Correction: Let's NOT widen the gap between birders and non birders! (Heh)
On Thu, Jan 18, 2024 at 13:25 N D <
drisseq.n at gmail.com> wrote:
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Hi Tweets,
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After reading the entire article, it's important to realize the potential
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benefits of this equipment instead of a knee-jerk reaction.
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Consider overall how we are only at the beginning of the AI age. There
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are many potentials to this tech:
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Birders easily slam down 2-5K on camera equipment; these binoculars might
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be a much better choice.
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They will prevent folks from missing birds while trying to ID using a
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phone app or book. One will INSTANTLY be able to get photos to document the
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species, and this equipment will probably evolve into containing an actual
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guide app teaching features and ID marks to birders. Peterson will not turn
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but jump for joy in his grave as his publication evolves! Merlin is not
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Swarovski. Merlin is free for a reason.
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Everyone could have access to become a master birder, in their own time.
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Isn't this what technology is already allowing us to do? Work from home,
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work out own hours, have more independence...
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For those in rural areas or with no access to teachers, those with medical
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conditions and disabilities who are unable to join groups, it's a game
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changer.
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Those who find birding a huge challenge on it's own.
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Imagine being on a pelagic with this.
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It's hard to take photos on a boat! (Btw you don't have to have the ID
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part on to use them.)
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With a built-in camera, a magnification that is better/as good as a
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telephoto lens, and a retail price cheaper than many birders spend on
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equipment; Hopefully a SCOPE with the same specifications will be on the
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way! That, many would buy, if it was accurate, I argue.
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More people would be out looking for cool birds! More rare WA birds will
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be identified by less experienced birders; Thus bringing more birders
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into the field, Thus bringing higher, new (and non-new) species totals to
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the state.
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I imagine now our esteemed WBRC secretary must be close to losing it with
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excitement! In fact, I know he is! ;)
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Seriously, it can be the inability to ID birds that stops some people from
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birding or from becoming better birders. How many give up after buying the
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wrong binoculars or the wrong book or after having a bad experience after
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their accurate ID has been put down? With photos and AI, the playing field
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is leveling and it's going to get more even. And when we get the amount
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of data from a Nat Geo onto this...
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Sure they're taking a short cut but if that's the price for having more of
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the population into birding, and therefore more folks understanding that
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development and skyscraper lights kill birds, then perhaps these issues
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will have more impact so that they can be ameliorated.
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One mustn't assume that self-teaching technology will turn the world into
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autonomous idiocracy.
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Sometimes people don't scope or bird on their own because they can't id
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the birds on their own even with an app or book!
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I look at all the Facebook questions for IDs on female RWBL and I say to
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you all; surely this is better than a Facebook group ID? It's faster and we
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don't have to spend time answering the same ID questions.
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I have observed and discussed with friends (ok, with Raphael) that birders
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prefer to bird together at Discovery Point because they help each other or
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spur each other on, but if there's no one else there, then they tend to go
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home sooner and probably miss rarities. This could be the equivalent of a
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birding buddy.
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Experienced birders may condescend at this new tech because it took them
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500 years to learn birding, but what if this AI eventually teaches greener
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birders HOW to ID what they're looking at AND FASTER? The only difference
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between this and having a Sibley ID guide app could be that it is faster
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and you won't miss birds by having a nose in a book/app.
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Classes can still be taught but field trips will be better with these bins
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becoming functional aids that trip leaders can employ to teach the ways of
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ID, and so they can spend more time teaching!
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Many folks can't afford a trip to PR and a guide and photographic
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equipment. But they can choose a hotel, and bird on their own if this AI
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improves to include geographical information.
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Let's remove any negative attachment to technological progress and see
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with wider awareness what this equipment can truly evolve into and do for
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birding and for our community.
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While this invention may not help those who can't afford them, one hopes
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that individuals with wealth will be more drawn to birding and devote more
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financial and political contribution to helping birds.
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I welcome our new AI binocular overlords. Let's widen the gap between
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birders and non birders. Let's draw down the social barriers that cause
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superiority as opposed to equanimity.
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Let's use our imagination positively and this will empower those pathways
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to manifestation.
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Swarovski are not just making sales. They're making great equipment and
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also changing the rules for a reason.
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And hopefully these will come down in price too.
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N Drisseq
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(Former research molecular biologist, now retired)
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