What are your thoughts about cryptocurrency?

Worth a lot until it’s not

What was your first ever videogame?

I am assuming of private ownership. It had three other games on it too, but it was virtually all pong. One paddle on each side and totally black & white. The kids had a blast with it, even this kid. 

Later, we had a car racing thing that the kids flat wore out the controls on. Every time my wife played, she ended up in a lake. We knew it was a lake cause this one was in color. 

Just remembered we had six or seven other games on cartridges. How, can’t remember anything but the car racing thing. There were usually five or six kids crammed into that room carrying on, yelling and laughing hours at a time. 

Wish I could have bought more controls for it.

What do you think is the future of AI?

Honestly, I suspect nobody truly knows—certainly not the so-called experts. When I hear someone introduced as an expert, my skepticism kicks in immediately. The most useful definition I’ve encountered came from junior college: “Someone who knows a whole lot about very little.”

Consider this: generalists, not narrow specialists, are most capable of predicting AI’s trajectory. So many variables influence the outcome in so many different ways that you’d need someone with broad, interdisciplinary knowledge to make an informed prediction.

However, that’s not enough. Self-centered people will exploit AI for selfish purposes. Given the chance, people will use it for harmful reasons. The key is identifying those bad actors while someone can still stop them.

I believe the trick very simply is to spot those who will make a big deal out of it being something for the good of mankind. My own personal experience tells me so. I have seen broad pictures of all the good that computers will do for mankind, and I see the broad selfish uses that they are used for. The people they really help are the management—those who use and abuse the power the computers provide them. While it is nice to have a UNIVAC in my pocket in the form of a phone, it is those who have the power that can abuse it. And most of us quickly and willingly accept it.

I believe it will be the way of artificial intelligence. The bottom line trick is to remember to keep AI our servant, not our master. My fear is that it will be accepted as a servant while all the time becoming the master.

Which book’s world would be the worst to live in?

I wasn’t sure what the prompt was asking, so my first thought went to Silas Marner. Then another idea hit me: what about a world where temperatures keep rising and scattered groups of survivors struggle to cope with the heat and each other? That book exists. I wrote it. I called it The Survivors, and honestly, it’s a strange, frightening place where people do disturbing, almost unimaginable things just to stay alive.

Yes, it is available by Amazon Kindle books.

How do you manage stress?

I try to avoid it. Naturally, it still assaults me from time to time. I have seen my part of it. I went through a bunch of it in boot camp. I don’t like it. But boot camp is more than 10 decades ago. In all likelihood it made me a better person. Still, I’d prefer never going through it. I don’t really manage it so much as just learn to deal with it. It’s either that or go nuts. Sometimes I think it’s a little of both. 

What are your strategies for SEO?

What’s SCO?

What destination sits at the top of your bucket list?

I’ve already explored Vietnam, Japan, and Australia. To be frank, I have no interest in leaving the US again. Rather, my ambition is to discover this country comprehensively: traversing from west to east, north to south, visiting every state—many of them repeatedly. That would bring me complete fulfillment.

In the past, I felt some curiosity about experiencing other nations and distant landmarks. However, given the current situation, I’d prefer to keep these size 15s planted firmly on American soil.

Don’t believe it. Sometimes when you do the wrong thing, the wound only grows worse with time and you will never set things right, ever. 

What’s one thing you know now that would have saved your younger self a lot of pain?

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What’s the weirdest movie you’ve ever watched?

How could I forget *The Conspiracy Theory*?

This one wasn’t just weird; it also was a little thought-provoking, like the idea of assassins with three names. I actually considered that one for a while. For the most part, it seemed like just another chance to produce a violent movie. For sure, it did have its share of that. However, it unfolded to provide a serious, very good plot.

I have a copy of it and have watched it six or seven times. Each time I pick up on things I didn’t notice before. It is one of just a few movies I keep for repeated viewing.

What’s the most unconventional film you’ve ever viewed?

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Upon reflecting on this question, I immediately recognized an interesting paradox: I have watched numerous unusual films, yet I’m struggling to recall any specific titles at this moment. Inevitably, within the next few weeks, several examples will likely surface in my memory.

Since I’m being asked to respond immediately, I’ll share two films, though I’m confident I’ve encountered stranger ones. When my younger son was three years old, we brought him to see *2001: A Space Odyssey*. The theater manager waived his admission, remarking, “He won’t understand it anyway.” While I’m uncertain how much he actually comprehended, he remained captivated throughout the entire film. I do believe he did enjoy it. Actually, I must admit, I could have used a little interpretation. However, I loved the special effects and scientific concepts. 

Additionally, *The Sixth Sense* caught me completely by surprise. I didn’t decipher the ending until the final reveal, despite the subtle clues woven throughout. I’m not entirely sure that qualifies as truly weird though. However, I must admit it was very well written. 

Apologies—these represent the strongest examples I can offer at present.