Blog Archives
Connecting the Dots of Real Facial Recognition
On Saturday mornings from my childhood, I recall NBC commercials that would feature the now-famous network slogan, “The more you know” with a shooting star graphic that would promote a pleasant, knowledge-centric call to action for its weekend viewers. The commercials were positive and nice. The following video isn’t from NBC. Regardless, this fun, insightful story regarding the Wall Street Journal answers a question many of us have but probably allow to fade to the back of our minds.
This is where Jimmy’s Daily Planet comes into play with a random yet concrete answer to a daily artistic venture involving one of the country’s primary sources of news.
I’ll let you draw your own conclusions, however time-consuming.
There are some things a computer and evolving technology just can’t do with the same unique, individual precision and artistry of a human being. Could a computer program do a stipple drawing? Of course. But that also means a computer could technically be programmed to produce works of art in a variety of styles that would qualify for high-end galleries in cities all around the world.
Consequently, that would take the artistic revelations and cultural pivot points à la Vincent van Gogh’s “Starry Night”–among countless other artistic masterpieces–out of the mix.
The process behind the stipple drawing was the introductory level of this blog post. The second–and equally important level for consideration–is the value of people and their talents in the ever-evolving reality centered on the debate of humans vs. machines/technology in the modern workforce. What will societal and business influencers decide in the coming years for a myriad of industries concerning this vital debate?
Is now a good time to insert a reference to the show ‘Westworld’ as a fun yet oddly relevant futuristic extreme of this dilemma?
Your answer to the non-‘Westworld’ question–asking ourselves what influential leaders will prioritize in the value of human skill sets vs. convenient technology in the future–begins with whether you think this story about how the iconic stipple drawings are created for the Wall Street Journal holds any value as the subject of a story livelihood.
The more we know depends on how we connect the dots today that will ultimately reveal a clear(er) picture of our future relative to living with (and, in some cases, competing with) burgeoning technology in a modern society that is increasingly streamlined and simplified with cheaper and faster technological alternatives.
An Eternal Rey of Light
YouTube is nothing but goofy videos, like cats that open doors, dogs that rap and a gerbil with a lightsaber.
That presumption is only partly correct (But c’mon…a gerbil with a lightsaber!).
Despite the preconveived notions about YouTube’s content, the videos that can be discovered while exploring the popular website are actually infinitely diverse. There are ridiculously silly and absurd videos, yes, but there are also amazing feats captured for millions (even billions) to see for an eye-opening surprise.
John Williams is a movie soundtrack legend. Mr. Williams has written and composed some of the most iconic scores in movie and cultural history.
- Jaws (1975)
- Star Wars (Beginning in 1977-Present)
- Superman (1978)
- Indiana Jones (Beginning in 1981-Present)
- E.T. (1982)
- Home Alone (1990)
- Hook (1991)
- Jurassic Park (1993)
In addition, what’s equally noteworthy of the past legacy of John Williams is the future legacy of John Williams. Returning to compose The Force Awakens (Star Wars: Episode VII) in 2015, one of the best instrumentals on the soundtrack is “Rey’s Theme.” And it sounds like YouTube user Chelsea Comeau is quite the good student in the John Williams school of brilliant character themes, with just a piano.
Now compare to the genius John Williams version, complete with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at his disposal. And, of course, let’s not forget that John Williams came up with this beautiful instrumental from his imagination.
Amazing.
It’s pretty great what you can find on YouTube, isn’t it?
Or what you can be inspired by on YouTube…
P.S. You’re welcome.
IMPROVing How Knowledge Speaks to Us (& to Others)
Have you ever wondered how to attempt accents from places in and around the British Isles?
Well then, you’re in luck.
A valuable element of life is the pursuit of knowledge on a continuous, daily basis. The exciting part about this relentless educational adventure is that the new information is boundless, meaning there is no limit to what can and should be learned. Nobody knows everything for every single present and future moment.
Except maybe Ben Stein.
As a matter of fact, engaging with and encouraging the introduction of non-traditional knowledge is where genuine creativity lives and breaths.
Here’s a quick tutorial of accents by actor and famed impressionist Tom Hiddleston.
As an improv actor and student, I can say with confidence that, despite your skepticism, you’ll discover a valuable use and surprising moment for knowing how to properly speak with the accents showcased in the video above. Sooner or later.
I bet you’re already chuckling at a time and place to utilize one of those accents.
Jimmy's Daily Planet 