AI: the Good and the Bad

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From customizing your Spotify feed to helping you with your school work, AI can be super helpful! However, AI is becoming a controversial topic. Here are the pros and cons of AI.

AI Is Great Because:

  1.  AI is a learning tool. AI programs like Grammarly, Khan Academy, Duolingo, and Quizlet are effective learning tools helping people all over the world. I would bet that you or someone you know has used Duolingo to learn a new language. Did you know that a 2021 study by Duolingo Research revealed that 34 hours of Duolingo use is equivalent to a full semester of college-level language instruction?
  2. AI makes our lives easier. AI is used for repetitive jobs like data sorting that would take a human hours to do. According to Forbes, “With a well-crafted prompt, ChatGPT can help you eliminate hours of repetitive work in mere seconds.”
  3. AI improves the quality of life for disabled people. From self-driving cars that can allow people to get around easier, to glasses that caption the world for the deaf–AI fosters inclusivity.
  4. AI makes healthcare better. Google’s DeepMind developed an AI system that diagnoses eye diseases as accurately as leading ophthalmologists: “Our AI system can quickly interpret eye scans from routine clinical practice with unprecedented accuracy. It can correctly recommend how patients should be referred for treatment for over 50 sight-threatening eye diseases as accurately as world-leading expert doctors.”  AI health tech saves lives!

AI Is Not So Great Because:

  1. AI makes mistakes. AI isn’t perfect.  A recent study from Purdue University found that ChatGPT, a popular AI app, presents wrong answers 52% of the time. If using ChatGPT to aid your research, you may find that your facts are false.
  2. AI takes jobs. Vinod Khosla, co-founder of Sun Microsystems, predicts “80 percent of all jobs will be eliminated” because of AI.
  3. AI harms the environment. AI gains its strength from thousands of computers housed in data centers. These centers are constantly operated, leading to a huge amount of energy being consumed. According to Reuters, “The surprising growth in power demand driven by the rise of artificial intelligence and cloud computing is being met in the near-term by fossil fuels like natural gas, and even coal, because the pace of clean-energy deployments is moving too slowly to keep up.” AI is playing a big role in increasing greenhouse gas emissions.
  4. AI distorts reality. AI can be used to generate fake audio or video recordings of people. When what you see with your eyes or hear with your ears can no longer be trusted or do not match reality, the truth becomes hard to discern.

Conclusion:

AI is helpful in many ways, but also has its faults. As time passes, technology improves, so while there are some large problems currently with AI, in the future, they may not be as pronounced. In the end, in order to truly understand the impact something will have, we just need to wait and see.

Activities to Try in 2025

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2024 was full of amazing different adventures and ups and downs, so here’s 5 activities that I enjoyed and that you can consider trying in 2025!

  • Bullet Journaling – You can keep a daily log of different events such in your life such as rating your day, a dream tracker, anxiety tracker, the best part of your day, etc. and then see your progress throughout the year. You can also be more creative with it such as creating and decorating pages for each month or major event in your life.
  • Create fun challenges/goals for yourself – Maybe it’s completing a puzzle or reading more books this year. Finding a new challenge or goal to achieve can help motivativate you in the new year.
  • Yoga – It’s always important to stay active, but prioritizing your mental health and relaxing is also important. Yoga can help you achieve both, as a calming form of exercise for all ages. Additionally, you can also consider other calming forms of exercise such as Tai Chi.
  • Escape Rooms – Escape rooms can be a fun place for you to enjoy hanging out with your friends and family as you work to solve puzzles and analyze different clues.
  • DIY Crafts – This can be hobbies like crocheting, making jewelry, knitting, photography, or whatever you like to express your creativity.

Be Part of a Community Art Project and Earn Double Hours!

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Write a letter to someone who has demonstrated kindness! Scan the QR for more details or visit: https://www.cityofmissionviejo.org/departments/arts-culture/ordinary-voices-extraordinary-impact.

Letters can be turned in to the Ask Here desk at the library through February 21. Earn 2 hours per letter, up to 4 hours per person.

To see some of the local artist’s work, visit https://www.conceptzombie.com/artgallery

Fun Party Games / Activities

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Whether it be a family gathering during the holidays, a friend hangout, or a school party, activities elevate the mood of a party by a great deal, and some may even argue that they are essential to parties. Here are a few party activities that are key to having a great party.

A party activity that is simple yet extremely fun is a game of musical chairs. Musical chairs are a game where numerous chairs are placed in a circle and music is played. Oftentimes, people dance to the music, but for some, they just like to stay still. Once the music stops, each person must find a chair to take a seat on. Musical chairs are set up so that there are less amount of chairs each round than people participating in the game. This way, when the music stops, one person will be left without a chair. This popular game is simple but easily one of the best ways to change the atmosphere of a party.

This next party activity is not as popular as music chairs and can be boring if not done correctly, but I think it’s worth trying. This particular activity does not have a specific name, but in this game, one person, the host, will be instructing the others to find specific items. For example, the host can say something like “Find me…” and proceed to say an item, such as a belt, a flower pot, or anything you can name. The first person to bring it to the host will typically get a price, but it is not necessary. 

Another enjoyable party activity is a game where a person is blindfolded and they have a bowl or any sort of container in front of them. In this game, the person will try to scoop up whatever is on the table, trying to compete with others to see who will scoop up the most. This game is typically done with money, but another alternative can be cotton balls. I think this is a lighthearted game that can lift the mood at parties. 

This final activity can be a bit challenging, depending on the party crowd, and is more for parties with close friends, but this last activity is a try not to laugh challenge with people. This one can be difficult and not as appealing, especially if you have friends who are not as easy to make laugh, but if this activity does go right, then cherishable memories will be created.

One Hundred and One Black Cats by Stephen Mooser

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One Hundred and One Black Cats is a short novel by Stephen Mooser, with illustrations by Quentin Blake. Tod is a ten-year-old boy living in an old warehouse with his gout-ridden uncle, Captain Bones, in the harbor town of New Bedford. One day, Captain Bones sends Tod to Fogcutter Inn to pick up a package for him. According to Captain Bones, the package will make him and Tod wealthy enough to live in a big whaling ship. Tod is excited by the thought of finally leaving the dark and moldy warehouse, to go out to sea with his uncle. However, once Tod reaches the inn, a sailor tells him that the package is basically worthless. Tod begins to think that Captain Bones had tricked him, but then he finds out that his uncle has been kidnapped. Tod realizes that the package must be valuable after all.

This book is extremely short, but it is fast-paced and enjoyable to read. I found it very difficult to put this book down once I started reading it. The story is action-packed and engaging, and the characters are entertaining. I am also especially fond of Quentin Blake’s illustrations. I have enjoyed many other books illustrated by Quentin Blake. His illustrations give life and personality to the characters in this book. Some parts of the story seemed a bit rushed, especially toward the end of the book. However, I thought the conclusion was rewarding, and it was very satisfying to find out what happened to Tod and Captain Bones. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick and entertaining read.

Joey Pigza Loses Control by Jack Gantos

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Joey Pigza Loses Control is a short novel by Jack Gantos. This is the second book of a five-book series. Joey Pigza is a young boy with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Because of this condition, Joey finds it difficult to manage his behavior and feelings. Sometimes he loses control of himself. He was prescribed a patch that provides medication that helps calm his mind so that he can better control his behavior. In the summer, Joey is sent to meet and live with his father and grandma for six weeks. Joey’s mother had told him that he was like his father. Joey soon learns that he shares more in common with his father than he had realized.

Joey’s father also has ADHD. However, he does not believe in using medication. He told Joey’s mother that he stopped drinking, which is why his mother allowed Joey to visit him. However, Joey finds out that his father is still drinking but does not want Joey’s mother to know. Joey’s father takes off Joey’s medicated patch and confiscates the rest of Joey’s medications and destroys them, believing that this will make both of them free. Joey tries to adapt to his new “free” self while trying to avoid falling back into his old self.

I have mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand, Joey’s father wants to teach him valuable lessons about overcoming challenges and gaining control of life. However, Joey’s father also makes risky decisions that put Joey in danger. I appreciate that this book portrays ADHD in a realistic way, but I found Joey’s father to be unlikeable overall. Joey’s grandmother is a more sympathetic character, and she plays an important role as the story develops. For the most part, I felt sorry for the characters in this book. I found it somewhat unpleasant to read about their contentious behavior and disagreements, but I think this book is intended to deal with some difficult subjects that many people can relate to. This seems like a book that some people would appreciate, but I do not think it would appeal to everyone.

Joey Pigza Loses Control by Jack Gantos is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library.

Candy Houses TAB Event

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Every year, the Mission Viejo Library hosts Santa’s Village in connection to the North Paseo Night Market. And once each year, the library’s Teen Advisory Board hosts the Candy Houses station outside during Santa’s Village. It is one of the busiest and most exciting events for the library and its guests; family, kids, and teens alike.

What is the Candy Houses booth? It’s a fun activity during Santa’s Village that many can participate in (for as long as supplies last!). The members of Mission Viejo Library’s Teen Advisory Board (TAB) help to supply each guest with graham crackers and the candy of their choosing in order for each individual to create their own candy house! The candy houses–based off of gingerbread houses–can be created at tables nearby the booth and enjoyed amongst all ages.

The Candy Houses booth is a great experience for families to bond and have fun. No matter what time you get in line–whether it is your first activity at Santa’s Village or one you stumble across later on–it’s a great and delicious way to spend your time. 

So far, the Candy Houses booth has been a success. As the library plans for this event, they order more and more supplies, and yet, it never seems to make it until the end of the night as even more people show up year after year. This year was no exception; despite the mass amount of supplies, we found ourselves still needing more. The line to the booth seems to get longer every time it is hosted which means that (as long as the trend continues) we have to be prepared for even more to come next year! 

All in all, Santa’s Village and the Whoville Night Market were a success once again. And just like prior years, TAB’s Candy Houses booth was just as busy and just as fun. If you haven’t experienced it, I highly recommend checking it out next year. It’s open to everyone so don’t be a stranger and enjoy!

-Nicole R.

Twisters

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Twisters is a disaster film that came out on July 19, 2024. Since I hadn’t seen the first movie that came out in 1996, I didn’t fully know what to expect while starting this film. Twisters is about a girl named Kate Carter, who had a passion for tornados until disaster struck when many of her friends died while helping her chase a tornado. Until, one day when one of her old friends finds her again and brings her back to chase tornados. This film contains layers of emotions, which will have you on the edge of your seat. 

The film starts off with a group of five friends who are chasing a tornado for Kate’s research project of taming a tornado. While they’re chasing the tornado, it surprisingly turns into an EF5, which leads to the death of three of her friends. Years later Kate is living in New York when one of her original friends finds her and brings her back into the business of chasing tornados. Thanks to that, Kate meets people who can help her in her research on taming a tornado. Although hesitant to return to the job of chasing tornadoes, Kate uses her skills and the help of her new friends to tame a tornado successfully.

Twisters is one of my favorite movies to come out this year. The film had a perfect mix of action-packed scenes and emotional scenes. It was very intriguing to see the characters fight against a tornado and go through traumatizing events that made the movie even more interesting. I also enjoyed the tragic backstory of Kate Carter, which allows you to understand the protagonist. As you watch from the perspective of Kate Cart, you will be able to understand the struggles and challenges she faces throughout the movie. With these aspects, Twisters is turned into an easy and fun movie to watch on any occasion. 

Overall, Twisters is a remarkable movie to come out this year. The best parts of this movie were the well-thought-out scenes. With its mix of action and heartbreaking scenes, you will be able to be entertained for the entirety of the film. On top of all that, there is a main character that the audience is able to understand and like. I definitely recommend this movie to anyone. Even if you haven’t seen the original, like me, it will still be a great watch.

-Matthew R.

Twisters is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library.

How to Leaf Bleach Clothes

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It was New Year’s Eve, but instead of celebrating with drinks and parties, my cousin and I sat in a cold garage that stunk of bleach. To give some context, my cousin had been inspired by hoodies and shirts that had leaf imprints on them. We wanted to try it out using bleach. It took lots of trial and error to find an efficient and effective process. Here’s what we did:

Materials: Cotton clothing, Paintbrush (that you don’t mind ruining), Bleach or any cleaning solution containing bleach, Paper plate, Book or other flat and heavy object, Leaves of varying shape, Steam iron press, gloves, and a mask.

  1. Go outside or in a ventilated area. Cover the floor if you’re worried about stains, and put on your gloves and mask.
  2. Pour the bleach into a paper plate, start heating the iron, and lay out your hoodie. Decide on a layout for the leaves.
  3. Take your paintbrush and brush bleach onto the leaves. The more you use, the more vibrant the print will be.
  4. Press the bleached side of the leaf onto the clothing and use a book to flatten it; Do not smear and hold for about 10 seconds.
  5. Peel the leaf off and immediately press the iron into the bleached area of the clothing. This should bring out the pattern.
  6. Repeat steps 3-5 for the rest of the leaves. You can reuse leaves as long as they are intact. 
  7. Leave the clothing out to dry in the sun, then machine wash.

The result should be an orange-brownish pattern of leaves on the clothing with the leaf’s veins and texture visible. If any of the above steps don’t work, there are a few things you can try. First, make sure your bleach isn’t expired. Second, if liquid bleach doesn’t show on the clothing, try a pasty cleaning solution that contains bleach. We used a Soft Scrub cleanser and painted that onto the leaves. Third, check that your clothing is 100% cotton. This is how ours turned out– Happy bleaching!

Album Review: Rae

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In her second album, Rae, alternative singer/songwriter, Ashe, introduces a collection of danceable and cry-able songs, snapshotting a lively and carefree moment in her life. Even though she has recently come out with a new album, Willson, which I also believe is an incredible album that revels in her self-discovery, Rae still stands out as a very underrated album that deserves more recognition for its creativity and masterful lyricism. I’ve highlighted a few of the most notable tracks on the album:

Shower With My Clothes On: With a parade of melodic ad-libs, singing trumpets, and a harmonic guitar strum, Ashe encompasses the feeling of spinning out of control with anxiety and a world trapping you in. She notes the last few moments of a relationship when in a state of hopelessness, knowing that you must let go. Ashe sings, “I don’t know how to feel, I’m out of my mind,” as she immerses us into her spiral and active panic attack. Through this notion, Ashe consoles her listeners, telling them to find any way to decompress when in a situation like this, even if it means getting in the shower with their clothes on.

omw: This bittersweet track, with components of an 80s beat and a breezy piano riff, is layered with hope that through whatever “rain and lightning,” there are better times ahead, as long as you try to get there. Ashe revels in her positivity saying “I’m on my way” to a brighter future. What most struck me about this track was the addicting beat and fluidity of the lyrics. I also found it satisfying to hear such a positive and hopeful outlook on the days ahead.

Angry Woman: This track screams at the stereotypical behaviors of women in society today. Ashe fights with the notions of women needing to ‘behave’ and ‘not get emotional’ in her punk rock track. Through this, she describes her, and generally women’s struggles with the abuse of power and their right to get angry to inspire some change.

Loose Ends: The gentle lull of Loose Ends in this high-energy album gives a place for soft, folksy lament that captures the emotional aftermath of a relationship. It reflects the action of masking real love while being dissatisfied in a relationship and the plea for direction while struggling to decide what’s next. She sings, “Love is a game that you let me lose, I would’ve stayed if you asked me to.” Possibly the saddest song on the album, Loose Ends laments someone in a state of desperation who becomes an outcast amongst their family and friends. Although Ashe doesn’t provide any positive note that things will get better, it suits the situation that at this moment, one doesn’t know or feel that things can get better.

Overall, Rae gives off a retro-pop style that feels unique to most albums of today. I’ve had a fixation on this album, and I hope that someday it’ll get the recognition it deserves.