WILL ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) WRITING TOOLS REPLACE HUMAN WRITERS?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has taken the world by storm. It is constantly changing our world and is in high demand. But will the use of AI writing tools make human writers redundant?

The answer is a mixed bag. Such writing tools are unlikely to replace creative workers. On the other hand, AI writing tools technology is spectacular. It can generate human-like text in a fraction of a second and save you hours of hard work. Still, the content it generates remains superficial and cannot display human emotions. Good content requires original thinking and carries the writer's tone & style.

AI writing tools don't understand the text they generate. So instead, they collect information from the internet and reword it. This can lead to content that lacks the coherence and logical flow of human-written content. In addition, since AI tools use existing data to generate texts, they can produce content similar to what already exists. This can be a big problem for those individuals and brands that plan to be distinct from the competition by creating original, personalised, and engaging content. Unique content often includes personal experiences, opinions, and analysis, which are a few areas where AI falls short, at least at present.

AI writing tools can act as supplemental resources to enhance or rewrite content, but they cannot match the fervour of a human writer. Still, despite some shortcomings, there's no denying that AI writing tools have benefits and will play an essential role in our lives in the times to come.

STIGMA AROUND HEARING LOSS, WHICH IS NOT BY BIRTH IN MANY CASES

Hearing loss is still not discussed as much as we talk about anxiety, depression, cancer, cardiac diseases, or other health conditions these days. Yet, taking care of your hearing like you care for the rest of your body is equally important.

People feel uncomfortable with others knowing about their hearing loss. This is especially true if it is not by birth and happens later in their lives by exposure to loud noises, aging, or the combination of both or occurring as a complication of other diseases or fatal accidents.

People are ashamed of the things that make them different in the so-called accepted norms of society. They feel that talking about their hearing inefficiency would make them look less capable and out of place. So, if the hearing loss is mild, like needing things to be repeated or missing out on small everyday sounds, people tend to ignore it. They hope it's only a temporary issue and will rectify itself. But certain conditions can be profound, like mishearing important information or not being able to hear basic conversation at home and the workplace.

At the same time, it is easy for people with normal hearing abilities to get frustrated with miscommunication when dealing with those with minor hearing deficiencies. However, having empathy and being able to relate to what your loved one, friend, or colleague is experiencing with hearing loss may help increase your patience.

No one gets used to living with hearing loss overnight. This is especially true for older people, who wait for quite some years to accept they have a problem and need to get treated. Sometimes it takes someone else with hearing loss to help a person see how much they are struggling and how getting help could improve their life.

We need to change how hearing health is perceived around us collectively. Hearing assessment or audiometry tests should be a regular part of hospitals' full-body health checks like any other test. This can help identify any early signs of hearing impairment in individuals of any age. Along with promoting care for health as a whole, corporations and government offices in India should also promote hearing health checks. Periodic hearing screenings at schools should be made a standard practice. Hearing Loss Prevention Education should be implemented in elementary schools.

Once these audiometry tests are a standard part of health care in our country, hearing problems will no longer be considered shameful. As we advance with these hearing health practices, people wouldn't be afraid to accept and talk about their hearing loss and look for solutions like hearing aids and cochlear implants for a fuller life.

The Reminder We All Desperately Need

Death is inevitable in human life. This very thought is invigorating and humbling. The first time I got close to it was when I lost my mother. And the second time when I lit my father’s funeral pyre.

At that moment, I only wanted to hug my dad and bring him back. I realized how lonely one is in grief. I had people around me who cared about me and would have done anything to comfort me. But I stood alone, not knowing what to do and how to deal with the intense grief. I was alone in a moment that belonged to me, my father, and grief connected by that fire. The reminder that I am mortal came early in my life.

A cremation ground reminds us of our mortality in a powerful way. When somebody dies, the mortal nature of our existence hits us somewhere. If you are a little more sensitive, any dead form hits you mentally and emotionally. This is because the space between life and death is so fragile. Our existence becomes more meaningful when we consciously realize that we will not be permanent. It is necessary to remember that we are dust; to dust, we shall return. This realization in the body and mind is significant in making us satisfied with our lives. Contemplating our mortality can ease our angst and make our lives more meaningful.

We are busy belittling others or caught up in a mindless pursuit of pleasure, power, and immediate gratification. As a result, we often become overwhelmed and washed through with chaotic energies. We lose track of the reality that such a foolish chase will not make us immortal. Hence a reminder that we will not last forever is desperately needed to maintain balance within ourselves and the universe.

My abrupt encounter with mortality has helped me pursue meaning in life. It has changed the landscape of how and why I exist. My connection with nature has been my most incredible healing from any form of grief, harmonizing my internal rhythms. From time to time, I prefer to disconnect from the modern world and take on frequencies that support my mind and body. My connection to Mother Earth reminds me daily that I do not belong here forever and must play my part well in whatever I choose to do to bring meaning to my life and others.