Artificial intelligence
I read with interest the article titled “Artificial Intelligence” in FT 17 /02.
However, what was not mentioned in detail, was the very high possibility of AI becoming sentient and self-aware soon, or if it has not done so already!
This frightening capability to operate beyond and outside of human control, evidentially makes AI the greatest existential threat to human existence, even moreso than any of the commonly known ones.
That danger obviously surpasses and outweigh any of the advantages stated therein, which I see as mere steps – albeit taken at an exponential rate – towards the final outcome of possible world dominance by independent sentient self- replicating machines.
The sad thing is that in our development and progress, we are either knowingly or unknowingly blind, to the real end game here!
Edward Blakelock, Admiral Circle, Pacific Harbour
Laisa’s determination
“Never let your negative experiences determine your future because you have the key to unlock your real potential.”
This was the thought-provoking message that Laisa Sokolomani Tavuki, who featured in the People column (16/02), had for the readers of the trusted brand.
Laisa shared her inspirational story with Andrew Naidu.
Laisa, who experienced the challenges of life knowing there was always the possibility of coming out with strength and confidence to push through, had her own challenges, as she grew up.
Life was not always a bed of roses for Laisa and the family, but the times she spent with her parents taught her the valuable lesson of standing on her own two feet.
Laisa shared that she was taught to be independent, to serve customers and to be able to take charge of the market business during her mother’s absence.
She was taught to do better than her parents and to always keep in mind all the struggles they went through to provide Laisa a decent life.
Even studying at tertiary, Laisa went through challenges, but she overcame them by telling herself to keep going, and despite the obstacles, she graduated with flying colours and later became attached to the Nausori Health Centre.
Laisa encouraged others to work hard.
Our parents play a vital role in our success.
Their love, support and blessings take us a long way. I plead with every parent to support their child, no matter the situation.
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu
Nuclear waste water
APPARENTLY we can now add dumped nuclear waste water to the list of things that cause climate change these days!
FYI cow burps and flatulence are already on the list.
Edward Blakelock, Admiral Circle, Pacific Harbour
LTA offices
Any reason why the LTA offices are not open on Saturdays, of all days?
Vijay P Madhavan, Borron Rd, Suva
The barge
The first header of page 7 FT of February 17 read ‘Drugs cases soar high’.Cloud nine or higher?
Not that party pontoon in the Mamanucas, which you can get to on a barge.
Also on “The barge”.
You know, ‘The barge’ that was supposedly a carrier of the ‘meth’.
‘The barge’, who owns it?
MANOJ LAL PATEL, Drasa Ave, Lautoka
Ethical leaders
Ethical leaders needed by the people to lead and guide the nation for the good of humanity don’t need recognition or medals for the things they are called for, to do for the people.
To serve the nation with their utmost ability to the point that they could no longer possibly go any further is more glorified than to be recognised.
“Leaders do not impose their values on other. They consider other people’s value.” – Avery Blank.
AREKI DAWAI, Suva
Pitfalls of transition
Although The Fiji Times file picture of the small cluster of mangrove just off the shore (FT 17/2) does not carry the name of the place, I am pretty sure it’s the one in Nasese just past the bridge.
I remember as a child collecting kasikasi (hermit crab) attached to the roots of that mangrove to catch kabatia and kake when the tide came in.
Some memories stay with you forever I think.
Rajend Naidu, Sydney, Australia
Smart move
That’s a trait of a visionary smart and mature leadership by PM Rabuka to appoint three DPM at his discretion.
I absolutely don’t see anything wrong with it as our PM Rabuka is training them to become future PM should something happen to him.
On our 2013 Constitution anyone Fijian, race, colour or religion can be a Prime Minister of our country so good luck to NFP’s Biman Prasad as he is the first online God willing.
Tukai Lagonilakeba, Nadi
Teacher regularisation
Teacher issues have been in discussion for quite some time, and although education has been the focus of the Government, teacher welfare and morale have been on a downward spiral.
We have heard of many stories pertaining to teachers over the past two decades.
Unions have also had their fair share of contributions and controversies.
There are teachers who have been in the system for 20 to 30 years and are still assistant teachers, just acting on their first promotion as head of departments in high school or assistant head teachers in primary school.
Many governments and education ministers have come and gone, yet no government has been able to straighten up the many tenacious issues distressing the profession.
The profession has had acting positions right from the head of schools down to assistant and vice principals across the country for almost a decade.
Unions and the Education Ministry have miserably failed to find a solution and a common ground to fill these positions, and the teachers have suffered in silence at the mercy of each incoming government and ministers.
Many promotion criterias and classifications have failed the teachers and deprived them of their hard-earned income while receiving 5 per cent less while on acting appointments and carrying out their assigned duties with due diligence.
The permanent secretary for Education, Selina Kuruleca, who came into the ministry from outside the teaching profession, has occasionally provided light as to how issues could be resolved, beginning with the regularisation process for those teachers who meet the MQR.
This will provide some relief to the acting positions by confirming them respectively and as such, the process would not demote any teacher and provide some sense of security to the teaching profession.
No promotion was flawless, and this will also have issues, but it is better to be secured in a position rather than acting for decades with no solution in sight.
Do the teacher unions have any better solutions?
Raynav Chand, Nakasi
Soccer loss
Fiji lost again in soccer and this time 1-7 to New Zealand.
The high flying Fiji FA officials must be waiting for the next funding from Oceania and FIFA to be used for purposes they see fit, but it all goes down the drain.
Some of our district reps who are also part of the Fiji team are overseas playing club level bazaar tournament to make some money for them while Fiji FA can only suspend and fine players.
My question is when will Fiji soccer ever win against Solomon, New Zealand, Vanuatu and Australia.
All the funding must be going in wrong hands.
Ashmeet Kumar, Lautoka
Fiji soccer
First it was the Bula boys now it is the Kulas that got deleted by 1-7.
On social media one can see Fiji FA going to primary schools, kindergarten and high school to teach soccer, but we still failed.
Where is the problem?
OK.
I might be wrong but don’t you think Fiji FA needs new young people to help run the association?
New ideas, new generation and new strategies.
Too much I scratch your back and you scratch my back in Fiji soccer.
Geoffrey Chand, Lautoka
Unsafe World Cup
There was a lot of global commotion when Qatar were announced as hosts of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, mainly due to their human rights issues, most of which I thought was unnecessary as the event was one of the best in recent times.
However, I am genuinely concerned about the upcoming World Cup in the United States of America in 2026, given the high rate of gun incidents and killings that take place in the country.
Just a few days after the Kansas Chiefs Super Bowl victory, fans turned up for the team’s parade, which later erupted into a massive brawl.
Eventually, it turned deadly as gunshots were exchanged amongst fans, claiming the life of a mother of two.
It was also confirmed that 22 other people were left injured, with their ages ranging between eight and 47 years old.
This was an event held at their national level, yet it caused so much stir.
Just imagine the chaos when millions of fans from all over the world gather in the United States in two years.
American gun policies need a massive shakeup, as the public’s safety is almost always at risk with such massive events.
Raynav Chand, Nakasi
