MYSTICIAN STUDENT OPINION BLOG ARCHIVE
The Mystician 85.6
February 2024
AI Becoming Human
By Jaden Reinicke
What does it mean to be human? Certain qualities present themselves when considering this question such as sentience, self-awareness, biology, morality and community. All these traits, however, may not only be attributed to humans, and one day, AI may become indistinguishable from humans altogether. From this thought, I argue that any humanoid can be human if there is no distinguishable difference between them and other humans because of how we define what a human is.
​
It would be wise to first address an easy refutation to this idea: AI doesn’t have human DNA. This argument is valid given we characterize certain genes as human. However, this doesn’t account for DNA variation within individuals or the fact that identical genes may not be expressed in the same manner. This renders DNA as an extremely diverse and unreliable characterization of what is and isn’t human, which is also applicable for the argument of anatomy (humans must have a human brain, legs, arms, etc.).
​​
Now, we should consider what other methods we utilize when identifying humans. One such is physical characteristics, which is exemplified in the ability to determine the difference between a rock and one’s father in a photograph. This method seems to draw from certain physical characteristics, which is something AI could easily mimic given the right vessel. Even in photographs, AI now can imitate what humans look like with extreme accuracy.
​​
Of course, there are more aspects to being human than just looks. An aspect of individuality expressed through both the ability to think and communicate seems to be the missing piece. When listening to a radio, or reading a book, one can determine who is and isn’t human based on language. However, AI can easily manipulate this, as it has already done through chatbots.
​​
One last refutation—other than the idea of a soul—may state that simple definition differentiates between humans and AI. This is a valid argument given the definition utilizes a certain characteristic, trait or feature unique to humans to define them. Let’s review the definition:
Human: Homo Sapiens, the most common and widespread species of primates. They are apes characterized by their hairlessness, bipedalism, and high intelligence.
​​
Even within this definition, the characterization of what a human is relates to physical and psychological/social characteristics. An argument could be made that speciesism is what determines who is human, but this falls within the same parameters as my argument: what characteristic constitutes a species: DNA, physical characteristics, social characteristics?
​​
Because of the diversity that lies within us, it is impossible to characterize exactly what a human is, thus there is always a way something can imitate human behavior to the point they are basically human. In a decade or so, our boss may be an AI bot; then again, how do we know they aren’t?
The Mystician 85.6
February 2024
Navigating the Digital Wave AI and Tech Innovations at BSC Campus
By Mathew Eide
As the digital age unfolds its possibilities, our campus at Bismarck State College finds itself navigating the waves of technological advancements. With the arrival of artificial intelligence (AI), the landscape of learning and engagement has undergone a profound transformation. Let’s embark on a journey to explore the rapidly growing AI and tech trends on campus and their potential to redefine our academic experience.
​
One of the most remarkable shifts is the integration of AI and technology within our educational realm. Gone are the days of passive learning; instead, we embrace interactive experiences powered by AI algorithms. These cutting-edge tools offer personalized learning pathways tailored to individual needs, growing deeper comprehension and engagement.
​
Beyond the confines of traditional learning, AI is revolutionizing the way we interact with the world around us. From voice assistants streamlining daily tasks to predictive analytics making the most use of resources, the possibilities are endless. By harnessing the power of AI-driven insights, students and faculty alike can make informed decisions and maximize their potential.
​
But what does this mean for our campus community? It means students now have access to amazing resources and opportunities they couldn’t have imagined before.
​
Picture this: If you are struggling with a tough subject, you can team up with an AI-powered tutor who helps you understand it better, making learning easier and more personalized. Or for your next research project, you could use cool tools like advanced telescopes or high-tech lab equipment to explore topics that interest you, whether it is studying the environment or understanding human behavior.
​
It is all about taking advantage of the opportunities available right now to help learn and discover new things.
​
Of course, with innovation comes responsibility. As we embrace AI and technology, it is important to consider the implications and societal impact. Issues such as data privacy, algorithmic bias and automation’s effect on the job market demand scrutiny and thoughtful discussion. By engaging in these conversations, we can ensure that our technological advancements are grounded in ethical principles and serve the greater good.
​​
Looking forward to the future of AI and tech innovations on our campus is promising. From enhancing learning outcomes to driving societal change, AI has the power to shape a future limited only by our imaginations. Let’s explore this path into the digital world, where each new discovery leads us toward a better future.
The Mystician 85.6
February 2024
Navigating the Digital Landscape: Understand the Impact of Social Media on Mental Health
By Mason Zacher
​
As a teen in the 21st century, it is understandable to attest to the fact that social media does have an impact on mental health. Some attributes of social media are positive, and some attributes of social media are negative. Something negative about social media is constantly comparing oneself to other people. This leads people to have unhealthy expectations about themselves and their progress. These unreal expectations can give people an unhealthy idea of what progress looks like.
​
An example is going to the gym or working out. Progression in the gym is based a lot on what one eats and how long you've been training. Consistency with the gym is what puts a person ahead of everybody else. So, people who have been working out for longer naturally have a better physique. Social media amplifies this by allowing us to share our progress in the gym. Along with just overall consistency, a lot of influencers on the platform are fake natural. These give everyone unhealthy expectations of what attainable progress looks like.
This is how social media can hurt a person's mental health. However, the positive aspect of social media is that we can share our workout journey and reach more people who are either the same as us—meaning struggling to make progress—or people who will encourage us to do better in the gym.
​
The gym community is pretty forgiving—being more humble, and acknowledging our weak points goes a long way. One's ability to take criticism will help in the long run. In the instance of fitness and working out, there are both positives and negatives to social media. Considering this example and applying it to other categories of can benefit the mental health of users of social media.
The Mystician 83.8
May 2022
The In Betweens
By Autumn Beto, Columnist
​
Today is a rainy day. These days are the ones I take to think about what is going on around me as well as the direction that I want my life to go. It’s the same feeling as the color grey, the age 17, and a Thursday afternoon. Many things that share the same feeling.
From my perspective, they all remind me that there is more to come, and this is but a mere milestone in life. Thursday is going to turn into the wonderful Friday, and 17 turns into being the young adult, 18. Grey is the special one. It’s the one that has so many possibilities. It can go from grey to white, to black, to blue, green, etc. Grey is amazing because of its many opportunities.
​
Graduating from Bismarck State College)with your associates shares this same feeling. It is like the color grey and the age of 17. This is a milestone that for me, must come before the other events in my future. At the same time, it leaves room for different decisions for me to make. I could get a true, “big girl” job and begin settling down. I could take a break from school and travel the world learning about new cultures, new foods, history, and so on. I could continue my education and learn more; the opportunities are endless.
​
For some, this wide range of decision options is not the most exciting. This is one of those things that has ‘scary’ attached to it. What if the continuation of school doesn’t work out? What if the "big girl/boy" job turns out to be boring? These are all questions that must be asked to continue driving on the road of life. Yes, it’s terrifying but that is the fun part. One had to make a decision to start at BSC and get as far as he or she did.
​
It’s true when they say, you can make it through anything you set your mind to because you have already been through what you thought to be your worst. During the moment you thought ‘there is nothing worse than right now and I am never going to make it through’, you were wrong because you made it through. Now, you might still be struggling, there will always be something to be there trying to push you away from your goals—which, side note, is extraordinarily impolite. You just have to go along for the ride because over time it will get better, and doors will open for you.
​
Considering the many people graduating with worries of what will happen in the future, try to take a breather on your next rainy day. Enjoy the moments you have in front of you because before you know it life will fly by and will be an entirely new place for you to explore. Take advantage of the in-between.
The Mystician 83.7
April 2022
Ukrainian and Russian Conflict
By Gavin Raschke, Columnist
​
Ask any military or political expert before the Russian invasion of Ukraine and they would say that Ukraine doesn’t stand a chance. Russia has 144 million people, compared to Ukraine’s 44 million. Russia has an economy five times bigger than Ukraine’s. In addition, Russia has the second-best military in the world.
With all that said, it is shocking that Ukraine has done so well in the first two weeks of the conflict. Russia has failed in capturing major cities; made little territorial gains, has huge logistical problems, and the death toll on the Russian armed forces is massive. In the first two weeks of the invasion, Russia has lost about four times the amount of men than America had in 20 years of Afghanistan.
​
So, what went wrong for them? In short, a little bit of everything. The problem with dictators is that they often surround themselves with yes-men who tell the dictator what he wants to hear even if that goes against reality or logic. Putin was most likely told before the invasion that the Ukrainian people would just give up fighting after the first couple of days.
​
Obviously, that hasn’t happened.
​
But that caused Putin to underestimate Ukraine. Russia did not bring enough firepower, troops, or supplies to fight. The Ukrainian army plus their citizen territorial forces are bigger than the Russian invasion force, and they are the ones that get the ‘honor’ of playing offense.
​
There is a common saying in the American military, “An amateur thinks about tactics, but a professional think about logistics.” The Russian army lacked this mindset going into the invasion. Their troops lack food, medicine, and ammunition. That causes them to have low morale and perform worse on the field.
​
Springtime is not a good time to invade. Heavy army trucks easily get stuck in the mud, so that forces them into the road network of the opposing nation. Roads are narrow checkpoints that are easy prey for enemy forces, as well as create traffic jams that delay supplies to frontline troops.
​
Even now there is currently a 40-mile long Russian convoy outside of Kyiv, full of tanks, trucks, and armored vehicles that could go to the front line. The Ukrainians however, made the entire convoy obsolete by destroying the lead vehicles and creating a huge traffic jam. Simple things like this have pointed to Ukrainian courage and fatal flaws in the Russian war machine.
​
Ukraine has also been boosted with western technology and intelligence. Ukrainians know when, where, and how the Russians are going to attack thanks to American satellites. And American shoulder-fired rockets are excellent at destroying Russian helicopters and tanks.
​
So, what are the odds of a victory for Ukraine? It is simply too early to tell. Russia could still win by sheer brutality and firepower. They could just level Ukrainian cities to the ground to break the will of the people. Ukraine could win by forcing Russia into a long guerrilla war. Or they could get the Russian people to turn on Putin. However it ends, may the world hope the lives that are lost will not go in vain.
The Mystician 83.5
February 2022
Seven percent more money than last year means nothing changed.
By Gavin Raschke, Columnist
​
That is a very bold claim, but mathematically speaking that is the fact. The typical inflation rate for the United States along with most of the western world is 3%. In 2021, the inflation rate is now 7%. Inflation is the increased amount of money circulating in the economy compared to the previous year. If the inflation rate is 7%, that means that there is 7% more American currency floating around in the economy. In other terms, inflation could be described as the decrease of purchasing power because of rising costs of goods due to each individual dollar having less value.
Is that a good thing? Absolutely not! Money is valuable because it is finite. More
money equals less value. Less money equals more value. That is why air is free and gold is
expensive. Since there is more money in the system a person would need to make more to be of the same wealth they were in the year prior.
Inflation makes the prices of goods and services go up. And that leads to workers spending less, which then causes companies to shut down. Inflation can be checked naturally if wages are going up, but lately- especially 2020 and 2021, that just isn’t the case. The people that hurt the most from inflation are paycheck-to-paycheck low-income workers. They have no cushion when inflation predictably rises.
If inflation is so bad, why do governments let it happen? That is a complicated question, but the biggest reason is government overspending. In short, governments spend more money than they get from taxes. The amount of money they spend, but don’t have available, gets printed. Governments do this because they need money now, and the easiest way to do this is to simply print more money. The printed money gets pinned on the federal government as debt, but that doesn’t help solve inflation.
​
Before citizens blame politicians for all of their woes just know that to fix a one-year U.S. federal government budget you would need to cut 2.77 trillion dollars out of the budget or about one-third. So, kiss goodbye to all your favorite government programs such as pensions, welfare, Medicare, infrastructure etc. Nobody would vote for the guy that wants to take away grandma’s medicare, but that is what it would have to take to fix the budget and stop inflation.
​
Yes, society is truly doomed, however, know these simple ways a person could use to grow their wealth and stay on top of inflation. Investing in stocks and getting passive income is a great way of staying ahead of inflation. If the inflation rate is 7% but a dude’s stocks grew 8%, he would be 1% wealthier. Now combine that with his income from his job, now he isn’t doing so badly. Everyone knows that the rat race sucks—and it does.