Tom's Tidbit for Today -- 01-04-2026

• When asked:  The "collective weight" of all digital data (the bits and bytes themselves, separate from the storage device) is a matter of ongoing scientific discussion, but it is virtually zero for all practical purposes.  The estimated total mass of all data stored globally is likely on the order of a small fraction of a gram or less, far too small to be measured with current standard equipment. 

Source:  Google Labs | AI Overview

Tom's Tidbit for Today -- 03-01-2026

• The Big Dance!  Who is the best team in College Basketball?  Ask AI.

Source:  Google Labs | AI Overview

Tom's Tidbits for Today -- 02-01-2026

• The shortcut key to open the "Clear browsing data" menu in Chrome on Windows is Ctrl + Shift + Delete. This instantly opens the dialog box to clear history, cookies, and cache.  

• The shortcut to open the "Clear browsing data" menu in Chrome on macOS is Command (\⌘) + Shift + Delete. This instantly brings up the settings menu to clear your history, cookies, and cache. 

• "Six Degrees of Separation" (1929) suggests that all people are six or fewer social connections away from each other. As a result, a chain of "a friend of a friend" statements can connect any two people in a maximum of six steps.  However, since social media has evolved, the number of degrees may now average about 3.5 -- 4 degrees of separation.   Facebook (2016): Research on their massive user base showed the average distance had dropped to 3.57.

• Based on sociological models of network size in America, each individual in a group of 10 acquaintances would likely have an estimated 500 to 600 unique acquaintances. 

Source:  Google Labs | AI Overview

January 14, 2026  Conversation with Gemini -- Moth Identification (Science, Biology, Entomology, Taxonomy, and Photography)

The photos of a  large moth were originally posted July 13, 2022 (see 2022 Archive Link on Home Page).  They were recently included in the January 11 Image gallery posted further down the page.  No attempt to identify the moth had been made until today.

Instead of going directly to an online field guide or insect identification book, Gemini was first asked to identify the moth based on my photos and a description.   I would later verify the moth based on Gemini's analysis.  Gemini narrowed the search considerably, but it would take a few prompt modifications before Gemini correctly identified the species.  Using Gemini eliminated having to browse hundreds of moth images; however, it was still a time consuming process.  Having photos for final verification is more humane than having specimens that are needlessly killed or captured.

After modifying my description a half dozen times, Gemini was able to zero in on the moth's true identity.  Earlier descriptions identified the Genus based on its size and location and other features, but it wasn't until I described the serrated appearance of its wings did it determine it was a "Waved Sphinx Moth," Ceratomia undulosa.  I had noticed that Gemini's other suggested sphinx species of moths had smooth edges on their wings.  The most precise description is shown below:

You asked:

“I have provided a front and top view of a large moth photographed in our back yard in North Dakota.  It is estimated to be 2 ½ inches in length with a wingspan in flight of approximately 3 inches.  Notably, this moth has serrated wings when folded and resting.  It also has  two  eye-like spots on its forewings and has a very frightening appearance when viewed from the front with a nearly pointed head rather than being rounded or blunt. Can you match the images with known species and provide its common name as well as its Genus and species?  Our yard has a variety of trees including Ash, Elm, Flowering Crab Apple, Lilac, Pine and Poplar. There are also various hedges that yield non-edible, ornamental berries.” 

Gemini said: 

Based on the detailed photos and your description of the location and host trees, you have found a Waved Sphinx Moth.

Specifically, this is likely Ceratomia undulosa.

See remarks below.

Click Here or on the image at the right to view the large-format PDF file.  (Note:  Horizontal Scroll Bar in Chrome appears across the bottom when the Magnification setting reaches 175% or 200% depending on Full View or Thumbnail  View  mode of the PDF file.  Shift-Scroll Up or Down will also move horizontally at these magnifications. Lastly, Ctrl-Scroll zooms In and Out of everything--not recommended.

Tom's Tidbits for Today -- 01-01-2026

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• AI systems can be poisoned, fed malicious data, and, according to recent research, infected with self-propagating, destructive "AI worms". Attackers can inject poisoned data to create backdoors, such as causing autonomous vehicles to ignore stop signs or manipulating AI into stealing sensitive personal information. 

Source:  Google Labs | AI Overview

    English and Spanish Vocabulary

(Scripts Created with Gemini)