I opened up Gemini today to this:
I mean – who hasn’t been using AI for self help issues with quizzes already?? But let’s see what the OpenStax “extension” is like.
The first thing I notice when starting to type @OpenStax, is that there are a lot of other options popping up as soon as I type the “@”.
I decided to jump on the OpenStax extension with something on the difficult side and it returned a failed query, but then still made some good suggestions.
“@OpenStax what textbooks do you have for pharmacology?
I couldn’t find any specific pharmacology textbooks from OpenStax. However, they do offer a wide range of free, high-quality college textbooks on various subjects, including biology and chemistry, which are closely related to pharmacology. You may find relevant information in these textbooks that can help you understand pharmacological concepts.
Here are some OpenStax textbooks that might be helpful:
- Biology 2e
- Chemistry 2e
- Organic Chemistry 2e
- Principles of Biology
You can find these textbooks and more on the OpenStax website: https://openstax.org/“
and then it made some lovely suggestions about how to more appropriately use the @OpenStax query:
“
While I wasn’t able to use @OpenStax to help with this, here are some of the textbooks that you can use to to get responses with links to relevant peer-reviewed textbook content:
- Math
- Algebra and Trigonometry “@OpenStax learn about exponents”
- Precalculus “@OpenStax what’s a trigonometric function?”
- Science
- Biology “@OpenStax is cell membrane selectively permeable”
- Chemistry “@OpenStax explain covalent and ionic bonds”
- Physics “@OpenStax what’s newton’s law of gravitation”
- Humanities
- US History “@OpenStax what was the importance of canals in the US in the early nineteenth century”
- World History “@OpenStax teach me about the Byzantines”
You can see all of the subjects available with @OpenStax by visiting this page.”
So I asked:
“@OpenStax what is the relevance of low bridges on the parkways of long island in relation to racial issues.”
And here is the response:
“
The low bridges on the parkways of Long Island have been a subject of controversy due to their alleged discriminatory design. It is believed that Robert Moses, the master planner behind the parkways, intentionally designed the bridges to be too low for buses to pass underneath. This, in turn, prevented people who relied on public transportation, many of whom were minorities and lower-income residents, from accessing the beaches and recreational areas accessible by the parkways.
This design choice is seen as a form of systemic racism that aimed to exclude certain groups from enjoying the benefits of these public spaces. By making it difficult for minorities to reach these areas, Moses effectively segregated the parkways and beaches, reinforcing racial inequalities in the region.
While there is no explicit written documentation confirming Moses’ intent, the evidence, including the unusually low height of the bridges and the historical context, strongly suggests that the design was intended to be discriminatory. This revelation has sparked discussions about the legacy of Robert Moses and the need to address the historical and ongoing effects of systemic racism in urban planning and infrastructure.
Key points related to the low bridges and racial issues:
- Intentional design: The bridges were designed to be too low for buses to pass underneath, preventing people who relied on public transportation from accessing the beaches and recreational areas.
- Systemic racism: This design choice was seen as a form of systemic racism aimed to exclude minorities and lower-income residents from enjoying the benefits of these public spaces.
- Historical context: The design of the bridges occurred during a time of racial segregation and discrimination in the United States.
- Legacy of Robert Moses: The controversy surrounding the low bridges has led to discussions about the legacy of Robert Moses and the need to address the historical and ongoing effects of systemic racism in urban planning and infrastructure.
It’s important to note that while this information is widely accepted, some argue that the low bridges were simply a result of engineering constraints or design aesthetics, rather than an intentional act of discrimination. However, the overwhelming evidence suggests that the design was indeed a deliberate attempt to exclude certain groups from the parkways and beaches.”
I’m not sure how that relates to OpenStax, as the links point to other sources.
If I ask Chat GPT the same question, without the OpenStax prompt I get:
“
The issue of low bridges on Long Island’s parkways has a significant historical connection to racial and socioeconomic issues, particularly as it relates to urban planning and segregation. According to a widely accepted account by urban planner and historian Robert Caro in his biography of Robert Moses, “The Power Broker,” Moses, who oversaw the design of many of New York’s public works, intentionally designed overpasses on the Southern State Parkway to be too low for buses to pass under. This design was allegedly aimed at preventing buses, which were more likely to carry poorer individuals and racial minorities from New York City, from accessing the public beaches of Long Island, which Moses wanted to reserve for wealthier, predominantly white suburban residents who could afford a car.
This form of infrastructure design is an example of how urban planning can enforce racial segregation without overtly violating laws pertaining to racial discrimination. It effectively limited access based on socioeconomic status and race, as poorer African American and minority communities often relied more on public transportation than wealthier, white communities. This practice is often cited as a form of structural racism, where urban planning decisions contribute to systemic inequalities.
Although the direct evidence of Moses’s intentions has been debated among historians, the story has become a significant point of discussion regarding how infrastructure can perpetuate racial and socioeconomic inequalities. It serves as a case study in how transportation policy and urban planning can affect accessibility and equality in seemingly indirect but profoundly impactful ways.”
Note the the Gemini does give you the citations, which is nice for us as higher education peeps.
Also, when I ask GPT:
ChatGPT said:
As of now, I don’t have the capability to directly integrate with external databases or resources like OpenStax in real-time. However, I can definitely help you understand and utilize OpenStax resources by providing information, summarizing content, or guiding you on how to access and make the most out of their textbooks and educational materials. If you have specific questions or need help with content from OpenStax, feel free to ask!
So maybe – not such a new thing per say.
Since I saw those additional Extensions… let’s try one of those out.
@Google Maps can you show me a picture of the vanderbuilt planetarium?
Here’s a picture of the Vanderbilt Planetarium:
It’s located at 180 Little Neck Rd, Centerport, NY 11721, and is part of the Vanderbilt Museum. You can find more information about the planetarium and its hours of operation on their website: https://www.vanderbiltmuseum.org/
Would you like to know more about the Vanderbilt Museum or planetarium, or are you looking for something else?’
