What was the first toy advertised on television? Was it … A.) Barbie, B.) Hula-Hoop, C.) Mr. Potato Head or D.) Slinky?
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:
The big mistake you’re making cleaning your TV
Once the TV is on and you’re watching your favorite show, you have something else to contend with: All that tracking. Yes, your TV will likely keep tabs on you and share that data. Tap or click here for the steps you can take to stop the privacy invasion.
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.
Your TV is spying on you, but you can stop it
Fun fact: The first Compaq Portable computer shipped in 1983 and cost more than $8,400 in today’s dollars. Wow, times have changed.
Still, your computer is a significant investment, and you want it to perform well for years. Tap or click for my five-minute fix to speed up your PC.
It took radio 38 years to reach an audience of 50 million and just 13 years for television to hit that mark. How long did it take Facebook to reach 50 million users? Was it … A.) 6 months, B.) 1.5 years, C.) 3 years or D.) 5 years?
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Simple steps to improve your new or old TV’s picture quality
TVs are cheap this time of year, but people are often disappointed after buying a new set. The picture quality doesn’t live up to expectations. Fortunately, a better picture is just a few adjustments away.
Let’s say you snag a great deal on a fancy new TV. All you have to do is plug it in and start watching your favorite TV shows and movies. But as soon as you start, you notice that the colors are off or too bright.
Turn off this TV setting ASAP
With most tech gadgets, you get what you pay for. That means cool features and high-quality visuals are often limited to expensive devices. However, you don’t have to pay an arm and a leg to get a five-star experience when it comes to TVs.
Why you might start seeing ads over what you're watching on Roku
At this point, seeing targeted ads on sites like Facebook is no surprise. The good news is you don’t have to live with them. Tap or click here for ways to stop ad tracking on Facebook.
But the last place you’d expect to see targeted ads is through your television. If you have a Roku TV, don’t be shocked when ads start popping up while you’re streaming your favorite show.
Use a Roku? Check out this new Live TV section
Finding something to watch on television or your favorite streaming service can be a bit of a chore. You often spend more time browsing than watching with thousands of shows to choose from. If that sounds like you, these handy sites can help you find the streaming shows you’re looking for.
Need something to stream? 10 great shows and movies we're watching right now
Sick of binging the “Big Bang Theory” over and over again? With so many streaming services out there, it’s easy to think we can never run out of good television to watch. Tap or click here to stream like a pro: seven Netflix hacks you’ll use all the time.
True or false: Your TV is draining power when it's in standby mode
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TV picture quality: 6 quick steps for better images no matter the price of your TV
How much time have you spent over the years customizing your gadgets to work just how you want them? From icons to background images to ringtones, you can endlessly fiddle.
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This $400K folding TV hides in the floor when you're not watching
Have your TV habits changed since the start of the pandemic? With all the new shows and direct-to-streaming films, you are likely watching more than ever. There’s no reason to feel guilty. These are trying times, after all, and television can be a nice escape when you can’t really go anywhere else.
3 simple steps to improve your TV's picture quality
A common complaint we hear from readers is how disappointed they are after buying a new TV. The main problem is the picture quality doesn’t live up to expectations.
The thing is, it isn’t necessarily the TV’s fault. Any new television can be a disappointment when you first get it home. That’s often because they aren’t always calibrated correctly for your home’s lighting.
Tech how-to: Watch live TV from your computer without paying for cable
There’s been a big push recently to cut the cord from expensive cable subscriptions. Streaming services have made it easy to leave behind costly cable or satellite subscriptions and still get access to the shows you want to watch. If you want to cut the cord, these are the best streaming options for any budget.
Cable TV and internet price hikes coming in 2021 - check the list
As certain as the ball drop in New York City on New Year’s Eve, internet service providers will also be ringing in the new year with a host of price increases.
Fortunately, a new law could help keep your monthly fees in check. You’ll at least get more transparency with your bills. Tap or click here to find out how the Television Viewer Protection Act will impact you.
Can't decide what to watch? Try this streaming recommendation app
Back when cable TV was your only option the system was broken. You ended up paying tons of money every month just to watch television. Just how much you’d pay depended upon which package you chose. Certain channels came in certain packages, and then there were separate packages for premium channels, sports and any other type of niche.
Binge-watching too much TV? Here's how to cut back
A couple of months into the COVID-19 lockdown and you’ve probably got binge-watching down to a science. You’ve calculated your watch time and memorized when all your favorites air and when new content is coming out.