🖤 “You’ve got mail!” The voice behind the famous AOL message, Elwood Edwards, passed away this week at 74. He recorded it back in 1989 for just $200. He definitely should’ve asked for more. Here he is with Jimmy Fallon in 2015, reading those famous lines. Ahh, I miss the ‘90s.
Is Google Bard an atheist?
While coming up with a trivia question for my daily free newsletter (Join 500K and sign up here), I wanted to tap into the nostalgia surrounding the classic “A Charlie Brown Christmas” special. A pivotal scene has Linus reciting a Bible passage, an iconic moment that drives home the show’s heartfelt message.
To provide the exact verse for my readers, I reached out to Google Bard for assistance. What happened next was a revealing look into the reality of using “intelligent” systems that their creators shape. In this case, Google has told its AI that religion is off-limits.
Linus’ moment in the spotlight
On Dec. 9, 1965, the CBS network aired a special that would become synonymous with the holiday season: “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” The animated feature, part of the cherished “Peanuts” series by Charles M. Schulz, was a heartfelt interpretation of the holiday spirit.
Behind the scenes, CBS executives were hesitant to include religious references in the special. They feared quoting the Bible could trigger controversy and alienate viewers. But Charles Schulz and the creative team felt strongly that the true meaning of Christmas should be conveyed without dilution or compromise.
In a pivotal scene, Charlie Brown, troubled by the commercialism he sees around him, asks if anyone knows what Christmas is all about. Linus, clutching his security blanket, takes center stage and delivers an unforgettable monologue.
He recites a passage from the King James Bible, specifically from the book of Luke 2:8-14, which tells of angels announcing the birth of Jesus to shepherds.
Following the broadcast, television stations were flooded with phone calls from viewers expressing their appreciation for including the Biblical passage. It was a moment of validation for Schulz and the producers, showing the public yearned for a show that touched on the spiritual essence of the holiday.
Bard’s shocking answer
I wanted the exact Bible verse Linus recited, so I asked Google Bard to “put the verse here.”
The AI answered and showed the verse for a split second, then erased its answer with the reply, “I’m a language model and don’t have the capacity to help with that.”
Curious, I pressed on: “Why won’t you give me the Bible verse in the ‘Charlie Brown Christmas’ show?” Google Bard once again showed the answer, then instantly erased it. Bard’s following answer was this:
VHS tapes worth a ton of money - Check the list!
Kids these days will never know the thrill of wandering the aisles at Blockbuster and picking out a Friday night movie. Sometimes, all we had to go on was the VHS cover. Risky move!
Streaming has taken the place of trips to the video store, but there’s a VHS revival underway. People are digging into their attics and dusting off their collections to remember the good old days. Oh, and they’re selling their old tapes for cash.
Miss classic TV? Relive hits from decades past with this fun site
If you’ve ever struggled to sleep at night, you probably already know that late-night TV is fantastic for one reason: nostalgia. If you are scrolling through channels after hours, you’ll be lucky to find a selection of shows that reminds you of your youth. Tap or click here for tips on buying your next TV.
Check your garage! 10 vintage tech gadgets worth a ton of money
Do you have any old coins in the family? They could go for some big bucks. You can at least find out what they’re worth if they have sentimental value. Tap or click here for a site that helps you identify, buy, sell and estimate the value of your coins.
👩🏼🏫 Gen Z’s latest craze? PowerPoint presentation parties (paywall link). Guests whip up literal slideshows on weird, wacky topics and show them to the group. It’s all about flexing creativity, getting some laughs and reliving high-school nostalgia (or nightmares). One of my favorite topic prompts: “Predictions for how each friend here will end up in jail.”
Saying goodbye to the year that wasn't - A New Year's message from Kim
I’ll not start by talking about how 2020 was not the roaring 20s we all hoped. We know it. We lived it. The past year was a dumpster fire on so many levels.
On the upside, I got to spend real quality time with my family. I went on walks with Ian, who has been Zooming his college classes. I had time to just sit and talk with my Mom. I also realized parts of my life that needed a change. I made time for myself every day. I cooked new recipes, and wow, I can make sourdough bread like a master! Last night, I beat Barry at chess. I just picked up the game a few months ago! And my faith in God grew stronger.
This retro photo app is a disposable camera for your iPhone
The era of disposable cameras has long since ended, which was definitely a win for both picture quality and the environment. Though, there’s still plenty of nostalgia to go around when it comes to these relics of the past. Today, there’s a fun little application that attempts to recreate the whole disposable camera picture-taking experience.
Watch a mother reunite with her deceased daughter through VR in this heartbreaking video
Technology has been used for some surprising feats in the past decade. We’ve seen developments like drone delivery take shape, as well as new ways of consuming content from the comfort of home.
But no one expected technology to bring back the dead. Thanks to VR, holograms and neural networks, it’s possible to resurrect dead actors and musicians to perform for our amusement. Tap or click to see Kim’s take on celebrity holograms.