Tuesday, October 17, 2023

National Theatre to trial 6.30pm start times

I think this is a great idea. The National Theatre is trialling an earlier start time for selected performances - initially on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I'm all for it as it means you either get home earlier or can catch the train home if you live further afield, or there's time to go for dinner afterwards. It also allows the cast, stage management and front-of-house teams to get home a bit earlier. Seems like a win-win to me.

I love everything the National Theatre does - I don't think there's a play I've seen there that I didn't like, and some have been downright fantastic and have well-deserved their transfers to the West End and national tours. Admittedly, I'm biased. I was at youth theatre with Rufus Norris back in the 1980s and I feel immense joy knowing what he has achieved in his time at the National Theatre - he completes his tenure in 2025. I'm particularly looking forward to seeing a new play, Nye, early next year starring Michael Sheen which is about Nye Bevin and the birth of what is now the NHS.

A top tip for getting cheaper tickets to plays at the National - every Friday at 1pm, they release a limited number of tickets for shows the following week for just £10. It's called Friday Rush. More info here and set yourself a reminder in your calendar.

More about the trial of early show times over at WhatsOnStage.



Monday, July 24, 2023

Green Man could stay on for longer at pedestrian crossings in England

I'm pleased to see that the length of time given for someone to cross a road at pedestrian crossings in the UK is to be increased. I walk pretty fast most of the time but even I have difficulty completing crossing the road in time in certain places. When my Mum was alive and aging, she had no chance of crossing the road in the time allotted and we had to hope that drivers would be kind and let us pass. That did mean she restricted where she went on her own and the routes she took in order to reduce the number of main roads she needed to cross.

However, there seems to me to be a flaw in the equation. Research shows that the more densely populated a place is, the quicker they tend to walk. Therefore the average walking speed in Worcester will be different from the walking speed in London. Not only that, but some places will have a higher proportion of people in their vicinity who are less mobile due to age or illness. I hope, therefore, that there will be local nuance in the decisions made.

It may seem like very trivial news to some, but it has the potential to make our streets more accessible to those who walk the most.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-66292145

Friday, July 21, 2023

AI and the Frontier Paradox

This thought leadership piece by Konstantine Buhler at Sequoia is well worth a read. I remember a conversation over a decade ago about AI with futurist, David Wood and he told me at the time that the dot on Google Maps showing us where we were was a type of AI. We don't call it that any longer - it just works on our phone and the technology is invisible - as many of the best technology tools are. I can certainly see how it will become quite commonplace to use tools like Bard or ChatGPT and not think anything of it. It will just be part of our routine use of phones, laptops and smart speakers.

I'm now beginning to see the rise of many of these tools as, perhaps, more like the switch from DOS to Windows - a much more intuitive interface with which to do what you need to do to get your tasks done. Or the switch from using laptops to phones which gave access to the internet and digital capabilities to many millions more people across the world. 

And yet, what is coming feels like it's so much more than that and more far-reaching in terms of giving anyone the ability to engage with digital tools using talking or text chat. That feels revolutionary to me rather than evolutionary. Or is it way over-hyped and it will all calm down again in a few months? After all, this AI thing has been in the human imagination for more than a century with the first place about 'robots' being written in 1921. And it has been in development for more than 70 years. We are now living in the future that scientists were imagining back in the 1950s and 1960s.

https://www.sequoiacap.com/article/ai-paradox-perspective/

Wednesday, June 07, 2023

A 1976 Herzog prompt and thoughts on AI and ChatGPT

Following a post from friend, Tom Hume, I gave ChatGPT (the free version) a prompt from Werner Herzog.  He wrote this in 1976 in relation to working on his film, Heart of Glass. Tom pointed out that perhaps Herzog had invented the 'prompt'. 

As such, I thought it would be fun to try it out and see what came out. I've adapted the last line if the prompt to say 'write' rather than 'read aloud'. The full transcript is at the bottom of this blog post.

I don't know if the AI has had this prompt before, and if so, how many times, nor if it gives a different result each time. I haven't played with it enough yet to understand it's current capability. But as synthetic writing goes, it really isn't bad at all, albeit a bit flowery and clichéd. I'm sure there will be literary critics and avid readers who can pick further faults with it. But for most of us, it reads pretty well. 


What is interesting about this experiment is that although this is a natural language conversation, the AI doesn't understand it as such. It didn't get that I just wanted it to write me the poem that the monk had written. But instead wrote a piece of prose further elaborating what I had already written. I needed to ask an additional question to get the poem.

For the ordinary person to get the most of this technology, we're going to have to learn how to talk to a computer, how to give crystal clear instructions. The conversation style we might have with each other won't cut it. Most people's communication skills are lacking - communication is a two way street. You may be very eloquent but the person you're communicating with may not receive the message as intended. Not only that, we have so many additional layers of communication to add to the message beyond the words alone - tone of voice, body language, context, life experience, setting and more. Natural language is just one aspect of how we communicate.

I am fascinated by generative AI and what humans can achieve with it. It has taken decades for it to be where we are now and what feels like an overnight success. This is just the beginning though, and whether we like it or not, this thing isn't going away.


Here is the transcript of my conversation.

Me (quoting Herzog)

"You're the first one for centuries who has set foot on a foreign island. It's overgrown with jungle and full of strange birds. You come across a gigantic cliff, and on closer inspection discover the rock is actually green emerald. Hundreds of years ago a monk took a chisel and hammer and engraved a poem into the wall. You open your eyes and are the first one to see it. Please write what you see." 


ChatGPT 

"As I cautiously approached the gigantic cliff, my senses were immediately engulfed by the lush jungle that surrounded me. The air was heavy with humidity, the scent of damp earth and vibrant vegetation wafting through my nostrils. Strange birds of vivid hues flitted among the trees, their melodic calls echoing through the dense foliage. It was a surreal, untouched paradise.

With each step closer to the cliff, my eyes widened in awe. Towering before me was a majestic wall, its surface glimmering with an ethereal green radiance. The emerald sheen was mesmerizing, as if the very essence of nature had crystallized into this magnificent rock.

I reached out and traced the surface of the emerald with trembling fingers, marveling at the cool, smooth texture beneath my touch. The rock was firm and unyielding, a testament to the passage of time and the strength of nature.

As I studied the emerald more closely, my eyes discerned intricate engravings etched into its surface. The chisel and hammer had left their marks, crafting a poem that had stood the test of centuries. I stood back, allowing my gaze to absorb the delicate curves and flowing lines that composed the verse.

In ancient, weathered characters, the poem unfolded before me, a lyrical tale of wisdom and enlightenment. The words seemed to breathe with life, their meaning transcending the barriers of time. The poem spoke of nature's beauty, of the cycles of life and death, and the interconnectedness of all things.

As I read each line, a profound sense of gratitude and reverence washed over me. I was the first in centuries, perhaps even millenniums, to witness this testament to human artistry and the island's enigmatic allure. The enormity of the moment settled upon my shoulders, filling me with a deep sense of responsibility to preserve and honor this sacred place.

I took a step back, allowing the emerald cliff to reclaim its mystery, its green brilliance blending seamlessly with the surrounding foliage. The island had chosen to share its secret with me, inviting me into its realm of natural wonder and hidden treasures. With a heart filled with wonder and respect, I turned to leave, carrying the memory of the engraved poem forever etched in my mind."

Me (realising the AI hadn't quite understood my request)

"What was the poem exactly?"


ChatGPT

"As an AI language model, I can certainly create a poem for you based on the scenario you've described. Here's an example of a poem that captures the essence of the scene:

In emerald cliff's embrace, I find,

A poet's legacy, long confined.

A verdant canvas, nature's muse,

Whispers of wisdom, ancient and fused.


Amidst the jungle's vibrant bloom,

Where birds of hues paint the gloom,

The chisel's dance, a monk's endeavor,

Engraved in stone, this tale to treasure.


"Behold, the cycles of life's sweet breath,

Where birth and death dance till the end.

From earth's embrace, springs life anew,

As nature weaves its eternal debut.


Through verdant vines and towering trees,

A symphony of unity on nature's keys.

Each leaf, each creature, in harmony dwell,

Bound by a thread, weaved oh so well.


Embrace the mysteries, the depths untold,

The secrets this island, ages old.

For in this emerald sanctuary we find,

A timeless truth, to all humankind.


Oh, wanderer, cherish this sacred land,

Protect its wonders with gentle hand.

Let the echoes of this poem resound,

And may reverence for nature forever be found."


With the poem etched into the emerald cliff, it stands as a testament to the island's beauty, the wisdom of the ancient monk, and the interconnectedness of all living things."

Addendum.

I asked ChatGPT to critique its poem. This is where it really feels like it understands. It doesn't though. It's a computer that knows how to process 0s and 1s, albeit in a very sophisticated way.

Note that it doesn't answer the question 'what is bad about it?' Rather it talks about what could be improved. I'm guessing that's deliberate in the algorithm so it doesn't come across as too negative.

Transcript

Me:

'Can you critique this poem? What is good about it? What is bad about it?'


ChatGPT

Certainly! Here's a critique of the poem:

What is good about it:

Imagery: The poem uses vivid descriptions and sensory details to paint a picture of the lush jungle, the emerald cliff, and the vibrant birds. This helps create a vivid and immersive scene for the reader.

Flow and Rhythm: The poem maintains a consistent flow and rhythm, creating a melodic quality that is pleasing to read and listen to. It flows smoothly from one line to the next, maintaining a cohesive structure.

Theme and Meaning: The poem explores themes of nature's beauty, the cycles of life and death, and the interconnectedness of all things. It reflects a sense of wonder, reverence, and respect for the natural world, which is conveyed effectively.

What can be improved:

Originality: While the poem captures the essence of the scenario, it relies on familiar tropes and imagery associated with nature and its wonders. Adding unique or unexpected elements could enhance its originality and make it stand out.

Poetic Devices: While the poem is structurally sound, it could benefit from incorporating more varied poetic devices such as metaphors, similes, or symbolism to deepen its impact and evoke stronger emotions.

Specificity: The poem could include more specific details to enhance the reader's connection to the scene. Adding specific descriptions of the birds, the foliage, or the engravings on the emerald cliff could make the imagery more vivid and engaging.

Overall, the poem creates a pleasant and evocative atmosphere, but adding more originality, poetic devices, and specific details could enhance its depth and make it even more captivating.


Thursday, February 23, 2023

Swedish Beers Barcelona #15 - The Reunion Edition

Yes, that's right, we're back! Fighting fit and raring to go.

Despite having had to take an enforced break due to the pandemic and family responsibilities, and despite thinking I was done with the whole mobile networking event thing, and despite not deciding to go to Barcelona until a week ago, here I am, hosting another Swedish Beers party!

I'm both thrilled to bits and a little bit scared at the same time as I'm a bit out of practice. But with the outpouring of Swedish Beers love from so many people and amazingly supportive sponsors and friends, I'm delighted to tell you that we're back one more time. It's shaping up to be a good night. 

I'll tell you more about our sponsors and venue over on the Swedish Beers blog, but in the meantime, here's the registration form for Swedish Beers so you can get it in your diaries and share with your friends and colleagues.

As usual, we'll be expecting a down-to-earth crowd of mobile execs from all areas of the industry keen to chew the fat about all things mobile over a drink or three. I'm especially looking forward to hearing from our sponsors, World Mobile, about how they're connecting the last mile of connectivity using blockchain and from 51 Degrees about what nifty things they can do these days with device detection.

You do need to register to come and we reserve the right to ask for ID on the door. And if it's busy, there may be a short wait to get in. Please be patient with us if that happens. We will do our best to get everyone in.

We'll be open from 19:00h until late. Last entry is at 01:00. Food will be available to buy on the night.

Skal and see you there!