Weekend reads focused on learning, artificial and otherwise. A debate on ChatGPT and a survey on A.I. in healthcare are significant talking points; we bring several voices to the discussion today. Finding purpose and looking at U.S. libraries also made the Saturday Letter; the library is a great place to find meaning! Big pictures and big music open you up this weekend!

Two stories hit us today, discussing new A.I. Chat technology and healthcare. The first story came from a podcast from intelligence2 DEBATES. The debate in question Will ChatGPT Do More Harm Than Good? During the discussion, the area that resonated with us was the section on healthcare. The fear ChatGPT could give people a false sense of worry or relief depending on the prompts and the responses. One of the debaters compared ChatGPT to Wikipedia and suggested Wikipedia is 98% accurate. We have not verified that stat; it also made us think of a site like Web MD and many other websites that post medical information. 

We used to go to a lawyer if we needed legal advice, a CPA for tax advice, and a Dr. for healthcare. These days we should, and the Internet gives us the information we can use when we talk with professionals for advice. Technology won't replace the need for professionals but can enhance our understanding. 

Pew Research goes a step further, and in a recent survey, more than half the participants would not be comfortable with a healthcare provider who relies on A.I. There is a lot of nuance needed to make some of these determinations; for example, can a healthcare provider use A.I. in Chat on a healthcare portal to determine basic symptoms and help a user schedule an appointment? What if that reduces wait times at the facility or call volumes? 

The other side of nuance is talking to a robot that diagnoses and prescribes treatment. 

Nik Goke writes a piece called Purpose vs. Friends, and in it, he describes various situations where distractions can permeate easier if your purpose is undefined. Even friendships can act as distractions, and to write an idea like this at a time when real friendships seem to be on a decline can be mildly controversial. Goke isn’t recommending losing your friendships to find your purpose, but more on the work on your purpose as much as you do your friendships. 

Purpose and Belief are words that can encompass too many things. One challenge with finding your life's purpose is the pressure that can be put on a person. Quietly suggesting that if you pick the wrong purpose, your life could be a failure. Worse yet, that pressure can cause people to refuse to find purpose in the first place. What if we strive for many good purposes instead of finding life's purpose? Less pressure and the opportunity to try lots of new things. A life's purpose may be dated;  we look at it like a career, it's a big thing, and we need to work at it, but we can have more than one in our lifetime.

Nik Goke is a writer, entrepreneur, and wise beyond his years. I followed his work and was lucky to meet him a few years ago. He's not afraid to try new things and adjust when necessary. His purpose is writing, and he has designed his life around that purpose. His thought philosophy and writing style are similar to Seth Godin's; he takes ordinary ideas and presents them excitingly and concisely. Read more about Nik here.

The NYT sent a couple of journalists to check out libraries throughout the U.S., and the memories hit the senses like a nostalgic brick. Libraries have always been more than books and Dewey Decimals; they are multimedia community centers with activities and events depending on the location. Some of us took our kids to the library when they were young for story times and to pick out books and videos.

Today libraries offer activities and events and have expanded to include access to technology. Podcast recording, film, and media editing rooms and classes for some, cooking classes, and DIY instruction for others. Libraries have always been centered around learning as that expands the library expands with it. Some of us believe that books are magic; for those who do, a library is The Magic Kingdom.

Cassyette, an artist that hails from Essex in the U.K. and is getting ready to hit the road, released a new track called Boom. Kerrang did a new profile on the artist who has embraced some of her chaos and matched it with her years of experience to create a unique sound all her own. Cassyette has found her purpose through the work.

Shadow of the Day.

Click on the Apple Music image to listen to the song on Apple Music or on the Spotify Image to listen to Spotify.

Thank you for spending a few minutes with us. Here’s one for the road!

With A Shout newsletter is written by Johnny Christian with the support of a thousand idea bits and the help of many people.

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