mine struck Labor Day morning as I was making breakfast for my family. It was as if an Alzheimer’s bomb burst between my ears. Stroke possessed me with trouble seeing, speaking and dizziness. And, I was a least likely victim. I credit my recovery to knowing the warning signs and seeking immediate medical attention.
Every 40 seconds, someone suffers a stroke in America. To put this into grave perspective, every 40 seconds someone commits suicide in America. We talk a lot about suicide prevention, but have you ever considered stroke prevention? Learn the signs. And speak to your doctor to see if you are at risk. Stroke awareness is stroke survival. Let’s start a national discussion to change this lethal phenomenon that is impacting millions of victims and their loved ones.
Mark R. Clifford
Moraga
Peace Corps volunteers
make worldwide impact
The pandemic forced the withdrawal of all Peace Corps volunteers, but now, it is back with 2,000 volunteers in 57 countries. It is an opportunity to make an impact in intercultural competence, diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility to help the agency achieve its mission.
The Peace Corps was established by President John F. Kennedy and authorized by Congress on Sept. 21, 1961. Its mission: assist with health care, education and other basic human needs. More than 240,000 people have joined the Peace Corps serving in 142 countries. The Peace Corps has pursued peace and friendship for more than 60 years.
Returning volunteers bring their skills and experience back to the United States helping to find common ground amid the growing complexities of our own multicultural society. They also bring back intangible contributions to our country, such as cultures, customs and languages.
Make an impact. Volunteer.
Frank Price
Advocacy Director, Northern California Peace Corps Association
Berkeley
Source: www.mercurynews.com