The Depressing Reality of DeviantArt (and everything else)
So I absolutely despise AI.
I hate how everyone seems to be fine with blindly feeding it information and data and then blindly using other peoples’ information, data, and creations without their consent.
I hate how “just use ChatGPT” is a thing.
I hate how “that sounds like a ChatGPT generated comment” is a thing.
And I really hate how it has infiltrated art (and creative endeavors in general).
FOR EXAMPLE.
I logged onto DeviantArt the other night – which I do on occasion, because I still post my garbage art there – and noticed that a lot of the posts on the main page looked…artificial.
I dug around a bit and found discovered that there is now a button you can press to indicate if some or all of a submission is AI-generated.
So I did a little experiment. I considered 30 random submissions on the main (most recent) pages of DeviantArt. Out of those 30 submissions, guess how many indicated at least some use of AI?
SEVENTEEN.
OUT OF THIRTY.
That’s disgusting.
What on earth are these people contributing to the art community other than theft?
Why are these people trying to pass this garbage off as art?
The worst part of it is that half of these idiots are probably the type to say “digital art isn’t art lololololol”
Attachment
So this clip came up on Twitter for me today:
(I’ve never watched Bluey so I don’t really know the context, but from everything I’ve heard, Bluey is a great show and you can see that in this little clip.)
Anyway, it got me thinking about houses. As some of you know, I’ve moved around a lot. If I sat down and made a list of all the different times I’ve moved (that is, packed up my belongings and transported them all to a different living location), I suspect it would number in the twenties. Hell, between July 2011 and December 2011 I moved FIVE TIMES.
WHO DOES THAT?
I think a consequence of moving so much has been that I’ve never really felt an attachment to any given house. Sure, I’ve missed living in some houses that I’ve spent time in, but I’ve never had an emotional attachment to any of them. I’ve never cried upon moving from a house, and I cry at everything.
I mean, I can understand why people get emotionally attached to their home, especially if they lived there for like 15 years. Maybe if Nate and I ever move from our condo, I’ll feel that emotional loss (we’ve been here nine years now). But I’ve just never experienced that.
Anyway. Just some thoughts.
Early Morning Vrooming
I was planning on just doing an 18-mile run this morning because we were going to head to Nate’s parent’s place for an overnight stay, but plans fell through and I ended up doing a 50k instead.
Because I’m that kind of person now.
I probably could have gone for my 60k if I had taken water with me. The drinking fountains aren’t on yet and by the time I was at mile 28 or so it was starting to get quite warm out.
So maybe next weekend.
Oh. Also. For the first twenty miles or so, I’m just minding my own business, thinking about all the weird stuff I always think about on my runs…but then guess what song pops into my head?
It was stuck in my head for ELEVEN MILES.
Freaking AI.
PFFT FUCK IT
I bought it, I don’t even care.
It’s so weird and offbeat and totally funky – I HAD to get it.
I’ll show you pics when it comes in the mail.
Oh my GOD
I am vehemently opposed to the use of artificial intelligence, at least in the casual capacity it’s been used as of late. What’s that quote? “There’s no AI, just other people’s data.” I refuse to willingly give my data over to AI to make it “smarter” and I refuse to willingly take advantage of other people’s data by producing things via AI said people probably didn’t give consent to the use of their data in that form. ChatGPT, art-generating stuff…nope.
So I’m a bit conflicted on this, because while I didn’t produce it myself, it is AI and I’m willingly consuming it while knowing it’s AI. But I didn’t seek it out on purpose. But I am listening to it.
And I like it. It is the catchiest goddamn thing I’ve heard in a while and I cannot get it out of my head.
“Fool me once, shame on you
Fool me twice, shame on glue”
I mean. Come on.
“What’d I do?”
I still get this song stuck in my head every once and a while. Remember when US politics weren’t quite as insane as they are now?
My dad had a magnet of that shot of Clinton getting slapped, hahaha.
And the Howard Dean scream is great.
Ah, the Good Old Wikipedia Rabbit Hole…
I was talking to my mom the other day about Skippers restaurants. Anyone else remember those? They were a seafood restaurant and looked like this:
(source)
There used to be one in Lewiston, but they closed in 2013, apparently.
Anyway, that brought me to Wikipedia, where I learned that it was founded in Bellevue, Washington. Then it was Wikipedia Rabbit Hole Fun Time Party, which led to me discovering the following random thingies:
- Pita Pit has its US headquarters in Coeur d’Alene but is originally Canadian. (“Pita Pit” article)
- The Pizza Hut Book It! program was apparently heavily criticized for a while, as some argued that it incentivized reading with junk food. However, studies showed that participation in the program neither increased nor decreased motivation to read in children [y’all can suck it; the Book It! program was awesome.] (“Pizza Hut” article)
- Cracker Barrel is a frequent collaborator with Dolly Parton and was actually the force behind getting Dolly to sing a remix of her song “Jolene” with Pentatonix (“Cracker Barrel” article)
- They apparently also used to be able to fire employees if they did not display “normal heterosexual values,” but abolished that policy in 1991. Still, though.
- The Bill Chipman Palouse Trail (the one that runs, in part, from Moscow to Pullman) crosses Paradise Creek 12 times. I didn’t ever realize it was that many (“Bill Chipman Palouse Trail” article)
- The roof of the Kibbie Dome won the “Structural Engineering Achievement Award” in 1976 (“Kibbie Dome” article)
- The negative health effects of asbestos were documented as early as 1898 (“Asbestos” article)
FUN! It’s been a while since I’ve done a true random wander around the Wiki.
Itty Bitty Pasta Blog
If you can find this wherever you live, freaking get it. It’s tasty.
That’s all.
HE DID IT, GUYS
Remember when I posted about Russ Cook (“Hardest Geezer”) and his attempt to run the length of Africa?
He finished today.
It took him 352 days and a lot of health, political, and logistical issues, but he did it.
That’s absolutely ridiculous. He was running like 60K+ every single day. I can’t even imagine that.
You can still donate to his charities!
This Packing Puff is Built Like a Grenade
This is hysterical.
That is all.
Book Review: Murder on the Orient Express (Christie)
Have I read this before: Nope. I’m not really a murder mystery/detective book person.
Review: This was pretty good. Probably the most surprising thing was me figuring out the ending before it happened because, like I said, this is not my genre and I’ve never considered myself good at figuring out mysteries. But once some more facts came out about each of the characters, I kinda figured where things were going.
Favorite Part: The pacing was good in this one. It never dragged but also never felt rushed. It held your attention and made you want to keep reading to figure out how everything was going to connect at the end.
Rating: 6/10
Waiter! There’s a Gas Giant in my Orchestra!
So one of my favorite composers is Gustav Holst, and like many people (I’m assuming), I was introduced to his music via The Planets. We played the Jupiter movement in high school because the grade above us had chosen it as their senior song* to be played at their graduation and it was one of my favorite songs I’d ever played.
Anyway, I have three different recordings of Jupiter because they’re all a little different and I like each of them for various reasons. However, I just found a new version that I really dig. Check it:
I’ve never heard a performance of this song where you can hear the French horns so clearly in that tiny little section from 1:58 to 2:03. That’s such a miniscule part of this song but it’s so dynamic and cool and different that I absolutely love it.
Anyway.
*And what was our senior song, you ask? The goddamn Pirates of the Caribbean theme.** Some of us petitioned for Holst’s Mars movement, but we were outvoted. Freaking Johnny Depp.
**It’s a good theme, but it ain’t no Jupiter.
Today’s Running Question: Can I Beat the Storm?
Answer: Nope.
I could see the clouds encroaching, but I could not outrun them. Got blasted with wind and very cold rain for about five miles.
But the payoff was nice:
Ugh, the BASS
I love the original* so much, and anything that adds more bass to it gets a pass from me.
I say it with every song I listen to, I know, but damn this sounds good on the Sennheisers.
*Technically the original song was called Valerie by Steve Winwood, but Eric Prydz sampled it and the result was so awesome that Winwood actually changed the chorus of his song to match Prydz’ version better.
IT’S A SONG, I’M SORRY
A good portion of my blogs are about music, huh? I mean, I guess everyone loves music (unless you’re a COMMIE), so maybe that’s fine.
It’s better than like half of the other crap I blather on about here.
ANYWAY.
I don’t remember how I found this song, but this was one of the very first songs I ever remember burning to a CD. So I must have discovered it sometime around…I dunno…10th grade? 9th grade? I actually don’t know when I had my first CD player.*
Regardless of where it came from and when I discovered it, it activates some weird part of my brain. It’s not triggering a memory or a feeling or a place. It’s…it’s like it’s reminding me of a different life if that makes any sense. Especially the way that “Vienna” is sung.
ANYWAY.
I figured I’d put it on here to see if this triggers any other sort of weird brain stuff in others or if that’s just me.
*I actually wasn’t really into music until high school, either, which is INSANE.
The GigaToenail has Fallen
OH MY GOD do you want to see a toenail so absolutely overgrown and destroyed by miles and miles of running that it looks like a fossil?
OBSERVE!
Yes, that is, in fact, a toenail. I can confirm it, as I just ripped it off the middle toe of my left foot.
FINALLY.
That’s the underside of it. The top side doesn’t look much better, trust me…though maybe it does look more like a fossil than the underside.
(Thumb for scale.)
Now I’m down to one – count ‘em, ONE – wonky toenail on my left foot. Once that one falls off, my left foot is going to look more normal than it has in years.
Wild.
Have I done this one? HAVE I?!?!?!?!
(I don’t know, so let’s do it now.)
1. How has covid affected you?
I now have a better understand of just how stupid and selfish people are. There’s more, of course, but that’s the main takeaway right now.
2. What is a comfort show of yours ?
Frasier. My mom and I watch it every time I come back to the States.
3. Are you open about your past or do you not let anyone in?
Have…have you read this blog? I’ve got some pretty personal past stuff on here if you’re willing to hunt a bit for it. Go on, try it!
4. Favourite fast food joint?
McDonald’s. I’m basic, I know.
5. Do you think we were put on this earth for a reason?
Not for a “reason” in the respect that we often think of it. I think the universe is deterministic, but not driven by a specific reason. We just happen to be pieces of the universe that are presently on this planet and conscious of it. It’s cool, but there’s no reason behind it. In a very short time, we’ll all be something else in the universe…which is even cooler, in my opinion.
7. Do u ever feel like surveys are usually the same questions?
Indeed. That’s why I wonder sometimes if I’m just redoing a survey I’ve already done.
8. What were you doing 10 years ago?
March 2014? I was in my final semester of my math degree. I think I’d heard from U of C by then, too.
9. Do you call out Karen’s when they’re harassing a cashier?
I don’t think I’ve ever had the opportunity, actually.
10. Animal crossing , yay or nay?
Never played it.
11. Why do you like to do surveys?
Fun. Also, I like to throw in random nonsense and see if anyone can distinguish it from the non-nonsense.
12. Did you ever have a MySpace ?
THAT’S WHERE THIS SWEET BABY OF A BLOG WAS BORN, IGNORANT READER!
13. Do you think breaks are toxic in a relationship?
If the people in the relationship are both legitimately cool with it, no.
14. Do you have a YouTube channel? If no , would you create one? If yes what’s your content?
I do. My “main” one is the one I use for putting up my class videos, but I have a personal one with all my dumb home video nonsense on it.
15. Are you a math person?
Nope. Which is why I teach it. Long story.
16. What’s the worse thing someone has said to you?
Nothing worse than what I’ve said to myself.
17. Have you ever befriended someone because you felt bad?
I thought that said BEHEADED. Heh. Good thing it doesn’t, huh? RIGHT???
18. Would you ever date someone online?
BEEN THERE DONE THAT GOT MARRIED HAVE KITTY
19. Have you been ghosted before? Would you ghost someone?
No to both.
20. When do you think things will be normal again?
Never.
21. Do you watch anime?
No.
22. Biggest goal you wanna reach before 2020 is over ?
BRO THIS SURVEY IS OLD
23. How old did/do you turn this year ?
36. BRO THIS SURVEY TAKER IS OLD
24. Do you like tiktok?
TikTok has too many cat videos for me to dislike it.
25. Do you ever miss vine?
We have TikTok now!
26. How are you doing, seriously?
Don’t even ask.
27. Is there someone you want to talk to but you know you can’t?
Nope.
28. Do you make jokes to cope with your problems?
I do things that are much more self-destructive.
29. Have you ever had someone call you their best friend but you didn’t even consider them a close friend?
Nope.
30. Have you ever dealt with a pathological liar?
Not that I’m aware of.
31. Long or short surveys?
Both!
32. If you’re in school, are you doing it on zoom or in class?
I teach now! Though I guess technically I’m working on that French certificate, which involves Zoom-based classes, so…
33. Would you ever have a pet rat?
Not while having a pet cat.
34. Favourite memory with your best friend?
I don’t have any friends.
35. Favourite type of content to watch on YouTube?
Disaster documentaries, people ranting about stuff, science stuff, makeup reviews, song covers/remixes.
36. Are you allergic to anything serious?
Nothing too serious.
37. Dream job?
My current one.
38. Do you think dreams mean anything?
I do indeed.
39. Fav clothing brand?
I don’t think I have a specific one. Whatever fits me.
40. Do you miss anyone?
My mom.
GOODBYE BIG BOY
The big toenail on my left foot fell off.
I actually wasn’t expecting it to; it was all black and gross but not anywhere near as black and gross as the other toenails on that foot, so it was quite a surprise when I felt it flap away from my toe when I caught it on the carpet.
Wanna see it?
I know you don’t, but here it is anyway.
I’m keeping all of these, by the way.
For science.
TWO THINGS
THING THE ONE:
I took my final exam for French today and got a 95%. So not as good as my first three exams (all 100%), but two of the questions I got wrong were totally stupid mistakes and the other one was a genuine “I don’t know what this is,” so.
THING THE DEUCE:
It’s opening day for baseball! Everything is better with baseball.
Edit: oh shit the Mets lost
Ronn Lucas
This guy is insanely talented. The delay part is great.
DRAFT DAY DRAFT DAY DRAFT DAY!
Fantasy baseball draft day, I mean. I got to pick second, which was pretty nice because I got two picks almost right in a row each time.
Anywayz, here are my dudes:
Batters
- Francisco Alvarez
- Randy Arozarena
- Mark Canha
- Nick Castellanos
- Jake Cronenworth
- Freddie Freeman
- Andrés Giménez
- Gunnar Henderson
- Jonathan India
- Francisco Lindor
- Starling Marte
- Cas McCormick
- Jeff McNeil
- Cedric Mullens
- Shohei Ohtani (batting, not pitching)
- Joc Pederson
- Will Smith
- George Springer
- Jack Suwinski
- Justin Turner
Pitchers
- Yu Darvish
- Max Fried
- Kenley Jansen
- Michael King
- Adam Ottavino
- Kodai Senga
- Tarik Skubal
- Blake Snell
- Justin Steele
We’ll see how we do this year!
Okay, this is cute.
[Edit: this was originally published as two videos, but now they’ve put out a single one with the whole story, so I’ve replaced the originals with that one]
Personified planets doing stuff together? I’m into it!
I saw a small clip of this on TikTok and was intrigued, so I looked it up on YouTube. Turns out this is the most recent video of a whole big series about the planets. I gotta check them all out now.
Edit 2: yeah, this is my new obsession now.
Book Review: The Last Tycoon (Fitzgerald)
Have I read this before: Nope. The was another book added in my most recent “300 Books” expansion.
Review: I love Fitzgerald. I love the way he writes. He has this wonderful ability to create a fully realized character in the first sentence written about them or in their first line of dialogue. He also has this carefree feel to his writing that encapsulates the time period in which his stories are set that I’ve never seen replicated quite the same way. This book (or partial book – it was left unfinished at Fitzgerald’s death) is no different in the characters and style. And even though it is incomplete in terms of plot and resolution, because of these unique features, I’d still give it a better score as a book overall than some of the other things I’ve read off my list (*cough* The Adventures of Augie March *cough*) because it still drew me in and made me keep reading.
ALSO, my freaking Kindle faked me out on when the book was going to end. I knew it was an unfinished novel and thus expected an abrupt ending at some point, but beyond that I didn’t know when this ending would be. So I was reading along happily – with my Kindle saying I was still only 68% of the way through – when the actual book ended and the rest of the Kindle edition (which contained discussions of the book as well as some snippets of other works) began. So it was a very abrupt ending, haha. But I was cool with it.
Favorite Part: Another thing I like about Fitzgerald is he just sprinkles in some absolutely beautiful little lines/descriptions every once and a while. Like this one about an earthquake:
“We didn’t get the full shock like at Long Beach where the upper stories of shops were spewed into the streets and small hotels drifted out to sea – but for a full minute our bowels were one with the bowels of the earth – like some nightmare attempt to attach our navel cords again and jerk us back to the womb of creation.”
Love it.
Rating: 7/10
Goooooo Vandals! And…Yale?
Well this is awesome.
Marching band kids are the best, yo.
Edit:
Nice!
DUO
I’ve now been using Duo for 600 days!
That’s pretty cool.
Here are some examples of the types of sentences I can read now.
Eigenblogger 