Fake Friends, Fat Jewish and Google's A.I

The sun was shining at Mona’s Manor this week and I took the opportunity to ramp up my dog walks. Until Mr.

R went mostly deaf, I would not listen to Pods or talk on the phone while we walked. I wanted him to feel like he got all of me. We would chit chat. Well, I would chatter and he would sniff and listen.  Since he is essentially deaf now, I have started to listen to Pods on one ear while listening to him and the birds with the other. A compromise of sorts and a boost for my daily steps.

Top Pods this Week:

“5 Things Only Fake Friend Do & How to Let Go of What No. Longer Serves You with Trent Shelton” -Mel Robbins Podcast

Man, did this resonate. As I pushed the launch button on this website, I quickly realised who my supporters were. The friends who followed Tres Torun’s new social accounts, the ones that signed up for my newsletter, the ones that emailed me my typos  and the ones that called and said “You go girl, I am proud of you”.  The silence from those I expected to be my cheerleaders were also deafening. Great Pod that truly put it into perspective. 

“Where Did the Fat Jewish Go?”- Not Skinny but Not Fat

I have been following and cheerleading my online friend Amanda Hirsch of Not Skinny Not Fat since she had less than 10.000 followers. I simply love her Instagram account and her Pod. She is down to earth and has just the right amount of snark. She was one of the voices that got me through the pandemic. 

Her latest Pod with The Fat Jewish was next level funny. I was walking in the woods and laughing out loud to myself. She is a master of getting celebrities to spill and tell new stories. 

“The Miseducation of Google’s A.I”-The Daily by NYT

I have a close friend that has worked on Gemini so will need to see what she will share. Their NDAs seem fierce though. Interesting conversation about how much to influence and train AI. AI is now being used by governments and schools so the stakes are high if biases are not mitigated by the modelling. But I also see the problem when social values are being controlled by a company even when they are the social values that I agree with. Interesting Pod with a lot of tough issues to ponder. 

TV Programs:

“Love is Blind (USA)” (Netflix)

I think I am over this franchise. I feel like the first seasons were people whom genuinely wanted to meet their soulmate and get married. This season was a cast of shit shows whom should not have passed the psych evaluation. 

“Below Deck” (Peacock)

How do they find these guests? Put in a casting call for “New Money, this is why you cannot have nice things” ? The guests are horrid and belong at a Sandals all-inclusive, if that. It has become hard to watch. Perhaps I simply need to elevate my programming?

“The Program” (Netflix)

Disturbing program about the troubled teen industry in the US. About 10 years ago I had a friend who sent her kids to Wilderness camps in the US and I was pretty clear about my concern. As late as last year, a girl in Pod’s age group was sent to bootcamp here in Sweden because her Mom felt it would “look good on her CV”. The things that make you go hmmm……The trauma inflicted on these kids at these institutions seem to take a lifetime to get over. I did realise that some of the methods were very similar to those practiced at my Boarding School. Yet, I do not feel traumatised so who knows. Or I am just in a deep denial. Thoughts? Do we think any of these places can be good for a teen?