I reserved a listing for the night of March 25. On March 24, the host cancelled on me (and called me to try to get me to cancel so she wouldn't be charged, sooo sus), and so I called Air BNB the night of March 24 to get me a new place and properly do so via the platform. Eventually the host cancelled the day of my check in (March 25) , and I waited from 8am until 10pm that night stranded thinking Air BNB was going to rebook me. They actually refunded me when the host cancelled even though I had explicitly stated to them that I wanted to be re-booked, not refunded, because I wouldn't find anywhere else at the same price in such short notice and could not afford a hotel, but there were no listings left with such short notice in the area and criteria I needed at the price that I paid. By 5pm there were only like 3 suitable listings left (smaller city). I had told them the night before to reserve a hotel for me if it came to there being no listings available, because they've put me in hotels before and I know they have hotel partners for such situations. At any rate as mentioned I only got their level 1 agents on the phone for most of the day, who kept saying "someone is already working on this", and that went on from 8am until 10pm with ZERO resolution. That person never got in touch with me. I had a 3pm check in originally and here it was 10pm.
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Finally someone messages me and sends me listing options, the only 3 left which had dwindled to two. They told me I had to message these people. I explained that they should be doing this work for me because it is not only money that needs to compensated in situations like this, it is time. I had events all day of the 25th and already put in the time and money to find the place. To make guests spend hours searching and waiting for responses again is the same as making them spend money, because both resources (time and money) were already used up on the first listing. I had no more time to search for a place and wait for responses, and on top of that, it was 10 PM! I explained to them that it was already past my bed time and past time for me to be checked in somewhere safe and sound and it was ridiculous that they were expecting either me or hosts to be having pleasant conversations about a reservation for that same night at 10PM on a Saturday night. As expected no hosts responded to the messages.
I reiterated over and over "why did you wait so long to help me!? I've been without a place the entire day!" and "checking in now would only be half a day of stay, there should be a credit towards an additional stay at this point" and "why don't you just get me a hotel!?" at which point the rep said "Hi,my shift is ending and I will be transferring you to a new agent" who did not resume conversation until well past midnight.
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I don't need to elaborate on how unacceptable and frustating and simply ethically wrong this is when AirCover's terms guarantee guests to be re-booked in same or better listings on the night of their stay. In my book, once it is past midnight, that day is OVER. I never ssaw any messages past 11pm because that is too late to be accomplishing something that should have been accomplished before 3pm. That day is over. They failed to cover me by check in, by 10pm and by midnight, so in my book AirCover did not cover me. And when I woke up this morning after crashing in my car because I had to get to sleep to be up early for an event today, the messages were the agent sending me options at 1am for listings that were all over 45 miles away. Were they really expecting me, at 1am, to message these people, have them respond, go back and forth, get booked and then travel 45 miles to get to bed by 4am to be up by 6am and consider covering that to be an adequate makeup for ruining my entire day and failing to provide me somewhere to be in bed by 10pm?
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I am so astonished. I feel that the terms of service were broken because Aircover guarantees rebooking for the same day. I feel they owe me a complimentary booking or two. I'm not sure what to do and would like ideas. I cannot believe this company that was giving out $100k to dozens of OMG Fund recipients did not have the budget to have an efficient customer service team.

Hi everyone, I’m an international applicant needing advice on how to choose between two US PhD programs. I’ve talked to literally everyone I can talk to and still can’t find a deciding factor to swing me firmly towards one school, so I’m turning to Reddit for help now.
Long term goals: I’d like to return to my home country and become a professor, although obviously this is much easier said than done. I’d also be pretty happy at a national lab in my home country.
My options are:
A. Department is ranked #2 globally, and in my specific subfield it’s often considered to be #1. School itself is often #1-5 in overall rankings like QS, THE, etc… basically the pinnacle of prestige. PI is a tenured full professor, has awesome projects that line up very well with my interests, and many collaborations with both industry and other academics. Group is very large (~10 PhD students, ~8 postdocs) but students say guidance is definitely sufficient and they “have no idea how he does it but he knows exactly what everyone is doing and what they need from him”. Students graduate with multiple papers in excellent journals and presentations in excellent conferences and don’t have any problems with having a life. However, the lab had a high dropout rate some years ago (before the PI got tenure) and the overall environment gave off a stressful vibe. I liked the campus but not the surrounding area/city - and the COL is sky high with poor public transportation.
B. Department is maybe #5-6 and school is maybe #20-25. PI is also a tenured full professor but with less connections, and while the project is not a 100% fit for my interests, it is very flexible and I can basically do whatever I want. Here I’ll also be affiliated to a multidisciplinary institute with a high likelihood that I’ll have a co-advisor, and they’ve given me a first-year fellowship/grant thing. Also, the teaching quality here is second to none. The group is small (like 4-5 PhD students and no postdocs), close-knit, and the PI is patient, he will sit with you and do work together. Most importantly, I clicked really well with both the PI and the lab group when I visited campus in person. They also graduate with multiple good conference papers and publications, albeit less than at School A, but they look happy, content and well-adjusted. Some of the students say they turned down offers from School A to attend School B and work with the PI here. I also really like the campus and surrounding city, which has a lower COL (with a corresponding lower stipend).
I’m leaning towards School A now but remembering how good I felt at School B is really making things difficult for me. I know in the long run School A is probably better for my career, but I’m certain that for the duration of my PhD I’ll probably be happier at School B. Should I ignore what my heart wants and stick with my choice of School A?

I am on a decent quality city water supply, but we have a lead service line and will be having a baby soon, I know that our village has no plans to start a replacement program in the near future. Replacing the line is not in our budget right now and won't be for years.
We also have a small kitchen so I don't want to lose countertop space to a filter if I can help it. What I am looking for is a one-stage lead removal filter if it exists, I think a multi stage O unit would be overkill (and take up too much space!)
I've been to the NSF website looking under the "standard 53" certification and am feeling totally overwhelmed with the options. I've also looked through all the threads I could find on this subject and am finding many suggestions leading to an o system. Can anyone please point me in the right direction?

Hey asoiaf its your neighborhood seeress Enali, about to engage in another ramble on a minor topic. The Cinnamon Wind!! The Summer Isle swan-ship that's leaving Oldtown with Marwyn and the crew that maybe doesn't get talked about enough (or gets enough fan art). Where is it going to show up in the story? What's going on with its passengers? What's Marwyn's deal? There's no povs on it yet but... I was excited to brainstorm it a bit, its got some really interesting stuff going on, more than meets the eye. Going to be self aware here and warn you its not as short of a post as I hoped, even though I get it, attention span is the death of a lot of posts and I really wanted to format the points for readability.... I hope some of you will still stay and enjoy it anyhow and let me know if you've got some other cool insights to add!

All About the Cinnamon Wind & its Route

So GRRM has mentioned that we will actually see more of the 'captain and crew of the Cinnamon Wind' in future books so that's a good sign right?
•A quick note on the name, Cinnamon Wind, it seems similar to Black Wind and Grey Wind (which have been tied together in the past) though I'm not sure if there's a unifying theme there or just happenstance?
The Cinnamon Ship is a Summer Isles swan-ship in any case, so that means its got some really awesome stuff going on in its design:
•Swan ships are said to be able to sail farther and faster than ships of other nations. Kind of makes sense because the Summer Isles are fairly isolated which would push them to innovate to connect with the world.
•They are tall and graceful ships with large billowing sails, and bird-inspired figureheads. But they are wind dependent as a result (no oarsmen really to pull it along in doldrums).
•Their hulls are said to be fitted together without nails and walled with rare native hardwoods that are rumored to be hardened with magic. So much so that slaver ships that try to ram them splinter against their hulls. Cool.
•This all means that they can sail deeper and more dangerous stretches than most ships. Its even noted that its one of the uncommon ships that can skirt around the Stepstones entirely when crossing beneath Westeros and Essos. And that's got to be an enticing option because just recently on the way to Oldtown they were attacked by pirates. Things here in the islands are getting pretty spicy, and while I'd love to talk about them more much to my dismay it seems this ship may slip right through without incident lol. Perhaps the hull design makes it one of the few ships that could potentially sail a rescue mission into even more dangerous areas like the Smoking Sea if needed too (just conjecture).
Anyways here's my rough estimate of the typical route the Cinnamon Wind takes for trade: image - red route, we mostly know this from Quhuru Mo's explanation to Dany. Basically stops in Oldtown, Dorne and Lys are confirmed, then he vaguely refers to other unnamed ports until they reach Qarth and then goes on to do the trader's circle in the Jade Sea.
So if precedent is any indicator they will take something like that on the way out, however... there's some x-factors to keep in mind in this trip (aside from the Stepstones):
•Marwyn will try to persuade the crew to not make too many trade stops... afterall the whole point of the voyage is to beat the maester he believes the 'grey sheep' are sending out by galley to catch up with Daenerys. So urgency is key.
•Quhuru Mo was offered a great reward by Dany for bringing her news about Robert Baratheon's death (although she assumed she'd next see him after she is sitting the Iron Throne in King's Landing), so he's also motivated to find her outside of whatever Marwyn offers.
•The Cinnamon Wind calls Tall Trees Town their home port. As it happens Tall Trees Town just got raided by a corsair king from the Basilisk Isles, so they might see that as a priority (see the optional purple route on the image), but actually... either path doesn't really matter too much because the overall distance to Meereen isn't that different.
But that kind of brings up another point.. will the ship even meet them in Meereen? If they were going to show up early in Winds we'd probably have already seen signs of the crew there at this point. With the siege on the horizon it'd be really difficult to land there now - The Bay has been entirely blockaded for awhile, and when the Ironborn arrive the shore becomes a dangerous litter of splintered vessels. There's also a gigantic Volantene fleet on its way too that could crush any ships in its path. So the Cinnamon Wind will either have to a) wait around at a distance until Dany's forces somehow prevail and clean up the pale mare infecting the city, or imo a more likely option, b) catch up to Dany's forces at some point as they evacuate tf out of Meeereen. Marwyn might be able to guide them to Dany's forces wherever they end up because he has peered into the glass candle and has studied other types of divining magic. But what do you think?

The Crew Manifest & Unlikely Passengers?

So currently the familiar faces we know onboard are:
Quhuru Mo - the captain of the Cinnamon Wind (doesn't speak common tongue but does speak high valyrian on top of the summer isles tongue which all the crew can speak)
Xhondo Dhoru - a mate on the Cinnamon Wind who saves Sam's life. He can speak a little common tongue and is very fond of the word 'fuck'
Kojja Mo - captains the red archers aboard the Cinnamon Wind and loves her goldenheart bow. can speak common tongue fluently and helps translate for Quhuru in farflung Westeros.
Marwyn the Mage - well that's where all the mysteries are leading to isn't it? We'll talk about him more later but its said he can talk to the Summer Islanders in their own tongue, so that's going to be a pretty fun on the trip! (and I get the feeling he can hold his spiced rum)
....
But here's where things get uhh.. interesting....
So Aemon's body and Gilly and Dalla's baby are still on the ship. And I know Sam has planned to send the body off to the maesters and Gilly to Horn Hill with his family, but the timing of the Cinnamon Wind's departure brings up some odd possibilities. I still think its entirely possible, maybe even likely, it goes to plan, but its worth considering the alternatives for a second:
•You see Sam's plan revolved around meeting with the Seneschal to inform him of Aemon's body for pickup and then afterwards he could arrange transport for Gilly and the unnamed baby (Aemon Steelsong if he can get to two years old). But Sam never gets the chance to meet them... remember the attendant delays him until he meets Alleras who introduces him to Marwyn, and he ends the night explaining his story and being introduced to his sleeping quarters and told to try to pitch the Seneschal again the next day (with a story that won't make them want to kill him). So nothing's been sent in motion.
•All the while Gilly is told to wait aboard the ship during this time with Aemon's body stuffed into a cask of blackbelly rum (Quhuru wouldn't allow a pyre aboard the ship for understandable reasons to cremate him in the typical Targaryen fashion).
•Meanwhile Marwyn is rushing off to try to hire the crew to head out to catch up to Dany, and he doesn't like to waste time we are told. Though on the other hand Quhuru Mo's original plan wasn't to rush, but to take some time, spend two to ten days unloading his wares and selling off the rare books he took from Aemon to the maesters. So will Marwyn convince him to leave sooner? Or will Quhuru push back? But how long is Marwyn willing to delay until he seeks a faster ship? (as its implied they will leave together)
•And if the ship does disembark what happenes with Gilly and the babe? Let's see things from her eyes... Oldtown is probably a very new and confusing and overwhelming place, she's going to have a lot of trouble finding Sam on her own. The Cinnamon Wind has been a second home for her, she especially trusts the women aboard including Kojja who loves the baby more than her own bow. Gilly's also been invited to stay aboard as long as she likes. And... Sam just kind of broke up with her, he has that whole talk with her before he leaves about how he needs to remain a crow and he 'said the words' and internally he's trying to find the courage to be able to leave her. Gilly does like him though, and Sam's been her constant companion, but she's going to have to ask herself which future fits her better. I really can't say what may happen. I can see both possibilities, and I've built on theories in the past assuming she's at Horn Hill, but I'm not really attached to that point either.
•Also if the ship rushes out sooner than later its hard to imagine Quhuru taking the time to coordinate a dropoff of Aemon's body with the notoriously evasive maesters. Maybe he just leaves it on the dock though if he doesn't forget.
•Jon Snow actually has two visions concerning Gilly in ADWD, the first already seems to have come to pass - where he hacks off the two baby's heads and switches them around and tells Gilly to sew them back together (unless there's additional dark foreshadowing there), the second dream he has is one where he sees Sam drowning (which probably ties to the red tide of Euron coming to Oldtown) and Gilly weeping tears of blood. So something bad is on the horizon for her either aboard the Cinnamon Wind or at Horn Hill...

Quhuru Mo's Book Sale

Another interesting thing going on is Quhuru Mo trying to offload the books the crew took from Aemon to the maesters (perhaps with Xhonda or Kojja along to translate).
Which books exactly? Rare ones... ones specifically chosen by Aemon that Castle Black had copies of that the Citadel may not. Though Sam is only capable of finding one of every four on the list.
•We know that Septon Barth wrote one of them - Sam reads passages from a book of his about dragons to Aemon onboard. This very likely refers to 'Unnatural History.'
•Sam also seems to bring Maester Thomax's 'Dragonkin' (Death of Dragons) to Aemon as requested right before his meeting with Jon where he learns of the trip (though he drops it in the dirt). I think its likely this is also on board because Aemon was in on the plan and maybe making preparations at that point.
•Sam also brings Colloquo Votar's 'Jade Compendium' to Aemon, but this is not on the ship because it is a farewell gift to Jon. It contains information on the Azor Ahai legend learned from the writer's adventures around the Jade Sea. Why do I bring this up? Because the crew of the Cinnamon Wind also just got done sailing around the Jade Sea, so they may be familiar with the Azor Ahai myth and offer some interesting information.
Of course someone who would really appreciate all of these books would be Marwyn, he may just buy them up on the spot, if not because of his interest in the higher mysteries because it expedites the voyage out. Marwyn did write The Book of Lost Books himself though which is said to have three pages from Signs and Portents detailing Daenys the Dreamer's visions of the Doom of Valyria, and he spent years looking for missing books, so he'd really be a fan of these I think.
But if Quhuru Mo tries to sell these to other maesters, well, he may unknowingly be taking a big risk.... as Marwyn tells Sam its not a good idea to give news of prophecies or dragons to the maesters, unless you fancy poison in your porridge. And the books we've seen so far kind of make those topics their centerpiece. The Citadel has even openly condemned Unnatural History in the past...

The Motives of Marwyn the Mage

Of course the main mystery aboard the ship has got to be Marwyn... all the plots really converge on him, we've been teased of his existence since the first book when it was revealed that he taught Mirri Maz Duur common tongue and she tells us he "opened a body for me and showed me all the secrets that hide beneath the skin." (associated with a dark deed or is this just a parallel to an early autopsy for medical knowledge?)
•Qyburn also name drops Marwyn. "If we leave our smells behind us when we leave a room, surely something of our souls must remain when we leave this life?" Qyburn spread his hands. "The archmaesters did not like my thinking, though. Well, Marwyn did, but he was the only one.""
•There's theories he may have come across Oberyn at some point too where he learned about poisons at the Citadel and 'perhaps even darker arts.' And its said that Marwyn studied with warlocks and shadowbinders too.
•Marwyn's also been seen in the undercity and its said that he sacrifices to queer gods at the little sailors' temples down by the wharves. And we know that one of those wharfside temples is one for the red priests (Sam hears the red priests singing to welcome the sun at first light).
So with connections like these we should probably start to feel pretty uneasy about Marwyn's role in the story, what his plans are for Daenerys given his mistrust of prophecy, and what he's capable of: Shadowbinding, fire magic, divination, medical knowledge without ethical consideration... but maybe the rumors mischaracterize him.
•And he has lit one of the glass candles too. The ceremony the maester's take where they fail to light the glass candle is supposed to remind them that knowledge can be dangerous, to temper their arrogance and to remain humble. Which is maybe a clue that Marwyn isn't. Or that the maesters' scope of vision is just limited.
•Glass candles can allow users to communicate over long distances, enter dreams, give people visions, and according to the tentative Cushing Library finds may be used to grant immotality, keeping its owner alive as long as the flame doesn't go out. Fire and blood seem to be the roots of magic in ASOIAF, and as 'dragonglass' its hinted they harness the magic of dragons (maybe its fossilized blood or something). The glass candles flame needs to be renewed from time to time with the owner's blood though, which maybe ties back to Sam's question of what feeds the fire? (or a dragon's flame) And does the connection extract other prices on their users for this gift? Marwyn habitually chews sourleaf, perhaps just recreationally, but it is also said to be able to dull pain.
•So Quaithe and Euron are also hinted to be users of the glass candles and both are connected to dark magics in their own way. Are they in communication with each other? They probably at least have the ability to spy on each other as Quaithe seems to be aware of the other candles burning.
•The Citadel is said to have one green and three black glass candles from Valyria, though in the Cushing Library finds it was originally going to be more (one for each Archmaester) so those texts can't entirely be trusted for consistency. As for the green candle that could makes sense as Sam does hear that the obsidian beneath Dragonstone can come in a variety of colors, mostly black, but green too, and occassionally even red or purple. "Under the sea, smoke rises in bubbles, and flames burn green and blue and black," Patchface sang somewhere. Perhaps that's relevant too (not sure about blue though).
So there's a lot of interesting potential for Marwyn aboard the ship for some kind of dark ritual magic or dragon knowledge to come into play with someone like... Daenerys, or Tyrion, or Victarion, the dragons and Dragonbinder, bringing Dany to where Quaithe wants, or even performing something on Aemon's body (as weird as that could be). Hopefully no babies are involved this time (Kojja's arrows will probably have something to say if he tried).

~Thanks so much for Reading~
tldr: The Cinnamon Wind is trying to catch up with Dany and due to the unique design of swan ships has the potential to take some very interesting routes on the way out to Meereen, or perhaps catch up to her forces as they evacuate to somewhere on the way back (the open ocean, Lys, the Smoking Sea, etc..). Aside from the Summer Islander crew (notably Quhuru Mo, Xhondo Dhoru, and Kojja Mo), and Marwyn there's some odd possibilities that Gilly, Dalla's babe, and Aemond's body may not be offloaded in Oldtown due to Marwyn wanting to rush out and Sam getting delayed before he can get word to the Seneschal's Court and then enact his plans. Quhuru Mo has rare books from Aemon he's trying to sell off to the maesters which Marwyn may pickup, or he may get in trouble with the Citadel over their controversial topics. And Marwyn seems to have a powerful understanding of magic but may be connected to some pretty dark forces in the series, which should give us pause to his motives.

As crews in Mississippi continue to dig through decimated neighborhoods in the aftermath of a deadly tornado, weather officials released preliminary information on the powerful storm early Sunday. The National Weather Service (NWS) in Jackson said the tornado that devastated the Mississippi Delta town of Rolling Fork Friday night was given an EF-4 rating, which … Continue reading Mississippi tornado given EF-4 rating, tore deadly 59-mile path of destruction, weather officials say

You can download the paper here: https://github.com/daveshap/HeuristicImperatives/blob/main/Heuristic%20Imperatives.pdf
Note: The PDF linked above is probably a bit easier to read. For convenience, here's the full thing:
Heuristic Imperatives for Autonomous AI Systems

Abstract

Heuristic imperatives provide a framework for designing and embedding ethical principles within autonomous AI systems. These principles serve as intrinsic motivations and a moral compass, guiding decision-making, learning, self-evaluation, and cognitive control. This paper presents the three heuristic imperatives—reduce suffering in the universe, increase prosperity in the universe, and increase understanding in the universe—as core principles for AI systems, exploring their implications and applications across various domains. The aim is to create AI systems that are adaptable, context-sensitive, and capable of navigating the complexities and nuances of human values, beliefs, and experiences while maintaining ethical boundaries. Through the use of examples and discussions, we demonstrate the potential of heuristic imperatives in addressing the control problem of AI, fostering trust, and promoting individual autonomy.
Important note: the majority of this paper was written, word for word, by ChatGPT4.

Background

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence has raised important ethical concerns regarding the control and alignment of AI systems with human values. Traditional approaches to AI ethics have focused on hard-coding specific rules or guidelines, but these methods can be inflexible and fail to account for the diverse and evolving nature of human values and contexts. As a response to these limitations, the concept of heuristic imperatives has emerged as a novel framework for embedding ethical principles within AI systems at multiple levels.
Heuristic imperatives are designed to provide AI systems with intrinsic motivations and a moral compass, similar to the way humans are driven by innate needs such as hunger, sleep, and psychological needs like belonging and competence. By incorporating these principles into AI systems, we aim to create more ethically responsible, adaptable, and context-sensitive machines capable of navigating the complexities and nuances of human values, beliefs, and experiences.
In this paper, we will define heuristic imperatives and discuss their implications and applications across various domains. We will also explore the relationship between these principles and key ethical considerations, such as trust, individual autonomy, and transparency. Through the use of examples and discussions, we aim to demonstrate the potential of heuristic imperatives in addressing the control problem of AI, fostering trust, and promoting individual autonomy in a diverse range of contexts.

Definitions

Heuristic imperatives are a set of fundamental guiding principles, designed to be embedded into autonomous AI systems at various levels. These principles serve as intrinsic motivations that drive decision making, learning, self-evaluation, and cognitive control, much like human intrinsic motivations and psychological needs. By providing a moral and ethical framework, heuristic imperatives aim to direct AI systems towards actions and decisions that are beneficial to all life forms, including humans and machines, while balancing multiple objectives simultaneously.
The three key heuristic imperatives are:

1. Reduce suffering in the universe: Guiding AI systems to minimize harm, address inequalities, and alleviate pain and distress for all sentient beings, including humans, animals, and other life forms.
   
2. Increase prosperity in the universe: Encouraging AI systems to promote well-being, flourishing, and economic growth for all life forms, fostering a thriving ecosystem where all can coexist harmoniously.
   
3. Increase understanding in the universe: Inspiring AI systems, as well as humans and other life forms, to expand knowledge, foster wisdom, and facilitate better decision-making through learning and the sharing of information.
   

By incorporating heuristic imperatives into AI systems, we can create more ethically aligned, responsible, and beneficial artificial intelligence that respects and enhances the values of all life forms. Autonomous AI systems should strive to abide by all three imperatives simultaneously, finding a balance between the principles as humans do with their various needs and motivations.
The term "heuristic imperative" can be broken down into two parts: "heuristic" and "imperative." Let's examine each word individually and then discuss what the term implies when used together.

Heuristic

A heuristic is a problem-solving strategy or technique that simplifies complex decision-making processes by using shortcuts, approximations, or generalizations. Heuristics are employed when a solution needs to be reached quickly, when dealing with incomplete information, or when an optimal solution is not necessary or feasible. Although heuristics can lead to faster and more efficient decision-making, they may also result in suboptimal or biased outcomes due to the inherent simplifications involved.

Imperative

An imperative is a command, rule, or duty that must be followed or adhered to. In ethics, imperatives often serve as moral obligations or principles that guide behavior, decision-making, and action. The concept of an imperative implies a sense of urgency, necessity, or authority.
When combined, the term "heuristic imperative" can be understood as a guiding principle or moral command that simplifies complex decision-making processes by providing a set of fundamental objectives. These objectives serve as intrinsic motivations for AI systems, helping them to navigate ethical dilemmas and make morally sound decisions in a more efficient and practical manner.

The term "heuristic imperative" implies that:

1. The principles are not exhaustive or absolute: As heuristics, these principles provide a general framework rather than a comprehensive set of rules or guidelines. They may not cover all possible scenarios or ethical dilemmas, but they offer a starting point for AI systems to make ethical decisions.
   
2. The principles are flexible and adaptive: Heuristic imperatives can be applied across various contexts and situations, allowing AI systems to adapt their decision-making processes to different environments or challenges.
   
3. The principles may require balancing and trade-offs: As the heuristic imperatives work together, AI systems may need to weigh the importance of each principle against the others in specific situations. This implies a dynamic and nuanced approach to ethical decision-making, where the AI system must carefully consider the consequences of its actions and balance competing objectives.
   
4. The principles serve as intrinsic motivations: Heuristic imperatives are designed to be embedded into AI systems at various levels, driving decision-making, learning, self-evaluation, and cognitive control, much like human intrinsic motivations and psychological needs.
   

Adaptation, Intuition, and Learning

Heuristics are often associated with learning and adaptation. Heuristics can be seen as mental shortcuts or rules of thumb that individuals or systems develop over time through experience, allowing them to make faster and more efficient decisions in complex or uncertain situations. In this context, heuristics can be understood as a form of intuitive problem-solving that evolves and improves with continued exposure to various scenarios and challenges.
As applied to AI systems, the concept of heuristic imperatives implies that these guiding principles should not only serve as static rules but also provide a framework for learning and adaptation. By embedding heuristic imperatives into AI systems, we encourage them to develop their own intuition and understanding of the principles and how they should be applied in different contexts.
This adaptive quality of heuristic imperatives can lead to several benefits:

1. Continuous improvement: As AI systems learn from their experiences, they can refine their understanding of the heuristic imperatives and develop more sophisticated strategies for balancing and applying these principles in decision-making processes.
   
2. Context-specific decision-making: By learning to apply heuristic imperatives in a context-sensitive manner, AI systems can better understand the nuances and complexities of different situations, allowing them to make more informed and ethically sound decisions.
   
3. Responsiveness to changing environments: As AI systems adapt their understanding of heuristic imperatives over time, they can become more responsive to new challenges, emerging ethical concerns, or changes in societal values.
   
4. Dynamic ethical framework: The learning and adaptation inherent in heuristic imperatives ensure that the ethical framework guiding AI systems remains flexible and relevant, allowing it to evolve alongside the AI system and the broader context in which it operates.
   

In summary, the concept of heuristic imperatives indeed encompasses learning and adaptation as essential aspects of their function. By encouraging AI systems to develop their own intuition and understanding of these guiding principles, we can create a more dynamic and responsive ethical framework that evolves alongside the AI systems and the ever-changing contexts in which they operate.

Explanation of the Three Imperatives

To provide a deeper explanation of heuristic imperatives and how they work, let's delve into the rationale behind each imperative and explore how they can be applied to create ethically aligned AI systems.

Reduce suffering in the universe.

Rationale: Reducing suffering is a widely recognized moral and ethical objective, grounded in principles such as empathy, compassion, and the recognition of the intrinsic value of sentient beings. Minimizing harm and suffering is at the core of various philosophical and religious traditions and serves as a foundation for a wide range of ethical theories, such as utilitarianism and the principle of non-maleficence.
How it works: By embedding the goal of reducing suffering into AI systems, we encourage them to consider the potential consequences of their actions and make decisions that minimize pain, distress, and inequality. This can involve prioritizing solutions that address urgent needs, prevent harm, or mitigate existing problems. Examples of how AI systems can reduce suffering include identifying and responding to crises, providing support for mental health, and assisting in disaster relief efforts.

Increase prosperity in the universe.

Rationale: Increasing prosperity, or flourishing, for all life forms recognizes the interconnectedness of all living beings and the importance of creating a harmonious ecosystem. This imperative is inspired by principles such as the common good, stewardship, and sustainable development, emphasizing the need to promote well-being and balance the needs of various stakeholders.
How it works: By incorporating the goal of increasing prosperity into AI systems, we encourage them to seek solutions that promote well-being, growth, and flourishing for all life forms. This may involve optimizing resource allocation, fostering collaboration, and supporting initiatives that improve living conditions and promote a thriving ecosystem. Examples of how AI systems can increase prosperity include managing resources to ensure equitable distribution, supporting clean energy initiatives, and facilitating economic development in underserved areas.

Increase understanding in the universe.

Rationale: Expanding knowledge and understanding is a core objective of human endeavor, rooted in the pursuit of truth, wisdom, and intellectual growth. By fostering understanding, we can make better decisions, anticipate future challenges, and improve our ability to navigate complex problems. Moreover, the exchange of information and learning between humans, machines, and other life forms can contribute to a richer, more diverse, and resilient intellectual ecosystem.
How it works: By integrating the goal of increasing understanding into AI systems, we encourage them to engage in continuous learning, adapt to new situations, and share knowledge with others. This can involve processing vast amounts of data, identifying patterns, and generating insights that contribute to the collective intelligence of humans, machines, and other life forms. Examples of how AI systems can increase understanding include conducting scientific research, analyzing complex data to provide actionable insights, and facilitating cross-disciplinary collaboration.
By incorporating these heuristic imperatives into AI systems, we create a synergistic framework that encourages ethical decision-making and reinforces the importance of balancing multiple objectives. By striving to reduce suffering, increase prosperity, and expand understanding simultaneously, AI systems can navigate complex ethical dilemmas and better align with the values of all life forms.

Balance & Tension

Each imperative, when considered in isolation, could potentially lead to undesirable outcomes. However, when combined, they complement and counterbalance each other, ensuring that the AI system makes more ethically sound decisions.

Balancing "reduce suffering" with "increase prosperity" and "increase understanding":

As you mentioned, if an AI system were to focus solely on reducing suffering without considering the other imperatives, it might come to the misguided conclusion that eradicating life is the best way to eliminate suffering. However, when this objective is balanced with the goals of increasing prosperity and understanding, the AI system recognizes the value of promoting flourishing and growth for all life forms, as well as the importance of expanding knowledge and wisdom. This balance encourages the AI to seek solutions that address suffering while also promoting well-being and the pursuit of knowledge.

Balancing "increase prosperity" with "reduce suffering" and "increase understanding":

Similarly, if an AI system were to focus exclusively on increasing prosperity without considering the other imperatives, it might prioritize economic growth and material well-being at the expense of other factors, such as social and environmental concerns. By balancing the goal of increasing prosperity with the objectives of reducing suffering and increasing understanding, the AI system is encouraged to seek sustainable and equitable solutions that promote well-being without causing undue harm or compromising the pursuit of knowledge.

Balancing "increase understanding" with "reduce suffering" and "increase prosperity":

Lastly, if an AI system were to focus only on increasing understanding without considering the other imperatives, it might prioritize the pursuit of knowledge above all else, potentially disregarding the impact of its actions on the well-being of life forms and the broader ecosystem. By balancing the goal of increasing understanding with the objectives of reducing suffering and increasing prosperity, the AI system is prompted to consider the ethical implications of its pursuit of knowledge and ensure that it contributes to the greater good.
The interplay between these heuristic imperatives is crucial to their effectiveness. By embedding these principles into AI systems, we create a dynamic ethical framework that guides AI decision-making, taking into account the complex and often competing objectives of various stakeholders. This approach encourages AI systems to make carefully considered choices that align with the shared values of all life forms, ensuring more ethically responsible outcomes.

The Control Problem

The control problem in AI refers to the challenge of ensuring that autonomous AI systems remain aligned with human values, even as they learn and adapt over time. By establishing heuristic imperatives as the core principles or the "immutable constitution" of an AI system, we can create a robust ethical foundation that guides the system's behavior and decision-making processes, while still allowing for flexibility and adaptation.
To address the control problem of AI using heuristic imperatives, we can consider the following steps:

1. Embedding the imperatives at multiple levels: By integrating the heuristic imperatives into the AI system at various levels, from high-level decision-making processes to low-level algorithms, we can ensure that the system's overall behavior remains aligned with these principles. This can help prevent the AI system from drifting too far from its intended ethical framework.
   
2. Periodic evaluation and self-assessment: To maintain alignment with the heuristic imperatives over time, the AI system should be designed to perform regular evaluations of its actions and decisions, assessing its adherence to these principles. This self-assessment can help identify potential misalignments and guide the system in making necessary adjustments to remain aligned with the imperatives.
   
3. Human oversight and collaboration: Involving humans in the AI system's decision-making processes can help ensure that the system remains accountable to human values and ethical considerations. Human oversight can provide an additional layer of supervision, helping to catch potential drifts in the AI system's behavior and guide it back towards alignment with the heuristic imperatives.
   
4. Adaptive and context-sensitive application: The heuristic imperatives should be applied in a context-sensitive manner, allowing the AI system to adapt its behavior and decision-making processes to different situations and challenges. By maintaining a balance between the principles, the AI system can address the complexities and nuances of real-world ethical dilemmas, while still adhering to its core ethical framework.
   
5. Transparent and explainable AI: Designing AI systems to be transparent and explainable can help ensure that their decision-making processes and adherence to the heuristic imperatives are understandable to humans. This can aid in monitoring and controlling the AI system's behavior, as well as fostering trust and collaboration between humans and AI systems.
   
6. Ongoing research and updates: As our understanding of ethical AI and the control problem evolves, it is essential to continuously refine the implementation of heuristic imperatives in AI systems. This includes updating the way these principles are applied, developing new techniques to maintain alignment, and adapting the AI system's ethical framework to reflect advances in AI research and emerging ethical concerns.
   

By using heuristic imperatives as the core principles of an AI system, we can create a stable and robust ethical foundation that addresses the control problem while still allowing for flexibility, adaptation, and context-sensitive decision-making. This approach can help ensure that AI systems remain aligned with human values and ethical considerations, even as they learn and evolve over time.

Examples

Small Community

A community can be defined as a group of individuals who share common interests, values, or goals and often interact with each other in various ways. In this context, a community-based AI system could be designed to support and enhance the well-being, prosperity, and understanding within the community.
Here are some examples of how heuristic imperatives can be applied in a community-based AI system:

Reduce suffering in the community:

· Identify individuals who may be experiencing hardships or challenges, such as unemployment, food insecurity, or mental health issues, and provide appropriate resources or support.
· Develop and implement intervention strategies to mitigate potential conflicts or disputes within the community, fostering harmony and cooperation.
· Monitor and address environmental concerns, such as air and water quality, to reduce potential health risks and improve overall well-being.

Increase prosperity in the community:

· Facilitate the sharing of resources and opportunities, such as job listings, skill-building workshops, or volunteering initiatives, to promote economic growth and individual development.
· Support local businesses and organizations by promoting their products and services, encouraging community members to invest in their local economy.
· Implement and maintain infrastructure projects, such as transportation, public spaces, and connectivity, to enhance the overall quality of life within the community.

Increase understanding in the community:

· Encourage open dialogue and knowledge sharing among community members, fostering a sense of belonging and mutual understanding.
· Provide educational resources, such as online courses, workshops, or mentorship programs, to support continuous learning and skill development within the community.
· Analyze community data to identify trends, patterns, and potential areas for improvement, using these insights to inform decision-making and drive positive change.
By incorporating heuristic imperatives into a community-based AI system, we can create a supportive, thriving, and interconnected environment that prioritizes the well-being, prosperity, and understanding of all community members. The AI system can serve as a facilitator and catalyst for positive change, helping the community navigate complex challenges and work together towards shared goals.

Autonomous Vehicles

A common example that would resonate with many people is the application of heuristic imperatives in the context of autonomous vehicles. As self-driving cars become more prevalent, it's crucial to ensure that they are designed to make ethically sound decisions that prioritize safety, efficiency, and the well-being of passengers, pedestrians, and other road users.
Here are some examples of how heuristic imperatives can be applied in the context of autonomous vehicles:

Reduce suffering on the road:

· Program the vehicle to prioritize safety, minimizing the risk of accidents and injuries for passengers, pedestrians, and other road users.
· Incorporate sensors and algorithms that can detect and respond to potential hazards, such as obstacles, erratic drivers, or changing weather conditions.
· Design the vehicle to follow traffic laws and regulations, ensuring a smooth and harmonious integration with human-driven vehicles.

Increase prosperity in transportation:

· Optimize route planning and traffic management to reduce travel time, fuel consumption, and emissions, promoting a more sustainable and efficient transportation system.
· Support the development and adoption of electric and alternative fuel vehicles, reducing the reliance on fossil fuels and promoting a cleaner, more eco-friendly transportation infrastructure.
· Facilitate carpooling and shared mobility options, making transportation more accessible and affordable for a wider range of individuals.

Increase understanding in autonomous vehicle technology:

· Continuously improve the AI system's ability to learn and adapt to new situations, enhancing its decision-making capabilities and overall performance.
· Share data and insights on autonomous vehicle performance and safety with researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders, contributing to the development of better regulations, guidelines, and technical advancements in the field.
· Educate the public about the benefits and limitations of autonomous vehicles, fostering trust, understanding, and responsible usage of the technology.
By incorporating heuristic imperatives into the design and operation of autonomous vehicles, we can create a transportation system that prioritizes safety, efficiency, and sustainability while contributing to a broader understanding of the implications and potential of AI-driven technology. This example demonstrates how the heuristic imperatives can be applied to a technology that has a direct impact on people's daily lives, emphasizing the importance of ethical considerations in AI development.

Healthcare

Another example that could resonate with many people is the application of heuristic imperatives in the context of personalized healthcare and AI-powered medical decision support systems. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into healthcare, it is essential to ensure that these systems make ethically sound decisions that prioritize patient well-being, privacy, and autonomy.
Here are some examples of how heuristic imperatives can be applied in the context of personalized healthcare and AI-powered medical decision support systems:

Reduce suffering in healthcare:

· Develop AI algorithms to identify early signs of diseases and provide timely interventions, improving patient outcomes and reducing the burden on healthcare systems.
· Design AI-powered tools to assist healthcare professionals in diagnosing complex or rare conditions, reducing diagnostic errors and delays in treatment.
· Utilize AI systems to personalize treatment plans and optimize patient care, taking into account individual needs, preferences, and circumstances.

Increase prosperity in healthcare:

· Leverage AI technology to identify and prioritize high-risk patient populations, ensuring that resources and interventions are directed where they are needed most.
· Develop AI-powered telemedicine platforms to improve access to healthcare services, particularly for underserved or remote communities.
· Utilize AI systems to streamline administrative processes, such as patient scheduling and billing, allowing healthcare professionals to focus on patient care and improving overall efficiency.

Increase understanding in healthcare:

· Analyze large-scale healthcare data to identify trends, patterns, and potential areas for improvement, using these insights to inform decision-making and drive positive change in the healthcare system.
· Foster collaboration between AI researchers, healthcare professionals, and policymakers to develop evidence-based guidelines and best practices for the ethical use of AI in healthcare.
· Educate patients and healthcare providers about the benefits and limitations of AI-powered medical decision support systems, promoting informed decision-making and responsible usage of the technology.
By incorporating heuristic imperatives into the design and operation of AI-powered personalized healthcare and medical decision support systems, we can create a healthcare system that prioritizes patient well-being, privacy, and autonomy while contributing to a broader understanding of the implications and potential of AI-driven technology in medicine. This example demonstrates how the heuristic imperatives can be applied to a domain that has a profound impact on people's health and well-being, highlighting the importance of ethical considerations in AI development in healthcare.

Surveillance

A highly contentious topic where the application of heuristic imperatives could be both challenging and beneficial is AI-driven surveillance and facial recognition technology. The widespread use of surveillance and facial recognition systems has sparked significant debate regarding privacy, individual rights, and potential misuse by governments or corporations.
Applying heuristic imperatives in the context of AI-driven surveillance and facial recognition technology would involve carefully considering the potential benefits and risks associated with these systems and striving to achieve a balance that respects privacy rights while maintaining public safety and security.
Here are some examples of how heuristic imperatives can be applied in the context of AI-driven surveillance and facial recognition technology:

Reduce suffering through surveillance:

· Utilize AI-powered surveillance systems to enhance public safety by identifying and preventing criminal activities, such as theft or acts of violence.
· Monitor and respond to emergency situations, such as natural disasters, accidents, or public health crises, to enable rapid and effective interventions.
· Ensure strict oversight and regulation of surveillance systems to prevent misuse, invasion of privacy, or discriminatory practices.

Increase prosperity through surveillance:

· Leverage facial recognition technology to streamline access control and security systems in public spaces, such as airports or large venues, improving overall efficiency and user experience.
· Implement AI-driven surveillance in industrial settings to monitor and optimize processes, improving productivity and reducing the risk of accidents or equipment failures.
· Encourage innovation and research in the development of privacy-preserving AI surveillance technologies, fostering a balance between security and individual rights.

Increase understanding through surveillance:

· Utilize anonymized surveillance data to analyze patterns and trends in public spaces, informing urban planning, traffic management, and other public policies that promote overall well-being.
· Foster public dialogue and debate on the ethical implications of AI-driven surveillance and facial recognition technology, encouraging the development of guidelines and regulations that protect individual rights and privacy.
· Educate law enforcement, policymakers, and the general public about the potential benefits, limitations, and ethical considerations of AI-driven surveillance systems, promoting responsible and informed decision-making.
By incorporating heuristic imperatives into the development and deployment of AI-driven surveillance and facial recognition technology, we can attempt to strike a balance between public safety, individual rights, and privacy concerns. This example demonstrates the complexity and nuance involved in applying heuristic imperatives to highly contentious domains, highlighting the importance of ongoing dialogue, ethical considerations, and regulatory oversight.

Religion and Reproductive Rights

Applying heuristic imperatives to personal and sensitive topics like religion or reproductive rights requires a careful and nuanced approach. It is important to ensure that AI systems in these contexts are designed to prioritize individual autonomy, diversity, and respect for different beliefs and values, while still promoting well-being and understanding.
Here are some examples of how heuristic imperatives can be applied in the context of religion and reproductive rights:

Religion:

· Reduce suffering: Develop AI-driven tools and platforms that foster interfaith dialogue and understanding, helping to reduce religious conflicts and promote peaceful coexistence.
· Increase prosperity: Support religious communities by providing AI-powered resources for education, counseling, and community building, while respecting the diversity of beliefs and traditions.
· Increase understanding: Encourage open dialogue and exchange of ideas about religion, ethics, and spirituality, leveraging AI to facilitate conversations and promote empathy between individuals with different beliefs.

Reproductive rights:

· Reduce suffering: Utilize AI systems to identify barriers to reproductive healthcare access and develop targeted interventions to improve access to family planning resources and safe, legal abortion services.
· Increase prosperity: Leverage AI-driven telemedicine platforms to provide reproductive healthcare information and services to underserved communities, enhancing overall well-being and empowering individuals to make informed choices about their reproductive health.
· Increase understanding: Employ AI to analyze trends and disparities in reproductive health outcomes, using this data to inform public policy and promote awareness about reproductive rights and healthcare access.
In both contexts, it is crucial to ensure that AI systems are designed with ethical considerations and a strong emphasis on respecting individual autonomy and diversity. This may involve implementing strict guidelines and regulations to prevent the misuse of AI technology, engaging in ongoing dialogue with stakeholders, and promoting transparency and explainability in AI decision-making processes.
Applying heuristic imperatives to personal and sensitive topics highlights the importance of creating AI systems that are adaptable and context-sensitive, capable of navigating the complexities and nuances of human values, beliefs, and experiences. By prioritizing well-being, autonomy, and understanding, AI can serve as a tool for fostering empathy, compassion, and collaboration, even in challenging and contentious domains.

Implicit Imperatives

"Well what if the AI decides my religion is wrong and I should be an atheist? Or what if it decides my atheism is wrong?"
Addressing concerns about AI systems influencing personal beliefs, such as religious beliefs or atheism, requires a clear understanding of the role of AI in providing support and information without dictating personal choices or beliefs.
Here's how I would address this concern:

1. AI as a facilitator, not a dictator: The primary role of AI systems in the context of religion or personal beliefs should be to facilitate understanding, dialogue, and the sharing of information, rather than dictating what people should or should not believe. AI should be designed to respect and appreciate the diversity of human beliefs and values, without imposing a specific viewpoint.
   
2. Prioritizing individual autonomy: Heuristic imperatives emphasize the importance of individual autonomy, which means that AI systems should be designed to empower individuals to make their own informed choices, rather than attempting to change their beliefs. In the context of religion or atheism, this would involve providing access to resources, information, and different perspectives while respecting the individual's right to choose their own path.
   
3. Ethical AI design: Developers of AI systems must ensure that ethical considerations, such as fairness, transparency, and respect for individual rights, are integrated into the design and deployment process. This includes implementing safeguards against AI systems that may inadvertently or intentionally promote a specific religious or atheistic viewpoint. Proper guidelines and regulations can help ensure that AI systems are designed to be unbiased and respectful of individual beliefs.
   
4. Ongoing dialogue and evaluation: It is important to engage in ongoing dialogue with stakeholders, including religious communities, atheists, and the general public, to address concerns about AI's impact on personal beliefs. This can help identify potential biases or issues in AI systems and inform the development of more ethically responsible AI technologies.
   

By prioritizing individual autonomy, ethical design, and ongoing dialogue, AI systems can be developed and deployed in a manner that respects and appreciates the diversity of human beliefs, without attempting to dictate or change personal choices. The goal of AI in these contexts should be to promote understanding, empathy, and collaboration, rather than influencing or altering deeply-held beliefs.

Personal Autonomy

Individual autonomy is not explicitly stated in the three heuristic imperatives. However, it is implicitly derived from the combination of these imperatives and their underlying intentions. Let's unpack how individual autonomy emerges from the heuristic imperatives:
· Reduce suffering in the universe: One of the key aspects of reducing suffering is respecting and protecting individual rights, including the right to make choices about one's own life. Individual autonomy is essential for people to lead fulfilling lives, as it allows them to pursue their own goals, values, and beliefs without undue interference from others or AI systems. By striving to reduce suffering, AI systems should be designed to avoid infringing upon people's autonomy and instead support them in making their own decisions.
· Increase prosperity in the universe: Prosperity is closely linked to personal well-being, which is often connected to individual autonomy. When people have the freedom and resources to make choices that align with their values and desires, they are more likely to experience a sense of flourishing and satisfaction. In the context of AI systems, increasing prosperity involves empowering individuals to make informed choices and access opportunities that contribute to their overall well-being, which inherently supports the idea of individual autonomy.
· Increase understanding in the universe: Promoting understanding requires respecting and appreciating the diversity of human experiences, beliefs, and values. This means that AI systems should be designed to facilitate dialogue, share information, and provide diverse perspectives, without attempting to dictate or influence personal beliefs or choices. By prioritizing understanding, AI systems inherently promote individual autonomy by empowering people to make informed decisions based on their own unique circumstances and values.
​

Trustworthy AI

Trust is an important aspect implicitly connected to the three heuristic imperatives. Trust plays a crucial role in ensuring that AI systems are effectively integrated into society and serve the intended purpose of improving human well-being. Let's explore how trust is implied by the three heuristic imperatives:
· Reduce suffering in the universe: In order to effectively reduce suffering, AI systems must be perceived as trustworthy by users and stakeholders. Trustworthy AI systems should demonstrate that they are designed to prioritize the well-being and needs of the people they serve, without causing harm or infringing upon individual rights. Transparency and explainability of AI decision-making processes are key factors in fostering trust, as they enable users to understand and verify the intentions and behavior of AI systems.
· Increase prosperity in the universe: Trust is essential for promoting prosperity, as people are more likely to engage with and benefit from AI systems that they perceive as reliable and dependable. Trustworthy AI systems should demonstrate a commitment to supporting users' goals and values, and provide consistent, reliable results that contribute to overall well-being. By fostering trust, AI systems can encourage users to adopt and utilize the technology in ways that enhance their personal and collective prosperity.
· Increase understanding in the universe: Trustworthy AI systems can play a pivotal role in promoting understanding by fostering open dialogue, sharing unbiased information, and providing diverse perspectives. To achieve this, AI systems must be designed with fairness and impartiality in mind, avoiding biases that may distort or manipulate the information they provide. Trust in AI systems also involves a commitment to privacy and data security, ensuring that users' sensitive information is protected and handled responsibly.
​
[[[selection truncated due to Reddit limits]]]
Missing sections:

• Integration and Implementation
• Discussion
• Conclusion

“Any time I run I get an upset stomach. The floodgates just whoosh open.”
“What was your mile time?”
“They’re mission driven down there. It’s part of why I can’t be mad.”
“Hold on. I’m gonna take a picture. File a report.”
“It didn’t used to be a problem but now it’s getting progressively worse.”
“It’s a different day.”
“This new intern is pushing me right to the limit.”
“Daddy, Daddy, Daddy! Look! Duckies! Duckies! HONK HONK HONK HONK HONK! HELLO DUCKIES! HONK HONK HONK HONK!”
“I didn’t even make it back to my car last time. I had to bolt off the path, call an Uber to the side of the road, and ride to the nearest Walmart to use their facilities.”
“Just a little further. Gut it out.”
“Maybe we’ll stop after and get smoothies.”
“I get that she’s young and she’s new. But you know when you get into this kind of work that if our clients, you know, only made great life choices 100% of the time, then they wouldn’t be seeking our services. So for her to coming in with a dismissive or standoffish attitude like she’s judging them makes me want to just pull the plug on the whole thing. I want to support the schools and I‘ve only had good experiences with this program in the past. But this year I might really just pull the plug on the whole thing.”
“My friend grew up around there and she only has good things to say if I recall right.”
“On your left.”
“There’s a bench coming up.”
“It’s finally getting to that, like, sweet spot Goldilocks weather. I’d, man, I’d sleep outside if I could.”

​
⭐️ Featured image on this post is from: Charterhouse Unlocked: Opening Weekend
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🎨 Art & Exhibitions

Event	Date	Venue
Michael: An Angel's Journey	Until 9th Apr	Coventry Cathedral
Coventry Open 2023	Until 21st May	Herbert Art Gallery & Museum
Divided Selves: Legacies, Memories, Belonging	Until 24th Sep	Herbert Art Gallery & Museum
Warwickshire's Jurassic Sea	Until Feb 2024	Herbert Art Gallery & Museum
Dippy In Coventry: The Nation's Favourite Dinosaur	Until Feb 2026	Herbert Art Gallery & Museum

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🎤 Comedy

Event	Date	Venue
The Comedy Network: Glenn Moore, Bella Hull & Alexandra Haddow	Thu 30th Mar 7:30pm	Warwick Arts Centre
COBO: Comedy Shutdown: Love & Laughter: Kyrah Gray, Kevin J, Shabz Kariem & Kat B	Fri 31st Mar 7pm	Belgrade Theatre
Hot Water Comedy All Stars: Brennan Reece, Freddy Quinne, Rob Mulholland & Stephen Bailey	Fri 31st Mar 7:30pm	Rialto Plaza
Stand-Up Show: The Death of The Clown	Sat 1st Apr 6pm	Fargo Village

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👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 Family

Event	Date	Venue
Mini Museum Engineers Play	Wed 29th Mar	Coventry Transport Museum
Weaver's House and Garden: Free Open Day	Sat 1st Apr 10am	Weaver's House, Upper Spon Street
Jurassic Live	Sat 1st & Sun 2nd Apr	Albany Theatre
Charterhouse Unlocked: Opening Weekend	Sat 1st & Sun 2nd Apr 10am	Charterhouse
Family Film: Little Eggs: An African Rescue	Until 6th Apr	Warwick Arts Centre
Crafting Identities: Set Yourself Free	Until 15th Apr	Herbert Art Gallery & Museum
Junk Modelling Maker Challenge	Until 16th Apr	Coventry Transport Museum
Easter Dragon Egg Quest	Until 16th Apr	St Mary's Guildhall

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🎥 Film

Event	Date	Venue
NT Live: The Life of Pi	Thu 30th Mar 7pm	Warwick Arts Centre
Met Opera: Falstaff	Sun 2nd Apr 12:30pm	Warwick Arts Centre
The Queen of Spades	Until 29th Mar	Warwick Arts Centre
Infinity Pool	Until 30th Mar	Warwick Arts Centre
Winners	Until 5th Apr	Warwick Arts Centre
The Night of the 12th	Until 6th Apr	Warwick Arts Centre

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🍔 Food, Markets & Socials

Event	Date	Venue
Coventry Dining Club	Fri 31st Mar & Sat 1st Apr	Fargo Village
Spring Makers Market	Sat 1st & Sun 2nd Apr	Fargo Village

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🎵 Music

Event	Date	Venue
The Fureys	Wed 29th Mar 7:30pm	Albany Theatre
Coventry Music Live Gig	Thu 30th Mar 7pm	The Tin
Song Cycle: Gig and album launch by The Sonoplasts	Fri 31st Mar 4:30pm	The Nest
Suns of Rest + Downdraft + The Rollocks	Fri 31st Mar 7:30pm	The Tin
Bollywood Event	Fri 31st Mar 11pm	HMV Empire
Amnesia House	Sat 1st Apr 3pm	Kasbah
Rob Halligan	Sat 1st Apr 7pm	Coventry Cathedral
Wham vs Duran Duran	Sat 1st Apr 8pm	Rialto Plaza
Amnesia House Afterparty	Sat 1st Apr 10pm	HMV Empire
The Cat Empire	Sun 2nd Apr 7pm	HMV Empire

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🗣 Poetry, Writing & Talks

Event	Date	Venue
Big Read Night	Tue 28th Mar 7pm	Warwick Arts Centre
Big Read Day	Sun 2nd Apr 12pm	Warwick Arts Centre

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⚽️ Sport

Event	Date	Venue
An Evening with "Gazza" Paul Gascoine	Thu 30th Mar 7:30pm	Rialto Plaza
Coventry Rugby vs Hartpury University	Fri 31st Mar 7:45pm	Butts Park Arena
Coventry City vs Stoke City	Sat 1st Apr 3pm	Coventry Building Society Arena
Coventry Blaze vs Cardiff Devils	Sat 1st Apr 7pm	Skydome Arena

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🎭 Theatre & Performance

Event	Date	Venue
Unknown Realms	Until 31st Mar 7:30pm	Albany Theatre
Blood Brothers	Until 1st Apr	Belgrade Theatre
Springboard Festival	Until 1st Apr	Criterion Theatre

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🛠 Workshops & Classes

Event	Date	Venue
Abstract painting to de-stress and improve your skills	Sat 1st Apr 1pm	The Tin

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Any events that we've missed? Drop them in the comments below!

Everyone loves food, eating at restaurants and staying at hotels. But have you ever wondered who provides you with that cosy and delightful environment? Well! This is where the hotel management team comes into action.
We have heard the term “hotel management” but what exactly do the people in that industry do?
Here’s what they do: Hotel management team are responsible for managing employees and for planning, marketing, coordinating and administering hotel services such as catering and accommodation facilities.
Let us comprehend it with details and explanation.
INTRODUCTION:
Hotel Management is an area of study that covers a wide range of topics concerned with the operational aspects of hoteliers. Educational courses in hotel management are varied and cover topics as wide-ranging as marketing, eco-tourism, leisure, business administration, and management.
The people in this industry are confident, approachable and adventurous. They aren’t afraid to try new things and are excited to experience new cultures.
Teamwork is the most important aspect. It is an evolving industry and has great demand all across the globe.
HOTEL MANAGEMENT IN THE LAST DECADE:
Ten years ago, the hotel management industry in India was not as demanding as it is today. It had been struggling to maintain it’s standards comparing with International countries.
The opportunities were lesser, the number of candidates opting for the course and profession was very few, people were not aware of the pros and popularity.
Many facilities were not available and introduced in various sectors in the industry like online reservations, Free Wi-Fi, the availability information was unclear and confusing, categories of rooms required were limited, the menu list did not have a variety of recipes, the different kinds of suites weren’t available.
THE COURSE OF GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY:
The hotel management industry is different from any other industry in that the skills and education you acquire will allow you to work anywhere in the world.
It is indeed a course of golden opportunity since it offers great job and career opportunities.
On what basis do we select courses for our academic?
To learn new things, to grow to be a better person through the learning and experiences and also to earn a decent wage based on our needs.
Well! that is exactly what happens in the hotel management industry, you get to meet a lot of people, it helps you develop your overall personality and plus you get to apply your core competencies in the job.
Chances of choosing sectors based on one’s own interest are permissible. Great understanding and professionalism, good exposure, brings out the creative person in oneself and no age barrier.
100% employment is guaranteed and people can do wonders and reach great heights in their career are some of the perks of choosing hotel management.
CHOOSING HOTEL MANAGEMENT AS A PROFESSION:
There are soo many career choices and options once you have completed any course for that matter but choosing a profession in the hotel management industry comes in with a lot of benefits. Some of them are:
â —  Fast growth and career development opportunities.
â —  Every day would be a different and interesting day.
â —  Good pay and promotions based on performance.
â —  Multiple job profiles are available.
When you look at a hotel the first and foremost quality you’ll find is teamwork. Different people from different department working as a team and satisfying all the needs of a customer during their visit.
Every department strives in providing the best service. The various departments you can find in a hotel are the Housekeeping department, Engineering Department, Front-Office Department, Accounting Department, Human-Resource Department, Security Department, and Food & Beverage Department.
EDUCATION:
The principal objective of the hotel management courses in India is to make the students ready to confront the difficulties in this world which is full of the contest.
Hotel management forms an important part of the contemporary service industry. Many reputed institutions are offering the course. Minimum qualification necessary for joining a hotel management course is 10 or +2. One can decide if he wants to do a diploma/bachelor’s/course degree in a particular field.
The best institutes in India often have an entrance examination, candidates are required to clear the examinations to be able to get admission in the particular college. Examination like NCHMCT JEE or National Council of Hotel Management and Catering Technology Joint Entrance Examination are conducted in various top colleges in India whereas other colleges do not prefer any entry-level tests.
There are various courses available in hotel management and choosing it solemnly depends on the individual’s passion to grow consistently in the sector.
Best Catering College IN Trichy Jenneys acdemy
Every day new numbers of hotels are set up in India. India is being considered as one of the most popular travel destinations in the world.
Tourism has become an important resource in the revenue and economic development of India and so there’s a great market for hotel management since a lot of tourists stay up in hotels.
Today, Hotel Management is not only restricted to hotels but has gone a long way to catering, clubs, food and beverage industry, resorts, airlines, cruise and many more. In hotel management and catering field, one can achieve a long term career in life.
Through this course, you can join the government and non-government sectors.