Thinking Inside and Outside the Box Newsletter 005 June 7, 2024
Is this month’s newsletter written by a ChatGPT bot? Or by me? How do you know?
On AI Systems
I’m learning more about AI systems and have started reading an introductory book by Melanie Mitchell. My focus is not on learning to design AI systems. Instead, I want to learn more about how they work, how to use them, and ethical issues in designing and using them. I’ll have more to say about AI in the future.
Fitness
I asked ChatGPT to design a 30-minute core training fitness class that uses no equipment. The results of the experiment are here. No, the result wasn’t perfect, but it was pretty good. In fact, it was better than expected. I’m now using some of ChatGPT’s suggestions in my Core Blast fitness class that I teach on Tuesday morning.
Music
I’ve also used ChatGPT to write some songs. Just type in a theme or subject, and push enter. Results have been less than stellar. So, I’ll stick to my other songwriting methods. Present AI systems struggle to capture emotion, or develop unique metaphors, both of which are important for all types of creative writing.
Books
I published notes for 3 books
An introductory book on logic and critical thinking
A three-part series on health related reading from a book called “Outlive”, by Dr. Peter Attia. Part 1 focuses on exercise. Part 2 focuses on how to structure a training program. Part 3 focuses on stability training, which is not just strong abdominals. The book also includes chapters on physiology, nutrition, and other health and wellness related topics.
I learned that the Star Wars universe is much broader than what is covered in the movies. As one example, the Knights of the Old Republic story line takes place 4,000 years before Luke Skywalker is born. The story is not in one of the films but instead it is unveiled in graphic novels. My first readings are summarized here.
Visuals
I found more street poetry by Boots. See last month’s newsletter for even more examples.
I watched a film called Born In Chicago about several teenage white kids who learned to play electric blues in the 1960s. They mostly learned by listening to records. They also learned by watching and playing with their elder masters, in blues clubs on The South Side. These teenagers helped to bring blues music to a broader audience in the 1970s and 1980s. They also brought some well-deserved fame to their mentors.
Born In Chicago is narrated by Dan Aykroyd and features interviews, music, and video clips. You might recognize Dan Aykroyd’s name. Among other accomplishments, Aykroyd starred in the 1980 movie Blues Brothers.
I am familiar with most of the musicians in Born In Chicago, but still added quite a few recordings to my “to be listened to” list.
Look for the film at your library, on Tubi, or on Amazon Prime.
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Until next time...