• AI, Parody, and Acceptability

    AI, Parody, and Acceptability

    Or a discussion of AI guardrails. Listening to yet another news piece on Jeffrey Epstein, I realized that part of my brain has been filled up – against my will – by someone I wish was not in there. I didn’t have a say in the matter. And I probably have no legal right to…

  • Bravehart

    Bravehart

    Anyone remember the classic show from the 80’s staring Bob Newhart – Newhart (1982-1990). Besides being known for the unexpected finale dream sequence, it was also known for the Larry/Daryl/Daryl bit. This idea was one of those times when my memory – which is really good at connecting bits of information together, like if I…

  • Waymo-a-go-go

    Waymo-a-go-go

    There are articles in the press about how Waymo drivers are so lazy that gig workers are getting paid up to $24 to close the door so that the Waymo can go. The other day I was down by the Embarcadero in San Francisco and passed a Waymo sitting with it’s doors unlocked (you can…

  • Yarn the Yak

    Yarn the Yak

    In my post Eric Carle I’m Not, I discovered & refined the character of Yarn the Yak (they/them). This lovable yak with fur made of colorful yarn spoke to and I decided to run with it a little. First I created images of Yarn the Yak and their friends the armadillo, aardvark, and donkey using…

  • Eric Carle I’m Not

    Eric Carle I’m Not

    I’m not an illustrator, though perhaps I always wished I had that talent. But all of this AI experimentation is about how to leverage the creativity I do have, with skills I do not. Hence I wanted to see about creating a children’s book. Create a page to go in a children’s book that features…

  • Mary Had a Little Lamb

    Mary Had a Little Lamb

    In the course of trying to debug some issues with Gemini, I gave it a simple prompt to make an audio track: Create a track where someone is “singing” Mary had a little lamb with farts “The Gassy Flute Lament” Not exactly what I had in mind, but fun enough to share here.

  • Mistakes

    Mistakes

    At the bottom of the web interface for Gemini is the disclaimer “Gemini is AI and can make mistakes.” It’s a typical “cover your butt” statement – a warning that AI can mistakes. But how about trying to make Gemini make mistakes? Make a short childhood nursery rhyme but fill it will all sorts of…

  • In the Public Domain, Part 1

    In the Public Domain, Part 1

    Mindful of the use of copyrighted materials in AI, I decided to do some experiments in Gemini using recognizable characters out of copyright. Make a list of 15 recognizable characters which are now out in the public domain. Include the date that they went into the public domain. It returned the following list: Character Entry…

  • The Splintered Throne

    The Splintered Throne

    After my quick experiment with The Real Slim Shady Musical, I decided I wanted to try something more original – though equally ridiculous. I want to write a stage musical in the style of Rodgers & Hammerstein. Simple enough. Wasn’t sure yet what the musical was going to be about. It returned the following song:…

  • The Real Slim Shady Musical

    The Real Slim Shady Musical

    Another round of AI experiments. This time, I was playing around with Gemini creating music tracks that were…not expected. Record a track for the following lyrics that looks like it was recorded by the singers on the Lawrence Welk variety show “May I have your attention please? May I have your attention please? Will the…