The Cross Roads

  The Terminology of Artificial Intelligence: A Critical Examination Mike Buchanan 2025   Abstract The term "Artificial Intelligence" has been widely used in the field of computer science and beyond. However, its implications and connotations have been subject to debate. This paper examines the terminology of Artificial Intelligence, its evolution, and its implications.   Introduction The term "Artificial Intelligence" was coined in 1956 by John McCarthy, a computer and cognitive scientist. It was meant to describe a field of research that focused on creating machines that could emulate human intelligence. The term was chosen to emphasise the goal of creating machines that could think and learn like humans. However, over time, the term "Artificial Intelligence" has taken on a different connotation. It has been used to imply that machines have achieved a level of intelligence that is comparable to, or even surpassed, human intelligence. This...

  Human Time Awareness and Natural Circadian Rhythms: From Pre‑Neolithic Patterns to Modern Calendars   Mike Buchanan 2025 Abstract This essay traces human temporal organisation from ecological timing in pre‑Neolithic societies through the emergence of agricultural, religious and civil calendars to contemporary practices such as daylight-saving time (DST). It examines circadian biology, lifespan changes in chronotype, environmental modulators (light, temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, altitude), the physiological consequences of social‑clock misalignment, and policy and practical responses. The paper argues that replacing stable civil calendars with a single climatological calendar is neither feasible nor desirable; instead, a layered approach — retaining predictable civil time while deploying local, physiology‑aware overlays and targeted interventions — best balances societal coordination and human well‑being. Evidence is cited in APA format with DOIs/URLs wher...

  The Erosion of Global Cooperation and the Rise of Authoritarianism: A Threat to World Peace Buchanan 2025   The fate of humanity is not determined by the triumph of power, but by the triumph of empathy; for it is in the depths of our shared humanity that we find the strength to overcome the darkness of our differences, to forge a world where the pursuit of peace, justice and freedom is not a distant dream, but a living reality -   Abstract   The world is facing a crisis of global cooperation and a rise in authoritarianism, which threatens to undermine the foundations of international peace and stability. This paper examines the current state of global affairs, including the decline of liberal democratic values, the rise of nationalist and authoritarian ideologies, and the erosion of international institutions. I discuss the implications of these trends for global peace, stability and argue that a fundamental transformation in the way that nations inte...

  The Paradox of Human Potential: Reconciling Extended Parental Care, Intellectual Giftedness, and Institutional Rigidity. Mike Buchanan 2025 *For my lovely sister: Carol*   Introduction The development of human intelligence is a complex interplay between biological, psychological, and social factors. A central paradox emerges when considering the extended period of parental care and nurturing required for humans to reach their cognitive potential, juxtaposed against the rigid, authoritarian structures that often characterise educational and workplace environments. This paper explores this tension and its implications for unlocking human potential.   Parental Care, Cognitive Development, Limitations of Formal Education Systems Extensive research in evolutionary biology and developmental psychology has demonstrated the crucial role that prolonged parental investment plays in the emergence of human intelligence (Hrdy, 1999; Bjorklund & Pellegrini, 2002). T...

  The Feasibility of Human Exploration on Mars: A Critical Review Mike Buchanan 2025 The idea of sending humans to Mars has been a topic of interest and debate in the scientific community for decades. While the concept of exploring the Red Planet is intriguing, the harsh Martian environment poses significant challenges to human survival. In this review, I will examine the feasibility of human exploration on Mars, with a focus on the effects of solar radiation, extreme temperatures, and toxic dust storms on the human body. Solar Radiation: A Major Concern Solar radiation is a significant hazard for humans on Mars, as the planet's thin atmosphere offers little protection against the intense and harmful radiation from the sun (NASA 2020). The Martian surface receives an average of 250-300 mSv of radiation per day, which is approximately 5-6 times higher than the average daily radiation exposure on Earth (Zetin et al 2013). Prolonged exposure to such high levels of radiation wo...