This is not directly about our hobby. But it is a caution for us all. A short time ago I was trading emails with a friend about dam construction back in the 1920s and 1930, on the Columbia River. Be very careful if you research anything these days via Google, etc. "AI" is quickly taking over. For example, the subject of dams had me wanting to refresh memory on some dates. So, Googling, I stumbled upon an AI answer that Bonneville Dam was the first on the Columbia River. This is absolutely false. Another AI list which I had asked for just the Columbia, added in a bunch from far, far off the main stream tributaries. (Useless fluff, as to my inquiry.) While yet another AI reply omitted at least one well known site altogether. I'm not looking to get into any debate about AI. Just wishing to be certain everyone knows it is still highly flawed concept and you must take care that what you find is indeed factual.
Flawed indeed. I don't even trust it as far as I can throw it. It's great for very specialized applications (like medicine) where the database is limited to just the application's field - and not connected to the internet for anything other than updates. But for handling huge amounts of data, it's just like a human with information overload - it goes bonkers to varying degrees. They just don't have the critical thinking skills that help in sorting out fantasy from reality. I'll take NI (Natural Intelligence) over AI any day of the week. My little gray cells work just fine.
We can quickly spot omissions and BS on railroading because we know the topic well. Other users who don't know as much assume they are reading accurate information and use it, unwittingly spreading bad information for others to find and repost. Arrrgh.o This is why I like my books. It takes longer to find what I'm looking for, but I have more faith in what I find.
Very good points. I make it a habit when researching online to check at least three (sometimes 4 or 5) sources and if I get the same results I figure it is closer to fact than fiction. Not a guarantee, but does provide some cross check.
Amen! Books can't be hacked, or AI'ed, or otherwise messed around with. Once they're printed, they're permanent. And I like the smell of old books.
Yessir! A few years back I read someone's post on a rail forum (not TrainBoard) where he expressed frustration over not being able to find pictures of what he needed on the Internet. I wasn't a member of the forum, so didn't respond, but a solution in books had somehow escaped his notice.
Definitely a great research - web surfing suggestion. The 3-5 sources was a rule in college when writing papers. 3 unrelated sources.
