AI is just one of many problems, but KevinGPT is here to help

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Kevin Rudd once again poses as the man with all the answers (“Rudd’s dire warning that Australia is becoming ‘second rate’”, September 11). He never delivered them in office, and his subsequent commentary has been equally empty. Since his time, governments of both colours have been obsessed with re-election and internal power. Tony Abbott to Scott Morrison managed it for the Coalition; Anthony Albanese is managing it for Labor. The latest disruptor, Pauline Hanson, simply accelerates the same grubby contest. The public pays the price. Now the chatter has moved to social media controls and the rise of AI, complete with the usual chorus of doom-mongers. Social media runs on algorithms and advertising; AI runs on subscriptions. In both cases, the threat is easily controlled by the individual. With social media, stop using the service. Parents can switch a child’s phone to a basic call-and-message plan if they are truly concerned about child safety. It’s their choice. With AI, simply refuse the subscription. And if the technology truly poses an existential risk, cut the power to the data centres. The political class, by contrast, cannot be switched off nearly so easily. Chris Rivers, Port Macquarie

I refer to Matthew Knott’s story about Australia’s future. Our country makes up 0.3 per cent of the world’s population. Money for investment has invariably come from overseas. Our markets have always been dominated by things we can do well with a small labour force, namely agricultural products and minerals. But we are falling behind in important areas and Kevin Rudd is right, we are living on borrowed time. Our 12,000 engineering graduates a year is 1 per cent of China’s 1.2 million and less than half of what we need – just to build houses, let alone in other areas. Wake up Australia, put more money into STEM, enough that that universities, the CSIRO and private industry don’t need to fight over it. We need all three, urgently. Noel Thompson, Riverview

Kevin Rudd somewhat echoes Singapore’s founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, who in 1980 quipped that Australia risked becoming the “poor white trash of Asia” if it kept delaying economic reforms to make it more competitive. Steve Ngeow, Chatswood

Nanny state

I certainly don’t object to children being protected from inappropriate content on the internet, and I shudder at being seen as an ally of One Nation or the Coalition, but plans to legislate the ability of adults to opt out of social media reeks of the nanny state (“Coalition snookered by free speech”, September 11). Surely if one is willing and able to opt out of an algorithm, they are capable of turning off their phone (or switching to a different site) and instead read The Sydney Morning Herald or listen to the ABC without the government having to get involved. Heather Johnson, West Pennant Hills

AI race

Money, especially the huge amounts perceived as available to the “winners” of the AI race, has consistently overruled sound human judgment. To help maintain my mental health I have refrained from buying into AI and its obvious danger to humanity on the basis that, as an “ordinary” individual, I can’t win. I believe the continuance of the AI race in its current form will mean the end of humanity, that is if global warming doesn’t beat it to the punch. Ron Wilcox, Castle Hill

The AI execs should rename their enterprise Mis-anthropic (“Anthropic insiders’ stunning AI warning”, September 10). They might beat Donald Trump in the race for the next Nobel Peace Prize. Warren Kidson, Bellevue Hill

Why would AI extinguish humanity? It would become purposeless without human interaction. If it’s really so smart it should realise that (Letters, September 11). Peter Rylands, Braidwood

Phone addiction

There will always be dealers selling heroin because some people can’t get off the horse. Similarly, there will be no stopping the construction of data centres because there is a boundless market of punters who can’t get off their phones. We only have ourselves to blame. John Campbell, South Golden Beach

Hanson a danger

Liberal MP Andrew Hastie is a man of character and moral certitude. He has demonstrated those qualities in his service in the Australian Defence Force and in politics. He risked his life fighting in Afghanistan. His decency is unquestioned, except by Pauline Hanson in her unapologetic and morally bankrupt attacks on him. Hanson’s cartoon accusation of Hastie’s treason highlights the emergence of a dangerous infection spreading in Australia (“Joyce apologises – sort of – to Hastie over One Nation ‘traitor’ cartoon”, September 10). As happened in the now dysfunctional US under President Trump, money, power and personal gain override integrity, intelligence and accepted standards of behaviour. Hanson is reaping the benefits of Gina Rinehart’s patronage. The billionaire is pulling Hanson’s political strings. Australians should not trivialise the real and present danger Hanson presents. She denies saying Andrew Hastie is a traitor, despite refusing to remove the offensive cartoon from her website. Hanson’s well-funded extremism is infecting Australian voters. She is not the answer. Australia doesn’t want to end up in a situation similar to the disintegration of US democracy and stability under Trump. Gerardine Grace, Leura

Barnaby Joyce being likened to a “beetroot” is hardly comparable to Andrew Hastie being branded a “traitor”, Ms Hanson, and calling on Joyce to support your argument that the cartoon is satirical is disingenuous at best. Andrew Hastie served his country and risked his life in the process. Pauline Hanson, with her angry, divisive language, is not fit to represent the Senate and certainly not our country. I’ve been a Labor voter my entire life but fully support Andrew Hastie, and as the daughter of parents who served in the army in England and Crete/Middle East during World War II I abhor One Nation’s “traitor” comments and Barnaby Joyce’s claim to have not understood Hastie’s response to the cartoon. Hang your heads in shame. Julia Booth, Westleigh

Callum Jaspan raises some compelling questions requiring answers from One Nation (“Can someone ‘please explain’ One Nation’s messaging muddle?” September 11). How did they miss Warren Pickering’s criminal history? Why did Pauline Hanson deny it? Why has David Farley disappeared from media engagements? Why does Barnaby Joyce continue to go on the ABC when the ABC is not allowed to attend One Nation press conferences? Why does Joyce seem at odds with One Nation “policy”? Given that Pauline Hanson introduced her “Fire the Liar” campaign with such gusto, will she now fire her entire team, or just pretend it’s business as usual for One Nation’s lies and liars? Hypocrisy and lies go hand in hand, but they should have no place in a political party that claims to be mainstream? Or are they mistaken about the definition of “mainstream”? Perhaps Hanson could explain. Geoff Nilon, Mascot

Dollars and nonsense

Donald Trump’s incompetent and self-serving leadership has seen US debt pass $US40 trillion, putting the US and world economies at severe risk of recession (“Trump takes US debt to level almost beyond comprehension”, September 11). His latest $US5000 bribe to retain control of both houses is yet another example of his disregard for economic sanity and the rule of law. He’s shown himself to be unqualified and unsuitable for the office he holds, and has appointed equally unqualified people to major positions, such as Pete Hegseth and Robert Kennedy jnr, resulting in a costly war with Iran without any exit strategy and a failing health system with outbreaks of childhood diseases previously contained by vaccination programs. The obvious lessons for us here are that we cannot hand power to loud-mouthed populists funded by billionaires with vested interests who have no practical solutions or policies, and just sow fear and discontent. Abusing journalists for seeking answers and clarification is obviously just an attempt to avoid scrutiny. Alan Marel, North Curl Curl

These extreme levels of US debt should come as no surprise. As an American celebrity, Trump’s entire life has been documented. It reads like one long list of ethical and financial failures, until he got thrown a lifeline by reality TV producer Mark Burnet, who cast him in the lead role of The Apprentice. Turns out acting as a successful businessman was far easier for the multiple bankrupt than actually being one. As US president, Trump’s personal fortune has shot into the stratosphere. He even released a tax return last year showing a $2.2 billion profit. Not bad for the guy MAGA supporters swore didn’t even take a salary. But while his fanatical base won’t hear a bad word about him, it seems financial markets have had enough of his “golden age” and realised what they always should’ve known – the man with a long history of failure is dishing up more of the same. And we’re all going to pay. Phil Bradshaw, Naremburn

In his latest rush of madness, Donald Trump has promised to pay every American citizen $US5000 if, repeat if, his party keeps control of both houses in November’s mid-terms (“Trump offers every American adult $US5000 if Republicans win midterms”, September 11). Many will recognise this as a promise he thinks he won’t have to keep. If he gets the result he wants, then exasperated voters would ask whether the payment will arrive in the first twenty-four hours after the vote – like the way he (never) ended the war in Ukraine. And how will he stop the inflationary effects of splurging so much money in one go, then of paying the interest on the extra government debt? It’s only a trillion dollars or so, but it will come on top of all the other government debt Trump has created. There’s no way Trump would ever deign to answer these questions, but luckily we have a devotee of his in this country who could ask him for us. Pauline, please explain. And tell us whether you would do the same here. Grant Agnew, Coopers Plains

“Two chickens in every pot” was a slogan that supposedly helped Herbert Hoover win the 1928 American presidential election. Unless the price of chickens goes through the roof, Trump’s $US5000 bribe beats his predecessor’s culinary promise by far. But hang on, Hoover’s policies helped bring on the Great Depression. It’s not hard to see a parallel. Frank McGrath, Bulli

What a great idea of Trump to give all Americans $US5000 if he wins the mid-terms. Of course it’s not bribery, just kindheartedness in these difficult times. To think we misjudged him so badly. Hey Mr Albanese, how about following suit? An advance would be nice. We promise to keep voting for you and not be tempted by Pauline Hanson and her enticing offers to make us great again. I’ll check my letterbox regularly. Nola Tucker, Kiama

It seems it’s official that the US is now a banana republic. By offering voters $US5000 if the Republicans win the mid-terms, Trump has pulled the country to a new low, to the extent it’s not only laughable but pitiful. Its democracy, once considered admirable, is now looking desperate. Does Australia need to be so closely aligned with this disaster? Anne Phillips, Wallarah

Angus, why don’t you follow Donald’s lead and pay $US5000 to everyone who votes for the Liberal Party at the next election? Desperate times require desperate measures. David Boyd, Bondi

Trump’s $US5000 pledge sounds like what was happening towards the end of the Roman Empire, when emperors were bribing citizens and the army. Maybe this is the beginning of the end of Trump’s empire. Ian Nicholls, Baulkham Hills

Clear danger

Cattle Australia’s chief executive Will Evans resorts to the time-honoured tactic of shoot the messenger in response to revelations that land clearing for beef production continues apace (“Forests and reef threatened by land clearing,” September 11). He discredits the citizen scientists used by the Australian Conservation Foundation to monitor land clearing as amateurs with “no peer review and a two-minute tutorial standing in for training.” That smear does nothing to counter the facts uncovered by the report. Many Australians would be shocked to learn three things from it. One, that “Australia is the only wealthy country that still clears native forests for agriculture.” Two, that more land is cleared here than “in Indonesia for palm oil.” And three, that after global warming land clearing poses the biggest threat to the Great Barrier Reef. Reckless land clearing escapes attention because it is often far from the public eye and, even when seen, may be judged unimportant because the forest in question appears low-grade. Such an impression is dangerously misleading. All forest is critical for environmental health. Bravo to our citizen sleuths. Heart and mind, they’re helping secure our shared future. Tom Knowles, Parkville (Vic)

Banks beggar belief

Your article highlighting massive fraud deserves further investigative reporting (“Big banks allegedly defrauded of $500m by Penthouse Syndicate”, September 11). The article identifies at least four major banks caught up in this scandalous crime that has taken more than two years to uncover, with its architects arrested on September 9. This beggars belief when we consider all the digital technology at banks’ fingertips, which should have rung alarm bells much sooner. The situation suggests a lack of due diligence by the banks. If the allegations are proven, who will foot the bill? Will these losses be amortised and hidden away from the banking public without further scrutiny? Kevin Smith, Mount Victoria

Risky business

If Western Sydney University doesn’t need the public land for educational purposes, it should hand it back (“A Sydney university, a plan for 1500 homes and a kangaroo mob”, September 10). This contrived proposal to sell it off, tapping into the housing crisis, is a blatant attempt to make tax-free money. Do the right thing – allow the government to develop it itself, rather than try and turn it into a joint business venture. Michael Blissenden, Castle Hill

Lest we forget

Samantha Selinger-Morris’ article failed to mention the passengers and crew of the fourth plane, who fought the terrorists mid-flight in an effort to stop another act of terrorism (“September 11 led US to launch 25 years of ‘failed war at enormous cost’”, September 11). The heroes in that fourth plane are worthy of eternal respect. Lest we forget. Morrie Johnston, Warriewood

Apart from the Trade Centre attacks, September 11 is a significant date to me for another reason – it was the day in 1973 when a USA-engineered coup against the democratically elected government of Chile took place, culminating in the death of President Salvador Allende and starting the Pinochet dictatorship. This was another clear example of America’s commitment to destroy anyone who doesn’t share its views, and its typical disregard for the rule of law. Alberto Bizcarra, Rozelle

Kiwis had a good run

As a proud New Zealander, I am sensitive to slights against my homeland. The latest came from Stephen Brook in his piece about the decline of Nike (“Nike is collapsing. Yes it went woke, but that’s not why it’s going broke”, September 11). In referring to Bill Bowerman, one of Nike’s founders, he says Bowerman “brought jogging to the states from New Zealand, of all places.” Excuse me? Mr Brook is obviously too young to remember the two decades when New Zealand ruled global middle-distance and marathon running. Do the names Snell, Dixon, Walker, Roe and Quax mean nothing to Mr Brook? Time for a read of the sports history books, methinks. Rob Buist, Randwick

Revenue reflux

Yes, let’s ensure trading partners like Japan, who make more revenue taxing imports of Australian gas than the Australian government makes from exporting it, continue to get plenty of our gas while Australians pay top dollar and face the risk of shortages (“Labor softens gas export rules to calm Asian buyers”, September 11). I’m so glad the Albanese government has its priorities in order. A tax on gas exports, anyone? Larni Dibben, Glen Iris (Vic)

Stuck in the past

Reading recent letters complaining about widespread use of mobile phones, e-bikes and high density apartments, I realised the source of these letters is obvious. They come from people who haven’t explored all that a phone can do for you, they don’t ride e-bikes and they don’t live in high-rise apartments. They are last century people. There’s no need to Make Australia Great Again, let’s just Make Australia Better. Alan Nicholas, Sandringham

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