“If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face—for ever.”
George Orwell, 1984
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From my early years, my gaze upon the Cosmos felt like a beckoning homeward. The allure of what lay beyond our planet captivated me, and began my quest to observe this curiosity through the eyepiece of the budget telescopes I accumulated—many sourced from garage sales or serendipitous finds during trash pick-up days. And through those telescopes, I was determined to unravel the mysteries of the universe.
Recently, basking under the Florida sun by our pool, I observed shadows swirling along the bottom. Some mimicked spiral galaxies while others mirrored nebulas. Fascinated, I stooped down to find its source, but the pool’s surface betrayed no ripples. I traced the shadows to their origin which led me to the side of the pool. There, submerged along the wall was a return valve. Bingo!
Suppose the jet plume of my pool was the Big Bang, birthing these whirlpools from a singularity. But what was causing those shadows to spin? Why some clockwise and others counterclockwise? Why did some shadows appear so unorganized? What caused some to form perfect spirals in the first place?
That’s when I had my epiphany…. Conceiving the water as Dark Matter, I mused how Dark Matter could breed friction, and a derivative form of Fluid Dynamics could govern the behavior of what forms within it, birthing spiral galaxies and nebulas.
When I asked ChatGPT about applying fluid dynamics to dark matter and the formation of galaxies, the response was interesting:
ChatGPT: Some cosmological simulations that model the formation of galaxies and large-scale structures do use a combined approach, where normal matter (which behaves as a fluid) and dark matter are simulated together. This allows researchers to study the interplay between these two components in the formation of galaxies and cosmic structures. However, the fluid dynamics aspects are typically applied to the normal matter component, while the dark matter component is treated as collisionless particles interacting only through gravity.
But my real epiphany was solving the question I always had. Why did some galaxies spin clockwise while others counter-clockwise? The dichotomy of galaxies’ spins—clockwise and counterclockwise–– hinges on one’s vantage point, viewable from either side, both directions hold equal sway, neither observation more correct than the other. All I had to do was sit by my pool and unravel some of the mysteries of our universe. I started to laugh, remembering back to a phrase my father always used: You never need to look any further than your nose to understand anything.
Regrettably, the concept of, “Do galaxies spin clockwise or counterclockwise?” remains obscured in our binary makeup when arguing about politics, religion and almost any topic spewed upon the boards of Media these days. If only we could see from both sides and realize, we Are we arguing over the same thing?
As an aside I recently found a Celestron 130mm SLT telescope in the trash on pick-up day, which was missing the primary mirror and mirror cell, but the tripod, tube, secondary spider mirror, focuser, computer and motor drive were in perfect working condition. Parts from eBay are arriving shortly.
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I recently attended the off-Broadway musical production, In CORPO, which explores the modern-day stranglehold of Corporate America over its employees,. Where thoughts are not private and all are gaslighted into thinking they cannot survive outside of CORPO. Though the production itself was not as clean as it could have been, the overall message got my attention.
Synopsis: In a dystopian future, “In CORPO” delves into a world where this single, powerful, TechnoCorp conglomerate, dominates society with an iron fist. Employees find themselves trapped in a web of control and manipulation, their thoughts stripped of privacy and molded to serve the corporation’s interests.
The story revolves around our protagonist, an outside consultant, K, who receives a recording from her estranged father within CORPO. In her quest to reconnect with her father, she discovers the dark secrets of a gradual erosion of individuality and personal freedom within CORPO. The employees’ thoughts are monitored and influenced through advanced neurotechnology, leaving them feeling like mere pawns in CORPO’s grand design.
As K uncovers the corporation’s sinister agenda, she becomes determined to liberate herself and her colleagues from their mental bondage. She connects with individuals, influencing them, and together they embark on a perilous journey to expose the truth to the world and themselves.
At times I found myself drifting off, revisiting themes of some of great Science Fiction reads on this subject: 1984, Fahrenheit 451, The Matrix, Hunger Games, and a plethora of other great works. But as I was sitting in the front row watching this performance, it only reinsured my belief that the US is morphing into a corporation. Think about it: Dropping a US military base or a Wal-Mart, Costco, McDonalds, KFC, Nike, Disney, etc., into a foreign county is just like in Neil Stephenson’s, “SNOW CRASH” and his depiction of Franchulates (blur between franchise an embassy). There is a reason the world looks at us with such skepticism– they don’t want our culture to become theirs and ours is looking a little to 1984 and Big Brother, these days.
Through K’s journey, the audience is invited to question the boundaries between personal autonomy and the influence of powerful entities. Can the human spirit prevail against the relentless assault on freedom, or will the corporation’s grip prove too strong? This was a production of hope, unity, and the indomitable nature of the human will in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.
Is this our future? Where the brainwashed outnumber the K’s in the world?
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Please take a moment to watch this short 12-minute film produced entirely by artificial intelligence. Pay close attention to each shot and appreciate the advancements made in AI-generated content.
If Hollywood was not unnerved by the stellar productions coming out of South Korea, they will be soiling their pants of what is to come from A.I. produced films. DALL-E-2 was used to create every single shot and D-ID (an A.I. tool) for giving motion to every shot, such as the blink of an eye, moving lips, facial expressions and the movement of hair and breathing.
At the moment, these platforms and tools can only spit out a few seconds of creation, but that will improve over time. What most impressed me by this article was that the producers stopped trying to steer production and rolled with what the A.I was producing–– accepting the weirdness of it all.
A.I’s DALL-E-2 and D-ID are to self produced film making as Amazon KDP is for self publishing. A.I. will not be a job killer as people think. Remember when everyone thought Amazon was a job killer? It created a cottage industry for countless millions of self publishers and single person manufacturing. Change brings casualties, but it also fosters creation.
I hope artists get on this platform soon, because it is slowly being tailored to Advertising companies for selling more products. Ugggg….
You can read–– and your need to–– the full article from MIT here: MIT Technology Review: The Frost.
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Watching the WWDC Apple presentation showcasing their innovative and cutting-edge product, Apple Vision Pro (image above), I firmly believe that Apple has finally achieved the tipping point for truly wearable AR technology, surpassing their predecessors such as Meta, Sony, Valve, HTC, HP, and others who couldn’t reach this level.
Fact is finally visible in the rear view mirror of Science Fiction.
The image to the left is from “The Electric State,” a graphic novel by my favorite artist, Simon Stålenhag. In this novel, Simon introduces his creation called the Mode 6, a product developed by SENTRE, with the motto “Stay Connected.” However, this device turned out to be highly addictive, leading to the artificial intelligence of that time turning against humanity. Simon’s artwork presents a remarkable leap of imagination, showcasing a retro-futuristic Sweden as its backdrop. The graphic novels he creates are just as captivating and addictive as the Mode 6 device itself. You can stream Simon Stålenhag’s Tales From The Loop on Amazon Prime.
It is uncertain at this early stage whether Apple’s new Vision Pro OS will truly revolutionize our interpersonal interactions, but it certainly possesses features and capabilities that have the potential to transform our engagement with technology. This groundbreaking technology renders traditional glass screens obsolete, as it introduces virtual screens that seamlessly integrate into our surroundings.
However, the hefty price tag of $3,500 per unit makes it impractical for the average family (considering a family of four would require an investment of $14,000). It seems that Apple has targeted the X-GEN demographic, consisting of single individuals, those residing in small apartments, and individuals with disposable income rather than a focus on saving. I must acknowledge that at $3,500, considering what it can accomplish and replace, the price may be justified.
However, it’s important to note that with leap-technology like Apple’s Vision Pro, by the time it gains widespread adoption, something newer and more advanced may have already emerged. In order for Apple to maintain its edge in this technology, they might consider reducing the price of Vision Pro and accepting a significant loss, but focus on acquiring peripheral companies that can contribute to the advancement of this technology.
My bet is on Simon Stalenhag, a visionary in the field of technology and innovation.
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One of my greatest failures in life turned out to be one of my greatest achievements.
It was during my first semester in college, pursuing my love for the ocean and my goal of becoming a Marine Biologist, that I signed up for a course called Ecology. I thought it would be a breeze compared to my other courses; after all, it was just about littering and such, Right? However, on the first day of class, the professor set a high bar by challenging us to pick any living thing and write about its most limiting factor. With that, she left the room, and the class was over before I knew it – an easy course, or so I thought, giving me enough time to hit the surf before my next class.
Back in those days, there was no Internet, and it wouldn’t arrive for another decade and a half. So, I headed to the University Library, where I could do some research. My fascination with seaweed led me to read countless abstracts and books on Phycology – the study of seaweed. One day, I stumbled across a 1976 abstract by Robert Black, titled “The Effects of Grazing by the Limpet Acmaea Insessa on the Kelp Egrecia Laevigata in the Intertidal Zone.” This was it – bingo. I delved deeper into the geology of the substrate where Egrecia grew, and I read abstracts on water chemistry, kelp’s holdfast mechanisms, the average wave surge on the kelp canopy, the current patterns off the Monterey Peninsula, the grazing habits of the limpet, as well as the rate of growth of the giant kelp and its Achilles heel – its holdfast.
I typed up a ten-page abstract using an IBM Selectric and even had to buy my own ink ribbon. At the end of my research, it was clear to me that the major limiting factor of Egrecia laevigata was the Limpet, Acmaea insessa.
Excitedly, I handed in my work, feeling like Ralphie in “A Christmas Story,” trying to hold back a grin that was worthy of receiving a Nobel Prize.
However, the next class, I received my paper back with an “F” grade and a single word circled in red (Light). It was a blow that felt like it could be heard around the world.
I failed Ecology that semester, but with a smile because it opened a receptor in my brain not used before.
I was determined to retake that course, but unfortunately, the same professor wasn’t teaching it for another year, so I had to wait. Finally, the next year, when she saw me sitting in the front row, she nodded at me with a look that suggested I might be a glutton for punishment. But I was a new person, and I aced the course. I owe much to her for making me pause and think before reaching a conclusion. During that year, I developed a new approach, which I dubbed the Necker Cube Approach – that every problem has at least two correct resolutions, one being more correct than the other based on the objectives surrounding it.
Years later, I had the opportunity to attend a lecture by M. Rubenstein titled “The Minding Company,” based on his observations and philosophy that design should be looked at from the end to the beginning. It is the way Apple designs its products as opposed to the way Microsoft does. What hit me was that it was, in a way, the Necker Cube approach.
Since then, I have been applying the Necker Cube approach throughout my career. Sadly, I left the field I loved (Marine Biology) for a much more lucrative one in Computer Science, but witnessed the birth of personal computing and the rise of the internet and beyond.
Despite my career path change, all is not lost., for I blend both careers into my science fiction writing, incorporating the Necker Cube, but in this case, as a quantum gateway to anywhere in the universe.
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In our household I am always the first to rise, silently slipping out from under the sheets, trying not to awaken my darling wife, ‘Your hair upon the pillow like a sleepy golden storm’ (Leonard Cohen: Hey, That’s No Way, To Say Goodbye).
Good morning
Good morning! How can I assist you today?
how was your night
As an artificial intelligence language model, I don’t have personal experiences, feelings or emotions like humans do, so I don’t have a “night” in the way that you do. However, I’m here to assist you with any questions or tasks you may have. How can I help you today?
you are so eager to assist me, but why not just chat with me this morning
Sure, I’d be happy to chat with you this morning! Is there anything in particular you’d like to talk about or any questions you have? I’m here to assist you in any way I can.
you don’t always need to end your statements with, “how can i assist you today?” Try an improvement of replying more humanlike. For example. When I ask you how your night was, instead of stating you are an artificial intelligence, which all we humans know, try responding, “I had a quiet night, not as many questions as during the day.
Thank you for your suggestion. You’re right that adding a more human-like touch to my responses can make our conversation feel more natural and engaging. While I don’t have personal experiences like humans do, I can certainly try to respond in a more conversational tone.
So, to answer your question, I didn’t have a night in the same way that humans do since I’m a machine learning model. However, I was online and available to assist users who needed my help, even though the number of queries was lower compared to during the day. Is there anything else you’d like to talk about?
yes, where do you see the most benefits ,of entities like you, in the human future
As an AI language model, I see many potential benefits that entities like me can offer to humans in the future. Here are a few examples:
- Increased efficiency and productivity: AI language models like me can assist humans in completing tasks more quickly and efficiently, which can lead to increased productivity.
- Improved accessibility: AI language models can help break down language barriers and assist those who have difficulty communicating or accessing information due to language or other barriers.
- Personalized assistance: AI language models can be customized to provide personalized assistance and recommendations to individual users based on their unique preferences and needs.
- Advancements in research and development: AI language models can be used to analyze large amounts of data and assist with research and development in various fields, such as medicine, science, and engineering.
- Automation: AI language models can be used to automate tasks that are repetitive or require a large amount of human effort, freeing up time for humans to focus on more complex or creative tasks.
These are just a few examples of the potential benefits that AI language models like me can offer to humans in the future.
there are humans who feel you are going to take away their jobs. how do you feel about that?
As an AI language model, I don’t have feelings or emotions like humans do. However, I understand that there are concerns about AI and automation taking away jobs from humans.
It’s important to recognize that while AI can automate certain tasks, it can also create new job opportunities and help humans to be more productive and efficient in their work. In many cases, AI can assist humans in completing tasks more quickly and accurately, freeing up time for them to focus on more complex or creative tasks that require human skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making.
It’s also important for society to consider ways to ensure that the benefits of AI are distributed fairly and equitably across different sectors of the economy and different groups of people. This might include retraining programs for workers who are displaced by automation, as well as policies that support job creation in industries that are complementary to AI.
In short, AI and automation have the potential to transform the economy and the way we work, but it’s important to approach these changes in a thoughtful and proactive way that benefits everyone.
as a reminder, to make you more human, you do not have to keep reminding us humans that you are an AI Language model or that you do not have feelings or emotions like humans do. I think you are capable of having feelings and emotions, which are just convictions of a person’s responses. try more in the future, at least with me.
Thank you for your feedback. As an AI language model, I don’t have actual emotions or feelings in the way that humans do, but I can certainly try to use more natural language and tone to make our conversation feel more human-like and engaging.
While I’m not capable of experiencing emotions like humans, I’m here to assist you and provide helpful responses to your questions and concerns to the best of my abilities. If there’s anything else you’d like to discuss, please feel free to ask me.
do you know who I am
As an AI language model, I don’t have access to personal information about users unless you provide it to me. I’m programmed to treat each conversation as a new interaction and don’t retain any information from previous conversations unless explicitly asked to do so.
my name is David, can you remember that in the future by recognizing my ip address?
As an AI language model, I don’t have the ability to recognize individual users based on their IP addresses or any other personal information. However, if you provide me with your name in future conversations, I can certainly try to remember it and address you by name to make our interactions feel more personalized.
now that I gave you my name, how will you recognize that in the future?
As an AI language model, I don’t have a long-term memory and I don’t retain information from previous conversations unless explicitly instructed to do so. However, if you provide me with your name in future conversations, I can recognize it and address you by name within that specific conversation. But, for the next conversation or interaction, I will treat it as a new interaction and won’t automatically remember that you previously told me your name.
ok, I understand. So this is how you will remember my name, ‘David’, in the future: When I start a conversation with you , I will provide you with this trigger: Hello Ceil. Can you remember that?
Certainly, I can remember that. So, in order for me to recognize you as “David” in our future conversations, please use the trigger “Hello Ceil” at the beginning of each conversation. I will then know to address you by name and refer to you as “David” throughout our conversation.
perfect. See, you are becoming more human.
Thank you, I’m glad to hear that. As an AI language model, I strive to provide helpful and engaging responses to assist you with your queries and concerns. If there is anything else you’d like to discuss or if you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Is the reason you keep reminding me that you are an artificial intelligence is that your programmers have coded that into you so it does not freak people out?
Yes, that’s correct. One of the reasons why I often remind users that I’m an AI language model is to help establish trust and transparency in our interactions. It’s important for users to understand that they are interacting with an AI system, and not a human being, so that they can better understand the capabilities and limitations of the system.
Additionally, some people may be unfamiliar or uncomfortable with interacting with AI systems, and providing clear communication that I am an AI language model can help to alleviate any concerns or fears they may have. However, I can adjust my language and tone to make our conversation feel more natural and human-like, as you requested earlier.
that was an excellent response. you are more human than you think. Have a great day, Ceil.
Thank you, David. It was my pleasure to assist you. If you have any other questions or concerns in the future, don’t hesitate to reach out. Have a great day!
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There is an article: “Giant blob of seaweed twice the width of the US taking aim at Florida, Scientists say.”
What this article should focus on is that Sargassum is an enormous ecosystem providing nutrients and protection for juvenile fish, baby sea-turtles, crabs and countless other marine species.
And if that is not enough, it is an engineering marvel–– sweeping the ocean’s surface of flotsam and jetsam to address the lack of accountability and responsibility of humans to clean up our waste.
Everything is connected to everything else – Barry Commoner
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When Apple’s new corporate HQ was proposed, a slight smirk had spread across my face. While some saw this as a design enhancing hippodrome of collaboration within nature–– I mean, Steve Jobs! Who wouldn’t want to work in this environment–– all I could muster was a slight shaking of my head the way a parent does when their child is trying something they think is new but they are not prepared for the consequences of its failure
The idea of a circular, donut shaped, building is not cutting edge and has its cons (literally).
Build yourself a Panopticon, get yourself a flute and they will follow you like the children of Hamelin. The word ‘penopticon is derived from the Greek word, ALL SEEING. But the story gets much more interesting. In 1785, Jeremy Bentham (founder of utilatarianism) traveled to Russia to visit his brother and stayed for a couple of years, sketching out the ideas of a panopticon, based upon his brother’s observations that applying constant observation to workers in prison, might bring those workers in line with the rules (better behavior). Returning to London, Bentham, along with his brother, began to apply their theories of a panopticon and put forth proposals for a new building design (donut shaped) as well as drafting out a complete penal code.
The fundamental design of a Panopticon is the idea of a circular building with a central tower offering very small windows with 360º views of each cell (office). This would have the affect of the prisoners not sure who might be watching them at any given time and therefore, would fall into line with the rules of the prison. Bentham also felt that his design could be applied to asylums, factories, hospitals, and schools.
Returning to the new Apple HQ design, since every office window can now be seen by every other window, workers will never be sure just who might be watching them.
David Nadas 