Sometimes AI produces useful and even stunning results. And other times…not so much. My blog post yesterday was a metaphor/fable entitled “The Hamster and the Hummingbird.” When I finished pasting it from Notes where I had composed it, I thought, “Hey, wouldn’t it be great to have an AI-generated graphic to illustrate it?” It would.Continue reading “Commentary on AI Art”
Author Archives: stephenschrum
The Hamster and the Hummingbird
On the porch table, overlooking the garden, is a smallish wire cage. Inside it is set a wheel, and on that wheel is a hamster. The hamster is running for his life. Is it for exercise? Is it for amusement? Looking closely at the expression on his face, he doesn’t seem to be enjoying theContinue reading “The Hamster and the Hummingbird”
Meal$$$
What’s the most money you’ve ever spent on a meal? Was it worth it? At one point in my adulthood, while living near Berkeley, I saved my aluminum cans and took them to a recycling center for money. That would buy a dinner for two at McDonald’s at the time. Prices have risen substantially sinceContinue reading “Meal$$$”
Snob, No!
I don’t think I can be accused of being a snob. After my “humble origins,” as they say, the jobs I’ve held, and my general attitude toward life, arrogance and snobbery are not among my traits. Yes, I got my PhD from Berkeley, but I don’t shout that as a part of my status (evenContinue reading “Snob, No!”
Illusions, Delusions, and Hallucinations
A few years back, I told someone that fantasies were good things. They are especially necessary for older people, and older men in particular, because they provide hope that can sustain us through otherwise dark times. The manifestations of the imagination listed in the title are very different, however, and can provide various levels ofContinue reading “Illusions, Delusions, and Hallucinations”
Scam Whoops!
The text messaging began like other scammy ones that preceded it, and so I played along. During that conversation I googled salons in SF and decided a Sutter Street address sounded right. Unfortunately, the next day, I accidentally sent a text intended for someone else (who’s doing the recording for the audiobook version of myContinue reading “Scam Whoops!”
Physics and Metaphysics
What are you curious about? Today’s prompt asks what I’m curious about. The articles I always click on in the news deal with the makeup of the universe. Discovery of black holes, exoplanets, other physical manifestations of the cosmos—these intrigue me. I’ve always wondered if humans have some sort of knowledge of everything that transcendsContinue reading “Physics and Metaphysics”
Fudge That Grudge
There’s a list of restaurants and businesses that I won’t return to, usually because of bad service. The Buffalo Wild Wings that made a cock-up of our post-show reservation, had poor and slow service, made my meal in 5 minutes when I complained after waiting an hour, and then the “manager” “explaining” that the problemContinue reading “Fudge That Grudge”
Promises…In the Dark…
How would you describe yourself to someone who can’t see you? I’m standing in a completely dark room. There might be a power blackout. Or it could be a dungeon. Perhaps the person in front of me is blindfolded. In any case, she asks, “What do you look like?” “Tall. Incredibly handsome. A luscious headContinue reading “Promises…In the Dark…”
Tradition? Tradition!
What traditions have you not kept that your parents had? Traditions are very important to many people. Repeating rituals on an annual (give or take) basis, passing on those traditions to the children so that they are preserved by the family. Sometimes, when traditions drop away, people lament their passing as if a piece ofContinue reading “Tradition? Tradition!”
MUSOFYR 