penny

Saturday May 13, 2023

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday May 13, 2023

Happy AI Mother’s Day

April 15, 2023

Anyone looking to celebrate Mother’s Day with a personal touch can now turn to Moonpig, the online customised greetings card retailer, for assistance. The company is testing the use of ChatGPT, a generative artificial intelligence (AI) tool developed by OpenAI, to create personalised messages or poems for loved ones. ChatGPT has quickly become an essential tool in many industries since its beta version was released a few months ago. Estate agents in the United States use the tool’s automation to write property descriptions, recruiters prepare for an influx of AI-written cover letters and CVs, and media companies utilize the tool to write articles, albeit with concerns of alleged plagiarism. 

May 13, 2017

While the use of AI for generic text, such as greeting cards, may be the future, experts believe that it could also trigger a new renaissance in the value placed on personal emotions. However, some social media watchers are concerned about the cost to human connection and relationships over a lifetime. It’s important to think more deeply about the impact that AI has on our lives and how we live, cautions Andres Guadamuz, a reader in intellectual property law at the University of Sussex. Academics and teachers are already adapting assessments for the use of tools like ChatGPT, while others are advocating for co-creation with the model. Despite this, Guadamuz believes that society is not prepared for the ubiquity of AI-generated things in our lives, which may even extend to personal assistants, writing emails, doing taxes, or ending relationships. 

May 10, 2008

With ChatGPT, Mother’s Day can be marked with a unique, personalized greeting card, but it’s important to consider the role of AI in our lives and how we can best use it for our benefit. (AI)

 

Wednesday March 10, 2021

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday March 10, 2021

Humans are using around 129 billion masks per month

We know that personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks and face shields is important in protecting people against COVID-19.

April 22, 2020

But who’s protecting Mother Earth?

According to a study by the Environmental Science & Technology journal, humans around the globe are using approximately 129 billion disposable face masks and 65 billion plastic gloves every month.

And many of those masks have become litter in streets, beaches and oceans.

That waste is cause for concern for environmentalists like Rebecca Prince-Ruiz.

“There’s been an extraordinary rise in single-use plastics used in PPE,” said Prince-Ruiz, founder and executive director of Plastic Free Foundation, an organization aimed at limiting single-use plastics across the world.

“It’s the issue on top of everyone’s mind.”

Disposable masks are extremely important for front-line workers such as doctors and nurses.

Stopping their use isn’t an option.

But there are small things everyone can do to reduce waste, Prince-Ruiz said, such as wearing reusable masks.

Kids can also encourage adults to reduce their use of plastic gloves.

There are also companies finding creative solutions to this environmental issue. (Continued: CBC Kids) 

 

Saturday March 28, 2020

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday March 28, 2020

How to Stay Productive (and Sane) While Working from Home

If you’re reading this, you likely find yourself suddenly working from home.

Before the COVID-19 (coronavirus) changed the way we do business in a matter of days, working remotely was something many people imagined as sort of a future-work utopia. Having your home to yourself during the day while your partner or kids are out, sending work emails with your dog cuddled up beside you, having access to your specific brand of coffee — it all sounded like a dream.

That’s probably not how working from home looks for you right now. In reality, you’re likely juggling how to make space in your home for calls and video meetings, keep yourself productive, keep your children occupied and oh yeah — stay sane in the midst of it all.

So let us help you. Like you, my colleagues and I are suddenly working from home indefinitely. For many of us, it’s not our first time working remotely, so I thought I’d reach out to them so I could share their best working from home tips for you. I’ll also share photos of our work-from-home office setups throughout — some as inspiration, and others (like mine) in solidarity with my fellow clutterers.

So let’s dive right in before your spouse, child, or pet arrives with your next home office interruption! And don’t worry — we have a section of this article dedicated to tips for working from home with kids. (Continued: Business 2 Community) 

Graeme MacKay offers some advice for those working from home.

 

Saturday May 13, 2017

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday May 13, 2017

The Worst Mother’s Day Gifts Ever Given

Mother’s Day is here once again, and you know what that means…

May 12, 2001

A lot of moms are going to be getting some really terrible gifts on Sunday morning.

Young kids come home from school with gifts that moms, in their heart of hearts, really do appreciate, but what is a mom really supposed to do with a big old lump of clay that’s supposedly a dog but looks more like a rock?

May 11, 2008

Older kids maybe too busy being self-involved or hormonal to think about giving good gifts. And other times, it’s Dad who drops the ball.

If you’ve ever had a bad Mother’s Day, you may take comfort in knowing that you’re certainly not the only one. These 11 not-so-great Mother’s Day gifts, as shared by Reddit users, prove it. (…Continued)

 

Friday April 4, 2008

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday April 4, 2008

Tories may be changing position on penny

The federal Conservatives are throwing in their two cents on the bid to pull the penny from circulation. A day after Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said his government isn’t interested in eliminating the penny right now, backbench Tory MP Rick Dykstra stepped forward with a motion indicating his party may have seen some sense in the idea.

Dykstra put a notice of motion on the order paper Thursday seeking a review of Canada’s coinage system “with a special emphasis on the one cent coin.”

The motion calls for a full study hearing from businesses, consumers, charities and all other relevant individuals and organizations.

Dykstra did not respond to a request for an interview Thursday.

NDP MP Pat Martin was excited to see the motion come up and said he’s certain it is because of interest generated by his private member’s bill.

That bill – introduced Wednesday – calls for the elimination of the penny from Canada’s monetary system by Jan. 1, 2009.

“They put a finger up to see which way the wind was blowing, and obviously they heard Canadians speak,” said Martin.

A Royal Canadian Mint study released last year showed almost two-thirds of small retailers, and just fewer than half of consumers, favour eliminating the penny. Large retailers are not in favour. (Source: National Post)

Well Known Penny expressions

“A penny saved is a penny earned.”

“In for a penny. In for a pound.”

“Penny wise, pound foolish.”

“Penny Ante.”

“Penny pincher.”

“I haven’t got a penny to my name.”

“Costs a pretty penny.”

“A penny for your thoughts.”

“Turn up like a bad penny.”

“Costs a pretty penny.”

“Pennies from heaven.”

“The penny dropped.”

“Penny fair.”

“Penny saver.”

“Penny drive.”