ReadYourBible

A movie is a 2-3 hour long film. Whereas a video series is usually comprised of ~1 hour + a few minutes episodes. This video series has 18 episodes, so it's the equivalent of several movies! ❤️

I'm not anti-AI, but I am for reasonable and educated use of it. It's a disruptive technology, same as nanotechnology, but in the hands of the right people, it could streamline research processes and lead to discoveries there. It will likely also lessen administrative burdens, etc. Lots of uses. However, if it's generative and it's pulling from local watersheds, where the balance is already tenuous... there I have an issue. You're not wrong though that many technologies have caused great harm to our earth. I posted about this because I didn't know. It never dawned on me that generative AI was different than my general use of the computer. It wasn't until someone brought it to my attention (in a less than kind way I may add) that I wondered if others like me didn't know. When I went down the rabbit hole of research, I was appalled at what I found, and truly gutted that I'd used enough AI equivalent to what a whole household would use for 3 days! Meanwhile people in places the world over are walking miles to draw water. I know I mentioned the images with lipstick, but it's far deeper. I was trying to keep the post light, because I know Jehovah will sort everything out in the end... but in the meantime, I want to be a responsible steward of the gem that our earth is.

Fair enough. Care to educate me further, then? Because everything that I've read is deeply concerning. I wouldn't want to be one of the ones ruining the earth inadvertently by making pictures of me with lipstick on LOL.

I respect your thoughts. However, you may want to do more research. I don't think the trade-off is the same. I'll keep researching too.

Maybe this has been discussed here, but in case it hasn't there may be others like me who don't realize what our simple video and picture creations by AI could be costing the environment. As irony would have it, I had a chatgpt subscription. I made a ton of stuff with it. So much so that my usage was equivalent to the water needs of a whole household for 3 days! It's easy to think because we've had computers for so long, that this is just more of the same. It is, and it isn't. Generative AI data centers are often built in towns near watersheds that are crucial to the environment. They consume large quantities of water, we're in the millions of litres now, but as generative AI grows, that number will reach billions of litres. Just wanted to mention it in case you all weren't aware of this. I know I wasn't. Currently, three of the largest water hogs are Amazon, Microsoft and Google. Of course, they're promising to cut usage -- however, Microsoft has been promising this for 2 decades. Direct Consumption: Facilities use open-loop or evaporative cooling systems where water absorbs server heat and evaporates. A medium-sized facility uses about 110 million gallons annually, while large hyperscale AI sites can consume up to 5 million gallons per day in hot climates. Indirect Consumption: Up to 75% of a data center's total water footprint comes from off-site power plants that use water for cooling and steam generation. These come from local watersheds. I'm certainly no expert on this topic, but my personal usage was a lot of water that could be used for other things than creating pictures of myself with lipstick on...

Definitely do the test for covid just in case. That being said, a cough that won't go away and feels like fire/knives reminds me of whooping cough. It doesn't present as a whoop in adults, but the cough is so nasty you cough until your face turns red and you gasp for air. The front of your chest has a shooting, fiery pain, like every nerve ending is lighting up. I learned that many of us get the whooping cough vaccine as children, but it can 'wear off' after 30 years.

I've learned that whenever we face challenges, Satan will try to attack us. Your wife's situation distracted you from your purpose. She didn't mean to, but she helped keep you off balance. Pink Popcorn (Chris) always used to say to me, 'Sharon, wherever there is confusion, chaos and disruption (I may have the last one wrong), it smacks of Satan's interference.' I don't believe she was wrong. If I had a dollar for every time a fight broke out at home while I was trying to get to a meeting or log into one, I'd have some significant savings. I've been thin too, brother. Teeth basically hanging on to the end of a rope. While I'm going through menopause. I sometimes think Jehovah doesn't want to know what I'm thinking because eep... it ain't good! The other night, after a long workday, I was finally able to enjoy a spiritual meeting when my husband called. Our car has been acting up, but he was just upset about losing his wallet. He was swearing and having a full-on meltdown. I laugh about it now, and I hope you can too. I want you to specifically look for the ways Satan's trying his machinations on for size. He's gotten so desperate he's always got to start something. Now I know Satan has been removed from the heavens but I can imagine Jehovah chuckling. A hand running through his majestic beard, a hint of laughter beneath his tone as he watches Satan try to discourage us. "You must think him easy pickings. I wouldn't be so sure about that." Jehovah thinks back to all the times Tim has shown up, even when Satan's been riding his back like a rented mule. I know we don't use the phrasing 'Good Luck' much, but there's a 'Good Luck' out there that's said with a straight face and a 'Yeah, right, that ain't ever gonna happen.' I'd imagine Jehovah looking down at Satan and going. 'Yeah. Good Luck with that.' Then having a good laugh with all the other spirit creatures. "Oh yeah, and get that man some extra holy spirit. He needs a top-up." "But... he wasn't paying attention." "Sure he was. Why do you think he showed up at my house?"

We have a car. If you've read the correct thread, you'll know what's meant by it

I love "Preaching to All Sorts of People." Song 57. And this one Pauline, is specifically for you. https://www.jw.org/en/library/music-songs/original-songs/We-See-You-Sister/

Powerful ❤️ thank you.

Years ago, I went to a restaurant that served Lebanese cuisine. While there, I learned that there was some Middle Eastern folkloric dance, and each table had a hookah. No smoke, just water vapour, scented water with non-toxic additives, mostly for show. The atmosphere was warm and the people friendly, the food was delicious, and nothing untoward went down. It would likely depend on the restaurant though and whether any other parties were renting it.

Please do not consider this medical advice, and discuss with your health care practitioner. My husband was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 2 years ago. His levels were 22. We immediately changed our eating habits, and he dropped 60lbs. Went from 4 metformin per day down to 2. He practices intermittent fasting and goes as no-carb as possible. I have been trying to get him to focus more on complex carbs for more balance, but he feels best when he doesn't eat them at all. We have also started focusing on our stress levels, because stress can play a crucial role too. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9561544/ https://www.stress.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Holmes-Rahe-Stress-inventory.pdf When he and I did a similar stress inventory, our family was sitting at 400 at the time. It's not much lower now. This system will always be a place of distress.

My husband would agree with you. We bought a lazyboy couch, and loveseat and I often find him snoozing after supper.

I'd weigh in on what's on fire for me, but I don't want to depress anyone. At least no one has died this year yet. I measure my spirituality by the challenges I face. If my struggles aren't trying to tear me apart or affecting some member of my family, I question whether I'm truly a good servant of Jehovah. I'm constantly fighting for my blessings. Ever since I welcomed the sisters into my home 26 years ago, I've been in a battle with my adversary. I've shared some of my experiences in my profile updates over the past couple of years, but that's only part of the story. Most witnesses don't fully understand. Some might, like Andee, Lori, and Grumpy's Wife. I have inner peace, and I know it's a possession of mine as a gift from Jehovah, but I have never known peace, because I've always been at war. It started in my childhood and continues to this day. I understand the feeling of never catching a break. But, the way I cope is by thinking if I weren't such a thorn in Satan's side, he wouldn’t spend every moment of his existence trying to make mine as miserable as possible. I recognize there are seasons for everything. However, much of what I've experienced feels too personal to be a mere coincidence. It’s 100% Satan at work, always seeking to attack the heart that loves Jehovah. I love this scripture. Beloved ones, do not be surprised about the fiery trials that you are experiencing,+ as though something strange were happening to you. On the contrary, go on rejoicing+ over the extent to which you are sharers in the sufferings of the Christ,+ so that you may rejoice and be overjoyed also during the revelation of his glory.+ 14 If you are being reproached* for the name of Christ, you are happy,+ because the spirit of glory, yes, the spirit of God, is resting upon you. And many are the hardships of the righteous one, but Jehovah rescue us from them all. So hardships (can't catch a break) = righteous. Just got to keep contending.