I don’t always ride Google’s search engine. (Midjourney synthagraph)
All right, folks, let’s chat. The U.S. Department of Justice has gone after Google with antitrust charges — and honestly, it’s got many of us shaking our heads. Let’s break down what’s going on.
First off, Google isn’t stealing cookies from the cookie jar. They’re spending big bucks, fair and square, to have that sweet spot on our browsers. And guess what? The folks who own those browsers? They’re not forced to sell that spot to Google. They’re choosing to because it’s good business. If some other search engine wanted to fork out the cash, they could have that spot, too.
Now, let’s talk about search results. Yeah, I admit, I use Google. Why? Because for a ton of my searches, they’re just plain better.
But I’m also a fan of underdogs. Bing? They’ve surprised me more than once with top-notch results. And DuckDuckGo? It’s a great way to guard your privacy.
Google isn’t some sinister monopoly; it’s about getting the best bang for your click.
But here’s the rub: whenever someone does well in America, a line of folks is waiting to knock them down a peg.
Remember when Google was a scrappy startup? Where were AltaVista, Magellan, and HotBot when Google was on the rise? Oh, right, they got outpaced.
Think about our homegrown heroes – Amazon, SpaceX, eBay, Tesla, Microsoft, Apple. None got a free pass to the top. They clawed their way up, took risks, and made it big. And now? They’re household names.
Instead of applauding folks who make it big, we’re waiting to tear them down. What’s next? Will we make everyone play on the same level, even if they’re not bringing the same game?
Nikola Tesla or Herr Schicklgruber? You be the judge.
Once upon a time, I embarked on a noble journey as an artist, intending to shed light on a misunderstood genius from the past. Little did I know that this artistic adventure would lead me into an unexpected situation.
The protagonist of this story is none other than myself. The misunderstood genius I sought to portray is the legendary Nikola Tesla, whose knowledge lay in lightning rather than in perfecting his golf swing.
Now, here’s where things took an unforeseen turn. Alongside the vision of Tesla playing golf, I inadvertently generated an AI-created image that, by chance, bore a passing resemblance to Adolf Hitler, the infamous turd who made the world his punchbowl.
I must emphasize that there is no actual historical or factual connection between Tesla and Hitler.
My idea was to present Tesla in an unusual setting, breaking free from his usual lab environment and having a playful moment on the golf course. The irony of such a depiction was an intriguing creative challenge, a project worth sharing.
So, I enlisted the help of my AI bot assistant and provided the following prompt:
“Create a photorealistic HD 8K portrait of Nikola Tesla on a golf course, with lightning striking dramatically in the background. The photo should be set in 1930, using 2-color Technicolor, depicting a stormy day with ominous clouds in a 16:9 aspect ratio.”
As you can see, the outcome sort of captures Tesla’s essence but also somewhat sort of resembles Hitler. (It’s essential to clarify that the similarity in the AI-generated image is purely coincidental.)
Similarly, odd coincidences show Barack Obama resembling Clutch Cargo, J.J. Abrams and Rachel Maddow seeming to have been separated at birth, and Paul Revere looking like either Bob Hope or Jack Black.
For example, many in the newspaper industry have watched helplessly as corporate interests slash and burn their way through the once-verdant fields of journalism. Sadly, the most-recent casualties are editorial cartoonists.
ChatGPT’s GPT-4 model has some good advice. Here’s my prompt, following by the bot’s response . . .
USER You are a successful entrepreneur who sees trends and reacts to them with keen innovation. Write a 500-word reaction to reports that recent layoffs at newspapers have included editorial cartoonists. How will this affect editorial cartoonists? Will newspapers still publish editorial cartoons? And what should editorial cartoonists do to protect themselves?
ChatGPT As someone who keeps a keen eye on trends and innovation, I understand the worries and the potential implications of this development.
The decline in the newspaper industry and the subsequent layoffs have indeed had a significant impact on various roles within the field, including editorial cartoonists. These talented artists have played a vital role in expressing political commentary, social criticism, and conveying important messages through their thought-provoking illustrations. Losing their presence in newspapers could potentially result in a loss of diversity and creativity in editorial content.
However, despite the challenges faced by the traditional newspaper industry, the demand for editorial cartoons and political satire remains strong. With the rise of digital platforms and the advent of social media, the medium through which editorial cartoons are consumed and shared has evolved. This transition opens up new opportunities for editorial cartoonists to adapt their craft and reach a broader audience.
While newspapers may reduce their focus on editorial cartoons due to financial constraints, there are still avenues for cartoonists to pursue their careers and ensure their work continues to be appreciated.
First and foremost, they should leverage the power of the internet and establish a strong online presence. Creating a personal website or portfolio, engaging with social media platforms, and collaborating with digital publications are effective strategies to showcase their talent to a global audience.
Moreover, editorial cartoonists can explore alternative platforms and publications that prioritize visual storytelling and commentary. Online news outlets, magazines, blogs, and even independent publications often embrace editorial cartoons as a means to engage and entertain their readership. By actively seeking out these opportunities, cartoonists can secure commissions and build relationships with new audiences.
Additionally, diversifying their skill set can be beneficial for editorial cartoonists in navigating the changing landscape.
While traditional print cartoons may face challenges, other forms of visual content, such as animations, infographics, and digital illustrations, are gaining popularity. By expanding their repertoire and adapting their style to different mediums, cartoonists can position themselves as versatile artists capable of providing engaging and dynamic content across various platforms.
To protect themselves in this evolving industry, editorial cartoonists should also consider collaborating with other creative professionals and exploring potential partnerships. Joining forces with writers, journalists, and content creators can help amplify their messages and extend their reach. By working together, they can develop innovative approaches to storytelling and secure opportunities that may not have been available to them individually.
Ultimately, while the recent layoffs in newspapers may signal a challenging time for editorial cartoonists, it is essential to remember that creativity and innovation thrive even in the face of adversity. By embracing the changing landscape, leveraging digital platforms, diversifying their skill set, and seeking new avenues for publication, editorial cartoonists can continue to make a significant impact and contribute to the vibrant world of political and social commentary.
The path ahead may not be easy, but with resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to their craft, I believe editorial cartoonists can overcome the challenges and continue to thrive.
Vice President Kamala Harris shakes hands with the future. (Fake photo by Midjourney)
I gave ChatGPT a sample of Vice President Kamala Harris’ comments about AI and worked with its GPT-4 bot to improve the message. The result, I believe, shows that AI is nothing to be afraid of — and in many cases can aid in human communication.
Everybody who wants to communicate well needs a second opinion. Harris seems overwhelmed much of the time. An AI assistant could help her reduce the stress of creating material for public appearances. I know I use AI as a proofreader and occasional collaborator. Our vice president should consider doing so, too.
Here’s how I worked with ChatGPT.
User — Look at the following text and when you’ve done so, reply “Read.”: I think the first part of this issue that should be articulated is AI is kind of a fancy thing, first of all, it’s two letters, it means artificial intelligence but ultimately what it is is it’s about machine learning. And so the machine is taught and part of the issue here is what information is going into the machine that will then determine, and we can predict then if we think about what information is going in, what then will be produced in terms of decisions and opinions that may be made through that process.
ChatGPT — Read.
User — Please rewrite to enhance clarity and eliminate confusing word choices and sentence structure. Retain first-person viewpoint.
ChatGPT — Firstly, it’s crucial to understand that AI, which stands for artificial intelligence, is essentially about machine learning. It may sound complex with its abbreviated terminology, but fundamentally, it’s a process where machines are taught certain information. The key aspect to focus on here is the type of information fed into these machines. This input significantly shapes the decisions and opinions that the machine will ultimately generate. By carefully considering what information is being introduced, we can anticipate the potential outcomes of the machine’s learning process.
User — Simply even more.
ChatGPT — AI, short for artificial intelligence, is all about teaching machines. What we need to focus on is what we’re teaching them. The information we put in influences the decisions they make. If we know what’s going in, we can guess what will come out.
User — Eliminate duplicated words.
ChatGPT — AI stands for artificial intelligence and involves instructing machines. The input determines their decisions. Knowing the input allows us to predict the output.
User — Rewrite with fewer long words.
ChatGPT — AI means teaching machines. What we teach shapes their choices. Knowing what we teach helps us guess their choices.
User — Rewrite and avoid the word “guess.”
ChatGPT — AI involves teaching machines. The lessons they get shape their choices. By understanding their lessons, we can predict their choices.
User — Rewrite and shorten.
ChatGPT — AI teaches machines. Their lessons shape choices. Understanding lessons predicts choices.
User — Rewrite and change “get” to “given.”
ChatGPT — AI instructs machines. Lessons given shape choices. Knowing lessons foresees choices.
User — Rewrite and explain who is referred to in the last sentence.
ChatGPT — AI trains machines. The lessons they’re given mold their actions. When we know these lessons, we can anticipate their actions.
User — Use another word instead of “know.”
ChatGPT — AI guides machines. The lessons they receive define their actions. By comprehending these lessons, we can predict their actions.
User— Rewrite to make less confusing.
ChatGPT — AI is a way to train machines. The lessons we give them shape what they do. If we understand these lessons, we can predict what they’ll do.
User — If you can do so without altering the meaning, change “what they’ll do” to “their output.”
ChatGPT — AI is a method to educate machines. The lessons we provide determine their actions. If we understand these lessons, we can predict their output.
User — Rewrite the following to sound better in a speech: AI is a way of educating machines. The lessons we provide determine their actions, so by understanding the lessons, we can predict the output.
ChatGPT — In the realm of AI, we essentially teach machines. The essence of their actions is formed by the instructions we supply. By fully grasping these lessons, we gain the power to foresee their output.
User — Rewrite to be more friendly and conversational.
ChatGPT — So, you know, AI is like our way of schooling machines. What they do? Well, that’s pretty much based on what we teach them. And if we really get what we’re teaching them, we can kinda guess what they’re going to spit out.
User — Rewrite this to sound less academic: In the realm of AI, we essentially teach machines. The essence of their actions is formed by the instructions we supply. By fully grasping these lessons, we gain the power to foresee their output.
ChatGPT — When it comes to AI, we’re really just teaching machines. The stuff they do? It’s all based on what we’ve told them. If we truly understand what we’re teaching, we can better predict what they’re going to do next.
User — Find a non-clumsy way of telling what AI stands for.
ChatGPT — When we talk about AI, we’re actually referring to ‘Artificial Intelligence’. It’s just a fancy way of saying we’re teaching machines to think and act on their own.
User — Rewrite to eliminate redundancies: When talking about AI, we’re referring to “Artificial Intelligence.” It’s a fancy way of saying we’re teaching machines to think and act independently. If we truly understand what we’re teaching, we can better predict what they’re going to do next.
ChatGPT — AI, or “Artificial Intelligence,” is all about educating machines to act independently. By fully grasping the lessons we impart, we can anticipate their next move.
Do you recall the tales of awe and surprise at the first sighting of an automobile?
This once revolutionary technology, commonplace today, utterly transformed the world. Much like the horse-drawn carriage being superseded by the car, another significant shift is on the horizon — the rise of artificial intelligence.
Just as automobiles reshaped society, reducing distances and speeding up life, AI promises to impact our world on an even grander scale. It is poised to liberate us from mundane tasks and challenge intricate problems beyond our current capacities.
Consider this: Cars granted us an unprecedented level of freedom and mobility. Similarly, AI stands to provide an intellectual liberation, taking over routine tasks and opening up time and space for human creativity and innovation. From advanced healthcare research to tackling climate change, AI is gearing up to address some of our most pressing issues.
However, like every tool, its benefit is contingent upon its use. If guided appropriately, AI can transport us to a future where we can focus on enriching the human experience, unburdened by monotonous chores or daunting problems. The journey to this future promises to be as transformative and exhilarating as the advent of the automobile.
So, prepare for an exciting ride — AI is at the wheel!
In “The Magnificent Ambersons,” Eugene Morgan reflects on the automobile’s impending legacy. This 1942 film is based on the book published in 1918.
Midjourney created this evocative cover for a Western romance novel I’m percolating.
The wonders of AI keep unveiling themselves — most recently, as photorealistic images.
I am astounded.
I’ve been test-driving a new AI program called Midjourney. It can create infinite images, including uncannily lifelike, detailed, photorealistic images from descriptive text.
Last night, in nostalgia for Western romance novels, I tested Midjourney. I prompted: “A young cowboy kisses his sweetheart during an evening rainstorm.” A simple, evocative. I clicked the generate button and prepared for a laughable, cartoonish result.
When the image popped up on my screen, I was speechless.
It was a sight to behold. The image showed a rugged cowboy, complete with a hat, locked in a passionate embrace with his sweetheart. The couple was about to kiss as they stood in the warm glow of a rainy western street. The light from nearby windows reflected off their clothing, creating a surreal, dreamy atmosphere. It was tender, raw, and powerful.
It was so real and vivid that I had to remind myself that no artist’s hand had touched this piece. It was pure AI, Midjourney flexing its silicon muscles to breathe life into a simple string of words.
To say I was pleased would be a gross understatement. I was dumbfounded, thrilled, and utterly captivated. Midjourney’s image wasn’t just photorealistic; it told a story. It captured the moment’s essence, making me feel like I was peering into a novel myself.
Now, I’m left with this burning question: Could this image make it to the big time? Could it stand shoulder to shoulder with professionally photographed book covers? Could it grip a potential reader’s imagination and entice them into the wild, passionate world of a Western romance novel?
Ringway Manchester does a great job of explaining how, since the dawn of broadcasting, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission has been tracking radio transmissions by using direction-finding installations in remote, rural areas.
Many employ a unique antenna known as a Wullenweber array that looks sort of like a wireframe Stonehenge. Viewed from above, some of these circular setups could pass for center-pivot irrigation systems.
Typewriter aficionado, photographer, writer, and philosopher Joe Van Cleave covers this topic in much greater detail — and far better than I have here — in “Is Good Enough Good Enough?” If you’re interested in anything creative, Joe can steer you true.
L.T. Hanlon 