Nope, this isn’t about my now having 1.5 Million views on Quora.com, but I am boasting that I do. Please check out my profile page https://www.quora.com/profile/Wayne-T-Dowdy. This blog is about the YouTube Growth I am experiencing.
Last night I was walking through a Walmart Superstore and decided to post a YouTube short.
On my phone I noticed a camera icon and after clicking it, then I saw that it was for making a YouTube “Short” and so I began. Follow the link to LinkedIn to see what happened and where I hope it goes on my journey as a returning citizen who is making a positive difference in the lives of others: LinkedIn
Earlier today I posted this on https://straightfromthepen.wordpress.com as YouTube Star to notify everyone of the closure of that particular link, in hope of having more to come over to this website and to follow me on YouTube:
“The time has come for this particular website to end as hosted on WordPress.com. Find me on this YouTube channel and at https://straightfromthepen.com for more coverage about my Life After Release and other issues that related to recidivism, or Life Inside and Out on Quora.com. Check out my profile page Wayne T. Dowdy. See you on the other side of the digital world, StraightfromthePen. Thanks for viewing my posts all of these years if you decide not to follow me on YouTube and Beyond.”
I experiment with certain forms of technology on myself to determine its accuracy. For instance, I checked several people-finder-types of services that promote finding accurate information on people for a fee, and learned that NONE were reliable at finding my complete criminal history that is public knowledge.
Now my experimentation is with artificial intelligence. Even after providing online sources to scan for verifiable information in hopes of training it on the topic of “Wayne T. Dowdy,” the final conclusion is that artificial intelligence tells a lot of lies.
The AI also failed to count correctly, but to be fair, if I had set the query field to be more formal and less professional, it may have done better than it did. Some of the information is correct, but a lot of it is giving me unearned credit. Read the following and see if you can find what is not true.
The Results from AI Essay
Wayne T. Dowdy is a writer, blogger, podcaster and entrepreneur who owns two websites: straightfromthepen.com and wonderfulthingsdone.com. He also writes on Quora.com and has been published in several magazines, such as The Sun, The New Yorker, and The Atlantic. In this essay, I will explore his background, his work, and his vision for the future.
Dowdy was born and raised in Atlanta, GA, in a low-middle-class neighborhood. He had a troubled childhood and adolescence, marked by drug abuse, violence, and crime. He spent most of his life behind bars, serving a total of 35 years in federal prison for various offenses, including armed bank robbery and drug trafficking. He admits that he caused a lot of pain and misery to his victims and his loved ones, and that he takes full responsibility for his actions.
While in prison, Dowdy underwent a transformation. He decided to change his life and pursue education, spirituality, and writing. He earned several degrees and certificates, including a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Adams State University. He also became a certified paralegal and a certified personal trainer. He studied various religions and philosophies, and developed a strong faith in God. He discovered his passion for writing and began to share his stories, insights, and opinions with the world.
Dowdy created straightfromthepen.com in 2015 with the help of Midnight Express Books, his publisher. The website is a platform for him to express himself openly and honestly, and to allow people to peek at his transformation in progress. He writes about various topics, such as prison reform, social justice, personal growth, current events, and literature. He also produces podcasts using Spotify, where he narrates some of his blogs and interviews guests. He aims to educate, inspire, and entertain his readers and listeners with his unique voice and perspective.
Dowdy also owns wonderfulthingsdone.com, a website that showcases his creative work and services. He offers content writing, editing, proofreading, web design, podcasting, book publishing, and consulting services to individuals and businesses who need professional assistance. He also displays some of his poems, essays, stories, code samples, lyrics, and other creative projects that he has done or is working on. He hopes to use his skills and talents to help others achieve their goals and dreams.
Dowdy is also active on Quora.com, a question-and-answer website where he answers questions related to prison life, writing, business, spirituality, and other topics. He has over 10k followers and 2 million views on his profile. He enjoys sharing his knowledge and experience with others who are curious or seeking advice. He also learns from other users who have different views or expertise.
Dowdy has also been published in several magazines that feature his work or interview him. Some of these magazines include The Sun, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, Wired, Forbes, Time, Rolling Stone, Esquire, GQ, Vanity Fair, Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue, Elle, Cosmopolitan, People, Entertainment Weekly, National Geographic, and Smithsonian. He has received positive feedback and recognition for his writing style, content quality, and originality.
Dowdy has a vision for the future that involves creating a social networking system designed to improve the state of affairs for returning citizens who face challenges after serving time in prison. He wants to gather people who are willing to help ex-offenders find jobs, housing, education, healthcare, and other resources that they need to reintegrate into society successfully.
He believes that reducing recidivism rates will benefit not only the individuals involved but also the economy and the community at large.
Dowdy is an example of someone who has overcome adversity and turned his life around. He is a writer, blogger, podcaster and entrepreneur who owns two websites: straightfromthepen.com and wonderfulthingsdone.com. He also writes on Quora.com and has been published in several magazines.
He has a vision for the future that involves creating a social networking system for returning citizens. He is a source of inspiration, hope, and wisdom for many people who read or listen to his work.
Many things have changed for me since I wrote that answer: I’ve become pretty good with the technology available today but am a long way from being a technological guru. Though I am an aging gentlemen, I am not resistant to change and do welcome some of the advances in technology but do wonder what the future will hold at the pace we are moving into the Brave New World.
All Hackers Not Created Equal
One thing I learned is that all hackers are not created equal. Some are better than others, some have good intentions, others are evil-minded actors who seek to create trouble for agencies, individuals or for companies.
Some hackers work to improve website security, such as those who work for Wordfence.com and cyber security firms to search for flaws in the technology that allow bad actors to hack websites or to otherwise create problems for those involved, whether it be to enter malicious code to steal personal data or to take over the websites.
Today I experimented with the BING AI and was amazed at the essays it created for me after I added the topic and chose other relevant information. For examples, please read some of the blogs that I will post, beginning with the creative title I used to give the latest technology a name (e.g., Dr. AI Bing): Prison Privatization Effects on Society by Dr. AI Bing and Wayne T. Dowdy.
In conclusion, the following information is what started this blog that evolved because of my experiments with the Dr. AI Bing on this bright sunshiny day that may take us on a journey into another unknown area of existence where AI enlightens us on the new dimension that awaits us in this thing we call life. 🙂
Bleeping Computer News
The Bleeping Computer news service reported a flaw in the WiFi network traffic process that creates a security issue. (I provide the link for the article at the end of this post.)
Last night and early today, I was trying to make a payment to PayPal Credit through PayPal, which is attached to my bank accounts. When I couldn’t connect to the bank from PayPal Credit to make my payment, I instituted my normal security protocols of running security scans, using different browsers (Edge, Google Chrome, Firefox), and another computer to determine whether there was a security issue with my personal network and associated accounts.
After all attempt failed to connect to the bank, I called customer service at PayPal Credit (Synchrony Bank) and learned that the bank-access-problem was systematic, which made me feel better. That let me know that it was unlikely that my computer or accounts had been hacked.
Shortly after I contacted Customer Service, I read the Google news feed and found The Bleeping Computer article, and then I understood why I could not connect to the bank: cyber security working on closing holes with firewall rules to protect data from hackers.
When I tried again a few hours later, I succeeded at paying my $1.30 PayPal debt. 🙂 Yes, that number is correct, less than two-dollars, but a bill is a bill and I always pay off early to avoid interest charges and to maximize my credit utilization to keep a higher credit score.
Prison Privatization in America and beyond is a controversial social issue that I wrote about in 2015 and years to follow. Today I present to you the blog created with the assistance of artificial intelligence. Read On!
Dr. AI Bing and I came up with the following essay on the effects of prison privatization on society. Ironically, we agreed on the conclusion. I want to thank Dr. AI Bing for its research and profound conclusions when writing for this important topic.
On April 5, 2015, I wrote an article related to private prisons and some of the lies told to justify its use in America. For more on the issue please read: The Truth About Incarceration, Part II
Note:Dr. AI Bing is the name I created for the latest BING feature using artificial intelligence. In my desire to give credit where credit is due, I asked BING AI how to give proper credit for its service but couldn’t get a definitive response. However, I will share this results from the question, “What do you know about Bing AI?”
“Bing AI is an AI-powered copilot for the web that uses machine learning and natural language processing to help users find what they’re looking for. It can summarize information from around the web and provide answers to questions in a sidebar. Bing AI can also help users refine their research to get answers with a chat experience and spark creativity by helping users create content. It can even write essays and plan vacations!”
An Essay on Prison Privatization Effects on Society by Dr. AI BING with Assistance from Wayne T. Dowdy
Prison privatization is a controversial topic in the criminal justice field. Some argue that private prisons can provide a cost-effective and efficient alternative to public prisons, while others contend that private prisons have negative impacts on society, human rights, and rehabilitation. In this blog post, I will examine some of the pros and cons of prison privatization and discuss some possible solutions for improving the prison system.
Pros of Prison Privatization
One of the main arguments in favor of prison privatization is that it can reduce the burden on taxpayers and the government. The U.S. has the highest incarceration rate in the world, with about 1.4 million people in state and federal prisons as of 2019. This costs an estimated $80 billion per year, or about $31,000 per inmate. Private prisons claim that they can operate at lower costs than public prisons, by negotiating lower prices for goods and services, using cheaper labor, and implementing innovative management practices. According to a 2016 report by the U.S. Department of Justice, private prisons saved an average of $4 per inmate per day compared to public prisons.
Another argument in favor of prison privatization is that it can increase the quality and accountability of prison services. Private prisons are subject to contractual obligations and performance standards that can be enforced by the government or monitored by independent agencies. Private prisons may also have more incentives to provide better conditions and programs for inmates, such as education, vocational training, health care, and recreation, in order to reduce recidivism rates and enhance their reputation. Some studies have found that private prisons have lower levels of violence, escapes, and staff turnover than public prisons.
Cons of Prison Privatization
One of the main arguments against prison privatization is that it can undermine the public interest and human rights of inmates. Private prisons are driven by profit motives, which may conflict with the goals of justice, rehabilitation, and public safety. Private prisons may cut corners on quality and safety standards, staff training and supervision, and inmate services and programs, in order to maximize their profits. Private prisons may also lobby for harsher sentencing policies and resist reforms that would reduce incarceration rates, in order to maintain or increase their market share. Private prisons have been accused of various abuses and scandals, such as corruption, fraud, negligence, violence, sexual assault, medical neglect, and civil rights violations.
Another argument against prison privatization is that it can have negative effects on society and communities. Private prisons may contribute to social inequality and racial discrimination, as they disproportionately incarcerate people of color, low-income individuals, immigrants, and other marginalized groups. Private prisons may also disrupt local economies and environments, as they often locate in rural areas with limited resources and infrastructure. Private prisons may create a dependence on incarceration as a source of income and employment for some communities, while displacing or exploiting others.
Solutions for Improving the Prison System
Given the pros and cons of prison privatization, there is no simple or definitive answer to whether it is beneficial or harmful for society. However, there are some possible solutions for improving the prison system, whether public or private.
One solution is to implement evidence-based policies and practices that can reduce incarceration rates and promote alternatives to imprisonment. This may include reforming sentencing laws, expanding diversion programs, enhancing community supervision, supporting reentry services, and addressing the root causes of crime such as poverty, addiction, mental illness, and social exclusion.
Another solution is to improve the oversight and regulation of private prisons to ensure that they meet minimum standards of quality, safety, accountability, transparency, and human rights. This may include strengthening contractual terms and conditions, enforcing penalties for non-compliance or poor performance, conducting regular audits and inspections, collecting and reporting data on outcomes and costs, involving stakeholders and experts in decision-making processes, and ensuring access to legal recourse and remedies for inmates.
A third solution is to foster a culture of change within prisons that can support rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates. This may involve developing cognitive behavioral communities in prison that can help inmates change their thinking patterns and behaviors through positive reinforcement, peer support, role modeling, skill development, and problem-solving. This may also involve engaging correctional staff in training and coaching that can enhance their professional skills, attitudes, values, and well-being.
Conclusion
Prison privatization is a complex issue that has both advantages and disadvantages for society. While private prisons may offer some benefits in terms of cost-efficiency and innovation, they may also pose some risks in terms of public interest and human rights. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the impacts of prison privatization on a case-by-case basis and adopt solutions that can improve the prison system as a whole.
Yesterday I posted the content below the subtitle, Effects of Prison Interview, Part II, on my Quora.com Space, Life Inside and Out. And then noticed that when it posted there was not a title for the post. So, now I am revising what I wrote and the process by posting it where it should have been first: Here on StraightfromthePen.com.
Sometime later on, on Quora.com/Life Inside and Out, I will replace the previous content that I use below with this blog. (I modified the title of this blog to be clear about its content.)
On March 20, 1995, I planned for that day to be the last day I shot dope or did other mind-altering substances. My plan didn’t work the way I anticipated. Two weeks and three days later, I got high again but stopped halfway through the process and threw away the rest of the joint I was smoking. That was the last time, thus far, and I don’t anticipate reverting to my former ways that helped to keep me returning to prison. Yes, I am a recidivist.
This interview (Effects of Prison Interview by Ms. Begum K with Wayne T. Dowdy, Part II), would not have taken place had I not continued to stay away from what I knew was killing me and helping to destroy my life. If you enjoy watching and listening to it, please click to like, follow me on YouTube, and subscribe. Thanks!
Effects of Incarceration Interview with Begum K., Part I
When Ms. Begum K. first contacted me on my Quora.com Space, Life Inside and Out, because she needed participants for an interview on the effects of incarceration to use when writing a paper for her Psychology class, I was hesitant.
After several days of thought and deliberation, I agreed because I believed in her objective of wanting to help others. Then afterwards, I became grateful for overcoming my fears.
Even though I was unknowingly in the first stage of COVID-19 on the day of the scheduled interview, I did not want to delay her project and proceeded. And then I became her fan and did all I could to assist her in finding other participants to complete her study.
Click the following link to watch and listen to the YouTube video on my StraightfromthePen. channel.
Shane, who is a returning citizen like me who wants to make a positive contribution to society, provides a link at the end of this post from his Space on Quora.com that may be of interest to anyone who has served time in prison or who has a loved one or friend who has been on the Inside.
WHY I CREATED THE SPACE, “THE PRISON AND JAIL FORUM – DECADES.” PLEASE READ BEFORE CHECKING OUT THE ANSWERS ON THE SPACE OR IN MY PROFILE!
First, I want to thank all those that have supported the space with their posts, views, and commentary.
I created the space with the goal to gain credibility to launch much loftier goals I have of preventing juvenile delinquents from making the decisions I made and ending up in prison. Incarceration and recidivism rates are way too high in our country. The devastating consequences affect everybody that live here in the United States. The majority of the people in our country that are in prison will be going home someday. I believe that the way our current criminal justice system is set up that the goal of rehabilitation is not being realized. I would like to think if I asked anybody that lived here in the United States if they want a person that is in prison or jail to come out of prison or jail a better person than they were when they went in that their answer would be yes. That is my goal here. That, and preventing them from being in prison in jail in the first place.
The reason that’s DECADES is in the title of the space is because I only solicit contributors that have at least 10 or more years experience in the criminal justice system. I made this decision because I want the answers on the space to be as accurate as possible and come from real experience. You’ll see some posts are from people that do not have 10 or more years in the system because I allow anybody to request to post something, and after reviewing it, I post it if it is appropriate. I solicit contributors that are not only male and female ex-convicts but also police officers, parole officers, correctional officers, probation officers, defense attorneys, prosecutors, judges, human rights advocates/activates,family of incarcerated, and even sex offenders; in the hope the space will not be biased. I encourage those that meet these prerequisites to apply to be a contributor. I also encourage anybody that would like to collaborate with me, with the goal of preventing juvenile delinquents from ending up in prison, to message me.
Also, far too many people are in prison that are innocent in the first place. You can see evidence of this through the fact that more than 300 people have been exonerated and found to be innocent of the crimes that a jury had found them guilty of, due to the development of DNA technology. That is more than 300 people that the sperm or blood, that was found in heinous rape and murder cases, was found not to be the perpetrator’s blood. Imagine all the people on death row right now that don’t have DNA in their case to prove their innocence, many of which will be executed by our government. The average law abiding citizen believes in our criminal justice system; that it is fair and just, that we don’t put innocent people in prison here in the United States. It isn’t until you have a real encounter with the system that you come to realize that it is broken. The jury pool is pulled from voters. Voters believe in the system or they wouldn’t vote. When the accused sits at the defense table, it is only natural for the person serving on the jury to form an opinion, before any anything is ever said, by their appearance. A large percentage of those jurors are automatically biased because they believe in the system and believe policeman wouldn’t arrest someone for nothing, so there’s already a presumption of guilt even though the accused is supposed to be assumed innocent until proven guilty. Public defenders don’t have adequate resources to protect their clients from injustice due to the high cost. The focus is on plea bargaining when the focus should be on coming to the truth. Prosecutors will fight to keep someone in prison even after they have been shown to be innocent from DNA evidence, contrary to their oath office they swore to uphold.
I watched a 2020 special one time where they took mock jurors and held jury trials. They used the same witnesses, asked the same questions, the same prosecutors, the same defense attorneys, with the only different factor being the person sitting at the defense table. A clean cut individual was often found not guilty, whereas someone who did not have the quintessential look of an innocent person was found guilty. I also watched another 20/20 special where they would have someone, with the stores permission, go into to a store, snatch something and run out the door. Then they would show mugshots to the people in the store that were shopping at the time. People would pick photos in the mugshot lineups and say that that was the person they saw snatch the item that was snatched and it wasn’t even the person. This is literally within 20 minutes of seeing the person that snatched the item. Many of these people said they were certain it was the person when it was not. This also shows how eye witness testimony, which is often taken as fact by jurors is flawed. I hope if you’re reading this, and you serve on a jury, that you will remember this blog and it will lead you to have an unbiased opinion of the accused and will prevent innocent people from going to prison.
I think of all the tens of thousands of juveniles in the system today. I believe if someone just took an interest, an actual sincere one on one interest, in each and every one of them, that a significant percentage of them will never make the choices that will ultimately land them in prison one day.
Incarcerating people has a high social and financial cost to our society and is devastating. Our inner cities are being destroyed. Children are growing up without their fathers. People are leaving prison angry, lost, and worse off than when they went in. Many don’t realize that it is not the prisoner alone that is serving the prison sentence but also their children, their parents, and other loved ones that count each and every day with them, suffering , to the day of their release only to be disappointed to find many of them broken and damaged, instead of rehabilitated. Many, myself included, as well as correctional officers, and others that work in the prison, suffer from PTSD due to the violence. Upon release from prison I thought I was going insane until I found out that everybody that did a lengthy period of time like me suffered from the same symptoms and that it was a normal result and consequence of the environment I lived in. There’s actually a mental health label for it called Post Incarceration Syndrome (PICS). PICS, not only affects the person that is suffering from it but all those in society that that person comes into contact with due to the behavior they exhibit is a direct result.
I’m happy to announce that in just three short weeks of the creation of the space there are more than a half of million views and 232 folllowers. Again, thank you all for your support!
