Topic Reading-Vol.2262-6/21/2018

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Can we trust AI if we don't know how it works?

Which is more reliable, reasonable or acceptable, a decision made by an educated and qualified human or Artificial Intelligence powered by machine learning and algorithms? As AI is taking more decision-making roles in the areas where human intelligence and judgment used to play a part, such as a loan approval, medical diagnosis, and driving, humans are becoming less aware or informed of how those decisions were made. For example, when a person who is declined a loan application by an AI assessor wants to know the reason, will the machine or a human be able to provide a rational explanation in plain language?

Algorithm is a list of mathematical rules or procedures to follow in order to achieve an objective. It learns as more relevant data is provided. Unlike conventional computer programs that are written by humans, outcomes of AI are hardly retraced or reverse engineered for an explanation. In other words, Blackbox.

As long as the outcome is right or more appropriate for the situation, it won’t bother many. But when it is questioned, it isn’t designed to provide proper or understandable explanations. Will that be problematic?

Enjoy reading and learn what AI decisions are like.

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-44466213

Topic Reading-Vol.2261-6/20/2018

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Trump Kim summit: Imagine a North Korean family

Was that really the pressure by US military or its key-ally China that had pushed North Korea’s dictator to risk traveling to Singapore to shake hands with Trump?

Indeed, Kim Jong-un is an absolute dictator of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. He can rule and decide any matters of his country, military, and government as well as the fate of 25 million-or-so people in his realm. No matter how closely related a person is to him, even a brother, uncle, or long-term mentor, he or she is never free from capital punishment, not to mention the traitors and defectors.

Is he fearless? Not really. He’s always afraid of assassination by anyone including his closest aides, generals, and even his own bodyguards. He is also worried if his people might revolt against his regime.

Here is a presumed story of an ordinary family in this highly secretive country.

Enjoy reading and learn what the life of an ordinary family is like in North Korea.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-44164948

Topic Reading-Vol.2260-6/19/2018

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Coming of age: Why adults in Japan are getting younger

What does becoming an adult mean to the young? In Japan, 20-year-old has been considered the age to be adult since 1876. When a person reaches the age of adulthood, they are responsible for themselves legally and socially and allowed to drink alcohol and smoke. There is even an official ceremony, called The Coming of Age Festival, to welcome new adults every year in January, where all new adults are celebrated by their respective local communities.

In Japan, when a person reaches the age of 18, he or she can get a driver’s license, vote for elections, and get married if their guardians agree. After 2022 when the new laws take effect, they can marry without a parental consent, borrow loans and apply for credit cards, but they still have to wait to become 20 either to smoke or drink.

Why are they changing the laws? What are soon-to-be adults thinking of the change?

Enjoy reading and learn this rare drastic move in Japan’s usually conservative society.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-44465196

Topic Reading-Vol.2259-6/18/2018

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Men outnumber women by 32.66 million on Chinese mainland

Competitions aren’t limited to enter a prestigious university or to get a job in a government department in China. There is a much more serious, life-determining event that young Chinese men are facing. To find a girlfriend or wife.

As of the end of 2017, men outnumbered women by 32.66 million on the Chinese mainland. Though this imbalanced gender ratio of 104.81 males for every 100 females has improved from previous years because of the comprehensive two-child policy implemented since 2015, there still are a lot more young men than women. However, among the generations that were severely affected by the previous one-child policy, the situation is more intense. Between the age of 15 and 29, there are 112 men for every 100 women. So, how to find and get along with a girlfriend is no less serious than getting a good job.

But where there is a problem, there are always solutions either online or in person. Since young Chinese are used to take extra-curricular courses, some young men are now attending schools that teach them how to date women.

              Check this video=> A dating school for China’s many men

By the way, if women have more choices than men, what their attitudes tend to be?

Enjoy reading and think about what kind of social challenges China will face in the future.

http://en.people.cn/n3/2018/0119/c90000-9317591.html

Topic Reading-Vol.2258-6/17/2018

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Are windowless planes the future of travel?

What do you enjoy the most during a long flight? Meals, movies, games or reading? There are flights that last over ten or even 15 hours. Though windows are usually closed during those long flights, it is always a pleasure or relief to see outside through the window time to time even if you’re sitting in a first-class seat. But Dubai-based airline Emirates, one of the most popular long-haul flight operators, has come up with an exclusive first-class suit that features virtual windows. The passengers can still see real-time virtual views of the outside world through window-like monitors. What are the benefits of removing real windows from the cabin? Why do passengers pay a premium for non-real views?

There are also other ideas for future airplanes and aerial vehicles, either manned or unmanned, or powered either by conventional engines or an electric motor.

Which makes you more comfortable or nervous to fly, a windowless airplane or a pilotless drone?

Enjoy reading the article and see the images of futuristic flying vehicle designs.

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/emirates-windowless-planes/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.2257-6/16/2018

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Could an emoji save your life?

Most of the mobile phone users must have seen or used emojis. The emoji is a small digital image or icon used to express an idea or emotion in electronic communication worldwide. They include sequences for gender or skin tone, flags, and the components used to create keycap, flag, and other sequences. Originated on Japanese mobile phones in 1999, emojis have become increasingly popular around the world especially on smartphones and now there are over 2,800 emojis in the Unicode Standard as of June 2018. Since the emoji is used without training and beyond language barriers, it could be regarded as one of the most popular international communication tools.

Also, the emoji expresses the meaning, feeling and even situations clearly and instantly like pictographs and other visual images that are used to show for safety instructions to passengers and warnings signs to visitors. Now, some people are campaigning to use this common communication tool as an early warning message tool for climate and environmental events, especially for an earthquake. Since so many people are visiting or staying in places whose languages are different from theirs, universal and easy-to-understand mobile messages are essential and convenient for critical events. So, why not use it more effectively?

Enjoy reading and think if someday the emoji will become the leading universal communication tool over languages.  

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-44403986

Topic Reading-Vol.2256-6/15/2018

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

World's highest glass bridge to open world's highest bungee jump

The Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge is a glass-bottomed, transparent suspension bridge over a 300-meter-deep valley in the Zhangjiajie Park, China. This 430-meter-long bridge is so popular among tourists that it is walked by 8,000 visitors a day.

Now, the world’s longest glass bridge has set another world record as the world’s highest bungee jumping site. The higher the jump site is, the longer and the faster falling is enjoyed. Fearless jumpers can not only enjoy the hair-raising freefall but also the magnificent view of the valley. Whether you are a bungee jumper or not, it seems worth walking on the bridge to enjoy seeing the breathtaking view and others falling down to the deep valley.

Enjoy reading and learn about this thrilling bridge.

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/bungee-jump-zhangjiajie-bridge-china/index.html