Day: January 26, 2019

Check That BP!

It is the weekend and I will attempt to be FYI today.

Us old farts have to keep a close eye on our BP (Blood Pressure) and most of us have a monitor at home so that we can make regular observations….and I would like to say here that ***I am NOT a medical person and that the information I give you should be checked with your medical professional.***

There are some things we must do when checking the BP or we will get a wrong reading (that could lead to minor panic)…..

Having a full bladder – This can add 10-15 points to your reading. You should always empty your bladder before measuring blood pressure.

Slouching, unsupported back/feet – Poor support when sitting can increase your reading by 6-10points. Make sure you’re in a chair with your back supported and feet flat on the floor or a footstool.

Unsupported arm – If your arm is hanging by your side or you have to hold it up during a reading, you may see numbers up to 10 points higher than they should be.

You should position your arm on a chair or counter so that the measurement cuff is level with your heart.

Sitting with crossed legs – While polite, it could increase a blood pressure reading 2-8 points. It’s best to uncross your legs as well as ensure your feet are supported.

Talking – Answering questions, talking on the phone, etc. can add 10 points. Stay still and silent to ensure an accurate measurement.

Normal blood pressure is typically less than 120 for systolic (the number when your heart is contracting) and less than 80 for diastolic (when your heart is relaxed).

I hope this will be helpful….

My day is going to be iffy…..rain predicted and much cooler temps….so my snacks and wine will be had indoors….MoMo has decided that bed is the best place to be since she has taken a liking to my favorite blanket…..and I let her have it…..she plays me badly…tee hee

Have a good day my friends…..chuq

AI Is Coming For Your Job

Saturday cooler temps and a MoMo that is ready to go outside and chase something…matter not what….

Many people have been showing how AI will effect our society in the future……the one that most concerns me is the loss of jobs….

To begin with the prediction that half of all jobs will to lost in the future….

Almost half of all current jobs will become obsolete in just 15 years, according to one of China’s leading experts in artificial intelligence (AI).

Kai-Fu Lee, a writer, venture capitalist and technology executive who has over 30 years’ experience in AI, claims the world of employment is facing a crisis. He’ll appear on CBS 60 Minutes on Sunday to spread the word and warn those most at risk so they can start retraining for the new world. Lee also warns that education will need to adapt to prepare younger generations for the new landscape.

AI may be the future, but it can’t do everything, claims Lee, who says certain professions are safe from the revolution. Especially those that involve empathy or human to human interaction like therapists, nurses, teachers or doctors. Innovative and creative professions are also safe because AI generally struggles to do the work of scientists or to deal with the unknown.

https://www.rt.com/news/448524-ai-jobs-future-robot/

That is worldwide…but what will the predicted impact of AI will have on US jobs?

Robots aren’t replacing everyone, but a quarter of U.S. jobs will be severely disrupted as artificial intelligence accelerates the automation of existing work, according to a new Brookings Institution report.

The report, published Thursday, says roughly 36 million Americans hold jobs with “high exposure” to automation — meaning at least 70 percent of their tasks could soon be performed by machines using current technology. Among those most likely to be affected are cooks, waiters and others in food services; short-haul truck drivers; and clerical office workers.

“That population is going to need to upskill, reskill or change jobs fast,” said Mark Muro, a senior fellow at Brookings and lead author of the report.

Muro said the timeline for the changes could be “a few years or it could be two decades.” But it’s likely that automation will happen more swiftly during the next economic downturn. Businesses are typically eager to implement cost-cutting technology as they lay off workers.

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/ai-is-set-to-replace-36-million-us-workers-2019-01-24

30 million jobs….that is about 30 times as bad as the government shutdown has become.

Sorry to be a downer on this weekend but everyone needs to plan for the possibility of this loss.

Time for me to try and get some pruning of the fruit trees in….that will give MoMo something to play with…..