Month: November 2025

Batshit Amazing: How AI Can Mimic Animal Senses to Help Humanity

by earlthepearl137

The tragedy of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is that it is treated as a gold rush — a way to get rich quickly. The real treasure of AI, however, lies in using AI to extend our senses, to make us all smarter and the world safer, healthier, and more connected. Imagine a society where “superhuman perception” isn’t hoarded for profit, but rather shared for the common good.

I recently binge‑watched several Jesse Stone movies starring Tom Selleck. One of the most memorable characters in that series isn’t human at all — it’s Reggie, the Labrador Jesse finds at a crime scene and quietly adopts. Reggie is enigmatic: his previous owner was killed, and he was found lingering beside the body, carrying a sadness that never quite lifts. He isn’t the typical fun‑loving Labrador we expect. Jesse often wonders what’s going through Reggie’s mind, and I did, too.

This is where AI could open extraordinary doors. AI could help us glimpse the inner world of dogs like Reggie — their grief, loyalty, or quiet resilience. Understanding animals at that level wouldn’t just be fascinating; it would deepen our empathy and remind us of our shared vulnerability.  AI, incorporated with certain animal senses, which are far superior to our own five senses, would also have amazing benefits.

AI‑powered “electronic noses” can detect cancer from a patient’s breath, sniff out explosives, and monitor food safety.  Algorithms can process ultrasonic frequencies, giving drones and sensors bat‑like echolocation for navigation and search‑and‑rescue.  AI cameras see in infrared and ultraviolet, spotting crop pests or hidden defects invisible to human eyes.  Neuromorphic tactile sensors mimic whiskers, allowing robots to delicately handle surgery tools or navigate rubble.  Machine learning is currently decoding animal signals — from whale songs to bee dances — opening new channels of ecological cooperation.  Each of these breakthroughs shows how AI can help us borrow nature’s best tricks, not to dominate, but to collaborate.

Animals have been perfecting their senses for millions of years. AI gives us a chance to learn from them, not just to mimic, but to surpass.  If we choose to use it to aim higher than greed, that would truly be batshit amazing.  It would give us something this Thanksgiving Day to make us truly thankful for the vast number of species who share the planet with us, not just the turkeys.

Peace & Love, and all of the above.

Earl

Remembering John

by earlthepearl137

I haven’t written a blog since my best friend John passed away a few weeks ago. It’s hard to find the right words when the silence left behind feels louder than anything I could write.  I always considered John to be my best friend, and I tried to be his best friend. There was plenty of competition, though—he treated all his friends as best friends.  That was John. He didn’t ration affection. He didn’t play favorites. He made you feel like the center of the room, even when the room was full. And somehow, you believed it—because with John, it was true.

John lived in Long Beach, Long Island with his wife Margaret.  In a twist worthy of a song lyric, he met his wife Margaret one night while we were out celebrating my birthday.  They raised three remarkable children—Eileen, Andrea, and Johnny—each carrying forward a piece of his spirit. Eileen, who illustrated my children’s book, lives upstate with her husband Christopher and their two children, Jack and Nora. Andrea is a scientist, married to Mark, and together they’re devoted Phish fans. Johnny works behind the scenes on television stages and at Lincoln Center, a quiet craftsman in the world of performance.

John and I met in 1971 at the N.Y. Telephone Co. We bonded over music, mischief, and the kind of friendship that doesn’t need explaining. We played on the same Telephone Company softball team, The Newtown Suns.  He loved Family and Friends, Baseball, Music, and Long Beach.  One year, Eileen gave him a birthday gift that lit him up—a guest DJ spot on a radio station in Woodstock, NY. That was one of his best days. He was in his element, spinning tracks and stories like he’d been born for it.

We had plenty of great times together. I went to all his parties, and after I moved to Lancaster, he came out here a few times a year to cheer on the Lancaster Barnstormers with me.

I have dozens of CDs he made for me.  I can listen to them and think about him, but nothing can replace him.  John loved Baseball, especially the Yankees.  So, now that he joins Willie, Mickey, and the Duke in a Field of Dreams somewhere, I’ll play this song for him.

Willie, Mickey, and the Duke (Talkin’ Baseball)

 He was just a very special person.   I was lucky enough to know him and party with him for more than 50 years.

Peace & Love, and all of the above,

Earl