Lots of good ones here, I guess because I went on vacation for a week so the comments piled up.
Jonathan suggests something amiss in the vote counting:
How is Newton unseeded in Laws? There must have been a lot of friction in the seeding meetings. Who was on the Committee? Murphy?
Raghu also suspects malfeasenace:
I submitted an anti-Putin comment several hours ago, but it hasn’t appeared. This is perhaps another cyber-crime sponsored by the Russian state, which is worrying for the whole tournament. Or perhaps Andrew will claim it got sent to the spam folder, but having finished the excellent “Nothing Is True and Everything Is Possible: The Surreal Heart of the New Russia” recently, I know that even supposed allies may be tools, willing or otherwise, of Putin and his cronies. We must fight this.
We’ll have to refer these to Mary Rosh.
John argues for Newton’s topicality:
Isaac Newton was Warden of the Royal Mint, in which position he spent considerable time and effort identifying and prosecuting counterfeiters. So I’d love to hear his thoughts on cryptocurrency.
But the decisive argument comes form Manuel, who writes:
Putin seems to be in free fall these days. I guess Newton will have something interesting to say about that.
Today’s matchup
Fourth seed in the “Alleged tax cheats” category vs. an unseeded contestant in the “Duplicate names” category. They’re both artists!
Yo, remember back on the boogie when cats use to harmonize . . .
Since everyone else is doint it, I asked ChatGPT. Yawn below.
If even AI can’t recommend Ai, well, there you go.
—
It’s difficult for me to determine which of these two individuals would be a better seminar speaker without more context. Both Ai Weiwei and Lauryn Hill are highly respected figures in their respective fields of art and music, and either one could potentially be an engaging and informative speaker for a seminar.
Ai Weiwei is a Chinese contemporary artist, activist, and filmmaker who is known for his work on political and social issues. He has been involved in a number of high-profile human rights campaigns and has exhibited his work in galleries and museums around the world. As a speaker, Ai Weiwei could bring a unique perspective on art, activism, and human rights to a seminar.
Lauryn Hill is an American singer, songwriter, and rapper who rose to fame as a member of the group The Fugees. She has released a number of critically acclaimed solo albums and has won numerous awards for her music. As a speaker, Lauryn Hill could bring a wealth of knowledge and experience in the music industry, as well as her insights on creativity and the creative process.
Ultimately, the best speaker for a seminar will depend on the specific topic and audience, as well as the individual strengths and experiences of the speakers in question.
Aye.
I asked ChatGPT to be a bit more engaging. Specifically: “Make humorous argument why Ai Weiwei would be a better seminar speaker than Lauryn Hill.” It gave me 5 arguments. Then I tried the same prompt, but with “worse” rather than “better”. Five arguments again. Some of them were the same argument! Here they are, in my own pairings.
Pro: Ai Weiwei is more informative. While Lauryn Hill is known for her musical talent, Ai Weiwei is a renowned artist and activist with a wealth of knowledge and experience to share. His seminars are likely to be educational and thought-provoking, rather than just entertaining.
Con: Ai Weiwei is too intellectual. While Ai Weiwei is certainly a brilliant and insightful individual, his seminars might be a bit too deep and philosophical for some people. Lauryn Hill, on the other hand, is known for her energetic and emotional performances, which might be more relatable and easier to connect with for some audience members.
Pro: Ai Weiwei is more diverse. As an artist, Ai Weiwei works in a variety of media, from sculpture and installation to film and photography. This means that his seminars are likely to be more diverse and interesting, rather than just focusing on one specific area of expertise.
Con: Ai Weiwei is too artsy. While there’s certainly nothing wrong with being artistic and creative, some people might find Ai Weiwei’s seminars a bit too “out there” for their tastes. Lauryn Hill, on the other hand, is known for her more mainstream music, which might be more accessible and appealing to a wider audience.
Pro: Ai Weiwei is more stylish. While Lauryn Hill is known for her unique fashion sense, Ai Weiwei takes style to a whole new level. His signature beard and avant-garde fashion choices are sure to make his seminars stand out and be memorable.
Con: Ai Weiwei is too fashionable. While Ai Weiwei’s avant-garde fashion sense is certainly memorable, it might not be everyone’s cup of tea. Lauryn Hill, on the other hand, has a more classic and timeless style that might be more appealing to a wider audience.
Pro: Ai Weiwei is more controversial. Let’s face it, controversy can be interesting. Ai Weiwei is no stranger to controversy, having faced persecution in his home country of China for his activism and art. His seminars are sure to be lively and provocative, and might even spark some heated debates.
Con: Ai Weiwei is too serious. Let’s face it, sometimes we all need a little bit of levity in our lives. While Ai Weiwei is certainly a serious and accomplished individual, his seminars might be a bit too heavy and intellectual for some people. On the other hand, Lauryn Hill is known for her energetic and entertaining performances, which might be a more enjoyable and lighthearted way to spend an afternoon.
Pro: Ai Weiwei is more reliable. While Lauryn Hill has a reputation for being a bit of a wild card and sometimes showing up late or cancelling events, Ai Weiwei has a solid track record of showing up on time and delivering engaging presentations.
Con: Ai Weiwei is too political. Ai Weiwei is no stranger to controversy, and his art and activism often tackle political and social issues. While this is certainly admirable, it might not be everyone’s cup of tea. Lauryn Hill, on the other hand, is known more for her music and personal style, which might be less divisive and more enjoyable for some people.
Let’s face it, Ai might not be everyone’s cup of tea. And AI will not replace blog comments anytime soon.
Lauren Hill has been “misunderestimated” all of her life. The future may be Chinese, but American hip hop culture dominates right now. Quoting Ms. Hill:
Girlfriend, let me break it down for you again
You know I only say it ’cause I’m truly genuine
Don’t be a hard rock when you really are a gem
Baby girl, respect is just a minimum
An easy call for Ms. Hill
I weigh in for Ai Weiwei
Wikipedia: “Hill was approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes late for her show at the Chastain Park Amphitheatre in Atlanta… Moments after the less-than-40-minute show ended due to the venue’s strict 11:00 p.m. closing time, Hill said her driver had gotten lost and she could not help that.” Later, Hill “took to her Facebook page and stated she was late for the concert because of certain needs, including her need to “align her energy with the time.”
I’m not waiting 2 hours for the seminar to start, even if the energy is totally aligned.