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September 20, 2026 Conversation with AI Overview -- One of the Lucky Ones (Psychology)
I asked:
What is it called when an individual thinks of him- or herself by asking "Why wasn't I one of the lucky ones?"
AI Overview said:
This specific type of thinking is most commonly referred to as . . .
Click here to continue reading One of the Lucky Ones, (PDF file, 266 words, 1 page).
September 19, 2026 Conversation with AI Overview -- Some Justify Their Crimes (Sociology & Criminology)
I asked:
“Instead of thinking of crime as a moral failure, many who commit illegal acts (not including murder or drunk driving, etc.) realize even though they are smart and able . . ."
Continue reading the question and AI Overview's reply, Some Justify Their Crimes, (PDF File, 401 words, 2 pages).
September 17, 2026 Conversation with Gemini AI – Adding Elements to a Scene (Old Kitchen)
Here's another nostalgic peek at the past. Today's image focuses on a corner of the kitchen and the small multi-use kitchen cupboard found in many homes. Food was prepared here and served as a location for washing dishes and washing your hands and face if no other facilites were available.
Click here to read the prompt provideed for Gemini as well as view elements that were to be added to the image it generated: Old Kitchen Cupboard, (PDF file, 705 words, 9 pages).
The teapot. cups and sugar bowl were rendered from SkettchUp Export images and were included in the kitchen image by use of the prompt instructions.
Imaage Source: Gemini
Very common kitcen decor during the 40's and 50's (and today)
September 16, 2216 Conversations with AI Apps -- A Bit of Everything
Here's a handful of short posts that address questions that may push the boundaries of logic and reason. They have all been converted to PDF format:
Faulty Rheostats and Condensers (PDF file, 3 pages)
“Is there a radio frequency or similar interference that may be able to scramble all other frequeies so that they would be rendered useless for communication?"
________________________
Income Taxes 2026 (PDF file, 2 pages)
“Any household these days with total income less than $100,000 should be exempt from Federal and State Income Taxes?"
______________________
Swearing in Society (PDF file, 2 pages)
"When did swearing and vulgar language become popular in the U.S. that has now . . ."
____________________
Evolution of Accents in England and America (PDF file, 3 pages)
"Is it true that the current English accent for the past 300 years originated when a certain class of individuals wanted to differentiate . . ."
____________________
Time and Infinity -- There's No Stopping (PDF file, 1 page)
"If there is infinite slowness how can it be measured that anything comes to a . . ."
September 3, 2026 Gemini's Imagery
Gemini does nice work. It took a few prompts before Gemini created this scene. Several prompts were required to get the sack of tobacco and pull string looking authentic and to position and size it correctly. It was also necessary to describe the scene, clothing, and how the rolling paper is dampened on the lower lip (or tongue) as shown in the image below.
Image Source: Gemini
Cowboy Rolls His Own
September 2, 2026 Conversation with AI Overview – Is Rap Really Music?
The same type of questions have been asked since the evolution of popular music began generations ago. Jazz, Rock-n-Roll, Country Western, etc. all have their critics.
When Rap first began to surface on early television music programs, my first impression was that it was a rough and violent form of expression. Later, vulgarity kept most of it off the mainstream television networks.
Personally, I didn’t understand it—literally, the lyrics were meaningless, except for a few swear words sprinkled in. The rhythm was quite catchy. However, much of the same can be said about Rock-n-Roll lyrics clarity—it too had some vulgarity, but it was more subtle—censors objected, however.
Given its popularity, there must be something alluring about Rap’s composition. Our culture has great diversity. Of the hundreds of millions of music lovers, many millions have claimed ownership and embraced Rap music. It has evolved and there are now many variations and subsets of this genre.
I asked:
“Is Rap music more about cadence and emotion than it is about tonality and chord structure, If so, how can it be categorized as music in the traditional sense?”
AI Overview said:
Yes, rap music generally prioritizes cadence, rhythm, and emotion over traditional Western elements like complex tonality and chord progressions.
However, . . . Click Here to continue reading Rap Music, (PDF file, 625 words, 3 pages).
September 1, 2026 Conversation with Gemini – The Day the Earth Stood Still
In today's post, the query below is a follow-up to to two questions about "Life on Earth." Hopefully, you will find Gemini's responses interesting.
I asked:
“In the 2000s version of the movie, "The Day the Earth Stood Still" its premise is based on the visitor's revelation that we do not own Planet Earth, and others who stake claim are disappointed in what humanity has made of it. Therefore, his mission is to destroy all life on Earth. Later, he realizes that humans do have redeeming qualities. What is your assessment of the possibility that this is not all science fiction?”
Gemini said:
The core dynamic of the 2008 film The Day the Earth Stood Still relies on a specific philosophical framing: humanity acts as a temporary biological steward of a rare ecosystem rather than its absolute owner. . . (Continue reading Life on Earth and about The Day the Earth Stood Still, (PDF file, 1,583 words, 7 pages).
September 1, 2026 Tom's September Tidbit -- Total Number of man-made roads in the U.S.
The following estimate was provided by AI Overview based on the following Question:
I asked:
AI Overview said:
The total combined length of all man-made paths, roads, alleys, runways, streets, railroad tracks, sidewalks, parking lots, and driveways in the United States is estimated to be roughly 8,850,000 miles. Multiplying this by a conservative, blended average width of 30 feet results in a total estimated surface area of 1,401,840,000,000 square feet (or approximately 50,284 square miles).
Estimated Mileage Breakdown
Because features like parking lots and driveways are typically measured in square footage or individual spaces, they have been converted into "linear mile equivalents" based on their standard lane/drive aisle configurations:
Public Roads & Streets: 4,220,000 miles (According to the Federal Highway Administration).
Alleys & Private Roads: 500,000 miles (Unmapped, local, and industrial access paths).
Sidewalks: 1,500,000 miles (Calculated based on average urban and suburban street pairings).
Parking Lot Lanes: 1,520,000 miles (Derived from the estimated 800 million parking spaces in the U.S. and their accompanying drive aisles).
Driveways: 750,000 miles (Based on ~80 million residential/commercial properties with an average 50-foot driveway length).
Paths & Trails: 200,000 miles (Paved multi-use, pedestrian, and cycling paths).
Railroad Tracks: 140,000 miles (The operational U.S. freight and passenger rail network).
Runways & Taxiways: 40,000 miles (Combined networks of commercial, military, and general aviation airfields).
_________________________________________
I asked:
"What is the estimated inhabitable land mass in the U.S. measured in square miles?--that is, for human settlement?"
AI Overview said:
The estimated inhabitable land mass in the United States is roughly 2,000,000 to 2,500,000 square miles, representing about 55% to 70% of its total landmass.
The exact number depends on how strictly you define "habitable" (e.g., whether you include working agricultural land or exclude legally protected areas). A breakdown shows how this is calculated across the 3,535,365 square miles of total U.S. dry land:
1. Actually Settled Land (The Human Footprint)
Only a tiny fraction of the U.S. is strictly built-out for residential and urban use.
Urban & Suburban Areas: ~63,400 square miles (about 2%) contain cities, towns, and commercial centers where over 80% of Americans live.
Rural Residential: ~78,000 square miles account for rural homes, homesteads, and small-town footprints outside major metropolitan zones.
2. Crop and Agricultural Land (Habitable but Undeveloped)
Most of the truly habitable space in America is used to feed the population rather than house it.
Croplands & Pastures: ~1,200,000 square miles consist of flat, fertile, low-altitude terrain. While legally and physically perfectly suitable for human settlement, it is maintained as open space for agriculture.
3. Legally or Physically "Uninhabitable" Land
The remaining 1,000,000 to 1,500,000 square miles are functionally excluded from human settlement due to legal protections or extreme geography:
Protected Federal & State Lands: ~1,000,000 square miles are held in trust as National Parks, National Forests, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) territory, and military bases. Human settlement here is strictly prohibited.
Severe Topography & Deserts: ~350,000 square miles are made up of steep mountain ranges (like the Rockies and Sierras) and arid, waterless deserts (like the Mojave).
Wetlands & Swamps: ~156,000 square miles are physically unsuitable for building foundations without catastrophic ecological destruction.
Because of this distribution, human settlement is incredibly concentrated. In fact, U.S. Census data shows that 47% of the United States features a population density of zero—meaning nearly half of the country's land blocks are completely unoccupied by human residents.
_______________________________________
So when I look at the raw numbers: 50,284 sq. miles man-made roads and paths, etc. and 2,500,000 square miles of inhabitable land, it doesn't look like a very high percentage: 50,284 / 2,500,000 = .0201136 %.
That's just the roads and surface coverings. This tidbit doesn't consider the expanse of man's cities, strip mines, power plants, the electrical grid, data centers, oil fields, pipelines, crop lands, grazing lands, military installations, wind farms, and forested woodlands, recreational areas, etc.
Humaniy's environmental impact on our country begins to add up. There are presently many miles of wide-open country to marvel at. Much of it is privately owned, however.
August 28, 2026 Conversation with Gemini -- Cell Phone Culture, Web Browsers, and Lost Productivity
Social Media providers have been under attack recently. In this post, I propose a more direct method of dealing with this and other perceived problems that are under scrutiny. Gemini has been given the task of hashing out my lengthy remarks as prefaced below.
I asked Gemini:
“Other than person-to-person phone calls, there should be a cap on internet usage of 15 minutes daily. Lost productivity and a host of other problems have given rise . . . " Click here to read more: Cell Phone Culture . . . (PDF File, 1,296 words, 5 pages).
August 25, 2026 Conversation with AI Overview -- Changing Times
AI Overview said:
Beyond technology, everyday life changed through major shifts in social roles, health awareness, and global culture. People live and interact differently today compared to the mid-20th century.
Social Roles and Family Life
Women at work: More women have jobs outside the home and lead major companies or governments.
Family structures: Single-parent homes, blended families, and unmarried couples living together are common.
Civil rights: Laws protect people of all races, genders, and sexual orientations in many parts of the world.
Health and Wellness
Smoking habits: Smoking was allowed almost everywhere and seen as normal. Now, public smoking bans and health warnings are common.
Fitness boom: Regular exercise and running became popular hobbies in the 1970s rather than rare routines.
Diet and food: Fresh produce, global cuisines, and health-focused diets replaced heavy reliance on processed canned foods.
Environment and Daily Habits
Recycling: Sorting household trash for recycling became a standard daily habit.
Pet care: Pets are treated as family members with high-end food and specialized medical care.
Casual dress: Formal daily wear like suits and hats for running errands were replaced by casual clothes and athletic wear.
August 22, 2026 Conversation with AI Overview – Ice Boxes
This post is an excerpt from a longer conversation about the day’s before refrigerators. It reflected on the procedures for daily ice delivery—especially in the South where ice was not obtained from natural means (ice blocks cut from frozen lakes or riverbeds). Instead, many areas required manufactured ice from ice plants to provide stores, fishing boats, rail transportation, and homes with a way to keep perishable meats, vegetables, and dairy products fresh.
Cold storage utilizing ice continued to be used in many households into the 50s. I remember having an ice box in our Florida kitchen during the early 1950s. Refrigerators were still pretty new (and expensive). If you've ever used a cooler with crushed ice, it's about the same thing as what you'd get with an Ice Box--it was not a freezer by any means. Ice Boxes would keep milk from souring most of the time.
I said:
“All I remember about the ice box was its unique smell of metal and cold as it blended with the smells of chilled food items.”
AI Overview said:
That sensory memory is incredibly accurate and something that modern plastic-lined refrigerators just can't replicate.
That unique "icebox smell" was a distinct combination of three specific things:
The Metal Lining: Most mid-century iceboxes were lined with galvanized zinc, tin, or porcelain-enameled steel to prevent the wooden outer frame from rotting. When damp, those metals gave off a sharp, distinct metallic tang.
Stagnant Humidity: Unlike modern refrigerators that circulate dry air to prevent frost, an icebox relied on a 100% humidity environment created by the melting ice block. That heavy, cold, damp air trapped and amplified the aromas of whatever was inside.
The Drip Pan: Because the ice was constantly melting, water flowed down a small tube into a drip pan underneath the box. If it wasn't emptied daily, the standing water mixed with tiny food particles or dust, creating a very specific, slightly musty underlying scent.
It truly was a sensory experience unique to that era—the heavy thud of the insulated wooden door, the latch clicking into place, and that immediate rush of metallic, cold, food-mingled air.
Image created with Gemini AI
Modern Kitchen in its day: Ice Box, Running Water, and Electric Stove
August 20, 2026 Conversation with Gemini -- A Fictional Story . . .
Story telling often reflects on the past. Today, Gemini was asked to take an idea and create a short story in the pesent tense. Here are the instructions for Gemini.
“Write a short story about Jonas "Four Fingers" McGuire entirely in the present tense. He is missing 3 fingers on both hands due to a car accident. This is a fictional story and any subject matter is useable. He is a performer who has exceptional skills playing the piano for audiences worldwide. Please tell about his life, his experiences, and famedom."
Click here to read the story . . . Jonas "Four Fingers" McGuire (PDF file, 662 words, 2 pages with Gemini's Narrated music video link, Duration 31 seconds, 3MB).
August 15, 2026 There’s No Stopping -- What AI Overview Says about That
“If there is infinite slowness how can it be measured that anything comes to a complete or abrupt halt?”
AI Overview’s Reply:
An infinite slowdown means speed approaches zero forever without reaching it mathematically. . . . Click here to continue reading There's No Stopping, (PDF Filem 284 words, 1 page).
This question is also addressed:
“What happens if the moving object ceases to exist? Does time for it stop counting?”
August 13, 2026 Chat with AI Overview – About Income Tax
Please comment on these notions:
“Any household these days with total income less than $100,000 should be exempt from Federal and State Income Taxes.”
“Currently, what is the tax revenue collected by the IRS for households and individuals whose incomes are less than $100,000 compared to all of those exceeding $100,000 total annual income? And then compare the fraction of income required to pay for necessities, such as food, clothing, housing, medical, and transportation.”
Here are AI Overview's remarks: About Income Tax, (PDF File, 695 words).
August 02, 2026 Gemini AI Replies--Daylight Savings Time, Its Effect on School Children
As another new school year approaches, this important topic is being discussed:
“There is currently a debate over whether Daylight Savings Time (DST) is safe for children regarding going to school in the dark during the winter months, especially in the northern climates. There are possible solutions without disrupting a child's education.
For example . . . ." Continure reading Daylight Savings Time . . ., (PDF File, 838 words, 3 pages).
August 1, 2026 Gemini AI Replies--Controlling the Digital World
This is my latest post concerning the implications of an advanced technological society. My initial question and three follow-up remarks are boldfaced and enclosed in quotation marks.
Here's an excerpt from page 7:
When people worry about runaway technology, the deepest fear isn't just that machines will take our jobs or outsmart us—it’s that in trying to automate, optimize, and digitize everything, we gradually surrender the core attributes of what it actually means to be human.
Click here to continue reading Controlling the Digital World, (PDF File, 2,326 words, 9 pages).
July 24, 2026 AI Overview Responds to Another Tough Question
"What is in store for the human race's evolutionary process over the next 6 million years based on scientific research? Ignoring any effects of human technology or medical science, will we evolve larger, smaller, smarter, or not as smart, etc.?"
Over the next 6 million years, assuming natural evolutionary processes dominate, humanity will likely evolve into a more lightly built, less physically robust species. Without the buffering effects of technology or medicine, populations would face harsh environmental pressures, potentially driving biological adaptation, speciation, or reduction in overall brain and body size. [1, 2, 3, 4]
The projected evolutionary path for the human race includes distinct biological adaptations: [1]
Brain Size: Research indicates human brains have shrunk by roughly \(10\%\) over the last 20,000 to 30,000 years. Without technological crutches, this trend could continue through a process of "self-domestication," as natural selection favors smaller, more metabolically efficient brains that require less energy to operate. [1, 2, 3]
Physical Stature: Humans could evolve to be smaller overall. Smaller bodies require less caloric intake, offering a distinct survival advantage during periods of resource scarcity. Additionally, skeletons and muscles would continue to become lighter as reliance on brute strength diminishes. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Intelligence: Evolutionary scientists debate the long-term trajectory of intelligence. While some suggest natural selection favored heightened social intelligence, others point to the relaxed selective pressures of larger societies, which can lead to a greater range of normal cognitive baselines rather than universally higher intelligence. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Teeth and Jaws: The trend of shrinking jaws and teeth would likely continue, possibly culminating in the permanent loss of wisdom teeth. This is a direct consequence of a diet heavily reliant on processed, soft foods, which reduces the mechanical stress placed on the chewing muscles. [1]
Speciation: Over millions of years, geographical isolation and environmental fluctuations could drive human populations to diverge. Different climates and habitats might trigger divergent physical characteristics, potentially splitting humanity into distinct, specialized species.
July 21, 2026 Waltzing Matilda – Australian Heritage
When I was in primary school in the early 1950s one of the most memorable and beautiful songs we learned in music class was Waltzing Matilda. We actually learned that song before the National Anthem because it was much easier to sing and it had a vivid story about a swagman by a billabong.
Even though we repeatedly sang the entire song, I never paid much attention to what it meant until today. Waltzing Matilda is about a thief who stole a sheep and later committed suicide rather than being arrested and imprisoned. We assume that he jumped into the billabong, and later in the song “his ghost may be heard.”
Here is the verse that describes the event:
Up rode the squatter, mounted on his thoroughbred,
Down came the troopers, one, two, three,
"Whose is that jumbuck you've got in your tucker bag?"
"You'll never catch me alive!" said he.
And his ghost may be heard as you pass by that billabong,
"Who'll come a-waltzing Matilda, with me?"
Our Elementary teacher never filled us in on the details; instead, she let us imagine what all of the unfamiliar words may have been describing. I also inquired about Matilda. Actually, Matilda is a bedroll or backpack carried by people hiking through the bush country. Since it went everywhere they did, it became an expression referred to as Waltzing Matilda.
The song originated as a poem and was later adapted to a melody. By the way, the Star Spangled Banner’s lyrics were also adapted to a melody from another song.
Waltzing Matilda is one of the most revered songs in Australia that is said to reflect the spirit of independence of the Australian people.
July 20, 2026 America's Average Life Expectancy
The U.S. boasts of being the richest country in the world. However, the average life expectancy of an average U.S. citizen is ranked low compared to other developed nations and may be even lower than some that are still developing. Though we may live longer than U.S. citizens did 100 years ago, this does not present the entire picture if we compare our current statistics with other nations.
Could it be that we rely too heavily on medical science for a cure rather than to make wise decisions about our lifestyle. As a result of poor decisions regarding: diet-related issues--obesity; substance abuse; and many hours of screen time (the couch potatoes), to name a few, we have acquired many chronic ailments that affect quality of life and longevity.
As a nation, we don't have much to brag about regarding our average lifespan. Other aspects enter into the equation such as the many families and individuals who lack access to doctors and hospital care.
I'm not the only one who thinks this way, but nothing significant seems to be happening to turn things around. Should health education and lifestyle choices be prioritized in the U.S. at least as much as our fascination with spectator sports, for example. Healthy living seems to be sidelined for many of us.
July 19, 2026 The Housing "Catastrophe" and Inflationary Comparisons
Here are some recent thoughts regarding the cost of living. Pardon me for rambling on and being somewhat uncertain as to where and when to quit:
The housing market has been described as a catastrophe for a number of reasons. High cost, affordablity for prospective home buyers, rising interest rates, and the shortage of homes on the market. That about sums it up.
From my perspective, purchasing a new home is out of the question at my age. Our home was built in the early 1970s for a cost of around $10,000 including the property on which it stands. In today's world the same 56-year old 1,700 square foot ranch style home would be valued, as is, at a conservative $200,000 depending on its location. A markup of 20 times its original cost.
However, to purchase a newly built home of similar size would cost around $340,000 for construction not including other expenses that are part of the deal.
The rate of inflation, in my opinion, is staggering regarding the purchase of homes and their upkeep. Today, for $10,000 I can have my choice of performing any one of the following home repair or upkeep requirements:
Most of the roof re-shingled
New rain gutters and soffits
One exterior wall resided
New flooring--carpet, laminate, tile
Window replacement, etc. . . .
As you can see from the partial list above, home repair and upkeep are not cheap. Fortunately, they all do not require immediate attention. However, as your property begins to age, as ours has, expect one or more surprises annually. Budget accordingly.
Lastly, vehicles, automobile, medical insurance, hospitalization, and dental work, for example, have experienced similar high inflationary rates compared to other necessities such a gallon of milk, a loaf of bread, or a regular pair of shoes (not the big ticket brands, of course).
In the 1950s dentists were charging between $1.50 and $3.00 per tooth to have it pulled. I imagine in those days, with dental hygiene not commonly practiced as it is today, many people were living with a mouthful of rotten teeth. Even at those rates, dentists made a good living based on sheer volume.
With the advancement in dental technology their services are no longer that inexpensive. Prices for major dental work far exceeds the average inflation rate that is applied to ordinary consumer products.
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