How Can We Matter

Let me start with a simple pragmatic question - when do we cease to exist? The simple answer is, we cease to exist with our death. But, hang on, it is not that simple! I am not talking about the several theories and beliefs about whether death is the end of life. This is more about an alternative experience that the new artificial-intelligence chatbot, ChatGPT, provides. Copyright Stock image Most of us are part of some social media groups like WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, etc. These groups have helped us establish contacts with our long-lost school, college, and office mates. Though most members just forward texts, pictures, video messages, many are also active members commenting on others' posts, enriching the discussion...  But often, the members don't meet each other physically because the people are spread across different towns, cities, or even countries. This means we are basically interacting with our friends online using our devices, rarely meeting them in person....

In his book released in 2020 with the above title, on the pitfalls of ageing, Chinese author Zhou Daxin - the Mao Dun Literary Prize winner - provides a sensitive exploration of old age and the complex, hidden emotional worlds of the elderly.   Some Valuable Words of Wisdom from Daxin’s Latest Novel . He warns that, once you move to the other side of 60, the sky gets darker, and the light begins to wane until, one day, you are back to lying in bed like the baby you were born as. In the book he writes, …Many elderlies speak as though they know everything, but of old age they are in fact as ignorant as children. Many elderly people are in fact completely unprepared for what they are to face when it comes to getting old and the road that lies ahead of them.  My dream of leading a medicine-free life came crashing down with a silent thud when it stopped me dead on my track the other day during my regular evening walk. Suddenly, without any warning sign, there was excruciating ...