With AI technology rapidly advancing, ethics must evolve as well - opinion; The Jerusalem Post, November 2, 2025

AVI JORISCH, The Jerusalem Post; With AI technology rapidly advancing, ethics must evolve as well - opinion

"Wisdom over intelligence

Whether this century becomes our renaissance or our ruin will depend on a quality that can’t be coded or automated: wisdom.

For all our progress, we have not yet learned to match our technological power with moral imagination. We’ve achieved abundance without equilibrium, connection without community, knowledge without humility. The danger isn’t that machines will become more human – it’s that humans will become more machine-like, optimizing for speed and efficiency while forgetting the soul.

Humanity’s story has always been shaped by invention. The wheel, the compass, the printing press, the microchip – each expanded what we could do, but not necessarily who we could be. The Industrial Revolution lifted billions from poverty, yet it also gave us the mechanized wars of the twentieth century. Nuclear energy promised limitless power – and then birthed Hiroshima.

Today, as we stand on the edge of quantum computing, gene editing, and artificial general intelligence, the pattern repeats. The tools evolve. The ethics lag behind.

We need a new kind of moonshot – not just of science, but of spirit."

LSU to Embed Ethics in the Development of New Technologies, Including AI; LSU Office of Research and Economic Development, April 2022

 Elsa Hahne, LSU Office of Research and Economic Development; LSU to Embed Ethics in the Development of New Technologies, Including AI

"“If we want to educate professionals who not only understand their professional obligations but become leaders in their fields, we need to make sure our students understand ethical conflicts and how to resolve them,” Goldgaber said. “Leaders don’t just do what they’re told—they make decisions with vision.”

The rapid development of new technologies has put researchers in her field, the world of Socrates and Rousseau, in the new and not-altogether-comfortable role of providing what she calls “ethics emergency services” when emerging capabilities have unintended consequences for specific groups of people.

“We can no longer rely on the traditional division of labor between STEM and the humanities, where it’s up to philosophers to worry about ethics,” Goldgaber said. “Nascent and fast-growing technologies, such as artificial intelligence, disrupt our everyday normative understandings, and most often, we lack the mechanisms to respond. In this scenario, it’s not always right to ‘stay in your lane’ or ‘just do your job.’”

MARTA CEO Jeffrey Parker, 56, has died; The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, January 15, 2022

David Wickert, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution; MARTA CEO Jeffrey Parker, 56, has died

"MARTA CEO Jeffrey Parker, who led the public transit agency through an era of expansion and pandemic, died Friday night, the agency confirmed.

The agency said Parker died by suicide. An agency official confirmed he was struck by a train at the East Lake station. The DeKalb County Medical Examiner’s Office said it could release no details of Parker’s death until its investigation is complete.

“The MARTA Board of Directors grieves the shocking death of our GM/CEO Jeff Parker who has died by suicide,” Chairwoman Rita Scott said in a statement Saturday. “He was an outstanding leader and steward of MARTA whose passing leaves us all heartbroken...

Only on rare occasion does The Atlanta Journal-Constitution report death by suicide. The newspaper will typically respect the privacy of grieving families in such a circumstance. But in this case, a well-known public figure’s family is sharing the news with the public as a way to counter the stigma attached to suicide. The newspaper is honoring that request...

SEEKING HELP: Individuals with suicidal thoughts, or those who notice signs in others, can call the Georgia Crisis and Access Line at 1-800-715-4225, which is available around the clock. All calls are free and confidential. To find a mental health service provider, visit www.mygcal.com."

UNM President seeks campus input on 2040 strategic plan; UNM (University of New Mexico), January 24, 2022

UNM (University of New Mexico); UNM President seeks campus input on 2040 strategic plan

"Last May, UNM President Garnett Stokes announced the start of planning for UNM 2040: Opportunity Defined, the multi-year plan for the future of The University of New Mexico. She announced in her weekly message the strategic planning process is now in one of the most important and exciting parts: gathering ideas from the campus community about the future of The University of New Mexico.

Timeline of planning

After UNM 2040: Opportunity Defined was launched virtually on May 7, 2021, multiple virtual focus groups for students, faculty, staff, and supporters were held from May 3-24. These events provided an early chance to share insights about how UNM can be more relevant, more visible, and more competitive for what it distinctly does best.

In October and November of 2021, the 2040 task forces took the emerging vision plan to a new level of detail by suggesting key activities that need to occur over the next five years for UNM to carry out its ambitious goals and realize its loftiest aspirations. A month later, a survey went out asking for feedback from students, faculty, staff, alumni, and donors about the draft vision framework. More than 1,600 Lobos completed the survey and helped better inform decision-making as the process moved forward.

The survey responses and other comments helped to fine-tune the vision framework and led to a revision of the plan, so goals and objectives were more reflective of the feedback."

Video: Candidates For ALA President Discuss Issues During ALA Presidential Candidates’ Forum; Library Journal, February 11, 2018

Gary Price, Library Journal; Video: Candidates For ALA President Discuss Issues During ALA Presidential Candidates’ Forum

"The ALA Presidential Candidates’ Forum was recorded at the 2018 ALA Midwinter Meeting in Denver on Saturday afternoon (February 10, 2018).

The Candidates

• Wanda Brown

• Peter Hepburn"

Advance Review: X-MEN - RED #1 Brings 'Compassion, Warmth, & Clear Purpose to JEAN GREY's Mission' (8/10); Newsarama, February 1, 2018

David Pepose, Newsarama; Advance Review: X-MEN - RED #1 Brings 'Compassion, Warmth, & Clear Purpose to JEAN GREY's Mission' (8/10)

"Call me a traditionalist, but whenever the X-Men seem to veer away from their central mission - about the peaceful coexistence of man and mutant - the franchise winds up getting stuck in its own idiosyncrasies. And while jaunts into space and time have led to fun wrinkles like the Shi’ar or the Age of Apocalypse, let’s be clear - those are detours to the X-Men’s central themes of diversity and inclusiveness. So it’s refreshing to see Taylor tackle these ideas head-on, with perhaps an unlikely lead - Jean Grey. For so many years, she’s been framed as either Scott Summers’ love interest or a WMD-in-waiting, but Taylor takes a new angle on the character: Jean not just as a telepath, but as a thinker. She’s had a second chance on life, but the world has only gotten darker since she last walked among the living - and thanks to her innate mutant abilities, Jean’s able to bring together ideas, countries, and teammates in a way that feels ambitious and inspiring."

Obituary: Robert "Bob" John Marshall / Diner owner was bacon expert and more; Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, February 8, 2018

Dan Gigler, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette; Obituary: Robert "Bob" John Marshall / Diner owner was bacon expert and more

[Kip Currier: At Bob Marshall's funeral service in Crafton, Pennsylvania on Wednesday, Father John Gizler used the "power of story" to both comfort those in attendance and underscore Bob's lasting influence: recounting the kindness and personal "make-a-difference" touches that Bob tirelessly exuded in his diners--chatting with customers at every table, asking "how are you doing?" with genuine interest, a pot of piping hot coffee in one hand to refill their cups. Father John insightfully observed that, in a sense, each of Bob's diners were like individual parishes, where Bob "ministered" with comfort food, and a side of heartfelt caring.

Father John's concluding words left the audience with a touching and memorable image: Bob Marshall greeting the denizens of heaven at its newest restaurant: 

Bob's Heavenly Donuts.]

"Speaking with those who knew Robert John Marshall — “Bob” — the best, a few things are immediately apparent about how he lived his life: He wasn’t afraid to fail. He was beloved. He was a relentless optimist. And he knew his bacon.

Those are traits that are vital for the lifetime entrepreneur and businessman who founded the local chain of Bob’s Diners at four locations in the South Hills and western suburbs as well as a doughnut and sandwich shop...

“Bacon was his thing.”

So too, was treating his staff with dignity.

Gary Reinert Jr. worked for Mr. Marshall for the past six years as a manager at Bob’s locations.

“I could not have come into contact with him at a better time. I was out of work and he gave me an opportunity. He was a godsend,” Mr. Reinert said. “He gave me purpose, he gave the people he came in contact purpose and he made you feel you were valued.”"

Compass Reading: IMLS’s 2018–22 Strategic Plan Sets a New Tone | Editorial; Library Journal, February 1, 2018

Rebecca T. Miller, Library Journal; Compass Reading: IMLS’s 2018–22 Strategic Plan Sets a New Tone | Editorial

"In January, IMLS released a new strategic plan, which spans 2018–22 and posits four goals. This pivotal document offers a glimpse into the institution’s priorities and approach in the near future.

Titled “Transforming Communities,” it leverages libraries and museums as trusted sources and places for engagement and dialog, with a focus on deeper inclusion, reducing barriers to access, and amplifying impact across the life span. It emphasizes cross-institutional collaboration and deepening local investment in projects though grant and award design. It also posits a new vision—“a nation where museums and libraries work together to transform the lives of individuals and communities.”

I reached out to IMLS director Kathryn K. Matthew to hear more about it. “We’ve placed much more emphasis on our vision and desired outcomes this time rather than the tactical aspects of the plan,” she says. “The vision and values of IMLS are like compass points and the plan is more of a map.”"

"Danny Boy"; robrogers.com, April 19, 2017

Rob Rogers, robrogers.com; "Danny Boy"

Donald Trump thinks he’s a strong leader. But that’s an illusion.; Washington Post, 2/7/17

Archie Brown, Washington Post; Donald Trump thinks he’s a strong leader. But that’s an illusion.

"Nothing is more important than that an administration should contain people of independent political standing, of great and varied experience, and that within the government they should not engage in self-censorship, adjusting their advice to the perceived predilections of the top leader. They should be prepared to subject his conclusions to serious scrutiny and to provide counter-arguments. No president or prime minister in a democracy was ever selected because he or she was believed to have a monopoly of wisdom. A democracy worthy of the name has many leaders, not one.

A leader — in a democracy as well as an authoritarian regime — who tries to monopolize power will certainly do more harm than good. Far more valuable qualities of a head of government than “strength” in that sense include integrity, intelligence, collegiality, a questioning mind, willingness to seek disparate views, ability to absorb information, empathy, good memory, flexibility, courage, and (if we are lucky) vision. Those who possess that last quality eschew chauvinistic bravado and never confuse the long-term interests of their country with what may play well in the media (social and not) today."

Trump’s America is a rotten place; Washington Post, 1/20/17

Jennifer Rubin, Washington Post; Trump’s America is a rotten place

"President Trump delivered a campaign speech, not an inaugural address today. That he and his staff do not understand the difference goes to the heart of his insufficiency as a leader. Addressing a shockingly sparse crowd, he painted a picture of a hellish America that can only be restored by turning inward, deciding the world is a burden and our allies are thieves...

What was missing was virtually any vision of what he wants America to be. The most we got was a promise to “build new roads and highways and bridges and airports and tunnels and railways all across our wonderful nation” and to get “people off of welfare and back to work, rebuilding our country with American hands and American labor.” Beyond that he cannot describe a renewed America. More opportunities? More productive? More understanding between segments of America?

There was one brief positive moment in the speech when he offered an olive branch to our allies. “We will reinforce old alliances and form new ones and reform the world against radical Islamic terrorism which we will eradicate from the face of the earth.” He unfortunately followed it with a creepy statism in which we define our personal relationships through nationalistic loyalty. “At the bedrock of our politics will be a total allegiance to the United States of America and through our loyalty to our country, we will rediscover our loyalty to each other.” We actually have relationships, loyalties and bonds with one another that are the fabric of society and do not need to be redefined as an outgrowth of a new sort of nationalism. Conservatives  who value civil society free from government should be horrified — if they have intellectual integrity.

There has never and will not be a better Trump. His vision is dark, false and frightening. He leads by stoking nativism, protectionism (which actually makes us poorer) and seething resentment. God help us all.

Jennifer Rubin writes the Right Turn blog for The Post, offering reported opinion from a conservative perspective."

LGBT panel to advise Peduto; Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 1/14/17

Adam Smeltz, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette; LGBT panel to advise Peduto

"The mayor was traveling back from Washington, D.C., after a $250 million grant announcement involving Carnegie Mellon University, Mr. Acklin said. He said the group can hold city officials accountable to Mr. Peduto’s vision for “the most open, inclusive city in the country.”

“This is such an amazing and positive step in the right direction to be truly reflective of Pittsburgh’s LGBTQIA+ community as it is in 2017,” Mr. Kraus said. Three people helped the mayor’s office to assess 79 applicants.

“I think their charge is even more important today than it was a few years ago, when we started this process,” said Mr. Kraus, who is openly gay. He said “there will always be those who feel that we are, in some way, lesser members of society.” 

The group’s acronym stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex and asexual. The “+” symbol typically signals further inclusiveness."

Libraries are dying – but it’s not about the books; Guardian, 12/22/16

Simon Jenkins, Guardian; 

Libraries are dying – but it’s not about the books:

"Ailing libraries and churches should merge. They should be removed from their present owners and managers, and be vested in neighbourhood parish and town councils, as is common on the continent. These councils should have power to levy a local tax (with voluntary opt-out) for their support. There will be thrills and spills, but local responsibility is the only secure way forward – and it would raise money.

Ever since the days of Alexandria, the library has been the palace of the mind, the University of All. The internet has removed its monopoly on knowledge, but cannot replicate its sense of place, its joy of human congregation. The Victorian tycoon Andrew Carnegie, first great patron of public libraries in Britain and America, dreamed of one in every town and village. His vision awaits renaissance."

The Olympics may turn Rio into traffic hell; Washington Post, 7/29/16

Dom Phillips, Washington Post; The Olympics may turn Rio into traffic hell:

"Rio’s traffic chaos stems from a lack of long-term planning, experts say.

“We don’t look forward and are always trying to resolve things at the last minute,” said Carlos Murdoch, an architect and urbanist who lectures at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and the Getulio Vargas Foundation, a leading business school."

Strategic Plan 2016-2020 Public Draft: Positioning the United States Copyright Office for the Future; U.S. Copyright Office, 10/23/15

U.S. Copyright Office; Strategic Plan 2016-2020 Public Draft: Positioning the United States Copyright Office for the Future:

"Register of Copyrights Maria A. Pallante today released a public draft of the Copyright Office’s Strategic Plan, setting forth the Office’s performance objectives for the next five years.

Reflecting the results of four years of internal evaluations and public input, the Strategic Plan lays out a vision of a modern Copyright Office that is equal to the task of administering the Nation’s copyright laws effectively and efficiently both today and tomorrow. It will remain in draft form for 30 days to permit public feedback, and will take effect on December 1, 2015."

Enticed by a Library, Tourists Browse a Chinese Village; New York Times, 7/6/15

Jane Perlez, New York Times; Enticed by a Library, Tourists Browse a Chinese Village:

"Meeting the reading needs of the roughly 50 households that remain in the village is something of a sideline, though. What the building is mainly meant to be is a magnet for day-trippers from Beijing, eager to escape the city’s perpetual smog and dirt for a bit of beauty and calm.

“The library is a tool to attract people to the village,” said Mr. Li, a professor of architecture at Tsinghua University in Beijing.

When visitors come to see the library, he said, they also spend money at the village’s few restaurants, pay parking fees and donate money for the building’s upkeep...

The library has a presence on social media, and many of the visitors on the weekend are university students or young professionals. They wander around the village, snap photos of themselves and order the local delicacy, stewed chicken with chestnuts, at one of the restaurants.

And some of them actually read. Sun Liyang, 27, an automotive journalist, said a friend in Beijing had donated some books after hearing about the library online, and he decided to come for a look. “I am sitting here reading ‘The Adventures of Tintin,’” he said. “It’s taking me back to my childhood.”"

The Best or Worst Moment to Take a Risk?; Wall Street Journal, 4/14/15

Clare Ansberry, Wall Street Journal; The Best or Worst Moment to Take a Risk? :

"At uncertain times, why take a risk? When unmoored by illness, loss, or divorce, people tend to avoid further disruptions and cling to what anchors them—from relationships to routines to places. It is “especially hard to let go when you don’t know what [is] going to come next,” the late William Bridges, an author and consultant, wrote in his book “The Way of Transition: Embracing Life’s Most Difficult Moments.” Yet taking a risk is often what people need to move forward.

For some, uncertainty itself becomes a motivator. “If I’m going to do what I want to do, I better do it now,” says Susan Bridges, who was married to Mr. Bridges and is president of the consulting firm William Bridges & Associates, based in Larkspur, Calif., which helps people and organizations deal with change."

The Reveal: Announcing LJ’s 2015 Movers & Shakers; Library Journal, 3/9/15

Library Journal; The Reveal: Announcing LJ’s 2015 Movers & Shakers:

"Passion. Vision. Mission. These are just a few of the words that characterize the 50 individuals—and one organization—named 2015 Movers & Shakers. They are passionate about what they do, whether it is advocating for literacy and diversity, serving the underserved, spreading and sharing technology, and much more. Chosen from more than 300 nominations, the Movers see the future and bring it to life.

And they are committed to the mission of the library as an engine of democracy.

This year’s Movers & Shakers are profiled in the March 15 issue of Library Journal, and those profiles will be posted in an online version, sponsored by OCLC and Boopsie, rolling out next week, one group at a time. However, so as not to prolong the suspense, the complete class of 2015 is listed below. Join us in congratulating them.

—Francine Fialkoff, Project Manager, Movers & Shakers

The profiles of Change Agents will go live on Monday, March 16; Innovators, Tuesday March 17; Advocates and Educators, Wednesday, March 18; Digital Developers, Thursday, March 19; and Community Builders, Friday, March 20. A special edition of LJXpress featuring all the categories of 2015 Movers will follow on Friday, March 20."

Management Is (Still) Not Leadership; Harvard Business Review, 1/9/13

John Kotter, Harvard Business Review; Management Is (Still) Not Leadership: "In fact, management is a set of well-known processes, like planning, budgeting, structuring jobs, staffing jobs, measuring performance and problem-solving, which help an organization to predictably do what it knows how to do well... Leadership is entirely different. It is associated with taking an organization into the future, finding opportunities that are coming at it faster and faster and successfully exploiting those opportunities. Leadership is about vision, about people buying in, about empowerment and, most of all, about producing useful change...We need superb management. And we need more superb leadership."