Tag: faith and religion

A little over fifty-five years ago - can you believe it, 55?! - Charles Schulz’s animated musical “A Charlie Brown Christmas” aired for the very first time. The special hit our TV’s on Dec. 9, 1965 and our friend Charlie Brown became famous for his pitiful little Christmas tree! The story was actually a commentary on the loss of the true spirit of Christmas and the selection of his forlorn tree was to protest the commercialization of Christmas. The story ends on an amazing note as poor ol’ Charlie Brown asks, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?” Linus reassures him by famously reciting the Christmas story from Luke 2. Such a terrific Christmas story - both of them!

No stinking thinkin' allowed anymore or a brainy robot may take your place, or so "they" think. Artificial intelligence - AI - is slowly infiltrating every aspect of our lives, everything from business to education and entertainment - even into our homes. In fact, even though AI has made life easier and more efficient in some ways, there are still the occasional unforeseen blunders that are often pretty humorous. People aren't perfect, but, apparently, neither are robots!

We’ve all seen them - those hilarious T-shirts people wear with funny slogans - I always go away thinking how clever and creative they are. Here are just a few that have recently caught my eye: “Sorry I‘m late - I didn’t want to come.” “Sometimes I talk to myself and we both laugh.” “A fun thing to do in the morning is not talk to me.” “Patience at 1%.” And one I often wear: “To save time let’s assume I know everything!” It’s also my husbands favorite when we are out together. Not!!

My son-in-law Steve used to work in the magazine business and earlier this week we were gabbing about …magazines. Life Magazine in particular. Life was published weekly from 1883 to 1972, and Life was full of life! I remember as a child turning page after page, absorbing pictures of buildings, the Alaskan earthquake, historic people, places and things. Their final weekly issue was put out with a year-in-review and the word ‘goodbye’ appearing on the back cover.

I’m sure at one time or another we have all gotten turned around and headed out in the wrong direction. We were once with friends, en route to Death Valley, when the GPS system instructed us to turn into the desert for a shortcut. An hour later we were backtracking to find the real road again. That GPS definitely needed a brain check!