Dean Clough

February 24, 2023

Portico Darwin: Depart SF + I Did Not Produce This

TODAY'S RAMBLINGS

3 Minute Read
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Editor's Note:  tomorrow we depart for 8 nights in Houston, where we will be attending the extraordinary Livestock Show & Rodeo as the guests of the future highriser Dr. Shelly Murphy.  So to make it easy on myself, essentially every word that follows and all of the images were created by the artificial intelligence engine (AI) interfaces lex.page and DreamStudio, respectively.   

This is all in response to a request from a couple of readers to have AI engines do an entire blog on 1 or 2 of my typical topics, and also FROM THE UNWASHED MASSES and KLUF.  I have italicized the prompts I used in the creation process.

And since an AI engine wouldn't think to say it:  have a great weekend.  OK, here goes.

The Psycho Woke 
A painting of a hyper woke individual
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Write a short article about hyper wokeness in America

In recent times, the phrase “hyper-wokeness” has become a hot button topic in the United States.  This term describes the tendency among many progressive Americans to be intensely aware of social and political injustices, especially those related to race and gender.

Hyper-wokeness is often characterized by an eagerness to speak out against perceived injustices, a willingness to challenge those in power, and an impulse to correct others’ mistakes and missteps.  This can be seen in the multitude of protests, rallies, and educational efforts that have been launched in recent years.

Although hyper-wokeness is often seen as a positive example of social activism, it also has its detractors. Some have criticized it as a form of “superficial activism” that fails to achieve meaningful and lasting changes.  Others have accused it of creating an atmosphere of “cancel culture” in which individuals are quick to call out and criticize the words and actions of those with whom they disagree.

As the public discourse continues to evolve, there is no doubt that the concept of hyper-wokeness will remain at the forefront of American conversation.  Whether it is seen as a force for good or a dangerous escalation of cancel culture will depend on the particular context and situation.  Either way, the topic is certainly one worth discussing if we want to create a more equitable, inclusive, and just society.

High Speed Rail
High speed passenger train in San Francisco
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Write a short article about high speed passenger trains going to the Salesforce Transit Center in San Francisco

(Editor's Note:  this one illustrates how far AI still has to go - what follows is comically wrong.)

High-Speed Rail to San Francisco is an exciting prospect that could soon become a reality.  The proposed high-speed rail line will connect San Francisco to nearby cities such as Oakland and San Jose, as well as other cities in the Bay Area.  The trains will be able to reach speeds of up to 200 mph, making the journey from San Francisco to Oakland in as little as fifteen minutes.

The high-speed rail line is a major step forward for the Bay Area’s transportation infrastructure and for San Francisco’s connectivity to the rest of the region.  The new line will run along the existing freight rail line and would stop at the Salesforce Transit Center, located in the heart of downtown San Francisco.  The route will also include stops in Oakland, San Jose, Palo Alto, and Redwood City.

The Salesforce Transit Center will serve as an important hub for high-speed rail passengers and will include a variety of amenities and services, such as ticketing booths, an information center, and a lounge area.  It will also provide easy access to San Francisco’s other transportation options, including bike-share, light rail, and buses.

The high-speed rail line is currently in the planning stages, but is expected to start construction soon.  The project is estimated to cost between $40 and $60 billion, and will create thousands of jobs for the region’s residents.  It is expected to be completed by 2033, making it a very exciting prospect for the Bay Area.

FROM THE UNWASHED MASSES

The unwashed masses
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Write a letter to the editor complaining about recent content published

I'm writing today to express my frustration and disappointment with some of the recent content published in your blog.  Specifically, I am referring to some of the articles that have been posted that I feel are inappropriate and disrespectful.

The recent article about a high-profile celebrity's personal life was downright demeaning and invasive. The article was sensationalized and contained no real news value.  It made me feel uncomfortable reading it and I can only imagine how the celebrity would feel about it.

In addition, there have been other inappropriate articles posted that focus on gossip, rumors and scandal - none of which are appropriate topics to be discussed in a newsletter.  This kind of content cheapens the value and mission of the blog and shows a lack of respect for the readership.

I urge you to focus on more meaningful, newsworthy content that is both thoughtful and inoffensive.  I hope that you will take my thoughts into consideration and make the necessary changes to ensure that the newspaper's content is of the highest quality.

KLUF

Classic rock
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Create a playlist of 10 classic rock songs

  1. "Stairway to Heaven" - Led Zeppelin
  2. "Sweet Home Alabama" - Lynyrd Skynyrd
  3. "Free Bird" - Lynyrd Skynyrd
  4. "Bohemian Rhapsody" - Queen
  5. "Back in Black" - AC/DC
  6. "Highway to Hell" - AC/DC
  7. "Born to Be Wild" - Steppenwolf
  8. "Carry On Wayward Son" - Kansas
  9. "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You" - Led Zeppelin
  10. "We Will Rock You" - Queen

Editor's Final Note and a Real Photo:  not a bad list, and oh, that guy playing guitar and singing!  Clearly, This is Spın̈al Tap was in the training data!
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About Dean Clough