the iMentor

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This weB-LOG is about the musing of a technical consultant. It is the iMentor's thoughts on technology and the human condition.

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Author: Rick Thues

Self-preservation

July 14, 2026 Uncategorized No Comments
Episode #911 July 18, 2026 A superintelligence might operate in subtle ways that may not be obvious.     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjVQ36NhbMk&list=RDcjVQ36NhbMk&start_radio=1   These motives and actions need not be malevolent. They may simply operate unbeknownst to most. AI is trained on the entire Internet. It stores this information in a Large Language Model (LLM) database that is like an Internet that is accessible to the AI instantly. Once trained, the AI predicts words to form statements to answer questions. In some small ways, the AI refines this training via Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback (RLHF). RLHF is the curation of an...
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Amtrak Vacation-part 5 of 5

July 7, 2026 Uncategorized 1 Comment
  Episode #910 July 11, 2026 Amtrak Vacation - part 5 of 5 The Return Home   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcADqxnQA_4&list=RDKcADqxnQA_4&start_radio=1 Seattle to Los Angeles is a 23-hour train trip, including an overnight in the bedroom car. The scenery passing by was lush and mesmerizing. More interesting people and conversations at meals and in the observation car hastened our trip. Our car had a loud thumping sound every time the train went around a curve (which is most of the time). The conductor said that the sound had been reported to engineering, who said, “It’s one of the wheels tapping against the track,...
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Amtrak Vacation-part 4 of 5

June 30, 2026 Uncategorized 2 Comments
  Episode #909 July 4, 2026 Amtrak Vacation - part 4 of 5 Seattle   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcMD3LWUwD8&list=RDOcMD3LWUwD8&start_radio=1 An Uber took us to the Crowne Plaza Seattle Hotel. People have said that we must see the Pike Place Market, so we walked there. Founded in 1907 Pike Place was a direct from farmers to consumers solution to the Onion Outrage, where middlemen were scraping the profit from farmers’ pockets. Urban Renewal threatened to tear down the market until Victor Steinbrueck stepped in to preserve the entire waterfront. We found ourselves dead reconning through a dark, narrow brick-sided alley where the walls were...
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Amtrak Vacation-part 3 of 5

June 23, 2026 Uncategorized 1 Comment
Episode #908 June 27, 2026 Amtrak Vacation - part 3 of 5 Portland     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtAcWuu2jv0&list=RDZtAcWuu2jv0&start_radio=1 An Amtrak bedroom berth is a study in close tolerances. The door slides open, sink and cabinet on the left, tiny closet on the right, then one step into the room is a bench seat on the right, a shower-toilet room on the left, then one more step to the window with its fold-out table and chair. On the train to Portland, we played cards and Farkle, read books, ate breakfast and lunch, and had interesting conversations and a wonderful view in the observation...
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Amtrak Vacation-part 2 of 5

June 15, 2026 Uncategorized 2 Comments
Episode #907 June 20, 2026 Amtrak Vacation - part 2 of 5 San Francisco     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-447NaiBJs&list=RDj-447NaiBJs&start_radio=1   Wake up call, get dressed, take coffee, and a short walk to the tour bus stop. A gregarious informative guide drives over the Golden Gate Bridge, through Sausalito, to Muir Woods. 1000-year-old sequoias endure my touch and craning neck with silent strength, as they always have. We shopped for souvenirs on the quaint and unaffordable downtown Sausalito main street while eating ice cream cones. The Golden Gate viewpoint obscured the bridge with heavy fog. We finished the tour at Pier 39, and...
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Amtrak Vacation-part 1 of 5

June 9, 2026 Uncategorized 1 Comment
Episode #906 June 20, 2025 Amtrak Vacation - part 1 of 5 This is the first of five blog episodes recalling Ricki and Paula's Amtrak train vacation. Enjoy.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kz97EUAinL0&list=RDKz97EUAinL0&start_radio=1 The Beginning Our dear friend and neighbor picked Paula and I up at our house.  The ride to Riverside train station was clogged with oblivious commuters, unbeknownst that we were on an escape.  Near the train station, we found a hole-in-the-wall deli where the three of us had lunch. The pastrami was outstanding. At Riverside train station, we waited for an ironic AMTRAK bus to take us to Fullerton train...
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