ROM: Through the Eyes Of My Grandchildren

Last week I spent a day with a couple of my grandchildren, Agnes 14 and Ben 10, at the ROM. They had both been there before, but they wanted to go again – together. They wanted to show each other their favourite exhibits.

The plan was to wander through each floor, stopping when a favourite spot came along. The first exhibit that caught their attention was in China. Right away the kids noticed the swastika on an Emperor’s robe. I had thought the swastika was a marketing tool of Hitler’s, but it turns out that the symbol has been around in Chinese culture for at least 5000 years, symbolizing good fortune and prosperity. Along with all his horrifying atrocities, Hitler had been plagiarizing as well.

Next we visited the biodiversity section where we saw the bat cave, numerous crawling things, exotic fish, food webs, a piece of rock from the moon, and of course dinosaurs. The dinosaur exhibit was of particular interest to me because it has been moved from its original dark space near the entrance to a bright and airy new section on the second floor. Dinosaurs of all sizes can now be examined up close.

After all that, it was time for a break. The kids had never been to the restaurant; they had always come with other groups and their lunch, and sat in a different area. The restaurant is not gourmet but it serves pizza with good pepperoni (according to Ben) and a delicious salad with greens and fruit (according to me!). We were happy eating, as we made our plans for the next part of our visit.

We had saved the third floor for last. This area contains Ancient Egypt which is a crowd favourite, mostly because of the mummies. But Ben and Agnes had seen them all before and walked by with only one comment: “gross.” We found 2 versions of Cleopatra – one carved in stone, and the other one a replica of Cleopatra putting on her make-up. That interested Agnes immensely.

The Japanese exhibit is also on the third floor now. At first Ben said he wasn’t interested, until I reminded him that he and his family had visited Japan only a year ago. Then he spotted the samurai swords and rushed over. He and Agnes studied the swords and the kimonos. Then they were attracted to the gift-wrapping table, Japanese style. This, like many other exhibits, was hands-on.

And that is what impressed me most about the updated ROM. Most of the exhibits have some sort of interactive display which engages young visitors fully.

Pushing buttons:

spinning wheels:

activating lights:

listening to mini-lectures:

tapping on images:

Our final stop was for more food at a small cafe on the main floor. Agnes chose a dessert square, Ben found a Kermit Gingerbread Man who quickly became legless, and I got a very sugary Nanaimo bar. We left the ROM with tummies full of calories and minds full of interesting things we had learned from our ancestors. Not one of us had even thought of using our cell phones.

Sue

April Fools’ Day

On April Fools’ Day we are at the forefront of a world where Artificial Intelligence is taking over. We see this every day: in supermarkets and factories, in the media and science labs, in law and politics. And at Arcadia Earth.

A few nights ago Peter and I went to a presentation that included positive messages and glaring warnings about or future world. The presentation was hosted by our alma mater, Queen’s University. Luckily for us, it was held at a venue in downtown Toronto, easily accessible by GO train. The highlight of these events for Peter is always the food. We nibbled on nachos with salsa and guacamole, followed by chicken tacos and glasses of red wine. We were almost full, until we saw plates of mouth-watering Mexican doughnuts called churros. We each ate 4.

Buoyed by the food, we moved on to the lecture hall where the panel members from Queen’s were seated in front of a large AI screen counting down the start time by the second:

The professors were from media, science and law, as well as one student who gave her perspective, and the moderator from BMO who talked about the financial implications. They all spoke briefly about their field, pointing out the benefits to society. The media prof stated the obvious: that “AI-generated media is all around us.” He gave the example of Taylor Swift having to re-record her original songs using AI and adding tweaks, because her record company would not release the rights to her own intellectual property.

The science professor talked about the value of AI in science labs, saving time collecting and narrowing down data. The law prof covered some of the ethical issues around legal documents that were AI-created. For example, there are many cases of candidates applying for jobs who submit their AI-generate applications, and receive AI-generated responses, the entire process having no human interaction!

After the presentation and a brief Q and A, we were released to explore the venue – Arcadia Earth. Despite the delicious food and the very informative talk, this place to us was the highlight of the evening. We stepped from square-shaped box-like rooms, through mirrors, and into other worlds of bright colours, soft musical notes, fragrant aromas, and breathtaking beauty: suddenly and disturbingly transformed.

First we walked through a glass tunnel leading us through ocean water filled with sharks, stingrays, sunfish and turtles who swam very close to the glass as if posing for us. We were entranced. As we were enjoying the view, suddenly a massive piece of concrete slammed into the ocean, destroying the fish and creating the foundation for a condo tower or office building.

The second space held model heads with huge noses and hair created from pages of discarded old books. Behind each head was a sample of artificially created scents. This room was warm and inviting – until we realized how many books had been trashed to create the hair.

Not knowing what to expect next, we haltingly entered the room: a sun-filled forest of brilliant green foliage with deer meandering and munching contentedly on the ground cover. But this idyllic scene was quicky transformed into a glacier in the arctic; cold and formidable.

We carefully moved into another room, this one presented as a brilliant red forest with lovely hanging trees all around us. We tiptoed in to explore, and sat on some carved seats inside the trunks. it was peaceful. But what was the catch? We looked closer. Everything in the room was ocean waste: ropes, fishnets, pieces of discarded oars, and bones. It was disgusting.

There were many other similar types of displays: both attractive and jarring. Technology has been used to create a very clear message: clean up the environment. All our grandchildren should see this display. April Fools’ Day is not a bad time to visit.

Sue

Technology Is Driving Us Crazy

A couple of months ago our insurance provider, Johnson, sold off their vehicle insurance branch to another company, Belair Direct. We had been very happy with Johnson and had no say in this sale.

Peter and I have been driving for over 60 years and both of us have pretty clean driving records: no accidents caused by either of us, and only a few parking tickets. Since moving to the city, we have switched our mode of travel to public transit and walking. Our cars sit in the garage getting dusty and waiting for for COSTCO visits, trips to family cottages, and the curling rink which is not on a subway line.

We were OK with this arrangement until Belair Direct sent Peter an email message telling him he could get 10% off the cost of our policy. Peter is highly motivated by a deal and immediately began filling out the attached form. Then he came to the spot where he had to fill in his cell phone number. You will be shocked to hear this – but Peter has no cell phone. So I was called in to help.

After studying the form, I realized that the company wanted to install a device on my car that would monitor my driving habits. I am not quite ready to let AI take over my life yet, so I said no. By this time, however, Belair had my cell phone number and the phone calls have been non-stop. I have hung up on them, I have answered with rude words, I have threatened, I have pleaded. As a matter of fact, excuse me while I answer my phone again RIGHT NOW! Aggghhh…

Meanwhile Peter got another message from Belair asking him to complete a “survey” for another 10% off the bill. When we read the message more closely, the request was hidden in the text. It was a chance to sign up for “autocoverage” which didn’t mean CAR coverage; it meant coverage by technology. In other words, all our coverage would be done online. Forms, photos, documents, everything. No nice person would be at the end of a phone to ask “May I Help you?” If we had an accident, we would have to download everything by ourselves; while we waited at an intersection, bleeding to death, our car in pieces. And I’d have to use MY phone to do it because Peter still wouldn’t have one!

Driving for older folks is hard enough these days as our bodies and minds age. I have to admit that some new technology features are a big help. My car cameras, (blind spot and back-up), can be helpful if my neck is stiff from arthritis. My front-end braking assist is useful if I happen to approach a car from behind while I’m searching in my purse for my grocery list. The GPS is handy if I get lost in a new neighbourhood.

However, technology could do a much better job of one thing – construction! Surely some tech person could figure out a way around all those orange cones and signs, without long detours. Or maybe find a way to install sewer pipes that didn’t involve big diggers and dump trucks. Or how about a way to solve the bike lane issue?

Sadly, I have run out of space in this post. My answer to bike lanes will have to wait till next week. If you have any ideas, send them along. But you’ll have to use technology to reply because the post office is on strike and the drive to our house is hampered by construction.

Sue