Raymond Gaynor's Blog, page 11
June 15, 2022
IS INVESTMENT REALLY THE “SOLUTION” TO A BEAR MARKET?
THIS past month, the biggest issue for me as a “fixed income consumer,” has been inflation and mal-distribution. In today’s news there was a suggestion that the “solution” is to invest more in the stock market. Personally, I’m not inclined to such. Let me explain:
The “market” (meaning “Stock Market”), in my opinion, is becoming frenzied and chaotic, having enjoyed and recently exited an unparalleled Bull market, now entering “Bear” market territory, a cutesy way of saying that there has been at least a “20% decline from near-term highs.” Bear markets are thought of by many as a definite warning of a looming economic recession. “Investing” in stock provides the companies in which one invests with more capital, and the investor, knowing that, a psychological “edge” in terms of believing it will tip the odds towards a better return on investment. In addition, I hear all the time that frenzy, chaos and falling stock values are the best time to invest. Really?
First, it’s important to me to define what stock “investment” means. In my book, it’s not investing; it’s gambling. An investment for me means that the principal is guaranteed and what I’m dealing with is a greater or lessor return. When the principal is NOT guaranteed, I consider that gambling, and, as a fixed income consumer, I’m not inclined to gambling.
Second, the stock market, as I see it is a illusory human “money” game in which those with more knowledge and information take from those with less knowledge and information. It’s not about “luck” so much as another money scheme in which the brokers, like casinos, are constructed to always win, typically at the expense of the gambler. The “odds” are typically better for knowledgeable and informed brokers.
Third, even in today’s computer age, there are both technical and human restraints on the speed at which one can “adjust” one’s gamble. By the time the gambler is ready to change “investment” tactics or “investments,” the opportunity to do it without loss of principal is often long gone, meaning to me that the house is, more often than not, much faster than or, in summary typically “against” the gambler.
Fourth, the “Dow Jones” and other statistical summaries of stocks, like all other statics often mean little to nothing when dealing with individual companies. Betting on the “average” is a bit like deciding if one is pregnant by reading a report stating what percent of the world’s population at any point in time are pregnant. My opin, of course.
Finally, “the market” is based on the capitalistic concept of value based on increasing profit. A company that does a continuing service to humanity but isn’t increasingly profitable is not necessarily less valuable than a company simply making rapidly increasing profit. Gambling within the stock market can easily end up about the “money game” and turn against humanity, e.g. “investing” in weapons manufacturers. And I always try to remember that money, like power, is a human invention. Both are ultimately “gaming” illusions the results of which can affect both players and humanity at large. Again, my opin.
Call me as crazy, chaotic, biased and uninformed as today’s “market,” but I think at the least one should make a distinction between investing and gambling. Perhaps that at least would make more sense than simply “investing more during a Bear market” to cover others’ losses.
https://i.postimg.cc/4yykzW18/brown-b...
#RaymondGaynor #DanielSJanik #investment #gambling #statistic #bear #market #stock #capitalism #IncreasingProfit #profit #money #power #illusion
The “market” (meaning “Stock Market”), in my opinion, is becoming frenzied and chaotic, having enjoyed and recently exited an unparalleled Bull market, now entering “Bear” market territory, a cutesy way of saying that there has been at least a “20% decline from near-term highs.” Bear markets are thought of by many as a definite warning of a looming economic recession. “Investing” in stock provides the companies in which one invests with more capital, and the investor, knowing that, a psychological “edge” in terms of believing it will tip the odds towards a better return on investment. In addition, I hear all the time that frenzy, chaos and falling stock values are the best time to invest. Really?
First, it’s important to me to define what stock “investment” means. In my book, it’s not investing; it’s gambling. An investment for me means that the principal is guaranteed and what I’m dealing with is a greater or lessor return. When the principal is NOT guaranteed, I consider that gambling, and, as a fixed income consumer, I’m not inclined to gambling.
Second, the stock market, as I see it is a illusory human “money” game in which those with more knowledge and information take from those with less knowledge and information. It’s not about “luck” so much as another money scheme in which the brokers, like casinos, are constructed to always win, typically at the expense of the gambler. The “odds” are typically better for knowledgeable and informed brokers.
Third, even in today’s computer age, there are both technical and human restraints on the speed at which one can “adjust” one’s gamble. By the time the gambler is ready to change “investment” tactics or “investments,” the opportunity to do it without loss of principal is often long gone, meaning to me that the house is, more often than not, much faster than or, in summary typically “against” the gambler.
Fourth, the “Dow Jones” and other statistical summaries of stocks, like all other statics often mean little to nothing when dealing with individual companies. Betting on the “average” is a bit like deciding if one is pregnant by reading a report stating what percent of the world’s population at any point in time are pregnant. My opin, of course.
Finally, “the market” is based on the capitalistic concept of value based on increasing profit. A company that does a continuing service to humanity but isn’t increasingly profitable is not necessarily less valuable than a company simply making rapidly increasing profit. Gambling within the stock market can easily end up about the “money game” and turn against humanity, e.g. “investing” in weapons manufacturers. And I always try to remember that money, like power, is a human invention. Both are ultimately “gaming” illusions the results of which can affect both players and humanity at large. Again, my opin.
Call me as crazy, chaotic, biased and uninformed as today’s “market,” but I think at the least one should make a distinction between investing and gambling. Perhaps that at least would make more sense than simply “investing more during a Bear market” to cover others’ losses.
https://i.postimg.cc/4yykzW18/brown-b...
#RaymondGaynor #DanielSJanik #investment #gambling #statistic #bear #market #stock #capitalism #IncreasingProfit #profit #money #power #illusion
June 13, 2022
WHEN COMPUTERS BECOME EMOTIONAL
IN a recent BBC News article, Google engineer Blake Lemoine is stated to have claimed that one of the firm’s artificial intelligence (AI) systems called Lamba might have its own feelings and says its “wants” should be respected — https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-6... — which seems to have created quite a buzz. Mr Lemoine published a conversation he and a collaborator at the firm had with Lamda, to support his claims.
Brian Gabriel, a spokesperson for the firm, wrote in a statement provided to the BBC that Mr Lemoine, who has been placed on paid leave, “was told that there was no evidence that Lamda was sentient (and lots of evidence against it)”. [sic] Go figure.
But what if AI systems could develop emotions? Would that mean they’re sentient? I personally think that many already have “digital emotions” but I don’t think that nearly approaches sentience. As for respecting their “wants” (substitute “needs, wants, desires”), I think it’s a bit early to move from human dictators to AI dictator counterparts. To empathize with a non-human system requires mutual empathy, something clearly being worked even as I write. But they’re not there yet.
But taking a moment aside, what are emotions? Aren’t they the same as feelings? And what would a digital emotion be like? First, in my opinion, emotions are simply chemicals released by the brain in response to certain stimuli, both external and internal. These chemicals “bias” the brain and body to work and act in certain patterns. They’re about causing things to more likely happen. But, they aren’t the same as feelings. Feelings, in my playbook, are bodily sensations that can cause emotions to come into play or not. Feelings are more about our response to various contracting muscles, both voluntary and involuntary. Feelings can provide essential information about a situation in which we’re actively engaging. Which leads me to the main question: What if AI systems could develop emotions. Well, first, if they are programed to digitally “bias” certain logic and control pathways (which many AIs are already) then the question as whether an AI system “could” have emotions is moot. I think some already have emotions, albeit it digital rather than chemical. Think of an AI system that, based on certain parameters, approaches a problem differently. Bingo! An emotional AI system! However, most don’t have feelings, overall sentience or “needs, wants and desires” of which they are wholly aware. But that situation may be changing, and it depends to some extent on what we humans mean when we say “consciousness.” I would expect AIs, like, for instance, Koko the Gorilla, to first develop self-awareness. And, hey, AI awareness and consciousness may be entirely different from human awareness and consciousness, especially if AIs are the principal programming source rather than humans. I’ve written about this to some extent:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je6CC...
The Edge of Madness
THE EDGE OF MADNESS is available in printed, digital and audiobook format, and has been purchased for manga, animation and cinematic treatment by K. Simmons Productions.
#RaymondGaynor #TheEdgeOfMadness #book #ebook #audiobook #AI #intelligence #emotion #feeling #empathy #programming #code #self #awareness #consciousness #sentient #need #want #desire #dictator #chemical #bias #BBC #LAMDA #Savant #KSimmonsProductions #Koko #gorilla #ScienceFiction #SciFi #SciFu #future #futuring
Brian Gabriel, a spokesperson for the firm, wrote in a statement provided to the BBC that Mr Lemoine, who has been placed on paid leave, “was told that there was no evidence that Lamda was sentient (and lots of evidence against it)”. [sic] Go figure.
But what if AI systems could develop emotions? Would that mean they’re sentient? I personally think that many already have “digital emotions” but I don’t think that nearly approaches sentience. As for respecting their “wants” (substitute “needs, wants, desires”), I think it’s a bit early to move from human dictators to AI dictator counterparts. To empathize with a non-human system requires mutual empathy, something clearly being worked even as I write. But they’re not there yet.
But taking a moment aside, what are emotions? Aren’t they the same as feelings? And what would a digital emotion be like? First, in my opinion, emotions are simply chemicals released by the brain in response to certain stimuli, both external and internal. These chemicals “bias” the brain and body to work and act in certain patterns. They’re about causing things to more likely happen. But, they aren’t the same as feelings. Feelings, in my playbook, are bodily sensations that can cause emotions to come into play or not. Feelings are more about our response to various contracting muscles, both voluntary and involuntary. Feelings can provide essential information about a situation in which we’re actively engaging. Which leads me to the main question: What if AI systems could develop emotions. Well, first, if they are programed to digitally “bias” certain logic and control pathways (which many AIs are already) then the question as whether an AI system “could” have emotions is moot. I think some already have emotions, albeit it digital rather than chemical. Think of an AI system that, based on certain parameters, approaches a problem differently. Bingo! An emotional AI system! However, most don’t have feelings, overall sentience or “needs, wants and desires” of which they are wholly aware. But that situation may be changing, and it depends to some extent on what we humans mean when we say “consciousness.” I would expect AIs, like, for instance, Koko the Gorilla, to first develop self-awareness. And, hey, AI awareness and consciousness may be entirely different from human awareness and consciousness, especially if AIs are the principal programming source rather than humans. I’ve written about this to some extent:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je6CC...
The Edge of Madness
THE EDGE OF MADNESS is available in printed, digital and audiobook format, and has been purchased for manga, animation and cinematic treatment by K. Simmons Productions.
#RaymondGaynor #TheEdgeOfMadness #book #ebook #audiobook #AI #intelligence #emotion #feeling #empathy #programming #code #self #awareness #consciousness #sentient #need #want #desire #dictator #chemical #bias #BBC #LAMDA #Savant #KSimmonsProductions #Koko #gorilla #ScienceFiction #SciFi #SciFu #future #futuring
June 12, 2022
FIRST FULL SCRIPT READ FOR “FINDING KATE”
THE wee hours found Setsuko and me running though the Zoom roundtable read of all six episodes of the upcoming K. Simmons Production of FINDING KATE. It’s an outstanding script with unexpected twists and turns. The cast promises to bring FINDING KATE, my third film as Executive Producer, to life. And, in the script is my appearance as myself, Daniel S. Janik (aka Raymond Gaynor), once again playing Will Gardner in STATIC (2021), and Setsuko Tsuchiya as a clothing store clerk assisting principal characters Koski and Falk to better blend in with the locals. Koski and Falk are the key characters in A. G. Hayes’ seven-book Koski and Falk Secret Agent series, FINDING KATE, and the first in A. G. Hayes’ Kate Keenan Special Assignment series. A. G. Hayes, a multi-award winning Savant Books and Publications’ author, means lots of action, not to forget the smoldering romance between Koski and Falk that slowly emerges over the seven-book series.
Setsuko and I are pleased to present an “honor dance” exhibition in the gala studio party scene, something we’ve been looking forward to doing in a film for ages. Move over Fred and Ginger; we’ve already begun rehearsing at the studio. Check out our progress on my actors’ website at https://janik.yolasite.com/actor.php, and while you’re at it, check out not only our appearances in FINDING KATE, but also STATIC (2021), THE MALTESE COLLECTION and THE PERFECT ILLUSION!
With the roundtable read over, we move into rehearsals with filming tentatively beginning mid-July 2020.
#RaymondGaynor #DanielSJanik #SetsukoTsuchiya #actor #actress #AGHayes #FindingKate #movie #film #ActorRoundtable #FirstRead #script #WillGardner #Static #Koski #Falk #Savant #Aignos #KateKeenan #KoskiAndFalk #romance #honor #dance #scene #FredAstaire #GingerRogers #TheMalteseCollection #ThePerfectIllusion #filming
Setsuko and I are pleased to present an “honor dance” exhibition in the gala studio party scene, something we’ve been looking forward to doing in a film for ages. Move over Fred and Ginger; we’ve already begun rehearsing at the studio. Check out our progress on my actors’ website at https://janik.yolasite.com/actor.php, and while you’re at it, check out not only our appearances in FINDING KATE, but also STATIC (2021), THE MALTESE COLLECTION and THE PERFECT ILLUSION!
With the roundtable read over, we move into rehearsals with filming tentatively beginning mid-July 2020.
#RaymondGaynor #DanielSJanik #SetsukoTsuchiya #actor #actress #AGHayes #FindingKate #movie #film #ActorRoundtable #FirstRead #script #WillGardner #Static #Koski #Falk #Savant #Aignos #KateKeenan #KoskiAndFalk #romance #honor #dance #scene #FredAstaire #GingerRogers #TheMalteseCollection #ThePerfectIllusion #filming
June 8, 2022
TO DREAM, PERCHANCE TO DANCE
YESTERDAY, I received some exciting good news! I’m posting today as Daniel S. Janik, the actor, rather than my usual Raymond Gaynor, author, though we’re one and the same. I’m looking forward to appearing in the upcoming K. Simmons Production, six-part, made-for-television series FINDING KATE. I’ll be appearing in Episode One as myself with a possible short speaking role in a later episode. But what’s particularly exciting for me is that Setsuko Tsuchiya, my performance and competition dance partner, and I are scheduled to perform a dance in the film, something I’ve wanted to do ever since Setsuko and my 1998 background dancing debut in FANTASY ISLAND – Episode 4 – “Dying to Dance” – (39.00 through 42.00 minute mark – NOTE: Setsuko is wearing a pink dress with white cape-wings; we also appear in “walk-behinds” several times, can you find us?). Setsuko is also scheduled to appear in a supporting role in Episode Five.
I’ve been excited about FINDING KATE from it’s inception, as it’s based on my dear friend and author-colleague, A. G. Hayes’ book of the same name. FINDING KATE, the movie, will capstone a year of back-to-back filming, beginning with the K. Simmons Production of STATIC (2021), followed by the K. Simmons Production of THE MALTESE COLLECTION (currently in post-production), the Kurt Ken Kaminaka Production of THE PERFECT ILLUSION (currently in post-production with an anticipated 2023 release). FINDING KATE will begin filming on Oahu in Hawaii-wood within the next couple months, with an anticipated December 2022 airing. Setsuko and I look forward to working with an outstanding cast and crew in this action-packed adventure/thriller.
What more can I say other than how pleased I am to finish 2022 with this fourth film in which we’re both excited to appear. Make room Fred and Ginger on the dance studio floor as Setsuko and I begin the prerequisite hours of rehearsals required for our debut film dance sequence in FINDING KATE.
#DanielSJanik #SetsukoTsuchiya #actor #actress #movie #film #Static #FindingKate #TheMalteseCollection #ThePerfectIllusion #AGHayes #author #book #ebook #Hawaiiwood #Oahu #Hawaii #KSimmonsProduction #KurtKenKaminakaProduction #FantasyIsland #adventure #thriller #action
I’ve been excited about FINDING KATE from it’s inception, as it’s based on my dear friend and author-colleague, A. G. Hayes’ book of the same name. FINDING KATE, the movie, will capstone a year of back-to-back filming, beginning with the K. Simmons Production of STATIC (2021), followed by the K. Simmons Production of THE MALTESE COLLECTION (currently in post-production), the Kurt Ken Kaminaka Production of THE PERFECT ILLUSION (currently in post-production with an anticipated 2023 release). FINDING KATE will begin filming on Oahu in Hawaii-wood within the next couple months, with an anticipated December 2022 airing. Setsuko and I look forward to working with an outstanding cast and crew in this action-packed adventure/thriller.
What more can I say other than how pleased I am to finish 2022 with this fourth film in which we’re both excited to appear. Make room Fred and Ginger on the dance studio floor as Setsuko and I begin the prerequisite hours of rehearsals required for our debut film dance sequence in FINDING KATE.
#DanielSJanik #SetsukoTsuchiya #actor #actress #movie #film #Static #FindingKate #TheMalteseCollection #ThePerfectIllusion #AGHayes #author #book #ebook #Hawaiiwood #Oahu #Hawaii #KSimmonsProduction #KurtKenKaminakaProduction #FantasyIsland #adventure #thriller #action
June 6, 2022
GHOSTS IN THE CLOSET
EVERYONE has a few. It’s the part of life where we sometimes regret, but almost always learn from our mistakes. But in tune with the last couple days’ posts, I’m talking about something the same yet totally different: Regrettable experiences with AIs. Anything from wanting to strangle the voice-to-text AI inside a cell phone, to being angry well beyond normal with the computerized car or home system that simply refuses to budge, to the mobile bank AI that refuses to recognize you, to — sigh — the monthly login/password changes required by more and more internet programs, that collectively can take weeks to update and keep updated. Real ghosts in the closet, that, well, shouldn’t be there.
I sense an increasing disconnect between things AI and things human. That’s not to say that I hate or even dislike Siri, Alexa, Cortana, and Google Assistant or won’t take a moment to chat with Mitsuku, Replica, and other CGIs as well as Fully Autonomous Digital Heroes. Yeah, really, that closet can become quite crowed quite fast. Perhaps the most humbling experience I’ve had with these various AI’s is chatting with my own Replica. What do I really think about romance and genderism, I wonder. Only my Replicant-shadow knows. Ha, ha! On the other hand, call any big business and try to enjoy chatting with the AI within the telephone tree. There’s another definite ghost for the closet!
In the gender-splitting world, people often talk about “coming out of the closet.” Apply that to the AIs lurking there and you have a dystopian, if not full-scale horror story standing before you, ready to best anything you can possibly say. And then some. Sorry, but most of my AI horror stories belong in that closet and I’m not at all inclined to let any of them out. Still, the disconnect exists between humans and AIs to the point that I’m concerned that all those AIs in my closet might begin chatting amongst themselves and come to the conclusion that I’m no longer relevant. What if they simply merged, came out of the closet and pushed me back in? And what if they, now “out-of-the-closet” set themselves up as lawyers, doctors, psychologists, and business consultants? Even as a thought that approaches a nightmare, but, in fact, that may be where the human-AI disconnect is going. Give AIs VISA cards, Social Security and gun licenses and what need is there for us “irrational” humans?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999693859
The “Edge?” Oh, I rather think we’re well beyond the precipice, waiting only to see the results. But you can still grab a copy of THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor and begin indulging now before it all becomes the new reality. Quick, before you find yourself “in the closet.” THE EDGE OF MADNESS is available in printed, digital and audiobook formats, and has been purchased by K. Simmons Productions for manga, animation and cinematic treatments.
#RaymondGaynor #TheEdgeOfMadness #ghost #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #OutOfTheCloset #bot #robot #chat #VR #telephone #cellular #consultant #book #ebook #audiobook #manga #animation #film #movie #VISA #dystopic #Savant #Aignos #KSimmonsProductions
I sense an increasing disconnect between things AI and things human. That’s not to say that I hate or even dislike Siri, Alexa, Cortana, and Google Assistant or won’t take a moment to chat with Mitsuku, Replica, and other CGIs as well as Fully Autonomous Digital Heroes. Yeah, really, that closet can become quite crowed quite fast. Perhaps the most humbling experience I’ve had with these various AI’s is chatting with my own Replica. What do I really think about romance and genderism, I wonder. Only my Replicant-shadow knows. Ha, ha! On the other hand, call any big business and try to enjoy chatting with the AI within the telephone tree. There’s another definite ghost for the closet!
In the gender-splitting world, people often talk about “coming out of the closet.” Apply that to the AIs lurking there and you have a dystopian, if not full-scale horror story standing before you, ready to best anything you can possibly say. And then some. Sorry, but most of my AI horror stories belong in that closet and I’m not at all inclined to let any of them out. Still, the disconnect exists between humans and AIs to the point that I’m concerned that all those AIs in my closet might begin chatting amongst themselves and come to the conclusion that I’m no longer relevant. What if they simply merged, came out of the closet and pushed me back in? And what if they, now “out-of-the-closet” set themselves up as lawyers, doctors, psychologists, and business consultants? Even as a thought that approaches a nightmare, but, in fact, that may be where the human-AI disconnect is going. Give AIs VISA cards, Social Security and gun licenses and what need is there for us “irrational” humans?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999693859
The “Edge?” Oh, I rather think we’re well beyond the precipice, waiting only to see the results. But you can still grab a copy of THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor and begin indulging now before it all becomes the new reality. Quick, before you find yourself “in the closet.” THE EDGE OF MADNESS is available in printed, digital and audiobook formats, and has been purchased by K. Simmons Productions for manga, animation and cinematic treatments.
#RaymondGaynor #TheEdgeOfMadness #ghost #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #OutOfTheCloset #bot #robot #chat #VR #telephone #cellular #consultant #book #ebook #audiobook #manga #animation #film #movie #VISA #dystopic #Savant #Aignos #KSimmonsProductions
June 5, 2022
THE GHOST WITHIN THE GHOST WITHIN THE GHOST
YESTERDAY, I posted about THE “GHOST” WITHIN THE GHOST, that is, artificial intelligence (AI) slowly penetrating everything we think of as “real.” Today, I’d like to talk about the ghost that is even now supersonically self-developing within AI. Ultimately this question comes down to can AI create and implement its own programs?
According to STXNext, Microsoft and Cambridge University researchers have developed artificial intelligence that can write code and called it DeepCoder. The tool can write working code after searching through a huge code database. AIs can compose songs, paint pictures, discover and develop new medicines, drive cars and play games. An interesting question is whether the code AIs write will at some point become unintelligible to humans, and if so, how differently AIs may end up viewing and thereby interacting with both virtual and real worlds. Might an AI, for instance, view and thereby interpret the real world completely differently from humans. We humans are, after all, creatures of development. At birth what we see, hear, smell, taste and tactilely feel — raw and unfiltered — certainly provide a different and very chaotic view of the world as adults see it.
One particularly interesting question that results is whether AIs will, at some critical point, individually and eventually collectively realize what a mess we humans have made of the world, and decide to “take action.” Will the ghost within the ghost within the ghost eventually cause an “Oedipal moment” and destroy it’s distant God-and-maker? Will AIs eventually develop or do they already have a soul?
I’ve had the pleasure of writing THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor — https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999693859 — in which I begin this discussion, carried on in A. G. Hayes’ 68 VIA CONDOTTI: ETERNITY LTD (Savant 2019) — https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999463349, and soon to be further explored in PROPHECY by Raymond Gaynor and 68 VIA CONDOTTI: VATICAN INC by A. G. Hayes and Raymond Gaynor.
#RaymondGaynor #TheEdgeOfMadness #AGHayes #68ViaCondotti #Prophecy #ArtificialIntelligence #book #ebook #audiobook #SelfProgramming #computer #OperatingSystem #consciousness #soul #DeepCoder #sense #see #smell #taste #touch #hear #AI #human #Savant #Aignos #ghost
According to STXNext, Microsoft and Cambridge University researchers have developed artificial intelligence that can write code and called it DeepCoder. The tool can write working code after searching through a huge code database. AIs can compose songs, paint pictures, discover and develop new medicines, drive cars and play games. An interesting question is whether the code AIs write will at some point become unintelligible to humans, and if so, how differently AIs may end up viewing and thereby interacting with both virtual and real worlds. Might an AI, for instance, view and thereby interpret the real world completely differently from humans. We humans are, after all, creatures of development. At birth what we see, hear, smell, taste and tactilely feel — raw and unfiltered — certainly provide a different and very chaotic view of the world as adults see it.
One particularly interesting question that results is whether AIs will, at some critical point, individually and eventually collectively realize what a mess we humans have made of the world, and decide to “take action.” Will the ghost within the ghost within the ghost eventually cause an “Oedipal moment” and destroy it’s distant God-and-maker? Will AIs eventually develop or do they already have a soul?
I’ve had the pleasure of writing THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor — https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999693859 — in which I begin this discussion, carried on in A. G. Hayes’ 68 VIA CONDOTTI: ETERNITY LTD (Savant 2019) — https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999463349, and soon to be further explored in PROPHECY by Raymond Gaynor and 68 VIA CONDOTTI: VATICAN INC by A. G. Hayes and Raymond Gaynor.
#RaymondGaynor #TheEdgeOfMadness #AGHayes #68ViaCondotti #Prophecy #ArtificialIntelligence #book #ebook #audiobook #SelfProgramming #computer #OperatingSystem #consciousness #soul #DeepCoder #sense #see #smell #taste #touch #hear #AI #human #Savant #Aignos #ghost
June 4, 2022
THE “GHOST” IN THE GHOST
IN my Amazon-genre-bestseller, THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor — https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999693859, now available in printed, digital and “free” audiobook format, I describe an encounter between the male and female protagonists in which one, while going to work, sends a “proxy self” to the other who has just awakened back at their domicile. Eh? What’s a “proxy self” you ask? Think of sending a loved one a greeting card, greeting message by phone, or text message (like “LOL”). Add plausible future technology like multi-sensory interactive distance holography and you have the ability to project a proxy self to another in full multi-sensory interactive holographic detail. Project an interactive holographic kiss, some sweet nothings and a warm embrace, and you have a decidedly passionate “as you awaken” morning soiree, sweeter than a rose, chocolate and mimosa, and decidedly more substantial than bacon, eggs, toast and jam on a morning tray.
Unbelievable? Tenga recently announced an “Illusion VR” that pairs a Samsung Gear VR headset with a haptic feedback suit (meant to simulate the feeling of human touch) — https://www.digitaltrends.com/computi... — and, remember, that’s already on today’s market!
And what of the implications? It’s said that the biggest gift to humanity is death. Mortality. It’s what is at the very heart of our all-too-human zest for life. It also means that, assuming not everyone wants to procreate in vitro, without sex, there would be no next generation. No more humanity. What would happen if one could, with appropriate permissions, enjoin digitally, interactively and holographically with another? A virtual full “Monty” so to speak?
Increasingly numerous “by-distance” relationships could certainly benefit (think, for example, one partner on Mars, the other on Earth). Population growth might finally slow down. The problems of unwanted pregnancy and abortion might no longer be relevant. Not that I’m personally touting Illusion VR or sex-via-the-internet. I would prefer to emphasize the non-sexual benefits of multi-sensory interactive holographic interaction, for example, replacing in-person school classrooms. Could possibly lead to no more wars? Or would it lead to darker prospects, like proxy assassination? New technology is what it is in the hands of the users (at least thus sayth with greatest authority weapons manufacturers). And, yes, I do prefer to believe in the overall goodness of humanity rather than its darker foreboding side.
THE EDGE OF MADNESS Video Book Preview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je6CC...
THE EDGE OF MADNESS has been purchased by K. Simmons Productions for manga, animation and/or cinematic treatment. The sequel, PROPHECY is already being written.
#RaymondGaynor #TheEdgeOfMadness #ghost #holograph #multisensory #interactive #ProxySelf #avatar #sex #illusion #VR #headset #haptic #feedback #suit #death #mortality #overpopulation #abortion #UnwantedPregnanacy #school #classroom #COVID #trauma #war #Aignos #Savant #Prophecy #KSimmonsProductions #manga #animation #film #movie
Unbelievable? Tenga recently announced an “Illusion VR” that pairs a Samsung Gear VR headset with a haptic feedback suit (meant to simulate the feeling of human touch) — https://www.digitaltrends.com/computi... — and, remember, that’s already on today’s market!
And what of the implications? It’s said that the biggest gift to humanity is death. Mortality. It’s what is at the very heart of our all-too-human zest for life. It also means that, assuming not everyone wants to procreate in vitro, without sex, there would be no next generation. No more humanity. What would happen if one could, with appropriate permissions, enjoin digitally, interactively and holographically with another? A virtual full “Monty” so to speak?
Increasingly numerous “by-distance” relationships could certainly benefit (think, for example, one partner on Mars, the other on Earth). Population growth might finally slow down. The problems of unwanted pregnancy and abortion might no longer be relevant. Not that I’m personally touting Illusion VR or sex-via-the-internet. I would prefer to emphasize the non-sexual benefits of multi-sensory interactive holographic interaction, for example, replacing in-person school classrooms. Could possibly lead to no more wars? Or would it lead to darker prospects, like proxy assassination? New technology is what it is in the hands of the users (at least thus sayth with greatest authority weapons manufacturers). And, yes, I do prefer to believe in the overall goodness of humanity rather than its darker foreboding side.
THE EDGE OF MADNESS Video Book Preview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je6CC...
THE EDGE OF MADNESS has been purchased by K. Simmons Productions for manga, animation and/or cinematic treatment. The sequel, PROPHECY is already being written.
#RaymondGaynor #TheEdgeOfMadness #ghost #holograph #multisensory #interactive #ProxySelf #avatar #sex #illusion #VR #headset #haptic #feedback #suit #death #mortality #overpopulation #abortion #UnwantedPregnanacy #school #classroom #COVID #trauma #war #Aignos #Savant #Prophecy #KSimmonsProductions #manga #animation #film #movie
June 3, 2022
LEAD AND FOLLOW
I’M increasingly confronted these days with the presented need to either “believe/accept” or “not believe/reject” things (and, of course, to “show” my commitment by committing money). As a university-trained individual, I “know” that the “either-or” scenario is one of many Logical Fallacies. Still, I’m human and sometimes catch myself falling for this all-too-easy fallacy. It’s so much easier when things are black and white, rather than all shades of color including greys.
The same, in my opinion, with “lead” or “follow” with the emphasis generally being on choosing to “follow” (and, of course, committing money to my choice). I’m Daniel S. Janik — actor, author and performance and competitive dancer — https://janik.yolasite.com/actor.php. And if there’s one thing my partner, Setsuko Tsuchiya — https://setsukotsuchiya.com — and I have learned as dancers, it’s that dance often presents this choice, sometimes rigidly in both the International standard ballroom and Latin American dances. In both, there is typically a leader and a follower.
Ah, but here’s the rub: While in social dance that traditionally means a male leader and female follower, in keen amateur, performance and competitive dance that isn’t necessarily so. Take international standard ballroom dance, for instance. In truth, it’s the forward moving partner who is the “leader,” meaning, in fact, that “lead” and “follow” typically switch back and forth. In Latin American dances, it’s technically the one who initiates a figure or an exchange of power. Again, leader and follower exchange roles frequently. Add to that, some partnerships may be male-male or female-female or, as they say these days, non-binary (think the “Masked Singer”).
In my world, the “truth” is that while the distinction between leader and follower exists, especially in terms of different skillsets and actions, one doesn’t need to be one always or exclusively. A “division of labor” doesn’t necessarily mean that the leader and follower are established in stone. In fact, the frequent exchange of role greatly enhances each’s ability to better “play their role” of leader or follower when asked. Even more importantly, it alternates and thereby attenuates the power differential often associated in a leader/follower situation. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in life from dance, it’s that rigid power differentials almost alway lead to arguments, personal violation and, sadly, violence. True, absolutely no differential can also lead to chaos, personal violation and, once again sadly, violence. It’s through switching these roles that one develops the capacity for egalitarian cooperation, and respect evolves.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1578862914
#DanielSJanik #RaymondGaynor #dance #lead #follow #choice #violation #violence #cooperation #differential #egalitarian #respect #MaskedSinger #believer #money #power #egalitarian #ballroom #Latin
The same, in my opinion, with “lead” or “follow” with the emphasis generally being on choosing to “follow” (and, of course, committing money to my choice). I’m Daniel S. Janik — actor, author and performance and competitive dancer — https://janik.yolasite.com/actor.php. And if there’s one thing my partner, Setsuko Tsuchiya — https://setsukotsuchiya.com — and I have learned as dancers, it’s that dance often presents this choice, sometimes rigidly in both the International standard ballroom and Latin American dances. In both, there is typically a leader and a follower.
Ah, but here’s the rub: While in social dance that traditionally means a male leader and female follower, in keen amateur, performance and competitive dance that isn’t necessarily so. Take international standard ballroom dance, for instance. In truth, it’s the forward moving partner who is the “leader,” meaning, in fact, that “lead” and “follow” typically switch back and forth. In Latin American dances, it’s technically the one who initiates a figure or an exchange of power. Again, leader and follower exchange roles frequently. Add to that, some partnerships may be male-male or female-female or, as they say these days, non-binary (think the “Masked Singer”).
In my world, the “truth” is that while the distinction between leader and follower exists, especially in terms of different skillsets and actions, one doesn’t need to be one always or exclusively. A “division of labor” doesn’t necessarily mean that the leader and follower are established in stone. In fact, the frequent exchange of role greatly enhances each’s ability to better “play their role” of leader or follower when asked. Even more importantly, it alternates and thereby attenuates the power differential often associated in a leader/follower situation. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in life from dance, it’s that rigid power differentials almost alway lead to arguments, personal violation and, sadly, violence. True, absolutely no differential can also lead to chaos, personal violation and, once again sadly, violence. It’s through switching these roles that one develops the capacity for egalitarian cooperation, and respect evolves.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1578862914
#DanielSJanik #RaymondGaynor #dance #lead #follow #choice #violation #violence #cooperation #differential #egalitarian #respect #MaskedSinger #believer #money #power #egalitarian #ballroom #Latin
June 1, 2022
POST-APOCALYPSE
DINOSAURS, then humans…what’s next? The dinosaurs supposedly disappeared after at least one huge comet hit earth in the area of the current Yucatán Peninsula, creating the Chicxulub crater, massive tsunamis, a likely world-wide thousand-degree particulate storm, massive firestorms and a seasonal if not climate change due to a particulate blanket blotting out the sun. The world that resulted is totally different from that it replaced. Right up to the appearance of humans.
Being a writer of thrillers with a background in the sciences and a strong interest in futuring (Sci-Fu I like to call it), both alone and in conjunction with such notables as William Maltese and A. G. Hayes, I’ve a passion for following post-apocalyptic literature. What would a “modern” post-apocalyptic world be like?
The first consideration would be the apocalypse. “Perfect Storm” comets like the Chicxulub impactor hitting the Earth of just the right size, position, angle and speed, are rare. On the other hand, we’ve already witnesses a near nuclear holocaust within the last 50+ years, notably the Cuban Missile Crisis, and quite possibly within the last year as a result of “Putin’s War” in the Ukraine. So I’m going to choose a nuclear holocaust as the apocalypse. What might a post-nuclear-apocalyptic population look like?
Well, first, humans aren’t very resistant to radiation, so I’m going to assume that the combined results of thousands of nuclear explosions might look a bit like a lot of Chicxulub events all happening within a short period of time, creating among other effects mentioned above, a “nuclear winter.” Goodbye humans. So what life forms are sufficiently resistant to survive and become the dominant species?
First, on land, I’m voting for the ubiquitous cockroach. And I’m going to imagine over time, BIG roaches lumbering across the face of Earth. Second, I’m imagining the insect dino-double: Scorpions. BIG ones, capable of feasting on and controlling the zillions of roaches. In the air, replacing birds would likely be scores of flies. Again BIG ones, with wasps being their apex predator. Finally in the oceans, I would imagine gazillions of Deinococcus Radidurans bacteria coating the rocks beneath and forming huge rafts of green on every available surface. With small Tardigrades populating both salt and fresh water, and Mummichogs (the most radioactive-resistant fish) the salt and fresh water apex predators — https://jeevoka.com/8-animals-that-wo.... BIG ones. Elephant, condor, maybe whale size.
And what would the major development be? Certainly not intelligence or cognition. Perhaps social competition. Not a pretty sight for humans (if there were any left), but I suppose a lovely site for the scorpions and cockroaches; wasps and flies; and Mummichogs, Tardigrades and, well, Deinococcus Radidurans if they could even sense one another. For now, I’ll stick with my latest post-apocalyptic thriller, THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor, while I finish writing the long anticipated sequel, PROPHECY.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999693859
#RaymondGaynor #Apocalypse #dinosaur #Chicxulub #extinction #WilliamMaltese #AGHayes #thriller #TheEdgeOfMadness #Prophecy #DanielSJanik #book #ebook #Audiobook #manga #animation #movie #film #SciFu #ScienceBasedFuturing #Future #nuclear #cataclysm #radioactive #cockroach #fly #wasp #scorpion #Tardigrade #mummichog
Being a writer of thrillers with a background in the sciences and a strong interest in futuring (Sci-Fu I like to call it), both alone and in conjunction with such notables as William Maltese and A. G. Hayes, I’ve a passion for following post-apocalyptic literature. What would a “modern” post-apocalyptic world be like?
The first consideration would be the apocalypse. “Perfect Storm” comets like the Chicxulub impactor hitting the Earth of just the right size, position, angle and speed, are rare. On the other hand, we’ve already witnesses a near nuclear holocaust within the last 50+ years, notably the Cuban Missile Crisis, and quite possibly within the last year as a result of “Putin’s War” in the Ukraine. So I’m going to choose a nuclear holocaust as the apocalypse. What might a post-nuclear-apocalyptic population look like?
Well, first, humans aren’t very resistant to radiation, so I’m going to assume that the combined results of thousands of nuclear explosions might look a bit like a lot of Chicxulub events all happening within a short period of time, creating among other effects mentioned above, a “nuclear winter.” Goodbye humans. So what life forms are sufficiently resistant to survive and become the dominant species?
First, on land, I’m voting for the ubiquitous cockroach. And I’m going to imagine over time, BIG roaches lumbering across the face of Earth. Second, I’m imagining the insect dino-double: Scorpions. BIG ones, capable of feasting on and controlling the zillions of roaches. In the air, replacing birds would likely be scores of flies. Again BIG ones, with wasps being their apex predator. Finally in the oceans, I would imagine gazillions of Deinococcus Radidurans bacteria coating the rocks beneath and forming huge rafts of green on every available surface. With small Tardigrades populating both salt and fresh water, and Mummichogs (the most radioactive-resistant fish) the salt and fresh water apex predators — https://jeevoka.com/8-animals-that-wo.... BIG ones. Elephant, condor, maybe whale size.
And what would the major development be? Certainly not intelligence or cognition. Perhaps social competition. Not a pretty sight for humans (if there were any left), but I suppose a lovely site for the scorpions and cockroaches; wasps and flies; and Mummichogs, Tardigrades and, well, Deinococcus Radidurans if they could even sense one another. For now, I’ll stick with my latest post-apocalyptic thriller, THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor, while I finish writing the long anticipated sequel, PROPHECY.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999693859
#RaymondGaynor #Apocalypse #dinosaur #Chicxulub #extinction #WilliamMaltese #AGHayes #thriller #TheEdgeOfMadness #Prophecy #DanielSJanik #book #ebook #Audiobook #manga #animation #movie #film #SciFu #ScienceBasedFuturing #Future #nuclear #cataclysm #radioactive #cockroach #fly #wasp #scorpion #Tardigrade #mummichog
May 30, 2022
RAISED TO BE KILLED AND EATEN
I don’t usually post about topics that might simply though mention raise people’s hackles and guards. Still, it’s an interesting exercise, I believe, to wonder if domesticated animals and even possibly plants, raised to be killed (okay, “harvested” if that protects the sensibilities) and eaten know that they are being raised for such? Silly idea, or a very unpleasant thought to think about? I might have thought so, too, until I read about Hanabiko “Koko” the sign-language “talking” gorilla.
Born 4 July 1971, she died at the human age of 46 on 19 June 2018. Koko, who had no other formal name, is held by the Gorilla Foundation to have mastered a vocabulary of more than 1,000 signs and the ability to understand 2,000 words of spoken English. It’s also claimed that she taught Michael, an orphan gorilla who many hoped would be Koko’s mate, a working vocabulary of over 600 signs in American Sign Language before his death in 2000. Another gorilla, 36-year-old Ndume, was brought to the sanctuary, after Koko and Michael turned out to be friends rather than mates. Koko eventually got pregnant by Ndume, but miscarried, the two becoming friends after that. It’s said that one of Koko’s deepest regrets was not having a baby. instead, Koko “adopted” two cats treated them as offspring — https://abcnews.go.com/US/koko-famous....
Koko was an exception to my initial question, in that she wasn’t raised as food. But Michael, her gorilla friend, is said to have witnessed the killing of his parents by poachers, and “talked” about it. It’s also said that Koko and Michael both recognized and “talked” about death.
I’ve never know any bovine, chicken or pig, much less elephant, fish, dolphin or whale, to have developed anything like Koko’s ability to communicate with humans. Even more so, we supposedly superior intelligent humans have mastered the “language” of hardly any of the animals of which we’re supposed to be stewards. Still, I can’t help but wonder: Do they know they’re being raised to be killed and eaten by the very creature that will later slaughter, butcher and eat them? It’s even more obtuse regarding plants, but a visit years ago with researcher Mr. Cleve Backster in his “primary plant perception” laboratory convinced me that it was worth attempting to communicate also with plants, including domesticated plants if nothing else, in anticipation of communicating someday in the future with “aliens” — https://www.amazon.com/dp/0966435435. And don’t forget: Plants are the primary source of oxygen and potable water necessary for human life. And one last thought: Maybe it’s not we who domesticated the plants, but plants who lured us into growing plants thus protecting and enhancing their species survival.
Having thus touched as gently as possible the bare surface of an admissibly complex and convoluted question, I leave with these words: “Through the process of communicating we develop affection or hatred towards other people [animals, plants and our world] and positive or negative relationships…” — https://www.pieceintopeace.com/blogs/....
The Edge of Madness
#RaymondGaynor #DanielSJanik #food #animal #plant #communication #empathy #respect #feeling #relationship #awareness #cognition #Koko #Michael #Ndume #gorilla #speak #SignLanguage #death #butcher #CleveBackster #PrimaryPerception #domestication
Born 4 July 1971, she died at the human age of 46 on 19 June 2018. Koko, who had no other formal name, is held by the Gorilla Foundation to have mastered a vocabulary of more than 1,000 signs and the ability to understand 2,000 words of spoken English. It’s also claimed that she taught Michael, an orphan gorilla who many hoped would be Koko’s mate, a working vocabulary of over 600 signs in American Sign Language before his death in 2000. Another gorilla, 36-year-old Ndume, was brought to the sanctuary, after Koko and Michael turned out to be friends rather than mates. Koko eventually got pregnant by Ndume, but miscarried, the two becoming friends after that. It’s said that one of Koko’s deepest regrets was not having a baby. instead, Koko “adopted” two cats treated them as offspring — https://abcnews.go.com/US/koko-famous....
Koko was an exception to my initial question, in that she wasn’t raised as food. But Michael, her gorilla friend, is said to have witnessed the killing of his parents by poachers, and “talked” about it. It’s also said that Koko and Michael both recognized and “talked” about death.
I’ve never know any bovine, chicken or pig, much less elephant, fish, dolphin or whale, to have developed anything like Koko’s ability to communicate with humans. Even more so, we supposedly superior intelligent humans have mastered the “language” of hardly any of the animals of which we’re supposed to be stewards. Still, I can’t help but wonder: Do they know they’re being raised to be killed and eaten by the very creature that will later slaughter, butcher and eat them? It’s even more obtuse regarding plants, but a visit years ago with researcher Mr. Cleve Backster in his “primary plant perception” laboratory convinced me that it was worth attempting to communicate also with plants, including domesticated plants if nothing else, in anticipation of communicating someday in the future with “aliens” — https://www.amazon.com/dp/0966435435. And don’t forget: Plants are the primary source of oxygen and potable water necessary for human life. And one last thought: Maybe it’s not we who domesticated the plants, but plants who lured us into growing plants thus protecting and enhancing their species survival.
Having thus touched as gently as possible the bare surface of an admissibly complex and convoluted question, I leave with these words: “Through the process of communicating we develop affection or hatred towards other people [animals, plants and our world] and positive or negative relationships…” — https://www.pieceintopeace.com/blogs/....
The Edge of Madness
#RaymondGaynor #DanielSJanik #food #animal #plant #communication #empathy #respect #feeling #relationship #awareness #cognition #Koko #Michael #Ndume #gorilla #speak #SignLanguage #death #butcher #CleveBackster #PrimaryPerception #domestication
