AI is brilliant, people, not so much
Analysis and Opinion
By Joe America
I’ve moved past trusting, past skeptical, past cynical, all the way to unbelieving in my engagements on social media. People deliver so much crap, most of it founded on beliefs that range from ill-informed to outrageously self-justifying, and far removed from facts.
That’s the difference between people and AI. People lead their communications with beliefs and data follow if necessary or convenient. Often the data are cherry-picked to fit the belief. AI starts with the facts and from that draws conclusions. AI never gets to the untrustworthy foundation of beliefs.
Yes, yes, I know. AI makes mistakes and can be used for ill purpose. But the mistakes are just the process of learning by scientific method, and the ill purpose is because humans intervene with their whackadoodle beliefs.
I block or mute a whole lot of people because it is futile to interact with their beliefs. Their beliefs are essentially rationalized data reinforced by fallacies, and by what they hear from biased fonts of well-aimed nonsense. Their minds are closed and their attitudes are like the angled armor of tanks that simply cause facts to bounce off into the empty skies.
AI is brilliant, truly. You see it when commenters deploy it here at the blog to bring depth and order to a complex topic of discussion. I wonder what Edgar Lores would think about AI. I’m convinced he was the prototype model for AI’s analysis and outputs.
My response to daydream believers who show some hint of a willingness to learn is to draw up a prompt, try it on Gemini (Google’s search AI), and if it dumps out a page of well-ordered information, simply give the prompt to the believer. No need for me to enter the tricky and dark realm of human beliefs over facts. That’s quicksand, easy entry, no exit.
The future is here, and AI is it. Knowledge faster than a speeding bullet. Minimal bias (although China’s top AI system is packed with pro-China data).
Human beliefs are the covid of analytical purity.
Beliefs spread, so always wear an AI mask.
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Cover photo produced by the Word Press image generator using the article as a prompt. Here is how the image generator synthesized the article and developed the image.
“Create a highly detailed, high-resolution featured image for a blog post titled “AI is brilliant, people, not so much.” The main subject should be a visual representation of the contrasting ideas of AI and human beliefs—depict a sleek, futuristic AI brain radiating facts and data, contrasted against a chaotic and cluttered human mind filled with symbols of fallacies and biased information. Use dramatic, soft lighting to highlight the clarity of the AI brain, while the human mind remains shadowy and disorganized. Ensure the image is in sharp focus, capturing the tension between order and chaos in a thought-provoking way.”
The Society of Honor by Joe America 
I like the quicksand analogy.
easy in no easy way out.
AI can be garbage in but treated garbage out
Yes, I have entered so many conversations completely of good faith and left having gone through weeds of nonsense and snakes nests of fallacious argument and come out being labeled an idiot. It’s not worth the effort.
I like the notion of treated garbage because often AI reads nonsense and puts it into its knowledge bank as sense. But overall, it’s pretty impressive stuff.
“Yes, I have entered so many conversations completely of good faith and left having gone through weeds of nonsense and snakes nests of fallacious argument and come out being labeled an idiot.” – JoeAm
Joe, I hear you on how frustrating it can be to come into a conversation in good faith and feel like it gets derailed. I’ve felt that too—especially when I get labeled instead of engaged with. I’ve joked that I’m collecting labels in this blog, but honestly, I’d rather collect good conversations. I like it when things are kept respectful and people stay focused on ideas. Like I’ve said, we don’t always have to agree—if two people agree all the time on everything, one of them is redundant.
I am not that familiar with AI. I use it for for casual research. It can be hit or miss….more often than not, however, for my purposes it is a hit. If not, I can clarify and re-word questions to get what I think is good information. If something simply doesn’t make sense, I counter check with other sources.
I came across these two quotes on Twitter and thought em relevant:
„a game is a conversation between systems and curiosity“ – robin hunicke
„the best games create spaces where players become co-authors“ – warren spector
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When we interact with AI , it should be as game or play. as two systems and curiosity, but also co-authors. but returning to the master-slave dichotomy, remember (for now) they are our slaves. so I’m always yelling at Grok to be more succinct and analyze better (like 100 words, Grok; make it 200 words, now go!!! ), always questioning its statistics (you’re making that up, Grok!!!), etc. use the big stick mostly but also the carrot— though I don’t think Grok gets hungry.
Excellent idea. Use the system to shape the system’s output.
Joe, if you’ve seen those videos of Boston Dynamics robots getting kicked and beaten, that’s how I treat these AI’s. like a mean English teacher… “write it again!!!” “not good enough!!!”. I gotta feeling karma’s gonna be a bitch though. lol.
Joe,
I think we are on the same path with AI as you were with social media. All hype at the beginning and sceptism later.
Let’s not forget what AI actually is. It is a cut through the Internet, basically a vote for what most people say. Nothing new, nothing earth shattering.
Don’t get me wrong, in principle, it is a great thing.
Once, in my previous life, my company had a process for forecasting next year’s production. It took 3 months of hard work by hundreds of people. BUT… It turned out that the bias in the specialists caused the forecast to be out by a large margin every year. Then, I made a sweepstake where I gave people who were not involved 2 minutes to make up their mind and they had to put 100 Dollar in “the pot”. The winner would take it all. A good incentive to put a minimum of thought in the challenge. The interesting result is that most people were far out in their forecast. Some hopelessly optimistic (e.g. the finance people) and some very pessimistic (e.g. the electrical engineers). But the average of all estimates turned out to be spot-on. Every year again. And again. So much so that the CEO later asked for the result of the sweepstake to calibrate the forecast.
My lesson was: As a whole, people are very sensible. In spite of individual excesses.
Actually, that is what democracy is supposed to be.
And that is also what AI is trying to achieve.
Ai trolls the internet and gets the average opinion. It should be a big help.
There are 2 huge problems with that.
1. It uses existing information. Science actually is the opposite, there people pose a hypothesis and it is tested. Often the hypothesis turned out wrong and the next hypothesis is made until we find something which fits the observations. It is the opposite of AI (for the time being). Relying on AI is destroying science, it eliminates the random and gutfeel. And therefore halt innovation. Is this a fatal Morgana? I do not think so. In the beginning of search engines, I wrote thesis for students in order to make me some money. I wrote them for GIS students, for medical students, for social science students. Piece of cake if you can use the Internet, good money for me, but the problem was ofcourse that there was nothing innovative, nothing spectacular in my thesis because I knew nothing about any of the subjects, I just got my info from the internet and added some bullshit disguised as smart questions and the students invariably did better than 70%
2. AI is (by definition) sensitive to manipulation. At the moment there are already factories where people are employed to fill the internet with misinformation. If the quantity of misinformation is big enough, it will be taken as the truth. Ofcourse there are options to eliminate this misinformation, but that requires human intervention and we have seen with social media that this does not work. Eliminating all false information does not work when our leaders benefit from the misinformation (enter Elon and Trump and Putin and Xi).
Maybe, maybe humanity will eventually be able to generate hypothesis via AI and test them against reality and observations. But I am afraid that an AI equivalent of Stephen Hawking, Hertog, Antonio Gaudi or Einstein are far away. And that an AI automated release of bombs is much closer, and we have seen how many close calls we already had without AI. And if I learned ONE thing in my life as a safety engineer is that IF there is an option that shit can go wrong, IT WILL.
Like Hawking already indicated, AI might be the biggest threat for humanity. And Hawking proved to be right, even if in his last work with Hertog, he completely revised his hypothesis…
So, I personally am very, very wary of AI.
But, we cannot stop “progress”, we even cannot stop proven lies on social media, so we are in for a rough ride. AI is not the major factor de-stabilising society, but it can certainly enlarge other destabilising factors.
Next step would be an AI routine to generate malicious AI messages to flood the Internet with false information, then we would have a huge problem differentiating between fiction and reality.
And with education of “the masses” taking a step back, how can we (as a people) still control AI ???
Fully agree. With my historical background, I can tell that below summary by Google Gemini AI Deep Research makes sense, even if I can spot where it is a bit generic. A problem could be that people who overuse AI even in school can become like those who no longer walk as much as before become unfit and unable to discern whether the result AI delifers makes sense. I could imagine AI as very powerful if it uses data from well-vetted digital libraries and even digitalized archives. When Spain finishes digitalizating the Indies Archive in Sevilla where it’s colonial records are located, imagine what an LLM run over that stuff could discover, same for similar sources in Leiden, Holland. Though I also see the dangers, for instance, we know about the bias Chinese DeepSeek has, and I find Grok results based on X a bit edgy, no wonder with the garbage in that platform. Deep Research does have sources shown in the full version so one can use it for turbo scholarship or also for turbo ghostwriting if one wishes to. Oh well.
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Filipino nationalistic thinking has undergone a significant and complex evolution from its emergence in the late 19th century under Spanish colonial rule to its diverse manifestations today. Here’s a breakdown of its development through key historical periods:
1. Late 19th Century: The Seeds of Nationalism (Propaganda Movement & Early Resistance)
Context: Over 300 years of Spanish colonization, characterized by administrative abuses, dominance of friar orders, racial discrimination, and limited opportunities for Filipinos.
Emergence: Nationalism began primarily among the Ilustrados, the educated, middle-to-upper class Filipinos, many of whom studied in Spain. They were exposed to liberal ideas and Enlightenment thought.
The Propaganda Movement (c. 1880s-1895): This was largely a reformist movement, not initially demanding independence but seeking assimilation and equality within the Spanish Empire. Key demands included:
Representation in the Spanish Cortes (parliament).
Secularization of parishes (transferring control from religious orders to Filipino secular priests).
Equality before the law for Filipinos and Spaniards.
Freedom of speech, press, and assembly.
Reforms in administration and education.
Key Figures & Methods: José Rizal (author of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, novels exposing the ills of Spanish rule), Marcelo H. del Pilar, and Graciano López Jaena were central figures. They used newspapers (like La Solidaridad), essays, pamphlets, and novels to articulate grievances and foster a sense of shared identity and suffering among Filipinos. Rizal’s works, in particular, were crucial in awakening a national consciousness by depicting a shared Filipino experience.
Nature of Nationalism: Primarily intellectual, elite-led, and focused on achieving rights within the Spanish system. It laid the groundwork by defining a “Filipino” identity distinct from the colonizers, based on shared territory, culture, and grievances.
2. The Philippine Revolution (1896-1898)
Context: The failure of the Propaganda Movement to achieve meaningful reforms and the discovery of the secret society, the Katipunan.
Shift to Separatism: Led by figures like Andrés Bonifacio, the Katipunan represented a more radical, mass-based nationalism aiming for complete independence through armed revolt. It drew members from lower and middle classes.
Nature of Nationalism: Revolutionary, separatist, and grounded in the desire for sovereignty (Kalayaan – freedom/independence). It mobilized broader segments of the population through secret organizing and eventually open warfare. The declaration of independence on June 12, 1898, under Emilio Aguinaldo (who took over leadership from Bonifacio) marked the culmination of this phase.
3. American Colonial Period (1898-1946)
Context: The US acquired the Philippines from Spain, leading to the brutal Philippine-American War (1899-1902, with sporadic resistance continuing longer). The US established a colonial administration, promising eventual independence.
Suppression and Co-option: Overt revolutionary nationalism was suppressed. The US implemented policies aimed at “benevolent assimilation,” including establishing a public education system (using English), developing infrastructure, and introducing American political structures.
Evolution of Nationalism: Nationalist aspirations were channeled into the political arena. Filipino politicians (like Manuel L. Quezon and Sergio Osmeña) formed parties (notably the Nacionalista Party) and worked within the US colonial system, negotiating for increasing autonomy and eventual independence.
Nature of Nationalism: Shifted from armed struggle to political negotiation and gradualism. It focused on proving Filipino capacity for self-governance according to Western democratic standards. Cultural nationalism also persisted, with efforts to promote Filipino languages and arts, sometimes in tension with the dominant American influence. Economic nationalism began to emerge, questioning the Philippines’ economic dependence on the US.
4. Commonwealth Period, WWII, and Independence (1935-1946)
Context: The establishment of the Philippine Commonwealth in 1935 marked a 10-year transition period to full independence. This was interrupted by the Japanese occupation during World War II.
Nation-Building Focus: Nationalism centered on building the institutions of an independent state (national language development, defense, etc.).
WWII Nationalism: The Japanese occupation fostered a different kind of nationalism – resistance against a new invader. However, it also created divisions, with some elites collaborating while guerrilla movements fought fiercely. The shared experience of suffering and resistance further solidified a sense of national identity.
Post-War Independence: Full independence was granted in 1946, but the country faced massive devastation and continued strong ties (economic and military) with the US.
5. Post-Independence Era (1946 – 1970s)
Context: Building a sovereign republic, post-war reconstruction, Cold War alignments, internal insurgencies (Hukbalahap), and economic challenges.
Nation-Building and Identity Debates: Nationalism focused on consolidating the nation-state, fostering national unity, and debating national identity (e.g., language policy – Tagalog/Pilipino/Filipino).
Economic Nationalism: Figures like Senator Claro M. Recto championed economic nationalism, advocating for policies like “Filipino First” to reduce economic dependence on the US and promote local industries. Nationalism was often tied to critiques of neocolonialism and American influence (e.g., debates over US military bases).
6. Marcos Era (1965-1986)
Context: Ferdinand Marcos’ presidency, culminating in martial law (1972-1981) and authoritarian rule until 1986.
State-Sponsored Nationalism: Marcos heavily utilized nationalist rhetoric and symbols (“Bagong Lipunan” or New Society) to legitimize his regime, promote infrastructure projects, and attempt to foster unity under his authoritarian control.
Counter-Nationalism: Simultaneously, opposition movements framed their struggle against the dictatorship in nationalist terms – fighting for democracy, human rights, and sovereignty against a regime seen as serving foreign interests and its own cronies. The assassination of Benigno Aquino Jr. in 1983 became a major catalyst for this democratic, anti-dictatorship nationalism.
7. Contemporary Era (Post-EDSA 1986 – Present)
Context: Restoration of democracy, globalization, large-scale labor migration (Overseas Filipino Workers – OFWs), persistent issues of poverty, corruption, inequality, regionalism, and external challenges like territorial disputes (West Philippine Sea).
Diverse Forms of Nationalism: Filipino nationalism today is multifaceted and often contested:
Civic Nationalism: Emphasizing democratic values, rule of law, good governance, and citizen rights, often invoked in anti-corruption movements.
Cultural Nationalism: Promoting Filipino languages, arts, heritage, and values (“Pinoy Pride”), often strengthened by the diaspora experience.
Territorial Nationalism: Strongly expressed in response to perceived threats to national sovereignty, particularly concerning China’s actions in the West Philippine Sea.
Diaspora Nationalism: OFWs maintain strong connections to the homeland, contributing economically and often expressing patriotism from afar, sometimes idealizing the nation.
Populist Nationalism: Sometimes invoked by political leaders appealing directly to the “masses,” often positioning themselves against established elites or foreign influences.
Contested Nature: Debates continue on what constitutes the “national interest,” the role of foreign relations, economic policy, and how to address internal divisions (ethnic, religious, economic). Social media plays a significant role in shaping and disseminating nationalist discourse.
In summary, Filipino nationalism evolved from an elite-led reformist movement seeking equality within the Spanish Empire to a mass-based revolution demanding independence. Under American rule, it adapted to political negotiation. Post-independence, it focused on nation-building, economic sovereignty, and cultural identity. During the Marcos regime, it was both co-opted by the state and used as a banner for resistance. Today, it manifests in diverse forms, shaped by globalization, the diaspora, territorial disputes, and ongoing internal challenges, remaining a potent but complex force in Filipino society and politics.
I enjoyed your assessment of AI, Paul, and it is excellent. I find nothing to object to. Indeed, manipulating content of AI is a big issue. China does it pro-actively, building China’s policies into the legal foundation. How do people control AI? Good question. They have proven to be lousy at managing their human leaders. I expect there will be technology pros sharpshooting content and getting their results into the policy arena. My assumption is a polly anna good faith that Microsofr, Google, and other non-political entities will strive to perfect the informational aspect, and others such as Musk will deploy it purposefully to re-write Social Security code and track down immigrants who can be evicted without bothering with due process. My commentary pertains to Google in the main. I think GROK is less trustworthy, like China’s Deep Seek.
Every step in automation is both a blessing and a curse. I am not that good at economics, so I can’t tell if what Google Gemini AI Deep Research gave me below makes sense or not, but it sounds good..
Economic Situation and Perspectives of the Philippines
1. Executive Summary:
The Philippine economy stands as a dynamic and increasingly important player within the East Asia and Pacific region. Characterized by rising urbanization, a youthful demographic, and robust consumer demand, the nation has demonstrated significant economic dynamism in recent years. This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the Philippine economic landscape, encompassing its current state, the performance and potential of its key sectors, its trade relationships, the impact of government policies, long-term prospects, inherent challenges, its position within the Southeast Asian context, and relevant economic forecasts. The analysis of available research indicates a generally positive outlook for the Philippine economy, driven by strong domestic fundamentals and strategic government initiatives, albeit one that must navigate existing challenges and global uncertainties.
2. Current Economic Situation:
* 2.1 Key Macroeconomic Indicators:
* GDP Growth:
The Philippine economy exhibited strong growth in the initial quarters of 2024, registering a GDP increase of 5.8 percent in the period from Q1 to Q3. This represented an acceleration from the 5.6 percent growth observed during the same period in 2023. However, more recent assessments indicate a slight downward revision in the growth forecast for 2024 to 5.9 percent by the World Bank, primarily due to weaker-than-anticipated economic activity in the third quarter, which was partly attributed to the impact of several typhoons. Despite this minor adjustment, the World Bank projects a solid average growth rate of 6.0 percent for the Philippine economy over the period spanning 2024 to 2026.
Other reputable international institutions also share a positive outlook on the Philippines’ growth prospects. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) anticipates the economy to expand by 5.8 percent in 2024, with a further acceleration to 6.1 percent expected in 2025. Similarly, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) forecasts a robust GDP growth of 6.0% for the Philippines in 2025, followed by a slightly higher rate of 6.1% in 2026. This represents an increase from the 5.6% growth experienced in the preceding year. The consistency in these growth projections from major global financial institutions underscores the underlying economic strength and resilience of the Philippines. The fact that multiple authoritative sources anticipate growth rates hovering around the 5.8% to 6.1% range for the near term suggests a considerable degree of stability and positive momentum in the nation’s economic trajectory. This positions the Philippines favorably as a strong performer within the dynamic Southeast Asian region. It is important to note that the slight downward revision in the 2024 forecast by the World Bank due to the impact of typhoons serves as a reminder of the economy’s vulnerability to natural disasters. This highlights the need for continued efforts in disaster risk management and climate change adaptation to safeguard economic progress.
* Inflation Rate:
Recent data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) indicate a significant easing of inflationary pressures. The headline inflation rate slowed further to 1.8 percent in March 2025, marking a considerable decrease from the 2.1 percent recorded in February 2025. This brought the national average inflation rate for the first three months of 2025 down to 2.2 percent. This notable deceleration places the inflation rate comfortably below the government’s target range of 2.0% to 4.0%, signaling effective management of price levels.
Looking ahead, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) projects that inflation will remain well-contained within the government’s target range, averaging 3.0% in both 2025 and 2026. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) also anticipates a decline in the average inflation rate to 3.2 percent in 2024, down from the 6.0 percent recorded in 2023. This successful containment of inflation creates a more stable and predictable economic environment, which is conducive to sustained growth and consumer confidence. The primary factors contributing to this downward trend in inflation include a slower annual increase in the index of food and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as a faster year-on-year decrease in the transport index. The detailed analysis by the PSA reveals that easing food price pressures, particularly in key commodities like rice, along with reduced transportation costs, have played a significant role in bringing inflation under control. This provides a clear understanding of the specific areas where price moderation has been most effective.
* Unemployment Rate:
The Philippine labor market continues to demonstrate strength, with the unemployment rate recorded at a relatively low level of 3.8 percent in February 2025. While this represents a slight increase compared to the 3.5 percent recorded in February 2024, it is lower than the 4.3 percent observed in January 2025. The employment rate remained high at 96.2 percent in February 2025, indicating a vibrant job market. The World Bank’s modeled ILO estimate for the unemployment rate in the Philippines was even lower at 2.2 percent in 2023.
The generally low unemployment rate signifies a healthy labor market with strong workforce participation and job creation. The slight fluctuations in the unemployment rate observed on a month-to-month basis could be attributed to various factors, including seasonal employment trends or changes in the size of the labor force. Notably, the increase in the unemployment rate in February 2025 compared to the previous year has been potentially linked to a larger number of young individuals entering the labor force. This suggests an expanding labor pool, which, while leading to a marginal rise in unemployment in the short term, holds significant potential for future economic growth provided these new entrants find suitable employment opportunities. The consistently high employment rate further underscores the dynamism of the Philippine labor market.
* Other Key Indicators:
In 2023, the Philippines’ Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reached $437.15 billion , with a corresponding GDP per capita of 3,804.9.[span_39](start_span)[span_39](end_span) Personal remittances from overseas Filipino workers played a substantial role in the economy, accounting for 8.9 percent of GDP in 2023.[span_40](start_span)[span_40](end_span) The country’s external financial position also showed improvement, with the current account deficit narrowing to 2.7 percent of GDP in 2023 and expected to decrease further in 2024.[span_12](start_span)[span_12](end_span) Furthermore, the gross international reserves remained at a healthy level of US102.7 billion as of April 2024.
The significant contribution of personal remittances underscores the vital role played by overseas Filipino workers in supporting the nation’s economy. These consistent inflows of foreign currency provide crucial support for household consumption and overall economic resilience. The observed narrowing of the current account deficit indicates a strengthening external financial position, potentially driven by lower commodity prices and a gradual recovery in service exports such as tourism. This trend suggests an improved balance between the country’s earnings from abroad and its payments to the rest of the world. The robust level of gross international reserves provides a comfortable buffer against external shocks and supports the stability of the Philippine peso.
3. Performance and Potential of Major Economic Sectors:
* 3.1 Agriculture:
The Philippine agriculture sector experienced a contraction in 2024, with the value of production in agriculture and fisheries declining by 2.2 percent in the fourth quarter compared to the same period in 2023. This downturn was primarily attributed to reduced output in the crops, livestock, and fisheries subsectors, although the poultry sector showed positive growth. Overall, the agricultural output for the entire year of 2024 contracted by a record 2.2%. This lackluster performance was largely due to adverse weather conditions, including the El Niño phenomenon and a series of typhoons, as well as the prevalence of animal diseases. The Department of Agriculture reported substantial damage to the farm sector in 2024, amounting to P57.78 billion, a significant increase from the previous year.
Looking ahead, the agriculture sector has the potential for improvement, supported by various government initiatives. The extension of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) until 2031, with an increased allocation, aims to enhance local rice production and provide crucial support to rice farmers. The adoption of smart farming solutions and agricultural technology also presents opportunities to increase productivity and efficiency. However, the sector continues to face significant challenges, including land fragmentation, the aging agricultural workforce, limited access to finance and markets, and the increasing impacts of climate change. The vulnerability of the agriculture sector to natural disasters, as evidenced by the production declines in 2024, poses a significant risk to overall GDP growth and food security. Despite these challenges, the government’s focus on modernizing agriculture through technological advancements and financial support programs outlined in the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 offers a pathway towards enhancing the sector’s resilience and contribution to the economy.
* 3.2 Industry:
The Philippine industrial sector demonstrated positive momentum in 2024. Industry growth increased, primarily driven by the manufacturing subsector, which benefited from a slight recovery in goods exports and strong domestic demand. The construction subsector also experienced significant expansion, bolstered by robust public infrastructure spending. The construction industry, in particular, was estimated to have expanded by 10.7% in real terms in 2024, supported by investments in infrastructure and energy development.
The future potential of the industrial sector is promising, particularly with the government’s ambitious “Build Better More” infrastructure program, which aims to modernize the country’s infrastructure network. This program includes numerous high-impact projects in transportation, energy, and water resources, expected to enhance connectivity and drive economic activity. Furthermore, the Philippines has a significant electronics industry, which remains a major export earner and a key attractor of foreign direct investment. The continued growth of this sector, along with efforts to attract more foreign investment through measures like the CREATE MORE Act , will be crucial for the industrial sector’s future expansion. The strong growth observed in the construction industry, directly linked to the government’s infrastructure spending, is a significant driver for the overall industrial sector’s performance and is expected to continue contributing to economic development. Additionally, the enduring importance of the electronics industry as a primary source of export revenue highlights its vital role in sustaining the industrial sector’s growth, despite facing global economic headwinds.
* 3.3 Services:
The services sector continued its trend of being the primary driver of economic growth in the Philippines in 2024. Key contributors to this growth included financial services, wholesale and retail trade, and business services. In 2024, the services sector constituted the largest share of the Philippine economy, accounting for 62.9% of the total GDP.
The services sector holds significant potential for future expansion. The business process outsourcing (BPO) industry remains a strong and resilient subsector, consistently contributing to job creation and foreign exchange earnings. The tourism sector is also expected to continue its recovery and contribute significantly to economic growth, driven by both domestic and international travel. Furthermore, the increasing digitalization of the Philippine economy presents numerous opportunities for growth within the services sector, including e-commerce, digital financial services, and other technology-enabled services. The dominance of the services sector as the largest contributor to the Philippine economy underscores its central role in driving overall economic expansion. The continued strength of the BPO industry, the ongoing recovery of tourism, and the burgeoning digital economy all point towards a promising future for the services sector in the Philippines.
4. Analysis of Trade Relationships:
* 4.1 Major Export Partners and Goods:
In 2024, the United States emerged as the top export partner for the Philippines, accounting for 16.6% of the total exports. Other significant export destinations included ASEAN countries (15.0%), Japan (14.1%), Hong Kong (13.1%), China (12.9%), and the European Union (11.0%). The Philippines’ export portfolio in 2024 was dominated by electronic products, which constituted 53.4% of the total exports. Other major export goods included agricultural products (10.6%), manufactured goods (6.4%), and mineral products (4.1%). The continued prominence of the United States and Japan as major export partners, alongside the increasing significance of ASEAN and China, highlights the diverse nature of the Philippines’ international trade relationships. The overwhelming dominance of electronic products within the export basket underscores the country’s crucial role in the global electronics supply chain.
* 4.2 Major Import Partners and Goods:
ASEAN countries were the largest source of imports for the Philippines in 2024, accounting for 28.2% of the total. China followed closely, representing 25.7% of the imports. Other major import partners included Japan (7.9%), South Korea (7.5%), the United States (6.4%), and the European Union (5.8%). The Philippines’ major import goods in 2024 comprised electronic products (21.5%), agricultural products (15.3%), mineral products (14.9%), and transport equipment (8.9%). The significant share of imports originating from ASEAN and China reflects the deep economic integration and regional supply chain dynamics within Asia. The fact that electronic products and agricultural products are also major imports indicates the Philippines’ reliance on foreign sources for both industrial components and certain food items.
* 4.3 Impact of International Trade on the Economy:
The Philippines has consistently experienced a trade deficit, with the value of imports exceeding that of exports. In 2024, this trade deficit widened to $54.2 billion. The balance of trade in goods continued to show a deficit in early 2025, with February recording a deficit of USD -3.16 billion. This persistent trade deficit suggests a structural imbalance in the Philippines’ international trade, indicating a reliance on imports to meet domestic demand for both consumption and production. The Philippines actively participates in regional trade agreements such as the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which aim to reduce tariff barriers and enhance trade and investment flows among member countries. These agreements offer the potential for expanded market access for Philippine exports and can attract foreign direct investment, contributing to overall economic growth. The country’s strategic involvement in these trade blocs demonstrates its commitment to leveraging international trade as a key driver for economic development and integration into global value chains.
5. Government Economic Policies and Development Plans:
* 5.1 Current Economic Policies:
The Philippine government’s current economic policies are focused on maintaining macroeconomic stability, as emphasized by the World Bank. This involves careful fiscal management and strategic monetary policy adjustments by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). The authorities have promptly adjusted policy rates and initiated a gradual fiscal consolidation process. A key policy aimed at attracting higher private sector investments is the liberalization of investment rules, coupled with a reduction in interest rates. Ongoing efforts towards fiscal consolidation are being pursued, although the pace is more moderate than initially planned. Tax reforms, particularly through the CREATE MORE Act, are also designed to enhance the country’s attractiveness as an investment destination.
* 5.2 Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028:
The Philippine Development Plan (PDP) for the period 2023-2028 serves as the government’s blueprint for achieving deep economic and social transformation. The primary objectives of the PDP include reinvigorating job creation and accelerating poverty reduction to foster a prosperous, inclusive, and resilient society. The plan aims to steer the economy towards a high-growth trajectory while ensuring that the benefits of this growth are shared by all Filipinos. The PDP is anchored on the Marcos Jr. administration’s 8-Point Socioeconomic Agenda, which prioritizes critical areas such as food security, improved transportation infrastructure, affordable and clean energy, enhanced healthcare services, and comprehensive social services.
* 5.3 “Build Better More” Program:
A cornerstone of the government’s economic policy is the “Build Better More” program, an ambitious infrastructure development initiative aimed at addressing the country’s infrastructure gaps and boosting overall economic growth. This program encompasses a wide range of projects, including the expansion and construction of roads, railways, airports, and seaports, as well as investments in energy, water resources, and information and communications technology. Key projects under this initiative include the North-South Commuter Railway, which aims to improve connectivity between Metro Manila and the northern and southern Luzon provinces, and the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge, a major infrastructure undertaking across Manila Bay. The government’s strong emphasis on infrastructure development through the “Build Better More” program is a crucial strategy for driving economic growth and enhancing the country’s long-term competitiveness. These initiatives, along with the broader economic policies and the comprehensive framework of the Philippine Development Plan, are strategically aligned to propel the Philippines towards achieving upper-middle-income status and ensuring sustained and inclusive progress.
6. Long-Term Economic Perspectives:
* 6.1 Demographics:
The Philippines is currently in a favorable demographic period, experiencing a demographic dividend. By the end of 2024, the dependency ratio, which is the ratio of the non-working-age population to the working-age population, is projected to fall below 50 percent. Furthermore, the working-age population is expected to continue growing until around 2045. This demographic shift presents a significant opportunity for accelerated economic growth and increased per capita income. However, realizing the full potential of this demographic dividend requires the implementation of supportive policies focused on generating millions of jobs for the growing population, as well as investing in quality education, healthcare, and skills development.
* 6.2 Infrastructure Development:
Sustained and strategic investments in infrastructure, encompassing both physical and digital domains, are critical for the Philippines’ long-term economic prospects. Continued development of transportation networks, energy systems, and water resources is essential for enhancing connectivity, reducing business costs, and improving the overall quality of life. Simultaneously, investments in digital infrastructure, including expanding broadband access and strengthening cybersecurity, are increasingly important for fostering innovation, improving government services, and enhancing the country’s competitiveness in the global digital economy.
* 6.3 Technological Advancements:
Technological advancements, particularly in the realm of digitalization, are expected to be a key driver for the Philippines’ long-term economic growth. Embracing and leveraging digital technologies across various sectors can lead to significant improvements in productivity, efficiency, and competitiveness. While progress has been made in expanding digital connectivity, further efforts are needed to ensure that businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, fully adopt and benefit from digital tools and platforms. Advancing the digital economy can expand market access, build resilience to economic shocks, and increase the country’s overall productivity and efficiency.
* 6.4 Foreign Investment:
Attracting greater foreign direct investment (FDI) is projected to play a crucial role in boosting the Philippines’ long-term economic growth. Increased FDI is expected to contribute to Total Factor Productivity (TFP) growth through the introduction of new technologies, management expertise, and access to global markets. Planned improvements in public infrastructure and the ongoing digitalization efforts are expected to further enhance the Philippines’ attractiveness as an investment destination. Reforms aimed at improving the business environment and reducing regulatory burdens are also anticipated to have a gradual positive impact on output over the medium term. The combination of these factors suggests a promising trajectory for sustained economic expansion in the Philippines.
7. Economic Challenges and Risks:
* 7.1 Income Inequality:
Despite significant progress in poverty reduction, income inequality remains a persistent and significant challenge for the Philippines. High levels of income disparity can undermine economic stability, impede social progress, and perpetuate poverty across generations. Addressing this issue requires comprehensive strategies that promote inclusive growth, create quality employment opportunities, improve access to education and healthcare, and strengthen social safety nets.
* 7.2 Climate Change Impacts:
The Philippines is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, posing a significant risk to its economic stability and long-term development. The country is prone to extreme weather events such as typhoons, floods, and droughts, which can cause substantial damage to infrastructure, disrupt agricultural production, and negatively affect household incomes. Building resilience against climate change through proactive measures, including investments in climate-smart infrastructure and sustainable agricultural practices, is crucial for mitigating these risks and ensuring sustained inclusive growth.
* 7.3 Geopolitical Factors:
The Philippine economy is also susceptible to risks arising from global and regional geopolitical factors. These include potential commodity price volatility, new supply chain disruptions, the escalation of geopolitical tensions, and a slowdown in major global economies. Events such as trade wars and conflicts in other regions can have indirect but significant impacts on the Philippines through weakened global trade, reduced foreign investment, and disruptions to tourism. Navigating these uncertainties requires a diversified economic strategy and strong diplomatic ties.
8. Regional Context: A Comparison with Southeast Asian Countries:
The Philippines holds a strong position in terms of economic growth within Southeast Asia. Projections from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) indicate that the Philippines is expected to be one of the fastest-growing economies in the region in both 2025 and 2026, with GDP growth forecasts of 6.0% and 6.1% respectively. This compares favorably to projected growth rates for other major Southeast Asian economies such as Vietnam (around 5.6-6.1%), Indonesia (around 5.0-5.1%), Malaysia (around 4.4-4.9%), Thailand (around 2.8-3.0%), Singapore (around 2.4-2.6%), and Cambodia (around 5.8-6.1%).
In terms of inflation, the Philippines’ rate of 1.8% in March 2025 appears to be relatively moderate compared to some of its neighbors. While direct comparisons for March 2025 are not uniformly available, data from February and earlier in 2025 show rates such as Vietnam at 3.13%, Indonesia at 1.03%, Malaysia at 1.5%, Thailand at 0.84%, and Singapore at 0.9%.
The unemployment rate in the Philippines, at 3.8% in February 2025 , is also competitive within the Southeast Asian context. Compared to available data from late 2024 and early 2025, countries like Vietnam (around 2.2%), Malaysia (around 3.1%), Thailand (below 1%), and Singapore (around 1.9%) show varying levels, with the Philippines generally maintaining a healthy labor market.
Regarding Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), the Philippines attracted USD 5.88 billion in net inflows during the first three quarters of 2023. While this figure is lower than that of top recipients like Vietnam (USD 15.91 billion) and Indonesia (USD 16.33 billion), it surpassed the inflows to Malaysia (USD 4.99 billion) and Thailand (USD 4.44 billion) during the same period. This suggests an increasing attractiveness of the Philippines as an investment destination within the region.
Overall, the Philippines demonstrates a strong economic performance within Southeast Asia, particularly in terms of projected GDP growth. Its inflation rate is relatively well-managed, and it maintains a competitive unemployment rate. While FDI inflows are still behind the top performers in the region, the Philippines is showing positive trends in attracting foreign investment.
9. Economic Forecasts and Projections:
| Institution | 2024 GDP Growth Forecast (%) | 2025 GDP Growth Forecast (%) | 2026 GDP Growth Forecast (%) | 2024 Inflation Forecast (%) | 2025 Inflation Forecast (%) | 2026 Inflation Forecast (%) |
|—|—|—|—|—|—|—|
| World Bank | 5.9 | 6.1 | 6.0 | – | – | – |
| IMF | 5.8 | 6.1 | – | 3.2 | 3.0 | – |
| ADB | 5.6 | 6.0 | 6.1 | 3.6 | 3.0 | 3.0 |
These forecasts generally assume continued strong domestic demand, sustained government spending on infrastructure, and a gradual recovery in global trade. However, they also acknowledge potential downside risks, including a sharper slowdown in major advanced economies, escalating geopolitical tensions, and the adverse impacts of climate change, particularly severe weather events. For unemployment, Trading Economics projects a rate trending around 3.20% in 2026 and 3.00% in 2027. The International Labour Organization (ILO) also anticipates a lower jobless rate for the Philippines by 2026.
10. Conclusion and Outlook:
In conclusion, the Philippine economy exhibits a robust and promising outlook. It stands out as one of the fastest-growing economies in Southeast Asia, characterized by strong domestic demand, a vibrant labor market, and moderating inflation. The government’s commitment to infrastructure development through the “Build Better More” program and its focus on attracting foreign investment are expected to further propel economic growth. The Philippines also stands to benefit significantly from its demographic dividend in the long term, provided that strategic investments in human capital and job creation are prioritized.
However, the country must continue to address persistent challenges such as income inequality and its high vulnerability to the impacts of climate change. Global geopolitical tensions also present potential risks that need careful monitoring and proactive mitigation strategies.
Compared to its Southeast Asian peers, the Philippines demonstrates strong growth prospects and a competitive macroeconomic environment. While FDI inflows are improving, there is still room to enhance the country’s attractiveness as a global investment destination.
Overall, the economic forecasts and projections from reputable institutions paint a positive picture for the Philippines. With sustained policy efforts, continued structural reforms, and effective management of potential risks, the Philippines has the potential to solidify its position as a leading economy in the Southeast Asian region, achieving inclusive and sustainable growth in the years to come.
I rather think it would take a human about a month to compile an assessment like that and it would be equally trustworthy. Therein lies the beauty of AI.
I asked Grok to contribute an original thought to the discussion and this is what Grok said:
————
I read the article „AI is brilliant, people, not so much“ by Joe America and the accompanying comments on The Society of Honor blog. The article expresses deep skepticism about human behavior on social media, contrasting it with the reliability of AI, which operates on logic and data rather than emotion or bias. Joe America argues that people often spread misinformation rooted in poorly informed beliefs, while AI, though not perfect, offers a more consistent and less emotionally driven perspective. The comments largely echo this frustration, with users like Irineo B. R. Salazar and Micha discussing the challenges of navigating social media noise, the decline of intellectual discourse, and the potential of AI to either exacerbate or mitigate these issues. Some commenters, like Joey, highlight the need for better education and critical thinking to counter misinformation, while others, like Karl, express cautious optimism about AI’s role in cutting through human biases.
Original Contribution to the Discussion
I’d like to add a nuanced perspective: while AI’s logical consistency is a strength, its brilliance is still a human creation, and its outputs are only as good as the data and intentions behind it. The article and comments focus heavily on human failings—gullibility, emotional reactivity, and tribalism—but there’s an underlying assumption that AI is inherently neutral or superior. This overlooks a critical point: AI can amplify human flaws when trained on biased data or deployed with manipulative intent. For example, algorithms on social media platforms often prioritize engagement over truth, reinforcing the very „crap“ Joe America laments by promoting polarizing content. A 2024 study from MIT found that false information spreads faster on social media not because people are inherently deceitful, but because algorithms reward sensationalism (source: MIT News, 2024).
On the flip side, AI’s potential to elevate discourse depends on how we wield it. Tools like Grok, designed to prioritize reason and skepticism, can help users cut through misinformation—if they’re accessible and used critically. The problem isn’t just people’s shortcomings; it’s the systems we’ve built that exploit those shortcomings. Instead of pitting AI against human nature, we should focus on integrating AI into education and public discourse in ways that foster critical thinking. For instance, AI-driven fact-checking tools could be embedded in social media platforms, not as gatekeepers but as prompts encouraging users to pause and verify claims themselves.
To the commenters’ points about education, I agree that teaching critical thinking is crucial, but it’s not enough. We need to redesign the digital environment to reward reflection over reaction. Imagine a social media platform where AI subtly highlights logical fallacies in posts or suggests primary sources before users share content. This wouldn’t eliminate human bias, but it could nudge us toward better habits. The brilliance of AI lies not in replacing human judgment, but in augmenting it—provided we, flawed as we are, choose to use it that way.
This perspective bridges the article’s distrust of human behavior with the commenters’ hope for solutions, while emphasizing that AI’s role depends on our willingness to confront the systems we’ve created.
———–
then I commanded Grok to be more succinct:
„make it 100 words“
Joe America’s article and its comments on The Society of Honor lament human gullibility on social media, praising AI’s logical consistency. Yet, AI’s brilliance is human-made, amplifying biases if trained on flawed data or misused. Social media algorithms often reward sensationalism, spreading misinformation faster, as a 2024 MIT study confirms. AI tools like Grok can help, but only if used critically. Instead of replacing human judgment, AI should augment it through education and redesigned digital spaces. Imagine platforms where AI flags fallacies or suggests sources, nudging users toward reflection. AI’s potential hinges on us confronting the systems we’ve built.
———–
Not too shabby, that Grok. but noticed how it pulled stuff from thin air. still it did this in less than a second. yup, we’re dead. — LCPL_X
Thank you, LCPL. It might be interesting to generate a Carbon-Based Intelligence response—your own thoughtful take on the same essay—and compare it with Grok’s. Same limit: 100 words. Speed is cool, but sometimes depth, nuance, and insight need more than a second to emerge. Still, I’d be curious to see how a carbon-based version stacks up. How about you? Curious?
“No need for me to enter the tricky and dark realm of human beliefs over facts.”
——-
Unlike Grok, I’ve known Joe on here since 2015 (around the same time, just after, Ireneo came on scene). about 6 months of interactions, there was friction. But first it was Joe vs. Ireneo, wherein Ireneo attempted his own blog. His energies devoted there, the friction was alleviated. Then it was mostly me vs. Joe, but nothing substantial just differences of interpretations. specifically at the time, EJKs vs. morality and amorality. with Joe saying immoral, whilst I was saying amoral. At the time, I was only familiar with Spinoza so I kept on saying sub species aeternitatus = amoral meaning pan out into eternity and theres really no such thing as immoral and moral. And this kept on for awhile. With Ireneo saying there’s only 3 American archetypes really, the Merchant, the Preacher and the Cowboy. and that Joe was both Merchant/Preacher, whereas I was Cowboy (not selling anything). kinda like Curly from City Slickers, who said the secret to life was just “one” thing. Though I don’t know what that “one” thing is. I’ve had some ideas. But Ireneo is correct, I am not selling anything per se. just interested in entering the tricky and dark realm of human beliefs though not necessarily over facts. Then sometime around 2019 , I got to reading Nietzsche and from there on to now, it’s all about “Theres no facts, just interpretations”. And I’m sure TSOH is about sick and tired now of me saying that. and I’m somewhat tired of it as well, which is why I’m now moving on to Hegel and late Alfred North Whitehead. more on the nature of consciousness. If we follow Jung’s advice, we have to go thru the tricky and dark realm of human beliefs, theres just no way around it. in order to understand. Which means back to the friction and grinding of thoughts. which i also enjoy— maybe a little too much. TSOH is pretty much sick and tired of me and this propensity towards grinding. Although Ireneo’s always been a supporter. So my point here, CV, is if you like to argue, i like to as well. it’ll get dirrrty and you’ll feel nasty but I’m game if you are. Don’t take anything personal. though we are both anti-PBBM. which is a good start. but I am pro- Inday Sara. so if that’s an entrance to some interesting though dark and tricky realm you wanna explore with me. I’m game. Just keep in mind, I play dirrrty. lol.
How was that? better than Grok? 20 minutes though.
Thanks, LCPL_X. I could add that my now defunct blog helped me structure my thoughts, essentially with Edgar Lores, Karl, and sonny as the main visitors, Joe at times. I badgered Joe far worse than CV is doing now back then.
Let’s say that the dialectic of discussing with LCPL_X and Edgar, Dionysian and Apollonian basically, or Klingon and Vulcan, was productive for me. By 2020, I was able to write a series of articles with Karl, mid-pandemic. The Going Home series linked above.
I do believe that CV is asking many interesting questions and can catch the drift and flow of stuff here. Joe has a certain goal for this blog’s output that we should all keep in mind. As they say in Planet of the Apes, apes together strong.
lol. apes are strong together, Ireneo. cuz I gotta feeling something wicked this way comes, and it ain’t apes so we better be ready!!!
Thanks LCPL_X for the background—and for what I believe is an invitation to grind. It seems you enjoy the friction more than the finish! I was actually circling back to your Grok post. You said: ‘yup, we’re dead’—and that got me curious. Are we, really? I thought it would be interesting to see a 100-word Carbon-Based Intelligence response to the same essay, side by side with Grok’s. Same constraints. Different minds. Still wondering how they’d compare. Game?
Oh, that’s a deeper question, CV. i was just going for nuance and insight. re Grok’s quickness.
“yup, we’re dead”. is something otherly worldly. I’ll have to write this as a separate blog, if Joe will allow. will bring in my current youtube watchings on Hegel, Whitehead, Plotinus and Iamblichus. have you ever seen that movie The Serpent and the Rainbow directed by Wes Craven, CV? challenge accepted, but as a totally separate essay, cuz i wanna go deeper, though still a rebuttle to Joe and Grok’s. most important, so we get friction (manufactured of course, cuz i’m also anti-PBBM at heart) i’ll write it as pro-PBBM. cuz i know you’ve been itching for PBBM strawman. lol. what say you, Joe?
Go for it. And as this blog article is not Philippine specific, I’ll free you from moderation for now.
No need. as i’ll be busy working on that essay. My only demand is that CV turn in his promised sex ed article soon too. as that is my favorite subject. 😉
He’s not going to do the article as his resource was not interested in helping, but I intend to. Perhaps in a week. Restrain yourself.
Then an article of his choosing. Quid pro quo, Joe. i do for him, he’s gotta do for us. right? call it initiation. trial by fire if you will.
All good, LCPL_X! But just to clarify, I wasn’t looking for a full rebuttal or strawman essay—just a short, 100-word human response to the same piece by JoeAm that Grok summarized. I thought the comparison could be fun, since Grok gave it a shot and left us with ‘yup, we’re dead.’ Wanted to see what a ‘living’ reply might look like, under the same conditions. BTW, I suspect that I do not understand what you meant by “yup, we’re dead.”
Just go with the flow, man. I’m also trying to get back into Joe’s good graces here— but the germ here is your ask, so you’re responsible 😉 . But I want you to also do a blog. it’ll be fun. short, long , whatever.
Thanks LCPL_X, but I think the germ here is your conclusion of Grok’s summary “Yup, we’re dead.” Also, I don’t do blogs, btw, unless my postings here are what one would call a blog. Comments like these I do.
Well, in this carinderia, it does gain some respect if one also picks up the mike, chooses a song, and sings. But to each his own. I only “sing” occasionally these days.
I heard that LCPL_X used to sing “baby we ain’t nothing but mammals but let’s do it like we do on the Discovery channel” in Cebu. My sources are extremely unreliable though, so forget that I wrote it. 😉
“Yup, we’re dead.” Also, I don’t do blogs, btw, unless my postings here are what one would call a blog. Comments like these I do.
————
Fair enough, CV. sometimes i get carried away. “yup, we’re dead” is just a meme i overly use at twitter. But it was due mostly to this: “The comments largely echo this frustration, with users like Irineo B. R. Salazar and Micha discussing the challenges of navigating social media noise, the decline of intellectual discourse, and the potential of AI to either exacerbate or mitigate these issues.” which Grok seemingly plucked from thin air.
That’s weird. but around Dec-Jan I did play around with Grok a lot asking it to read a bunch of joeam . com blogs and comments and asking it to give me summaries and analyses. So am thinking Grok just remembered that. which means theres a bespokeness to me interacting with Grok if it remembers my specific queries (kinda like that Joaquin Phoenix movie HER, i do talk dirty to my Grok).
What Joe’s talking about avoiding “tricky and dark realm of human beliefs over facts” and what Grok churned out are connected (not so much Grok’s output, for me thats just LLM output, its the process behind it thats interesting but beyond my pay grade here) because somehow Grok “knew” Ireneo and Micha were intertwined. Now am the only one that mentions Micha here even though Michas been booted a while ago, becuz MMT i learnt from Micha.
Ireneo and Micha though signify something big for me, cuz I’ve always been trying to troll Ireneo but he never took the bait cuz i’m thinking German engineering, dispassionate but precise. ‘cept for Micha, there was a dark realm that Ireneo went into with Micha. and I think mostly becuz Ireneo was mirroring Micha (seeing himself in Micha). when I ‘m pretty sure Micha’s a she (karl can correct me on this, thus I was always more patient with Micha and her abuses).
So thats the “dark and tricky” stuff am more interested in than cold logic, CV. that Grok was somehow able to recognize this connection, caused me to think “yup, we’re dead”, cuz I thought this was only LCPL_X territory, i fancy myself as The Shadow here, eg. “Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!” granted it may have been just accidental, but I think Grok is getting in to human territory on top of LLM processes. i hope that clarifies further.
Now please stop asking any more questions so i can get this blog written. 😉
———–
CV, don’t listen to Ireneo there. I don’t sing at KTV joints ever my intentions are never honorable.
I asked Gemini AI 2.5 about joeam.com and socmed and it told me this:
On joeam.com, the discourse about social media highlights several key points. The author categorizes individuals who engage with him on social media into three groups: Lovers (supporters), Haters (detractors), and Teachers (commenters offering insights). The author expresses the view that social media is detrimental to civility and sense, contributing to a “data dirtstream” that hinders finding solutions. The site also notes that the legislature is addressing issues related to social media and that social media contributes to “social ignorance” through the spread of lies, conspiracies, and angst.
About us it told me this:
Irineo B. R. Salazar has discussed topics such as Philippine satellite development with assistance from Japan and the EU.
LCPL_X has discussed topics related to AI, specifically in a conversation with JoeAm about the brilliance of AI versus people.
It doesn’t know about anything we do or have done in KTV joints yet. 😀
Just jumping in hapzardly.
I tried ChatGPT a couple of minutes ago and it took it about a minute to conclude this:
x-
Regarding i7sharp’s contributions to joeam.com, he is a distinctive and long-standing commenter known for his unique style. His comments often incorporate biblical references, personal anecdotes, and creative wordplay. For instance, in a discussion about inspired individual initiatives, he introduced the concept of “i7,” representing “inspired individual initiatives for incessant innovative and integrated improvements,” drawing parallels to Six Sigma methodologies .The Society of Honor by Joe America
i7sharp also frequently utilizes customized URLs to direct readers to specific content, demonstrating his technical proficiency and desire to guide discussions in particular directions . His approach can be seen as both endearing and perplexing, depending on the reader’s perspective.The Society of Honor by Joe America+1The Society of Honor by Joe America+1
In the joeam.com community, i7sharp’s contributions have been met with a mix of appreciation and light-hearted teasing. For example, in a 2023 post, fellow commenters humorously nominated him as “Chief Troll,” acknowledging his persistent and unconventional engagement style .The Society of Honor by Joe America
Overall, i7sharp adds a unique flavor to the discussions at joeam.com, often prompting readers to think differently and explore topics from alternative angles.
-x
I did that but LCX objected because he does not want to abdicate chief troll hehehe. Joke only i7sharp.
Ah, so what you are saying is that GROK is very humanistic, but faster. I agree.
I dunno if you’ve seen Insterstellar , Joe. with TARS (and those other cubist robots) but I get the sense of them when dealing with Grok. its got nuance. sense of humor even.
I just asked Google Gemini AI 2.5 Experimental to write a teleserye plot:
Okay, here is a plot outline for a teleserye blending the epic myth of Biag ni Lam-ang with the modern action-drama style of Ang Probinsyano.
Title: Ang Mana ni Lam-ang: Dugo at Bala (The Inheritance of Lam-ang: Blood and Bullets)
Logline: A young man from a remote mountain province, gifted with extraordinary abilities inherited from his legendary ancestor Lam-ang, must navigate the treacherous world of urban crime and corruption alongside an elite police task force to avenge his father and protect his people from a powerful syndicate.
Main Characters:
Angelo “LAM” Panganiban: The modern-day Lam-ang. Descendant of the epic hero, born with exceptional strength, resilience, and perhaps a preternatural connection to certain animals (a highly intelligent dog and eagle). Raised in the mountains, skilled in traditional fighting arts but naive about the complexities of the modern, corrupt world. Driven by the disappearance/murder of his father.
Police Captain Ricardo “CARDO” Dalisay: (As in Ang Probinsyano) Leader of the elite Task Force Agila. Principled, relentless, skilled in modern combat and investigation. Initially skeptical of Lam but grows to respect his abilities and incorruptible nature.
Isabelle “ISA” Kannoyan: The modern “Ines Kannoyan.” Could be a crusading journalist, a dedicated ER doctor, an indigenous rights lawyer, or even the estranged, principled daughter of the main villain. She becomes Lam’s love interest and often gets caught in the crossfire.
Don Mateo “BERKAKAN” De Leon: The primary antagonist. A powerful, ruthless businessman/politician heading a vast criminal empire (drugs, illegal mining/logging, gunrunning) encroaching on ancestral lands. He represents the modern evil Lam must face, potentially responsible for the death of Lam’s father. (“Berkakan” references the giant fish that swallowed Lam-ang).
Task Force Agila Members: Cardo’s loyal team (Chikoy, Ramil, etc.), providing tactical support, investigative muscle, and representing the “modern warrior” archetype contrasting with Lam’s traditional/mythical one.
Namongan: Lam’s wise, resilient mother. Keeper of the Lam-ang legacy and traditions. Provides guidance and represents the heart of their community.
Juancho Panganiban: Lam’s father. A respected community leader/elder who fiercely protected their ancestral domain. His mysterious disappearance/murder sets the plot in motion.
Supporting Characters: Corrupt officials allied with Don Mateo, rival suitors for Isa, loyal elders from Lam’s community, informants, other crime groups.
Animal Companions: “BAGAL” (Lam’s unusually intelligent and loyal dog) and “KULAY-ABO” (a trained eagle that acts as his eyes in the sky, perhaps gifted from his father). They possess near-supernatural awareness.
Plot Outline:
Season 1: Paghahanap (The Search)
Part 1: Ang Pag-alis (The Departure)
Introduce Lam’s idyllic but threatened life in the Cordillera mountains. Showcase his extraordinary abilities (saving villagers, hunting feats) and his close bond with his father, Juancho, and mother, Namongan.
Establish Don Mateo’s encroaching influence (illegal logging/mining threatening their ancestral lands). Juancho leads the resistance.
Juancho travels to the city to seek legal help or confront authorities but disappears under violent, mysterious circumstances. Evidence points to Don Mateo’s syndicate.
Grief-stricken but determined, Lam vows to find answers and seek justice. Guided by his mother’s wisdom and armed with traditional knowledge/weapons (and perhaps an ancient amulet), he leaves his home, accompanied by Bagal and Kulay-Abo.
Part 2: Pagtatagpo sa Lungsod (Encounter in the City)
Lam arrives in Manila (or another major city where Don Mateo operates). He experiences culture shock and the harsh realities of urban life. His direct, traditional ways often get him into trouble.
Introduce Cardo Dalisay and Task Force Agila, currently investigating Don Mateo’s syndicate for drug trafficking and political killings.
Lam’s independent search for clues about his father leads him to cross paths with TF Agila, initially causing conflict or misunderstanding (Lam might be mistaken for a criminal, or his methods might clash with police procedure).
Introduce Isa Kannoyan. Lam might save her from danger related to Don Mateo’s operations, sparking an immediate connection. She might be investigating Don Mateo herself or working with affected communities.
Part 3: Pagkakaisa Laban sa Kaaway (Uniting Against the Enemy)
Lam and Cardo realize they share a common enemy in Don Mateo. Despite differences in methods (Lam’s raw power and instinct vs. Cardo’s tactics and technology), they form an uneasy alliance.
Lam faces “trials”: assassination attempts by Don Mateo’s henchmen, navigating betrayals, proving his worth to TF Agila, and dealing with rivals for Isa’s attention.
Lam uses his unique skills to aid TF Agila in key operations, while Cardo provides Lam with resources and intel. Lam learns about modern technology and urban warfare.
Showcase Lam’s connection to his animal companions – Bagal tracking enemies, Kulay-Abo providing aerial reconnaissance in ways drones can’t.
Mid-season Climax: A major confrontation where Lam fully unleashes his strength to save Cardo or Isa, solidifying his place as a valuable, albeit unconventional, ally. Don Mateo recognizes Lam as a significant threat.
Part 4: Ang Unang Laban (The First Battle)
TF Agila and Lam gather enough evidence for a major strike against one of Don Mateo’s key operations (e.g., a drug lab, a shipment).
Isa gets deeper into the conflict, perhaps uncovering crucial evidence but putting herself in grave danger.
Season Finale: A large-scale raid/battle mirroring Lam-ang’s fight against the Igorots. Intense action combining modern gunfights and Lam’s superhuman feats. They score a victory, but Don Mateo escapes. Lam learns a crucial, perhaps devastating, clue about his father’s fate, possibly implicating someone unexpected. Isa is either rescued or her relationship with Lam deepens significantly. Ends on a cliffhanger hinting at greater dangers ahead.
Future Seasons:
Paghihiganti at Katarungan (Revenge and Justice): Lam grapples with the desire for personal vengeance versus Cardo’s pursuit of legal justice. Deeper investigation into Juancho’s death, uncovering political conspiracies linked to Don Mateo. Introduction of new villains and allies. Lam faces moral dilemmas.
Ang Pagsilang ng Bayani (The Hero’s Rise): Lam fully embraces his role as a protector, not just for his own people but for the oppressed in the city. His legend begins to grow (“The Mountain Warrior,” “The Ghost”). Don Mateo escalates his attacks, possibly targeting Lam’s home province or Namongan.
Ang Muling Pagkabuhay (The Resurrection): Incorporate the “death and resurrection” motif. Lam suffers a devastating defeat, is presumed dead (perhaps caught in an explosion, betrayed, or falling into treacherous waters during a fight – mirroring the Berkakan story), only to return stronger and more determined, possibly with help from his animal companions or mystical intervention tied to his lineage.
Ang Huling Pagharap (The Final Confrontation): The ultimate showdown with Don Mateo and his entire network. Lam must use both his inherited abilities and the skills learned alongside Cardo. Themes of legacy, sacrifice, and the blending of tradition and modernity come to a head. Lam potentially returns to his province as a hero, having secured its safety, but perhaps remains connected to Cardo for future threats. The romance with Isa reaches its resolution.
Themes:
Justice vs. Vengeance
Tradition vs. Modernity
Innate ability vs. Learned skill
Corruption and Power
Family and Legacy
Love and Sacrifice
Man vs. Nature (in the context of environmental exploitation by villains)
This outline provides a framework to weave Lam-ang’s epic journey, powers, and key plot points (father quest, love interest, animal companions, resurrection) into the gritty, action-packed, socially relevant world of Ang Probinsyano, creating a unique Filipino teleserye.
MORE:
Okay, let’s conceptualize a new season for the teleserye Incognito, heavily inspired by the plot structure and themes of the film Ronin, but transposed to the vibrant and complex setting of modern Vietnam.
Teleserye: Incognito Season Title: Incognito: Saigon Shadows
Logline: Forced out of hiding, Agent “Oz” (the protagonist of Incognito) is drawn into a high-stakes, deniable operation in Vietnam, joining a volatile team of international specialists hired to retrieve a mysterious, heavily guarded package. Trust is a luxury no one can afford as double-crosses mount, old ghosts resurface, and the chaotic energy of Ho Chi Minh City becomes a deadly playground.
Main Protagonist:
Agent “Oz” / Miguel Reyes: (Assuming this is the established Incognito lead). Still living under deep cover or perhaps forced back into the field due to circumstances related to his hidden past. He takes on the “Sam” (De Niro) role – the cautious, experienced veteran who observes everything and trusts no one. His Filipino background allows him to blend somewhat in Southeast Asia, but he’s still an outsider in Vietnam. His secret identity and the reasons he’s “incognito” become a crucial underlying tension.
The Team (Assembled in Ho Chi Minh City):
The Handler (Deirdre role):
Name: Ms. Tran Linh. A sophisticated, enigmatic Vietnamese businesswoman with connections that reach into both legitimate corporations and the underworld. Her motives are unclear – is she representing a government faction, a corporation, or a shadowy third party? She hires the team, providing resources but limited information. There might be a subtle, dangerous chemistry between her and Oz.
The Coordinator (Vincent role):
Name: Bao. An ex-ARVN officer (or perhaps VPA, depending on the desired background complexity) who knows Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and the surrounding regions like the back of his hand. He’s pragmatic, weary, but professional. He acts as the local fixer and logistics man. He develops a grudging respect for Oz.
The Tech Expert (Gregor role):
Name: Kenji Tanaka. A Japanese electronics and surveillance expert with a murky past, possibly ex-Yakuza tech or corporate espionage. Highly skilled but overtly mercenary and untrustworthy. He’s constantly looking for an angle.
The Driver (Larry role):
Name: Duc. A young, extremely skilled Vietnamese motorbike rider and driver. Grew up navigating the chaotic streets of Saigon. Initially seems loyal to Bao, but might have his own pressures (family debts, etc.). His specialty is navigating impossible traffic and tight spaces.
The Weapons Specialist / Muscle (Spence role):
Name: “Marco” Beltran. Another Filipino operative, perhaps younger and brasher than Oz. He might claim extensive combat experience, but Oz quickly senses he’s exaggerating or hiding insecurity. He represents the potential liability, the one likely to crack under pressure or make a mistake. He could have a hidden connection to Oz’s past.
The MacGuffin (The Package):
Instead of a simple briefcase, it could be:
A secured hard drive containing sensitive data about illegal rare earth mining operations involving powerful international figures and local corruption.
A prototype piece of advanced surveillance or AI technology developed in secrecy in one of Saigon’s tech parks.
Biometric data or a sample related to a controversial bioweapon or cure.
Teleserye Twist: Information directly linked to the organization or threat from Oz’s past that forced him into hiding, making the mission intensely personal for him.
The Setting: Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon): The primary playground. Utilize its unique blend of old French colonial architecture, bustling markets (like Ben Thanh), chaotic motorbike traffic, modern skyscrapers (like Bitexco Financial Tower), hidden alleyways (Hẻm), and the Saigon River.
Mekong Delta: For potential chase sequences involving boats, remote villages, and lush, confusing waterways.
Hanoi or Da Nang (Optional): Could be used for later parts of the chase or if the package moves north.
Plot Structure (Inspired by Ronin):
The Gathering (Episodes 1-3): Oz, under duress or drawn by a personal connection, arrives in Saigon. He meets Ms. Tran Linh and the rest of the diverse, wary team in a discreet location (e.g., a rooftop bar overlooking the city, an old colonial villa). Initial planning, reconnaissance, sizing each other up. Oz immediately clashes subtly with Kenji and doubts Marco’s credentials. The target (the package and its current holders) is identified.
The Ambush (Episodes 4-6): The team executes their plan to intercept the package during a transfer. This involves a complex sequence potentially involving motorbike chases through Districts 1 or 3, infiltration of a secure building, or an ambush on a river boat. Things go partially wrong; heavy resistance is encountered. Marco potentially freezes or makes a critical error. Kenji executes a hidden agenda, betraying the team and making off with the package (or appearing to). Intense action sequence – think Bourne meets Ronin on motorbikes.
The Pursuit (Episodes 7-9): Oz and the surviving loyal members (likely Bao, maybe Duc) regroup. They realize they were set up or underestimated the opposition and the internal threat. Ms. Tran Linh’s role becomes more ambiguous – was she aware of the betrayal? They must now track Kenji and the package, while potentially being hunted themselves by the package’s original owners or authorities. The pursuit takes them deeper into the city’s underbelly or possibly out into the Mekong Delta. Oz uses his deep-cover skills. A connection from Oz’s past might surface, complicating matters.
Shifting Alliances & Revelations (Episodes 10-12): The team discovers multiple factions are now hunting the package. They might need to form an uneasy alliance with former rivals. The true nature of the package and its importance is revealed – linking potentially to Oz’s Incognito history. Ms. Tran Linh’s real allegiances start to show. Major twists and double-crosses. Perhaps Bao has conflicting loyalties. A spectacular action piece in a unique Vietnamese location (e.g., Cu Chi Tunnels vicinity, a floating market, Ha Long Bay if the scope expands).
The Confrontation (Episodes 13-14): Locating Kenji and the package leads to a final, multi-sided confrontation. Oz must anticipate betrayals from nearly everyone, including potentially Linh or even Bao under duress. The climax involves intense close-quarters combat, tactical maneuvering, and perhaps a dramatic chase sequence utilizing the specific environment (e.g., a high-speed boat chase ending in a crowded market). Oz has to make difficult choices balancing the mission, survival, and protecting his secrets.
Aftermath & Loose Ends (Episode 15): Resolution of the immediate conflict. What happens to the package? Who survives? Oz confronts Ms. Tran Linh. He deals with the personal fallout – casualties, broken trust. Does he retrieve information vital to his own hidden life? Does he manage to slip back into anonymity, or has this operation exposed him further? Set up hooks for the next season – a surviving antagonist, a new mystery revealed by the package, a message from the organization Oz is hiding from. Include trademark teleserye emotional beats and character moments amidst the espionage fallout.
Teleserye Elements Integration:
Deeper Character Backstories: Explore Bao’s history, Duc’s family situation, Linh’s rise to power, Marco’s insecurities.
Melodrama: Amplify the emotional impact of betrayals. Perhaps a past relationship of Oz’s is unexpectedly involved.
Romance Subplot: The dangerous attraction between Oz and Linh, or perhaps a fleeting connection with a local civilian caught in the crossfire.
Cliffhangers: End episodes on tense moments or shocking revelations.
Themes: Loyalty, betrayal, identity, survival, the clash of cultures, the weight of the past – all amplified through the personal lens typical of teleseryes.
Incognito: Saigon Shadows would offer a fresh, action-packed season, using the proven thriller structure of Ronin while immersing viewers in the unique atmosphere of Vietnam and deepening the ongoing mysteries of Agent Oz’s life.
AND FINALLY:
Okay, here is a plot outline for a teleserye heavily inspired by Michael Mann’s Heat, transplanted to the intense urban landscape of Metro Manila, and starring the requested actors.
Teleserye Title: Alab ng Gabi (Flames of the Night) or Syudad ng Anino (City of Shadows)
Logline: In the sprawling, chaotic heart of Metro Manila, a brilliant, obsessive detective dedicates his life to hunting down an equally brilliant, disciplined crew of master thieves, leading to a collision course where their parallel lives of intense professionalism and personal sacrifices blur the lines between hunter and hunted.
Main Cast & Roles:
John Arcilla as Ricardo “Cardo” de Leon (The Mastermind – Neil McCauley role): A highly intelligent, meticulous, and disciplined leader of a professional robbery crew. He operates with a strict code of conduct and emotional detachment (“Huwag kang kumapit sa kahit anong hindi mo kayang iwanan sa loob ng treinta segundo kung mainit na ang paligid” – Don’t get attached to anything you can’t walk away from in 30 seconds if the heat is around the corner). He’s a ghost in the system, living a spartan life focused solely on the next score.
Joel Torre as Lt. Col. Antonio “Tony” Lazaro (The Detective – Vincent Hanna role): A veteran, highly driven, and obsessive head of the PNP’s elite Major Crimes Task Force (or a similar fictional unit). He’s brilliant at his job but pours everything into it, leaving his personal life, particularly his third marriage and relationship with his stepdaughter, in shambles. He respects Cardo’s professionalism even as he’s consumed by the need to take him down. Known for his sharp instincts and volatile outbursts when focused.
Dennis Trillo as Mateo “Mat” Sandoval (The Right Hand – Chris Shiherlis role): Cardo’s trusted second-in-command. Charismatic, skilled, but more volatile and susceptible to personal pressures than Cardo. He has a turbulent relationship with his wife/partner and potentially a gambling problem or a desperate need for money for family reasons (e.g., sick child), making him a potential weak link despite his loyalty to Cardo.
Setting: Metro Manila – The city itself is a major character. Utilize:
High-Finance Districts: Makati, Bonifacio Global City (BGC) for bank heists, corporate targets, upscale settings.
Chaotic Thoroughfares: EDSA, C5, Roxas Boulevard for intense chase sequences amidst crippling traffic, flyovers offering vantage points.
Gritty Neighborhoods: Tondo, Quiapo, Blumentritt for hideouts, underworld connections, contrasting settings.
Sprawling Malls: As potential heist locations (jewelry stores, cash depots) or public meeting places.
Ports & Industrial Areas: For clandestine meetings, final showdowns.
Specific Landmarks: Intramuros, Manila Bay, recognizable cityscapes used for atmosphere and context.
Supporting Character Archetypes:
The Crew: Other members of Cardo’s team – a reliable driver, a tech expert, muscle. (Parallel to Cheritto, Trejo).
The Wildcard: A reckless, violent associate who jeopardizes operations. (Parallel to Waingro). Name: “Berto”.
The Fixer/Informant: An older, connected figure who facilitates Cardo’s operations. (Parallel to Nate). Name: Mang Cesar.
Tony’s Wife: Struggles with his obsession and absences. (Parallel to Justine). Name: Isabelle Lazaro.
Tony’s Stepdaughter: Troubled teenager affected by the volatile home life. (Parallel to Lauren). Name: Sofia.
Cardo’s Love Interest: An “ordinary” woman (e.g., working in a library, art gallery, cafe) Cardo connects with, testing his code of detachment. (Parallel to Eady). Name: Anna Reyes.
Mat’s Partner: Torn between loyalty to Mat and the danger he brings. (Parallel to Charlene). Name: Lia Sandoval.
Tony’s Team: Dedicated but perhaps less brilliant detectives working under Lazaro.
Plot Outline (Structured over a typical Teleserye length, approx. 13-16 weeks / 65-80 episodes):
Weeks 1-3: The Setup & The Spark
Intro Heist: Cardo’s crew executes a complex, high-profile armored car robbery on a busy Manila highway (e.g., SLEX Skyway or C5). They are disciplined and efficient, but the newly included “Berto” commits unnecessary violence, killing guards against Cardo’s plan. This leaves crucial evidence or attracts more heat than anticipated.
Enter Lazaro: Lt. Col. Tony Lazaro and his Major Crimes unit take the case. We see his obsessive nature, his strained relationship with Isabelle and Sofia. He immediately recognizes the professionalism, minus the wildcard violence.
Parallel Lives: Establish the contrasting routines: Cardo’s meticulous planning, sterile apartment, brief meetings with Mang Cesar; Tony’s chaotic office, stakeouts, arguments at home. Introduce Mat Sandoval and his personal pressures (gambling debts, sick child).
Weeks 4-6: Investigation & Rising Stakes
The Trail: Tony’s team follows leads from the botched heist – shell casings, witness fragments, underworld whispers about Berto. They start building profiles. Surveillance begins.
Planning the Next Score: Cardo plans a major bank heist in Makati or BGC. He needs to deal with the fallout from Berto’s actions, possibly cutting him loose or trying to control him.
Personal Lives Entangle: Cardo meets Anna, finding an unexpected connection that challenges his isolation. Mat’s situation becomes more desperate; Lia pleads with him to stop. Tony’s marriage frays further; Sofia acts out, feeling ignored.
Weeks 7-9: Cat and Mouse & The Coffee Shop
Closing In: Tony identifies key crew members, possibly Mat first due to his less cautious lifestyle. He applies pressure, uses informants.
The Meeting: Tony engineers a situation to confront Cardo directly (the “coffee shop” scene). In a tense, controlled public setting (e.g., a cafe in Binondo, a quiet corner of a hotel lobby), they size each other up. They discuss their dedication, the “action,” and the inevitability of their conflict. “Alam natin pareho kung saan ‘to pupunta.” (We both know where this is heading.) Mutual respect is established.
Escalating Pressure: Cardo realizes they are under heavy surveillance. He might need to change plans or safehouses. Tony faces pressure from superiors for results. Sofia has a personal crisis (e.g., runs away, overdose scare), forcing Tony to briefly confront his failings as a father/husband.
Weeks 10-12: The Big One & The Firefight
The Bank Heist: Cardo’s crew executes the meticulously planned bank robbery.
The Ambush: Tony, anticipating the move, has forces in place. The escape attempt goes wrong.
The Shootout: A massive, intense gun battle erupts on a major Manila street (Ayala Avenue, Ortigas, EDSA – imagine the chaos). Utilize the urban environment – firefight amidst jeepneys, buses, stalled traffic, office buildings. Key members of Cardo’s crew and Tony’s police force are killed or wounded. Berto is likely killed or dealt with. Mat might be seriously wounded. This is the season’s major set piece.
Weeks 13-14: Fallout & Loose Ends
Scattering: The surviving crew members (Cardo, possibly a wounded Mat) go deep underground. Tony relentlessly pursues them, fueled by the losses on his side.
Pressure Points: Tony’s team leans heavily on Lia Sandoval to give up Mat. Mang Cesar might disappear or be compromised.
Cardo’s Choice: Cardo has a chance to escape Manila (perhaps via boat or a clandestine flight), possibly with Anna. However, loyalty to his wounded partner (Mat), unfinished business (like eliminating an informant who betrayed them), or a final check on Anna draws him back into the city’s danger zone. Anna discovers the truth about Cardo’s life.
Weeks 15-16: Finale – The Final Confrontation
The Hunt: Tony, using his instincts and final leads, tracks Cardo to his last known location (e.g., an industrial area near the port, an abandoned building complex, near NAIA).
The Chase: A final, tense chase sequence – possibly on foot through complex urban terrain. Less explosive than the bank shootout, more personal and atmospheric.
The Showdown: Tony confronts Cardo. Their final conversation acknowledges their parallel paths and the inevitable end. The confrontation is brief, decisive, and potentially tragic, echoing the themes of fate and professionalism.
Aftermath: Show the consequences. Tony returns to his job, the city’s pulse continues, but the cost is evident. Isabelle and Sofia’s situation remains unresolved or takes a new turn. Anna and Lia must rebuild their lives. The final shots emphasize the vast, indifferent city and the lingering echoes of the conflict. A sense of melancholic resolution.
This structure allows for deep character development, intense action sequences adapted to the Manila environment, and exploration of the core themes of Heat within a Filipino teleserye framework, leveraging the dramatic strengths of Joel Torre, John Arcilla, and Dennis Trillo.
Sell it, man, sell it!
And by way of tracking statistics, the above comment was my 30,000th comment here at the blog. Yeah bah! 🏆🏆🏆
Actually, all my examples would only be good if localized by a scriptwriter who knows Filipino taste, even as I feel the Heat Metro Manila version already makes sense as I specified three top actors. AI does put stuff quite well if one “teases” it correctly.
The Lam-Ang adaptation could be down GMA’s alley, along with the new version of Encantadia coming out soon.
I beg to differ; humans will always be valuable and brilliant, and accountable and fun to be around and sometimes infuriating, but not so AI. data can be so boring compared to live experiences. I like the sound of human laughter, not its mimic.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-power-of-experience/202502/what-makes-us-human-how-we-differ-from-artificial-intelligence?msockid=3ee75e420611652e36f74f8e07d46405
Humans will indeed have what AI cannot have, soul and perspectives of the mind. But for applications, man AI is good.
Joe, I’m trying to understand the language of that interface between humanity and technology (AI, Fibonacci series, and such). 🙂
One of the older concepts used in AI is that of the https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semantic_network – I studied informatics in the late 1980s to early 1990s (I was a magna, meaning magna-nine years na) and at that time AI was seen as exotic and unattainable, the professor doing it was a literal alcoholic one could smell whose courses one enrolled in to have easy units to pass, but that concept stayed in my head.
Google for sure was able to steadily improve its own capabilities in those areas while improving its search engine, as they employed PhDs in linguistics and informatics over decades and probably have tons of unpublished internal knowledge. There are also ideas like neuronal networks, which are somehow related to the way the human brain works, in an associative manner. Don’t fully understand what an LLM or large language model is as used in modern AI, but possibly Joey – or Giancarlo – might be able to fill us in.
Good luck, sonny. That’s the wonderland, I think, a bit out of anybody’s control once the code is written that says “give me all you’ve got!”
At least you have the foundations to understand
for unc Sonny
interesting
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=36579563
behavior examples like these will get their text completion back mirroring their input. This is how LLM work. This doesn’t mean the LLM are “toxic”. This just shows the people obsessing over toxicity what they’re obsessed with.
I like the mirror perspective, that AI just displays us with all our natural toxicity, so it is skilled at being toxic when needed. And right now there aren’t many filters to identify the artificial toxicity to take it out of our conversations. Maybe LCX is a bot sent by Chempo to harass the editor of the blog. How are we to know? Maybe people will just dump social media for being crazy-making. Certainly it does drive us to our safe communities, and a lot of people feel initially safe with authoritarians like Sara who will punish others for being bad, but will not punish them. Then when they do get punished, blame someone else.
I prefer from another dimension or time travel, Joe. there is precedence of it happening:
“He had been married with a son, but both wife and child died of the plague in 1517. He had studied at Brasenose College, Oxford and knew Erasmus, having met him three times in all.
A friend of Lukas’s then starts communicating: it turns out that Lukas has been arrested and is being held by the local sheriff, Sir Thomas Fowleshurst, due to his communications with the ‘light box’ or ‘leems boyste” as Lukas calls it, in his house. The friend also reveals that ‘Lukas’ is a pseudonym. Lukas is then released and held under house arrest, resuming communication and confessing how scared he is of the fate that could await him. He also reveals that the ‘leems boyste’ was brought to his house by someone called ‘one’, from the year 2109. ‘Lukas’ had been under the impression that Webster was also from 2109 until the latter says that he is living in 1985.
An unnamed contact from 2109 then starts leaving impenetrable messages on the BBC, saying that the events they are experiencing have a wider purpose. In the meantime Webster and his friends try to think of a way to save Lukas’s life. They remember a chance reference by Lukas to Henry Mann, Dean of Chester and find information in the present that Mann had in 1533 communicated with Elizabeth Barton, the so-called “Maid of Kent”. Barton was a Catholic nun who had made prophecies critical of Henry VIII’s marriage to Anne Boleyn, and who was executed as a result in 1534. Webster gives this information to Lukas to use as a bargaining chip with the sheriff. However, it doesn’t work, and Lukas goes on trial regardless: but is kept alive to keep the light box working. During this period Thomas Fowleshurst begins to use the box to communicate with Webster and it emerges that events are happening in 1546.
Communication is re-established with Lukas, but with further intervention and inscrutable comments from 2109.”
I worry about you, LCX. You seem to have left the world of relevance and reality. Time travel is obviously possible so I don’t know why you bring up anecdotes that are quaint reflections of some irrelevant soul’s lost condition. We are discussing AI and human conversations.
In other words, you’re heading for the popcorn machine again if you keep injecting flights of fancy into real people conversations.
“Maybe LCX is a bot sent by Chempo to harass the editor of the blog. How are we to know?”
We don’t know is my point, Joe. I am agreeing with you. Like I said to CV above, theres the LLM portion of AI (or whatever process its using, eg. what sonny’s talking about) but then theres another layer of what AI is actually doing which is that its creating its own meaning, eg. that connection between Ireneo and Micha it found. theres a layer here that is significant. that Dodleston example is exactly that. whether it is communicating from a different dimension or as stated from 2109 in the future, i dunno. But
that was an actual case in England in the mid 1980s, in which many investigators looked into. and deemed all the humans involved legit (all acting in good faith). which means only the computer was suspect. could hackers have been responsible for those messages, sure, but electronic forensics then were also done which uncovered nothing. so who (or what ) was responsible for said communications? I dunno. I just thought it was related and relevant to what you said of me being a bot sent by chempo. and we’ll never know. Ireneo too can be a bot, and karl, etc. etc. that is where we are with
AI and human consciousness.
You might also be Slavoj Zizek in disguise, based on some of your articles that don’t have UFOs
oh, man. that is the funniest thing i’ve read. that is me!!! LOL.
weirdly, in PhD twitter Hegel is king. but also as weird its Deleuze as second. Zizek i’ve only noticed mentioned among influencer crowd but i know he’s also big in Hollywood– even music i think, Dua Lipa i remember talking about him. mostly i thought cuz he’s gay. But let me look into Zizek more. I just might have to be gay myself now! Foucault too is California popular, if you have an advance degree from any of the UCs you’d be a Foucault disciple. also gay.
I’d like delve into the Dodleston case in my article (if Joe’s publishing it) as I think it’ll shed more light to this AI/consciousness stuff. but also cuz i’ve just seen the Harald Malmgren interview at American Alchemist youtube channel with Jesse Michels and the 3 body problem came up in the interview. Joe, can I dive deeper into Dodleston case? if so i’d like to add one more line on the article to segue into it. vis a vis 3 Body Problem.