<div dir="auto"><span style="font-family:UICTFontTextStyleBody;font-size:21px">Correction: </span><span style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif;font-size:large;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">Let's NOT widen the gap between birders and non birders! (Heh)</span><br></div><div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Thu, Jan 18, 2024 at 13:25 N D <<a href="mailto:drisseq.n@gmail.com">drisseq.n@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><p dir="auto" style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><font color="#000000" face="verdana, sans-serif" size="4">Hi Tweets,<br>After reading the entire article, it's important to realize the potential benefits of this equipment instead of a knee-jerk reaction. </font></p><p dir="auto" style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><font color="#000000" face="verdana, sans-serif" size="4">Consider overall how we are only at the beginning of the AI age. </font><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,sans-serif;font-size:large">There are many potentials to this tech:</span></p><p dir="auto" style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><font color="#000000" face="verdana, sans-serif" size="4">Birders easily slam down 2-5K on camera equipment; these binoculars might be a much better choice. </font></p><p style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal;min-height:26px"><font color="#000000" face="verdana, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><font color="#000000" face="verdana, sans-serif" size="4">They will prevent folks from missing birds while trying to ID using a phone app or book. One will INSTANTLY be able to get photos to document the species, and this equipment will probably evolve into containing an actual guide app teaching features and ID marks to birders. Peterson will not turn but jump for joy in his grave as his publication evolves! </font><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,sans-serif;font-size:large">Merlin is not Swarovski. Merlin is free for a reason.</span></p><p dir="auto" style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><font color="#000000" face="verdana, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font></p><p dir="auto" style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><font color="#000000" face="verdana, sans-serif" size="4">Everyone could have access to become a master birder, in their own time. Isn't this what technology is already allowing us to do? Work from home, work out own hours, have more independence...</font></p><p dir="auto" style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><font color="#000000" face="verdana, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><font color="#000000" face="verdana, sans-serif" size="4">For those in rural areas or with no access to teachers, those with medical conditions and disabilities who are unable to join groups, it's a game changer.</font></p><p style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal;min-height:26px"><font color="#000000" face="verdana, sans-serif" size="4">Those who find birding a huge challenge on it's own.</font></p><p style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal;min-height:26px"><font color="#000000" face="verdana, sans-serif" size="4">Imagine being on a pelagic with this.</font></p><p dir="auto" style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><font color="#000000" face="verdana, sans-serif" size="4">It's hard to take photos on a boat! (Btw you don't have to have the ID part on to use them.)</font></p><p style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal;min-height:26px"><font color="#000000" face="verdana, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font></p><p dir="auto" style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><font color="#000000" face="verdana, sans-serif" size="4">With a built-in camera, a magnification that is better/as good as a telephoto lens, and a retail price cheaper than many birders spend on equipment; Hopefully a SCOPE with the same specifications will be on the way! That, many would buy, if it was accurate, I argue. </font></p><p dir="auto" style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><font color="#000000" face="verdana, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font></p><p dir="auto" style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><font color="#000000" face="verdana, sans-serif" size="4">More people would be out looking for cool birds! </font><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,sans-serif;font-size:large">More rare WA birds will be identified by less experienced birders; </span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,sans-serif;font-size:large">Thus bringing more birders into the field, </span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,sans-serif;font-size:large">Thus bringing higher, new (and non-new) species totals to the state. </span></p><p dir="auto" style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,sans-serif;font-size:large"><br></span></p><p style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><font color="#000000" face="verdana, sans-serif" size="4">I imagine now our esteemed WBRC secretary must be close to losing it with excitement! In fact, I know he is! ;)</font></p><p style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal;min-height:26px"><font color="#000000" face="verdana, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><font color="#000000" face="verdana, sans-serif" size="4">Seriously, it can be the inability to ID birds that stops some people from birding or from becoming better birders. How many give up after buying the wrong binoculars or the wrong book or after having a bad experience after their accurate ID has been put down?  With photos and AI, the playing field is leveling and it's going to get more even. </font><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,sans-serif;font-size:large">And when we get the amount of data from a Nat Geo onto this...</span></p><p style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><font color="#000000" face="verdana, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><font color="#000000" face="verdana, sans-serif" size="4">Sure they're taking a short cut but if that's the price for having more of the population into birding, and therefore more folks understanding that development and skyscraper lights kill birds, then perhaps these issues will have more impact so that they can be ameliorated. </font></p><p style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><font color="#000000" face="verdana, sans-serif" size="4">One mustn't assume that self-teaching technology will turn the world into autonomous idiocracy.</font></p><p style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal;min-height:26px"><font color="#000000" face="verdana, sans-serif" size="4">Sometimes people don't scope or bird on their own because they can't id the birds on their own even with an app or book! </font></p><p style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><font color="#000000" face="verdana, sans-serif" size="4">I look at all the Facebook questions for IDs on female RWBL and I say to you all; surely this is better than a Facebook group ID? It's faster and we don't have to spend time answering the same ID questions.</font></p><p style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><font color="#000000" face="verdana, sans-serif" size="4">I have observed and discussed with friends (ok, with Raphael) that birders prefer to bird together at Discovery Point because they help each other or spur each other on, but if there's no one else there, then they tend to go home sooner and probably miss rarities. This could be the equivalent of a birding buddy. <br><br>Experienced birders may condescend at this new tech because it took them 500 years to learn birding, but what if this AI eventually teaches greener birders HOW to ID what they're looking at AND FASTER? The only difference between this and having a Sibley ID guide app could be that it is faster and you won't miss birds by having a nose in a book/app.</font></p><p style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><br></p><p style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><font color="#000000" face="verdana, sans-serif" size="4">Classes can still be taught but field trips will be better with these bins becoming functional aids that trip leaders can employ to teach the ways of ID, and so they can spend more time teaching! </font></p><p style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><font color="#000000" face="verdana, sans-serif" size="4"> Many folks can't afford a trip to PR and a guide and photographic equipment. But they can choose a hotel, and bird on their own if this AI improves to include geographical information.</font></p><p style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><font color="#000000" face="verdana, sans-serif" size="4">Let's remove any negative attachment to technological progress and see with wider awareness what this equipment can truly evolve into and do for birding and for our community. </font></p><p style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><font color="#000000" face="verdana, sans-serif" size="4">While this invention may not help those who can't afford them, one hopes that individuals with wealth will be more drawn to birding and devote more financial and political contribution to helping birds. </font></p><p style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><font color="#000000" face="verdana, sans-serif" size="4">I welcome our new AI binocular overlords.  Let's widen the gap between birders and non birders. Let's draw down the social barriers that cause superiority as opposed to equanimity.</font></p><p dir="auto" style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><font color="#000000" face="verdana, sans-serif" size="4">Let's use our imagination positively and this will empower those pathways to manifestation.</font></p><p style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal;min-height:26px"><font color="#000000" face="verdana, sans-serif" size="4">Swarovski are not just making sales. They're making great equipment and also changing the rules for a reason. </font></p><p style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal;min-height:26px"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,sans-serif;font-size:large">And hopefully these will come down in price too. </span><font color="#000000" face="verdana, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font></p></div></div><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><p dir="auto" style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><font color="#000000" face="verdana, sans-serif" size="4">N Drisseq</font></p><p dir="auto" style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><font color="#000000" face="verdana, sans-serif" size="4">(Former research molecular biologist, now retired)</font></p></div></div>
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