ONCE CONSIDERED BY SOME TO BE EVIL, LEFT-HANDERS ARE NOW CELEBRATED - 😁👍

Report by Duncan Williams @ViewNewsUK

International Left-Handers Day, celebrated annually on August 13th, is dedicated to raising awareness and promoting the uniqueness of left-handed individuals.

The day was first observed in 1976 by Dean R. Campbell, founder of the Left-Handers International organisation. The purpose behind this day is to recognise the challenges that left-handed individuals often face in a world designed primarily for right-handed people.

Throughout history, left-handedness has been associated with various cultural beliefs and superstitions. In some societies, left-handedness was even considered a sign of evil or bad luck. This negative perception led to discrimination and even attempts to forcibly convert left-handed people to right-handedness.

Horrific stories of children being beaten on their palms by religious institutions and cruel school teachers abound, even towards the end of the 20th century. As a result of this ignorance, left-handedness has often been stigmatised for generations in countries across the world.

International Left-Handers Day seeks to change these perceptions and create a positive environment for left-handed individuals. It's a day to celebrate their contributions to society, whether in fields like art, sports, science, or any other area. It's also a reminder to acknowledge the challenges they might face in a world that's largely designed for right-handed people, from everyday tools to writing techniques.

The day often involves activities and events that raise awareness about the needs and experiences of left-handed individuals. It's also an opportunity for left-handers to come together, share their stories, and celebrate their unique traits. Social media platforms play a significant role in spreading awareness and facilitating discussions on this day.

In essence, International Left-Handers Day serves as a platform to appreciate the diversity of human experiences and to foster inclusivity, understanding, and acceptance for left-handed individuals around the world.

WEEKLY WELLBEING: WHY DOES GOD ALLOW BAD THINGS TO HAPPEN TO US? - 🙏 🌨️

The age-old question of why God, in any religious tradition, allows bad things to happen to good people is one of the most perplexing and difficult theological questions. It is a question that has troubled believers for centuries and has yet to receive a satisfactory answer. Many people have asked this question throughout history, and there have been countless attempts to provide a satisfactory answer. But despite these efforts, the question remains one of the most challenging and thought-provoking of theological puzzles.

At the heart of this question is the problem of evil. The problem of evil arises because we observe evil and suffering in the world, and we wonder why a good and loving God would allow such things to happen. This question is particularly pressing for those who believe in an all-powerful and benevolent God, as it seems that such a God would have the power to prevent evil and suffering but chooses not to do so.

There are many ways that theologians and philosophers have attempted to address this question. One common response is that God allows evil and suffering in the world as a consequence of human free will. This view holds that God has given humans the freedom to choose between good and evil, and that evil is a consequence of human choices. This explanation suggests that evil is not caused by God but by humans who use their free will to make choices that lead to suffering and harm.

Another response is that God uses suffering and evil for a greater good. This view suggests that God allows suffering and evil to exist because they serve a greater purpose in God's plan. For example, suffering and evil can help to build character and foster spiritual growth, or they can serve as a test of faith and an opportunity for humans to demonstrate their trust in God.

Still, others argue that the problem of evil is not a problem at all. They suggest that it is simply part of the human experience and that the existence of evil and suffering does not necessarily contradict the idea of a loving and benevolent God. Some suggest that it is simply impossible for us humans to fully understand the ways of God, and that we must accept that there are some things we may never fully understand. 

We know that there is darkness and that there is light. There is survival and there is death. There is good and there is bad. Why exactly this is the case, we cannot give a satisfactory answer to. Ultimately, it is up to each individual to decide how they will reconcile the existence of evil and suffering with their faith in a loving God. 

However, one thing is certain, the question itself is a reminder of the great mystery and complexity of the divine. It continually challenges us to deepen our insight and understanding of the dual forces at work both in our universe, and within ourselves. 

---

A Faith & Ethics Report by Duncan Williams @NewsAdvertiser

How regional newsrooms can use AI to protect the ‘lifeblood of local journalism’

Regional journalism experts appear optimistic generative AI can help their snowed-under newsrooms.

By João Santos for Press Gazette 

A WAN-IFRA survey has found that half of newsrooms are already deploying generative AI in some form or another.

Large language models quickly garnered the attention of Reach, Buzzfeed, Conde Nast and other publishers across the globe over the past six months for its potential to streamline editorial processes.

In particular the free-to-access ChatGPT has fast shown its potential to reinvent the way content is produced and journalism is done. But in local news outlets hard-pressed for time and staff, is the adoption of AI likely to be an opportunity or a threat?

AI vs the humans in local journalism

A number of UK regional news publishers have already realised that AI-generated news stories could free up journalists to concentrate on more meaningful reporting.

Duncan Williams, the managing director and proprietor of Pulman’s Weekly News in south east Devon, said: “AI has got huge advantages to help journalists, particularly in the regional sector, but it’s not yet at a level where it’s going to be able to write nitty-gritty stories.”

Rather, he said he believes the more in-depth stories produced by human journalists will carry increased significance. He wrote an op-ed in his newspaper last month emphasising the importance of human bylines for trust.

“As an editor, I would not dream of publishing a story by someone I did know the name of or who was not a trusted and credible human source,” he said. “Bylines not only protect my readers, but they also hold journalists accountable for their work.”

Dr Joy Jenkins, an assistant professor of Journalism at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, has worked extensively on how new technologies can be sustainably introduced into local industries.

She said: “AI can be used on more basic types of reporting in order to free up journalists to do the more investigative, in-depth types of stories they’d like to do but don’t always have the time and resources to produce.”

Eliz Mizon, a media writer and communications lead at Bristol Cable, believes AI could help local journalists carry out important “institutional accountability and community cohesion” roles, potentially reversing a trend that has seen around 300 local newspaper title closures since 2005 and left others hanging by a thread.

Will AI help or hurt regional journalist numbers?

A recurring worry that crops up in discussions of AI and news is whether the technology will end up replacing journalists, particularly in light of the economic headwinds that have encouraged many publishers to lay off staff in the past year.

Jody Doherty-Cove, Newsquest‘s special projects editor, is currently at the forefront of developing, coding and implementing AI tools for over 180 newsrooms across the UK, having just helped the Gannett-owned publisher establish its first AI reporter positions.

He explained: “A common misconception in the public discourse is the notion that AI, like some malevolent force, is poised to supplant human journalists in a ruthless bid to cut costs.

“Local journalism is a craft that requires investigation, relationship building, and nuanced understanding – elements that no machine, no matter how sophisticated, can truly replicate.”

Dr Jenkins agreed, explaining that AI should be seen as a “really affordable and helpful” tool which, if used properly, can be an “extremely effective way for local journalism to maximise its resources”.

Pulman’s owner Williams added: “It would streamline both the numbers of staff required to run our titles in an economic fashion and also the actual revenue streams that are the lifeblood of local journalism.”

This is the approach that Kallum Gethins, managing director at Dorset News and editor at View From Weymouth, has taken when incorporating AI into the running of both publications.

“If we find a story, we gather the facts, make a short sentence and then bring that into the AI software which produces a three to four-paragraph article, we proofread it and publish it,” he said. “The whole process takes about ten minutes.”

Much like the advent of social media and citizen journalism, AI could therefore lower the barrier of entry into the industry, making quality and consistency more affordable.

Gethins said: “I think that all organisations should implement AI because it could help their business massively, especially if the organisation is brand new and can’t afford journalists. For instance, we probably won’t be using AI-originated content in the long term and will look for potential journalists to join our franchise.”

The challenges ahead for AI in local journalism

As automation seeps into the media industry, the utility of AI in local journalism could be as far-reaching as the industry demands.

As well as editorial tasks, Dorset News’ Gethins has begun using different AI software engines for administrative work, for example producing email templates suited to potential investors and creating budget plans.

Automation could magnify the results of advertising campaigns and help integrate local papers more fully into social media, something which, Dr Jenkins explained, has been a historical struggle for many publications.

However there are considerable challenges to overcome before AI can be fully integrated into journalism in a way that is both ethical and practical.

Doherty-Cove said: “We must ensure that AI-generated content does not escape the watchful eyes of human editors who, with human oversight and rigorous fact-checking, can ensure AI-generated content meets their exacting requirements.”

Chatbots such as ChatGPT rely on what the user feeds into it, as the data on which they were trained is in some cases out-of-date. This means the fundamental newsgathering framework which leads to a fully-fledged story is, for the moment, outside the purview of generative AI programmes.

But as Dr David Ryfe, a professor and director at the School of Journalism and Media at the University of Texas at Austin, put it: “Clay Shirky wrote over a decade ago that it is much faster to lose something than to build something else to stand in its place. That is what is happening to local journalism.”

Source: https://pressgazette.co.uk/publishers/regional-newspapers/how-regional-newsrooms-can-use-ai-to-protect-the-lifeblood-of-local-journalism/