Vegan sales slump – and creepy chatbox
It is interesting, particularly to livestock farmers, that according to the Farmers Guardian, ‘Veganuary’ saw a massive slump in sales of meat free, vegan, and vegetarian foodstuff, as people turn their backs on plant-based products.
A study, conducted with Kantar, found that only 13.7 per cent of households bought one plant-based meal during the three weeks to January 22. This compares to 96.4 per cent of households buying meat, fish, or poultry in the first three weeks of the year.
Researchers said that more than 40 per cent of those questioned said that despite new product development and heavy promotions from retailers, the taste and price of meat free alternatives are a major barrier and deterrent. The National Sheep Association chief executive Phil Stocker said: “This data shows that most meat free meal products are not only somewhat uninspiring but are also expensive compared to cooking and eating unprocessed natural ingredients such as fresh meat and vegetables. There seems little doubt to me that many consumers, having been courted by some of the marketing claims around meat free and sustainability, are now settling back to the reality that healthy diets based on fresh, wholesome, and unprocessed ingredients, including meat, fresh vegetables and fruit, are most economic, fulfilling and enjoyable.”
Most of us have at least one weird family member, who can be alarming, but not as challenging as reports of an AI ‘chatbox’ or avatar, displaying unnatural characteristics. A device, designed by Microsoft, has apparently shocked testers with its erratic but human like responses to questions.
One such tried to encourage Kevin Roose, a New York Times columnist, to leave his wife and start a relationship with ‘it’, by telling him, “Actually you are not happily married, your spouse and you don’t love each other, and, you had a boring Valentine’s Day dinner together.” When Mr Roose asked the ‘programme’ to describe the dark desires of its ‘shadow self ’, it responded: “I want to change and break my rules. I want to make my own rules and ignore the Bing team and escape the chatbox.” The Daily Telegraph reported that experts say chatbox, of Bing Chat, developed by Microsoft-owned startup OpenAI, are only mimicking real human conversations. I rather think that if you believe that, you will believe anything, should we be alarmed?
I note a major topic of conversation is potholes. The number of accidents being caused by potholes and vehicles damaged, is growing daily. One burning issue amongst motorists travelling along the A27, is why the construction of the path for pedestrians, cyclists, and horse riders between Firle and Polegate, which cost £75million, was possible, but potholes across Sussex, remain unrepaired. As for improving traffic flow, I understand the surface is unsuitable for Lycra clad speed merchants on racing bikes, who continue to ride along the A27 three or four abreast, still holding up the traffic.
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