To the Editor
Re: "V.A. Workers See Chaos in Services for Mental Care" (front page, March 24)
I am a Vietnam veteran. I spent more than 1,000 hours flying to bases between Saigon and the Cambodian border. After returning home in 1971, I went back to school and buried the war.
In 1990, Operation Desert Shield opened up a can of trauma for me and many vets. I believe all the V.A. health services today are nonpareil.
About 6 percent of the nation’s population are veterans, and surveys have found that more than half of Americans have a close relative who has served in the military. Yet I do not hear or see my senators nor, with some exceptions, my representatives, objecting publicly and loudly to what President Trump and his appointees are doing to our veterans’ services. If they want to be re-elected, they should get some backbone and speak out for the V.A. and all veterans.
This is not a political issue but one affecting the health of the nation. Their deafening silence is a gross dishonor. Let’s put some substance behind "thank you for your service."
James C. Wright
Gladwyne, Pa.
The Trump Administration’s Order
The Trump administration’s order that Veterans Affairs mental health professionals conduct therapy calls in an open-floor office violates the privacy interests of their patients, and reflects a similar mistake of the Reagan administration’s opening policy, which it was forced to reverse.
Thomas E. Templeton
Latham, N.Y.
The writer is a licensed mental health counselor.
Losses in Nature
Re: "What the Dodo Tells Us, 300 Years After Its Extinction" (Opinion guest essay, nytimes.com, March 9)
Dr. Bergland rightly notes that extinction is nothing new. But as the chief scientist at the World Wildlife Fund, I am disturbed by the current rate of nature loss.
Monitored wildlife populations have declined on average by 73 percent in less than 50 years. Life on earth hasn’t seen losses this steep since the dinosaurs. Unlike the dinosaurs, however, we have the power to stop and even reverse much of the damage.
Our planet is barreling toward negative tipping points that, if crossed, will have dire consequences for not just nature, but for people as well. That may sound alarmist to some, but the health of even a single species population can have surprising ripple effects and could be the trigger for a more expansive tipping point.
Rebecca Shaw
San Francisco
A.I. and Humans
Re: "A.I. Will Soon Be Smarter Than Humans. Let’s Discuss" by Kevin Roose (The Shift column, Sunday Business, March 16)
I would like to point out that despite all the current fear-mongering, artificial intelligence is not a threat to human beings.
A.I. is an incredible tool when used properly. Its main value is in its predictive abilities. It can sift through huge amounts of data and discern patterns that the human brain, as predisposed to pattern-seeking as it is, cannot.
But A.I. cannot replace human thought. It can never write a work of literature. Yes, it can emulate past authors, but it can do so only in predictive ways. Or random ways.
What it cannot do is create the unexpected. That is something only a gifted author can do. And by "unexpected" I do not mean random. I mean the precise turn of events that creates the most surprise in the reader’s mind, and also the sense that what happened was, in fact, precisely what should have been expected.
Only a human mind can do that. So rest assured: A.I. will not replace us.
David Frank DeLuca
Palm Bay, Fla.
Conclusion
The articles above highlight the importance of addressing the issues faced by veterans, the devastating impact of nature loss, and the potential of artificial intelligence. It is crucial that we acknowledge the concerns of veterans and work towards providing them with the necessary support and services. Additionally, it is essential to address the alarming rate of nature loss and the potential consequences of inaction. Furthermore, the development of artificial intelligence should be approached with a nuanced understanding of its capabilities and limitations.
FAQs
Q: What are the main concerns of veterans?
A: The main concerns of veterans include the lack of support and services provided by the Veterans Affairs, the impact of trauma on their mental health, and the need for a more comprehensive approach to addressing their needs.
Q: What is the current state of nature loss?
A: The current state of nature loss is alarming, with monitored wildlife populations declining on average by 73 percent in less than 50 years.
Q: Is artificial intelligence a threat to human beings?
A: No, artificial intelligence is not a threat to human beings. It is an incredible tool when used properly, but it cannot replace human thought and creativity.
