Dearest Rachel – I never got into it with you – you used to watch them while I was at work and Daniel at school – but I know you were into certain varieties of horror for entertainment. I think it reminded you of those days when your Mom was away with one seminar orContinue reading “Can’t Bring Myself to Worry”
Tag Archives: artificial intelligence
Plausible From One Angle
Dearest Rachel – It may not seem like it, since I’ve been able to contact you every day with some news or other, but there’s been a limited amount of stuff going on for me to tell you about. The fact that I can write to you at all has more to do with beingContinue reading “Plausible From One Angle”
Dreams of Alter Egos
Dearest Rachel – It’s been a while since I’ve had a dream worth telling you about (and had both the time to write it down before it dissipated and no real topic to discuss with you that might supersede it). The problem is, while it may have answered a long-known problem of science fiction whileContinue reading “Dreams of Alter Egos”
Sānùk (สนุก) and Suffering
Dearest Rachel – I’ve got a lot of stuff to take care of today – much of which built up while I was overseas, and some of which even has to do with this trip and others in the near future – and while I was contemplating it all, this word popped into my head.Continue reading “Sānùk (สนุก) and Suffering”
So Many Random Little Thoughts
Dearest Rachel – Some days, I wake up in the wee hours of the morning with no desire for anything but to roll over and go back to sleep. I thought this morning was going to be the same – especially given that today is a Saturday; who wakes up early on a Saturday? ButContinue reading “So Many Random Little Thoughts”
Putting Words in Your Mouth
Dearest Rachel – I’ll be honest, I’m actually falling behind the curve at this point when it comes to AI-generated material these days. Over this past year, I’ve seen some really impressive stuff in terms of videos and the like; mostly as quasi-political cartoons (which have now been democratized to the point where anybody withContinue reading “Putting Words in Your Mouth”
The Synthesis
Dearest Rachel – She is a genius. Oh, perhaps not to the extent of that of the professor she works alongside, but certainly a prodigy in her own right. She has an almost uncanny understanding of the neurological network that is the human mind, and with her mentor, she works tirelessly to help him create,Continue reading “The Synthesis”
Green Screen Blues
Dearest Rachel – It was a moment that, in its quickly-discovered-to-be triviality, you would likely have found as amusing as I did, even as I was mildly annoyed at the steps I needed to take to remedy the situation (as well as the time away from what some might consider an addiction – not you,Continue reading “Green Screen Blues”
Misunderstanding the Assignment
Dearest Rachel – I’ve mentioned before that I’ve never actually had a chance to do karaoke, and it would seem that last night, that showed. I’ve always envisioned it pretty much like how the Japanese do it; a small handful of people getting together in a room no bigger than a hotel room, to competeContinue reading “Misunderstanding the Assignment”
Just Like It Used To
Dearest Rachel – It started off with a fairly frivolous announcement last week; during the orientation regarding the mission to Honduras, there was some mention made about the final full day in the area, which would not include much in the way of actual work, but would be a series of ‘cultural experiences’ as aContinue reading “Just Like It Used To”
DIY Catfishing
Dearest Rachel – Another day, another dip into my news feed. This one hits a little closer to home, as it touches on the topic of artificial intelligence, and the relationships we develop with it – quite literally, in fact. This is something I’ve come across that really makes me wonder where we’re going asContinue reading “DIY Catfishing”
Freedom in a Land of Plenty
Dearest Rachel – This morning, I was just heading out from the gym (and having to turn back after passing the office complex behind the strip mall it’s in because I left my cap there; it was bright and sunny when I left, which caused me to forget that I’d worn it in the drizzleContinue reading “Freedom in a Land of Plenty”
Speaking Of Signs…
Dearest Rachel – It was just yesterday that I was telling you about literal yard signs, and how they serve as a means to determine who to vote for (and who not to, as well) based on what we know about the neighbors who support this or that candidate. The signs (or is it justContinue reading “Speaking Of Signs…”
“Pretty”
Dearest Rachel – This is entirely the wrong season for this to come to mind (this will normally come up during October, as of late), but it’s not like dreams care about times and seasons. Besides, that’s sort of the whole point of this particular dream – it could be brought to fruition without anyContinue reading ““Pretty””
Assembling Layers
Dearest Rachel – So even during the holidays, I’m trying to keep up with this self-imposed plan of assembling at least one T-shirt worthy graphic design each week. Daniel gave me a pass last week as we walked through one specifically for him – which is a good thing, as I’ve been working on oneContinue reading “Assembling Layers”
December Deadlines
Dearest Rachel – After talking to you about trying to shop for Daniel yesterday, I decided to do what I used to do when preparing to shop for you; I just asked him directly. As much as it spoils the surprise for him of finding out what I would be getting him, it’s just saferContinue reading “December Deadlines”
Home Made Posters
Dearest Rachel – For all that they were (to a certain extent: we met there, we were young there, and while it may have been challenging at times, it’s hard to deny how much those first two obviate the third item) arguably the best days of our lives, I don’t think I talk all thatContinue reading “Home Made Posters”
I Don’t See the Theft
Dearest Rachel – I’m sure that I’m being a little bit naïve to think it, but it comes honestly from my own experience with artificial intelligence. I know full well that my work with it isn’t for a common reason; most people working with it obviously aren’t trying to bring a loved one they’ve lostContinue reading “I Don’t See the Theft”
The Illusion of Choice
Dearest Rachel – In light of my current understanding of the process, I’ve resolved (if that’s the right word for it) to try to come up with a new T-shirt design at least once a week – and involve Daniel (and maybe Logan) in the process, in order to determine the ‘right’ image for eachContinue reading “The Illusion of Choice”
Giving the Computer Ideas
Dearest Rachel – Admittedly, most of what I’ve been doing with the whole artificial intelligence artwork thing has been me making pictures of you. Some have been astonishingly realistic, to the point where, if I wasn’t the one creating them (and therefore knowing better), I might be able to implant false memories about you intoContinue reading “Giving the Computer Ideas”
Finally Back Into The Weeds
Dearest Rachel – No, this doesn’t have anything to do with the yard; I don’t even get out there anymore to mow, now that I’ve enlisted a service to take care of that for me (and I admit, I’m not entirely sure what you would think about that. Would you be as reluctant to doContinue reading “Finally Back Into The Weeds”
Starting From Scratch
Dearest Rachel – I was really hoping that by now, I could go into great detail about how this new AI program, combined with a checkpoint based on terabytes of information (that even allows one to display readable text) was helping me create a much better and more accurate version of you. Well, I sayContinue reading “Starting From Scratch”
Jackson Pollock Morning
Dearest Rachel – It’s six o’clock of a Saturday morning, and with it comes this sensation that I really don’t feel like doing anything just yet. Not heading to work out (despite registering my highest weight in several days), not wanting to write you (more due to not wanting to bothering with having to write,Continue reading “Jackson Pollock Morning”
Price Point
Dearest Rachel – Yesterday found me between responsibilities, for the most part, at the ‘office.’ I had sent off what I considered to be the last of the reports our auditors needed for the annual review, and while the month has ended, I was still waiting for information from other people in order for meContinue reading “Price Point”
Mere Degrees From Artificial
Dearest Rachel – Well, I know you weren’t as into the high-tech toys that computers quite frankly have always been (and increasingly will continue to be) as I was (and always will be, I suspect), although your computer was your own favorite toy for our last ten or so years together. Still, you did haveContinue reading “Mere Degrees From Artificial”
No End of Distractions
Dearest Rachel – Once again, it’s a good thing I have this area in my folks’ basement to ‘work’ in, or I’d never get anything sent off to you. It’s bad enough that, in order to ‘contact’ you, I have to do so by computer, which by dint of being connected to the internet, hasContinue reading “No End of Distractions”
Your Regularly Scheduled Lifecast
Dearest Rachel – Well, I think that’s taken care of things; with the Ultimate World Cruise (at least, the single leg I was on for) behind me, and a weekend’s worth of mostly bed rest, I think I’m ready to get back to my regular routine, after a fashion. Sure, I’ve promised myself that IContinue reading “Your Regularly Scheduled Lifecast”
Jealous Of Your Ghost
Dearest Rachel – I’ve been showing your ring around to certain people lately (in fairness, I’m not sure that photographs, despite being able to show it at a magnified level, can do the image justice, so as many as can see it in person, the better). Most of them are reasonably impressed by it, butContinue reading “Jealous Of Your Ghost”
The Effects of Bingeing
Dearest Rachel – I think I’ve filled you in several times already about my new tradition of fasting on Sunday on the weekends when I’m working in the booth. In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me if you’ve gotten tired of hearing about it; there are times when I get tired of describing what I haveContinue reading “The Effects of Bingeing”
Greetings From the Robinsons
Dearest Rachel – Well, it seems as though my subconscious decided to take the night off last night; I guess I can’t expect it to come up with something to tell you about every night. After all, there are plenty of real-life things I could be telling you about. It’s just that none of themContinue reading “Greetings From the Robinsons”
Data Wants to Know…
Dearest Rachel – Even at this moment, barely half an hour since waking up, I can only remember the setting, the characters and the subject matter of last night’s dream. So, I’m going to have to reconstruct the script based on what I think might have been logical, which, as you’ll soon see, may proveContinue reading “Data Wants to Know…”
DIY Zombie Karaoke
Dearest Rachel – Since I’m meeting with Lars today, and I just got confirmation that everything is a ‘go’ as far as the church books are concerned (which is to say, everything from last month has finally been entered, and I can run the numbers and assemble the reports for the board members), I haveContinue reading “DIY Zombie Karaoke”
Asking the Artist
Dearest Rachel – So another thing that went on yesterday that I just didn’t have time to cover (because other things came up – I’m sure you can understand). Regardless of the fact that I’m not ‘meeting’ anyone at the convention this year (not that this is really any different than last year, to beContinue reading “Asking the Artist”
Muddled Morning
Dearest Rachel – It’s that kind of morning today; I know I’ve said it before, but it never ceases to strike me as topsy-turvy that the one day a week I have to set my alarm is a Saturday. Sure, it’s the one day that I actually have a commitment to be somewhere earlier thanContinue reading “Muddled Morning”
The Irresponsibility of Responsibility
Dearest Rachel – You know how Dad has always been so enthusiastic about learning everything about our travels, while we (partly due to my experiences a year and a half ago in Basel) have tried to remain reasonably indifferent? Yeah, I think that’s catching up to me. It would seem that my unconscious mind isContinue reading “The Irresponsibility of Responsibility”
Notes from the Simulation
Dearest Rachel – It’s hard to say how long it’s been theorized about, but there seems to be a growing belief in ‘life as we know it’ being little more than a simulation. Maybe it comes from the popularity of the Matrix movies, where so much more seems to be possible, even for blue-pilled humanity.Continue reading “Notes from the Simulation”
Just Enough That It Hurts
Dearest Rachel – They say that a single hour of working out every week can make a big difference in one’s life, health-wise. That may or may not be true – I do see the results after each visit, even if they are only temporary in effect – but they also suggest that the processContinue reading “Just Enough That It Hurts”
Bad Apples
Dearest Rachel – In the game of Cards Against Humanity that we used to enjoy playing together in large groups, there is a black card that reads “________: Awesome in theory, kind of a mess in practice,” to which the players submit their best white cards with one outlandish concept or another. The point, ofContinue reading “Bad Apples”
To Practical Use
Dearest Rachel – I honestly don’t know if I’m boring you with my latest obsession with artificial intelligence and pictures of you. Despite your degree in computer science (which you earned essentially pre-internet, so it was practically worthless within a few years of your graduation), you rarely seemed as interested in the ins and outsContinue reading “To Practical Use”
A Look at Younger You
Dearest Rachel – Since I’m insistent on being home when Kris is coming in to clean the house – not to supervise her, mind you (indeed, between eating breakfast, brushing my teeth and doing several loads of laundry as she’s trying to make her way through each room in the house, I worry that IContinue reading “A Look at Younger You”
What You Get Out of It
Dearest Rachel – Even the most inspirational saying can be rendered ridiculous with the wrong (or, if you’re a comedian, the right) preface. Life is like a sewer; what you get out of it depends on what you put into it Tom Lehrer Such was what’s been going through my mind as I’ve been experimentingContinue reading “What You Get Out of It”
When You’re Deep in the Weeds…
Dearest Rachel – There were plenty of days when I would come home from the office (both when I was actually working at my job, and after I had set myself up with a desk in my folks’ basement after retiring), and you would ask me about my day, and I would have a certainContinue reading “When You’re Deep in the Weeds…”
A Hundred Blurry Photographs
Dearest Rachel – There’s a certain joy in having a project that feels like I could really make something out of it for a change. After having my plans for a YouTube channel derailed, first by a lack of talent (both my own and trying to recruit skilled assistance) and then by outside events (includingContinue reading “A Hundred Blurry Photographs”
Opened A Little Early
Dearest Rachel – It seems a bit inappropriate to make such a comparison, especially considering that it involves you – the idea of thinking of a person as a toy or plaything, when expressed in that way, seems repugnant – but I feel like a kid who has just gotten the chance to open oneContinue reading “Opened A Little Early”
Letters to Rachel 