As I roll out of bed, bleary-eyed and in a waspish state of mind, I stumble towards my desk, tying my hair back and opening my computer.
I begin with The New York Times mini crossword, followed by the USA Today. I shower, get dressed and return for a session of intense concentration with the Los Angeles Times as well as the regular one for The New York Times, and if I’m feeling particularly antsy, I breeze through a quick Universal crossword while I wait for my first period at school to begin. During breaks, I complete The Wall Street Journal and The New Yorker. After arriving home, I go to the New York Magazine archive and fill out the ones that are yet to be completed, that being entertaining enough to keep me sated for the remainder of the day.
It’s a dizzying high, an addiction of sorts, one that I’ve grown accustomed to over the years. I began in my freshman year of high school, finding a quiet comfort as the words clicked together, adoring the unity and neat logic that it required. Growing up, I was atrocious at Sudokus, would get bored within a few minutes of jigsaws, and couldn’t wrap my head around chess. But this? This was a welcome escape from the world around me, one that I found I enjoyed and was even good at.
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There is an indescribable feeling of satisfaction as the terms match up, a certain kind of joy any avid crossword aficionado (or cruciverbalist, the official term for one who enjoys completing these puzzles) is familiar with when all white squares are tidily filled. I smile to myself as I scan the cryptic clues, giddy with the feeling of achievement, wondering why I didn’t spot the obvious before. Once I finish, I pore over the hints I found confusing and keep them in mind for days ahead. A new, beautifully intricate theme awaits me with every crossword I complete, the range spanning from obscure TV shows to the latest pop culture references.
As I dove deeper into this unknown world, I grew more familiar with references and terms I wouldn’t have been close to solving just a few months ago. There is still so much to learn, and I found myself growing more adept at puzzling them out by the day. Curious, I searched up the long-term benefits of the daily solving of crosswords and came across numerous studies that discussed the positives of incorporating this task into everyday life.
You can learn a lot of new things through crossword puzzles. Photo: Shutterstock
According to an article by Harvard Health, those with mild memory problems who did web-based crossword puzzles daily showed improvement in cognition and experienced less brain shrinkage, specifically in the hippocampus and the cortex. In addition, performing moderately difficult cognitive tasks on a daily basis is proven to aid in cognitive and brain health, as crosswords engage several brain regions at once and forge new connections, which strengthens the brain over a period of time.
The more regularly you engage with these puzzles, the better you will perform on tasks assessing attention, reasoning and memory. For teenagers, getting better at puzzles will aid you even more – college students who regularly do crosswords score an average of 700 or higher on their SATs.
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Potential dangers of AI hang over us
Alvin Wong, Carmel Secondary School
As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to advance at an unprecedented pace, it has become a source of both fascination and concern. I am writing to delve into the analogy of AI as a modern-day Sword of Damocles, symbolising the potential risks and challenges it poses to humanity. While AI offers immense opportunities, we must critically examine its impact to ensure that it remains a force for good.
AI has made remarkable advancements, revolutionising various aspects of our lives. From autonomous vehicles to personalised recommendations, AI systems have demonstrated their ability to enhance efficiency, accuracy and convenience. AI holds the potential to address complex problems, improve healthcare and drive scientific discoveries.
There’s a lot of potential in AI, but we should be aware of the consequences, too. Photo: Shutterstock
However, the rapid progress of AI also raises concerns, echoing the Sword of Damocles metaphor. The immense power and potential consequences of AI development hang over us, demanding our attention and caution.
One of the primary concerns surrounding AI is its impact on employment. With the automation of tasks and the rise of intelligent machines, there is a fear of widespread job displacement. It is crucial to address the ethical and social implications of this shift, ensuring a smooth transition and offering support to affected individuals.
Another significant concern is the potential for AI to reinforce existing biases and inequalities. If not carefully designed and regulated, AI systems can perpetuate discrimination, exacerbating societal divisions and injustices. Bias in algorithms and data sets must be identified and mitigated to ensure fairness and inclusivity.
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To prevent the metaphorical sword from falling, it is essential to establish robust governance and regulations around AI development and deployment. Transparency, accountability and ethical guidelines should form the foundation of AI systems, ensuring that they align with human values and do not pose threats to privacy, security or individual liberties.
Fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and dialogue is crucial. Ethicists, policymakers, technologists and the public must engage in informed discussions about the risks and benefits of AI, enabling collective decision-making and responsible development.
Like the Sword of Damocles, AI presents both promise and peril. By addressing ethical concerns, ensuring inclusivity and establishing thoughtful regulations, we can harness its power for the betterment of humanity. It is through responsible and collaborative efforts that we can avert the potential threats and embrace the transformative possibilities of AI.
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