Our parents used to ask, “If all your friends were jumping off a bridge, would you do it too?”

We would always say no, understanding the message: if those around you are doing something unwise, you should not participate.

So riddle me this: Why are you using generative artificial intelligence to generate “what you would look like in the ’80s” when you lived through the actual ’80s?

If I wanted to see what I looked like in the ’80s, I would don blue eyeshadow and tease my hair. Better yet: find a picture of my mom.

Most people don’t understand the dangers of AI. They are quick to climb aboard whatever “trend” it is used for without understanding the long term effects.

The whole phenomenon is reminiscent of cigarette smoking; just because it’s popular and those who made it say it’s safe does not diminish the harm it inflicts.

I’m guessing you saw the AI-generated videos about the flood in Nepal? Or heard the Anthropic employees saying AI could evolve into a human-killing technological machine?

Oh, you didn’t see that? Well, now you know. And with knowing comes the responsibility to do better than when you were ignorant.

So, instead of sharing your data with a bot this weekend, get outside and participate in a community event!

Commemorate the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, by watching the heartfelt true story “The Guys” at Butler Little Theatre. The play follows a New York City fire captain and a writer who come together to create eulogies for firefighters lost at the World Trade Center. Attendees will have the opportunity to donate to local fire companies during the boot drive as well. Curtain rises at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Purchase your $18 ticket at butlerlittletheatre.com.

Line dance from 6:30 to 11 p.m. at Prospect Fire Hall, 373 Main St., Prospect, at Boots, Beer and Boogie. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for anyone 16 and under. Visit the event Facebook page for details.

Do you like to slow dance, jitterbug, cha-cha or line dance? Then Highfield Community Center, 229 Highfield Road, Butler Township, is the place to be from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday. BYOB and snacks and come listen to great tunes spun by DJ Marty Tack for $10 a person. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. For more information, call 724-283-1867.

Enjoy the Fall Craft Show at East Butler Volunteer Fire Department, 808 Grant St., starting at 10 a.m. Saturday. There will be over 150 vendors in attendance with glass blown art, textiles, woodworking and other goods for sale. Visit the event Facebook page for details.

Watch the Butler County Kennel Club run wild at the Autumn Classic All-Breed Dog Show, starting at 8 a.m. Saturday at the Butler Fair Grounds on Route 422. This event runs through Sunday and is family friendly! Visit butlercountykennelclub.com for details.

Butler Downtown is hosting a fall Main Street Cleanup from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. Meet at Vintage Coffeehouse, 209 S. Main St. All supplies will be provided as well as coffee and doughnuts.

Evans City’s annual PumpkinFest starts at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday on the borough’s Main Street. This is a great way to ease into fall: with vendors, live music, wagon rides and a car cruise! Visit the event Facebook page for details.

The 16066 BBQ Bash is a celebration of all things Cranberry Township and BBQ combined. Sip on craft beer, reap the benefits of the rib cook-off, and play yard games and hang out from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the municipal building, 2525 Rochester Road. Visit the event Facebook page for more.

The Rodfathers’ Fall Extravaganza Car Show lasts from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Farm Show grounds, 625 Evans City Road. Find more information at therodfathers.com.

The Fall Festival at Magnolia Place of Saxonburg features food, children’s activities and shopping experiences. The fun lasts from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at 100 Bella Court. Visit the event Facebook page for details.

Take a tour of Butler’s murals at 1 or 3 p.m. Saturday, starting at the Lowrie House, 123 W. Diamond St. Tickets are $10 a person, children 12 and under are free. There will be light refreshments served. Visit butlerhistory.com for more.

Fall Wine Walk Plus in Harmony benefits the Zelienople Area Public Library and features drink vendors from around the county! The walk starts at 5 p.m. Saturday at 218 Mercer St., Harmony, and tickets can be purchased for $45 via eventbrite.com.

Support Prospect’s Volunteer Fire Department and library at a DJ Bingo event starting at 7 p.m. Saturday in the fire hall, 373 Main St., Prospect. Tickets are $15 presale at the library or $20 at the door.

Have a boot-scootin’ boogie in support of the farm show’s Junior Board at Boots on the Barn Floor from 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday at the fair grounds, 1127 New Castle Road. Admission is just $8 and the event is BYOB. You can enter, park and pay at the main gate. Visit the event Facebook page for more information.

Children in grades one through eight can practice their reading skills with the adorable cats at Shelter Buddies on Sunday in the Butler County Humane Society, 1015 Evans City Road. Time slots from noon to 2 p.m. are open, so please call the Client and Adoption Specialists at 724-789-1150 to reserve your spot today.

The 15th Annual Wildbird Recovery Fall Migration Festival starts at noon Sunday in the Stormy Oaks Nature Conservancy, 120 Forsythe Road, Valencia, and features presentations, food, raffles and more. Tickets can be purchased at the door. Visit wildbirdrecovery.org/events/fall-migration-festival-2/.

If you are interested in your event being featured in Miller Minutes, please email information to news@butlereagle.com.

Molly Miller is an Eagle correspondent.