AI still has a way to go… but it’s interesting

I have been very busy these last few weeks. Too busy, in fact to pay attention to this blog so I thought I’d cheat this time and ask Microsoft CoPilot AI to help me out by reviewing an image I took of our dog waiting in the sunlight on the top of the stairs of the AirBnB in which we stayed recently.

The resulting prose is interesting, sort of impressive, in a pseudo-philosophical way, and of course totally incorrect. See what you think, and roll your eyes:

Me: “write a blog post about the following image: https://reevephotos.com/featured/patience-richard-reeve.html”

CoPilot:

Title: “Patience: A Reflection on Time and Stillness”

!Patience

In the quietude of a sun-dappled forest, where time seems to stretch and fold upon itself, we find “Patience.” This captivating photograph by Richard Reeve invites us to pause, breathe, and contemplate the delicate balance between movement and stillness.

The Scene

The image transports us to a secluded woodland clearing. Shafts of golden light pierce through the canopy, illuminating the moss-covered ground. A gnarled tree stands sentinel, its twisted branches reaching skyward. The air is thick with anticipation, as if the very leaves hold their breath.

The Essence of Patience

What is patience? It is not merely the absence of haste; it is an active surrender to the rhythm of existence. In this tableau, time slows down. The tree’s rings whisper stories of centuries past, and the ferns unfurl their delicate fronds at their own leisure. The sun, too, takes its time to caress each leaf, casting intricate shadows on the forest floor.

Lessons from Nature

As we gaze upon “Patience,” we are reminded of nature’s wisdom. The tree teaches us resilience—the ability to withstand storms and seasons, to bend without breaking. The ferns teach us persistence—the gradual unfurling of potential, even in the darkest corners. And the sunlight, filtered through leaves, teaches us presence—the art of being fully here, now.

Stillness as a Gift

In our fast-paced lives, stillness is a rare gift. We rush from task to task, our minds perpetually racing. But here, in this forest glade, we glimpse the beauty of quietude. The tree does not fret about tomorrow; it stands rooted in the present. The ferns do not compare themselves to others; they grow at their own pace. And the sunlight, unburdened by clocks, bathes everything in its gentle glow.

A Call to Contemplate

“Patience” invites us to linger. To sit on the fallen log, feel the rough bark against our palms, and listen to the rustle of leaves. It asks us to release our grip on time, to let go of urgency, and to embrace the stillness that surrounds us. Perhaps, in doing so, we discover that patience is not a waiting game—it is a way of being.

So, dear reader, take a moment. Look at the photograph once more. Imagine the cool breeze on your skin, the scent of damp earth, and the whisper of leaves. Let “Patience” be your guide—a silent mentor in the art of living fully, one moment at a time.”

So, what do you think? Are we safe from the inexorable march of the machines for a little bit longer?

~Richard

Duolingo teaches existentialism

I have been learning Spanish for a while using Duolingo, in part to support my travels to Puerto Rico, Spain, and Uruguay. It’s an interesting way to learn vocabulary and set phrases, but on many occasions the examples it uses can be a little bizarre. Presumably this is to make the sentences stand out and stick in the memory.

That being said, over the last few days I have faced several screens which made me question whether Duo the perky owl who fronts the app is perhaps having an existential crisis. I provide my evidence in the order in which they were received over a few days:

The other question on my mind is “who was Pedro?” Does anyone have any suggestions?

~Richard

Whispers of Alchemy: Castillo Pittamiglio

In the heart of Montevideo, Uruguay, where the urban fabric weaves a tapestry of modernity and tradition, there lies a structure that defies the ordinary – Castillo Pittamiglio. With its eclectic façade and enigmatic presence, this “castle” provides a gateway to the past, as a monument that harbors tales of alchemy and mysticism.

Built by the architect and alchemist Humberto Pittamiglio, the castle stands as a testament to a life dedicated to the esoteric and the profound. From the outside, the building captivates passersby with a replica of the iconic Greek sculpture, the Winged Victory of Samothrace, emerging from a round brick tower, crowned by a coat of arms.

Stepping inside, you’re transported into a world where every corner whispers secrets of ancient wisdom. The castle’s history is shrouded in stories, some even claiming it once housed the Holy Grail. The interior is a labyrinth of rooms and corridors, each adorned with alchemical, Templar, Rosicrucian, and Masonic symbols. There are several puzzles and conundrums within the building which make you think deeply about the present and past.

Pittamiglio believed in the metaphor that life is a journey on a ship, and he reflected this in the castle’s never-ending construction, which continued until his death. It’s said that this was also a representation of the ‘wet path’ of alchemy.

In short, Castillo Pittamiglio is more than just a building; it’s a narrative woven into the fabric of Montevideo’s culture. It invites the curious and the seekers to explore its depths and perhaps, in its shadows, find a piece of the eternal quest for knowledge and transformation.

~Richard

Note to POTUS

I have visited Washington, DC several times over the years but I must admit I had never walked around the Tidal Basin in its entirety and visited the Memorial to Franklin Delano Roosevelt. This tribute to FDR and his four terms as a US President is quite unusual. A strikingly different approach was taken in its design when compared to the somewhat more traditional (and arguably more photogenic) edifices built as homages to Presidents Washington, Lincoln and Jefferson.

FDR was an interesting president, hiding his disability at a time when it would have been considered weak to be anything less that an idealized “true man.” He was far from perfect, as the lack of dealing with racial equality on his watch attests, but he did make significant changes to the American way at a time of great turmoil and hardship, leading the nation through both the aftermath of the Great Depression and World War II.

The memorial is arranged to explore each of his four terms in office and, among the walls and sculptures contains several pieces of text carved into the marble. One of these quotes struck a chord with me for it’s prescience, and in my opinion, should also be reproduced over the doorway of the Oval Office so that every occupant, of every political persuasion, can contemplate it when seated at their desk.

~Richard

Farewell to Stumpy: A Symbol of Hope and Sacrifice

We visited Washington, DC last weekend to catch sight of the early cherry blossoms. As we were enjoying a walk around the Tidal Basin near the Jefferson memorial we saw this withered cherry tree with flooded roots yet clinging to life sufficiently to put out some glorious blossom.

This is Stumpy, the beloved cherry tree that had apparently captured hearts as a symbol of resilience in the face of climate change. And s/he is bidding us farewell. The National Park Service announced that Stumpy, along with 158 other cherry trees, will be cut down to facilitate vital seawall repairs in the Tidal Basin and West Potomac Park.

Unfortunately, despite the emotional attachment to Stumpy, logic dictates the necessity of this decision. The deteriorating seawall poses a significant threat, leading to daily flooding that imperils not only the trees but also nearby monuments and public safety.

While the loss is poignant, there’s a glimmer of hope in Stumpy’s sacrifice. The removal will pave the way for the planting of 274 new cherry trees, ensuring a more secure future for this historical park. Stumpy’s legacy will also live on through cuttings ensuring that the tree’s genetic lineage continues.

Though his physical presence may fade, his spirit will endure as a reminder of the need for action in the face of climate challenges.

I took several photos and processed them in a variety of ways here but I am glad to have spent several hours creating this selective color version which I think emphasizes the beauty of Nature in adversity.

~Richard

3.14 Pi Day – Really?

Today is Pi Day apparently. I have never really understood this for three reasons: (a) Pi is an irrational number and therefore is not 3.14 but rather 3.14159235… ad infinitum; (b) because of point (a) we were always taught to use 22/7 for the value of Pi at school in the days of mental mathematics; and (c) in the vast majority of the world where the date format is dd-mmm-yyyy not mm-dd-yy, the fractional number for Pi of 22/7 would be the 22nd day in July Therefore that would make much more sense to me to be Pi Day, but I guess pinning it to 14th of March just proves how much sway the US has in the world!

That being said, I looked to see if I had any pi-related imagery (or even pie-related, for comic effect) but as I didn’t I decided to use this one I took several years go which demonstrates the relationship between the radius of a circle and its circumference. If the length of the wire with the sparking basket is r then the circumference of the circle being traced is 2πr, although as you can see here it’s difficult to keep that thing spinning at a fixed distance from the camera!

~Richard

Las Setas de Sevilla

Seville is an ancient city, but nestled in the old quarter there is a remarkably bold, newer piece of architecture. Las Setas (the mushrooms) is a spectacularly large, organic, wooden structure which earns its name because it resembles several parasol mushrooms connected together. The sculpture is the largest wooden construction in the world, covering 3,500 cubic meters, and is lit up at night with multicolored lights and an accompanying sound show. There are walkways across the top which allow visitors to enjoy not only the building but also an aerial view of the city. At certain places on the roof visitors can even influence the pattern of the lights on the whole structure by interacting with a camera, although not many visitors know this!

Despite the colorful evening show, in reviewing the photographs I had taken on out trip to Seville I thought I would show one here which I processed into dark monochrome. To me it emphasizes the wonderful composite wooden structure which resembles the pores/gills seen on the underside of a mushroom. What do you think?

~ Richard

The Apocalyptic Four

I’ve been a fan of abstract and surreal art and architecture for many years and I was fortunate to visit Barcelona a while ago and to spend a couple of days admiring several of the works of the great Antoni Gaudi. Some of his buildings are architectural derring do are just truly breathtaking in their audacity.

Recently I have started looking through the photographs that I had taken and started to upload a few to my art website reevephotos.com. Some of the photos I have left in their “natural state” while with others I have felt the urge to create new imagery.

One such image is that of the 4 ventilation chimneys atop the Casa Milà building, constructed between 1906 and 1912. These structures look out over Barcelona from an area of the rooftop known as the Garden of the Warriors.

Given the name and their obvious symbolism, I thought it only fit to also give them a short story too, only 3 sentences long:

They had dismounted and now stood together. Staring intently at the citadel. Was it with menace or indifference?

Let me know what you think of the imagery and/or the accompanying prose.

~Richard

Vertigo Glitch

Glitch art typically refers to visual glitches, either in a still or moving image, made by either “capturing” an image of a glitch as it randomly happens, or more often by artists manipulating their digital files to produce these “pseudo-errors.”

In my case, this image was a totally natural phenomenon whilst walking along a street in Valencia in the summer of ’22. I hadn’t known I had taken this image until I uploaded the contents of my memory card to my laptop as part of my daily ritual. I was pleasantly surprised with this serendipitous imagery and accompanied it was a short, study-like caption, as is my wont… 

As the world spun, all the color drained from it too. What on earth was happening to him?

So, what do you think of the image? Have you any glitch art (either real, or perhaps contrived through image manipulation?) Let me know.

~Richard

6 sentence story – Discombobulated

I had a little fun in GIMP today, loading up an image I had taken of an apartment block in the Old City in Montevideo, Uruguay last year and merging it with a desaturated copy slightly out of alignment to give a glitchy effect. I think this was a little inspired from last night’s viewing of the disconcerting TV series, Severance.

Anyhow. I also put together a micro story (six-sentence) to accompany the image, so please let me know what you think!

Despite shaking his head he still couldn’t focus. And the pill hadn’t helped. Where on earth was he? This trip had been particularly bad and now both his realities were out of alignment. He felt in his pocket. That’s odd, he thought, this isn’t my phone.

~Richard

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