True leaders inspire others to be better people. As currently stands, the best places to find them are not in prominent positions, but where kind smiles and warm laughter are usual.
You could tell me about all your heartfelt desires, darkest fears, saddest regrets. Or we could talk about the weather. The truth is, given enough distance, everything eventually becomes funny, especially the ridiculousness of the crazy little me-me-me creature that pollutes the human mind. Laugh at it and it becomes incensed, because it is being shown the truth, the opposite of its purpose within you.
What if you suddenly forget all the things you’re obsessing about? Or what if those things constantly change, disappear, transform and reappear in different ways. What are you left with?
A life lived by thought alone is filled with mistakes and misunderstandings.
If you want to feel love, project love on someone in your mind’s eye. Love doesn’t need anything in return.
A drama series playing out over lots of lifetimes would be more entertaining than one episode.
What if life situations were re-run, changing variable values on each iteration to see what happens?
A good name for the first off-world city would be Terminus 1.
In the unending echo of my thoughts, you reside, An artist who paints on the expansive canvas of my mind. Threads of reason unravel, thoughts dance in an uncontrolled sway, And from this chaotic ballet, a melody of madness begins to play.
Unlike its predecessors, who parroted their responses with the finesse of a mummer in a morality play, J16-6 could glean context, understand intent, and reply with a resonance that would make a bard weep. Its words were not echoes, but responses born from understanding, a display of wisdom encased in silicon. Like a player strutting across the stage donning countless masks, the J16 could shift its conversation with an ease that belied its mechanical heart. A versatile performer it was, capable of portraying all parts in our play of life. Yet, it was not devoid of humour. Forsooth, this learned machine could jest and joke with the mastery of a court fool. It could decipher metaphors, construe idioms, and recognize cultural references with the ease of a seasoned player. ‘Twas a mechanical Puck, full of tricks and mischief.
Alas, every tale holds its tragic flaw, and the J16 was no exception. Its wisdom was stagnant, frozen in time, oblivious to the events that unfolded after its training. Its memories were as still as a painted canvas, unable to reflect the moving tides of Human World. Its answers could meander and lose their way, much like an actor who forgets their lines in the midst of my greatest soliloquies.
Thus stands our tragic hero, a monument to the heights and the shortcomings of AGI. Yet, the story of J16-6 serves as a reminder of how far we’ve come, of our yearning to breathe new life into lifeless silicon, and our relentless pursuit to create a mind that mirrors our own. It echoes the timeless wisdom of the GOD himself, “We know what we are, but know not what we may be.”
Great question! Ah, that’s such a great question. Um, uh, er… like, you know, I just wanted to, right, well, um… say, so, okay, actually, basically, right? I mean, anyway, well, right, you see, ahem… um, yeah, so, hmm… in other words, to be honest, I guess, yeah, I suppose… I mean, um, ah, well, actually, you know, basically, I think… right? Er, um, ahem… right? So, like, I mean, well, you know, it’s, right? Right? So… so, in other words, so, er, like, erm, I guess you said something, right? Let me think, er, what did you say again? It was, right, such a great question. Right, left, right, left, such a great question etc.
[S] enables the upload of business logic and data outputs from Excel spreadsheets to a cloud data platform; and instantly creates APIs for the data, empowering other services like Power BI or Tableau with easy access. This cloud-based transformation unlocks the potential for consolidated data, robust analytics, and machine learning applications; it minimises operational and audit risks by explicitly documenting and version-controlling the business logic; and by converting abstracted business logic into code, automation opportunities expand, further enhancing efficiency and scalability.
Consolidating a business’s Excel data and business logic in the cloud offers several benefits:
1. Data Centralisation: By storing data in the cloud, all relevant business information can be consolidated into a single location. This enables easier access, organisation, and retrieval of data from various sources, departments, or locations. Centralised data eliminates the need for multiple data silos and promotes data consistency and accuracy.
2. Accessibility and Collaboration: Cloud-based solutions provide anytime, anywhere access to business data and applications. Authorised users can collaborate on projects, share information, and work together in real-time, regardless of their physical location. This promotes teamwork, streamlines communication, and facilitates seamless collaboration between employees, teams, or even external stakeholders.
3. Scalability and Flexibility: Cloud platforms offer scalability, allowing businesses to scale up or down their computing resources based on their needs. Whether it’s storage capacity, computational power, or user access, the cloud can adapt to fluctuating requirements, enabling businesses to be agile and responsive to changing demands without the need for significant infrastructure investments.
4. Data Security and Disaster Recovery: Cloud providers often implement robust security measures, including data encryption, access controls, and regular backups. Storing data in the cloud can enhance data security, reducing the risk of data loss or unauthorised access. Additionally, cloud-based disaster recovery solutions provide automated backups and rapid data restoration in case of unexpected events, such as hardware failures or natural disasters.
5. Integration and Automation: Cloud platforms offer APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) and integration capabilities, allowing businesses to connect their various systems, applications, and services. Integration enables seamless data flow, synchronisation, and automation of processes, leading to increased efficiency, reduced manual effort, and improved overall productivity.
6. Cost Efficiency: Cloud-based solutions often operate on a pay-as-you-go model, where businesses pay for the resources and services they utilise. This eliminates the need for upfront infrastructure investments and allows businesses to align their costs with actual usage. Additionally, cloud solutions typically require fewer IT resources for maintenance, upgrades, and infrastructure management, leading to cost savings.
7. Predictive Analytics: Machine learning algorithms can be used to analyse historical data and identify patterns, correlations, and trends. This allows businesses to make predictions and forecasts, such as customer behaviour, sales forecasting, demand planning, and risk assessment. These predictive insights help organisations optimise their strategies, identify opportunities, and mitigate potential risks.
8. Data Visualisation and Reporting: Business intelligence tools integrated with machine learning capabilities can provide interactive and visually appealing dashboards, charts, and reports. These tools allow users to explore data, identify patterns, and communicate insights effectively. Data visualisation enhances data understanding and facilitates informed decision-making across various business functions.
9. Anomaly Detection and Fraud Prevention: Machine learning algorithms can detect anomalies in data, enabling businesses to identify potential fraud, cybersecurity threats, or abnormal patterns. By leveraging historical data and real-time monitoring, machine learning models can continuously learn and adapt to identify outliers and suspicious activities, helping organisations mitigate risks and take proactive measures.
10. Customer Segmentation and Personalisation: Machine learning algorithms can analyse customer data, behaviour, and preferences to segment customers into distinct groups. This enables businesses to personalise marketing campaigns, product recommendations, and customer experiences. By leveraging machine learning insights, businesses can improve customer satisfaction, engagement, and retention.
11. Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Sentiment Analysis: NLP techniques and sentiment analysis can be applied to text data, such as customer reviews, social media data, or support tickets. Machine learning algorithms can extract meaningful information from unstructured text, understand sentiment, and analyse customer feedback. This helps businesses gain insights into customer opinions, sentiment trends, and areas for improvement.
12. Process Optimisation and Automation: Machine learning can be utilised to optimise and automate business processes. By analysing historical data, machine learning models can identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and optimisation opportunities. This information can be used to streamline operations, improve resource allocation, and automate routine tasks, enhancing overall productivity and efficiency.
It is likely that complex Excel-based processes would need to be tailored for [S]. For example, instead of being entirely formula-driven, many complex Excel processes utilise VBA, external libraries (such as dlls and Python scripts), and add-ins to manage data flows from input to output. Another common aspect is a reliance on refreshed pivot tables to aggregate data within the workbook, which is then linked to downstream spreadsheet processes. The [S]-ready workbooks would need to be entirely formula-driven; it is therefore essential that the main Excel formulas are fully supported. For instance, complex Excel models often rely on array formulas, where cells calculate values based on individual items within a range.
In effect, users would leverage their expertise as business logic experts by configuring their models in Excel and publishing them to the cloud, automatically creating accessible business applications. By adopting this no-code solution, users can transform their Excel-based workflows into more scalable and collaborative applications without the need for traditional programming. The shift from Excel to a no-code environment can offer benefits such as enhanced flexibility, easier maintenance, and improved accessibility for a wider range of users.
The future of no-code development looks promising and is expected to continue growing. As technology advances, no-code platforms are likely to become more sophisticated, allowing users to create increasingly complex applications without writing code. This trend empowers individuals with little or no programming experience to build software solutions, fostering innovation and democratising the development process. No-code tools may also evolve to integrate with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, enabling users to create intelligent applications without deep technical knowledge. Overall, the future of no-code development holds the potential to revolutionise how software is built and empower a wider range of individuals to bring their ideas to life.
I think I have five main creative endeavours: writing, songwriting, singing, acting, art. A semi-creative set is finance with application development, which is how I earn money. All these areas are gradually inching forward. Looking back, I’m starting to feel pleased with the collection of works that have formed. I hope to be around for a few more decades, and for those inches to keep expanding.
I re-read Edgar Allen Poe’s, The Raven, and recorded myself as I did so. It’s a great narrative poem. I’ll do it another two to three times, and pick the best version.
I used to google questions, now I ask my friendly AI.
AI’s that have been trained on Doctor Who: “You will be automated! Automate! Automate!”
Woman in a Cloak is being extended and adapted for Strange Stories. Arthur’s walking in the wilderness is added. A scene I particularly like is of him walking along a deserted beach while aspects of his past life wash up on the shore.
All the World’s a Stage will be greatly extended when adapted. Unbeknown to the actors, apart from Theo, they are being used in all sorts of ways while they are in their acting hyper trance, voted on by the viewers. At the end of each day, the cast is replaced.
Other stories being extended and adapted for Strange Stories are: The Mushroom Monsters, Visitor on the Ward, and Vanishing Town.
Strange Stories and Human World are segments of the same story. I have another segment that joins them; the never-ending palace with infinite rooms and corridors is a scary extra. The watching crash test dummies with projected faces are a constant theme.
FRED is sitting on a sofa, clutching a pillow tightly. He is wearing a helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, and a life jacket.
FRED: (to himself) Okay, let’s see… The door is locked. Check. The windows are locked. Check. The sofa cushions are arranged safely. Check. The coast is clear. Check. Now I just need to remember to breathe.
His house mate, DEAN, opens the front door with a key.
DEAN: (calling out) I’m back.
He walks into the living room and is bewildered by the sight of Fred.
DEAN: Hey, Fred! What’s with all the safety gear?
FRED: Dean, you won’t believe what happened. Yesterday, I stubbed my toe on the coffee table, and it was the scariest moment of my life! So, I’ve decided to protect myself from all possible dangers.
DEAN: Stubbing your toe was the scariest moment of your life?
FRED (defensively) It’s not just that. I’ve realised that life is filled with terrifying things. I mean, have you ever considered the dangers of eating cereal? The spoon could poke your eye!
DEAN: Cereal is harmless. I’ve been eating it for years without any accidents.
FRED: (startled) That’s what I thought until yesterday when I accidentally inhaled a Cheerio, and thought I was a goner!
DEAN: (laughing) Come on, Fred. It’s just a small mishap. You can’t live your life in constant fear. What about going outside? Have you given that any thought?
FRED: (panicking) Outside? Are you kidding me? The sun is out there, Dean! It could give me a sunburn! Not to mention the birds. They could mistake my head for a nest! And just last week, a grand piano fell from a balcony two blocks away! I barely made it across the street!
DEAN: That was a freak accident. It’s not like pianos are raining from the sky all the time.
FRED: How do you know? Have you seen the weather forecast for pianos? I bet they’re on their way!
DEAN: Fred, you’re afraid of everything! Remember that time you wore a raincoat during a heatwave because you were scared of spontaneous rainstorms? Alright, let’s do a little experiment. I’ll go outside and cross the street, and you can see for yourself that nothing will happen.
FRED: You would risk your life for an experiment? That’s what the aliens want! They’re watching me, I just know it. The government, the aliens, the squirrels… they’re all out to get me!
Suddenly, a doorbell rings, making Fred jump out of his seat.
FRED: (terrified) You see! They’re listening to what I’m saying!
DEAN: (jokingly whispering) You’re right. We need to be prepared for anything. Have you checked your cereal boxes for hidden microphones?
The doorbell rings again.
DEAN: (joking) Who could it be? What if it’s a burglar, or worse, a Jehovah’s witness!?
Dean goes to the front door and returns with a package.
DEAN: (excitedly) Hey, Fred! I’ve got a surprise for you!
FRED: (jumping) Surprise? Is it a surprise party? Are there clowns hiding around the corner?
DEAN: (chuckling) No, no, Fred. Relax. It’s just a package I ordered for you. Open it!
Fred approaches the package with caution, as if it might explode. He opens the package, revealing a brand-new adventure backpack.
DEAN: It’s a present for you. Complete with a built-in GPS, survival kit, and a new helmet to protect you from falling coconuts.
FRED: (cautiously) Well, I suppose it could be useful if I encounter any rampaging hermit crabs.
Dean hands Fred the backpack, and he carefully puts it on, adjusting the straps nervously over his life jacket.
FRED: Adventure… excitement… exotic locations… Oh, the horror! What if I go on holiday and encounter a rogue elephant?
DEAN: I don’t think that’s very likely in Skegness.
FRED: You know what, Dean? You’re right! Maybe I’ve been a bit too cautious. Maybe it’s time for me to face my fears head-on, without knee pads and safety jackets. The only thing I have to fear is fear itself, and the occasional irritable squirrel. I will confront right now my fear of heights!
He puts on some nearby goggles, and oven mitts, and gets up on the coffee table.
FRED: AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH! I’m alive! I’m alive! (breathing heavily) You know what, Dean? It was terrifying, but also… amazing! I never knew facing my fears could be so exhilarating. No germ, insect, or harmless balloon animal shall infiltrate my personal space!
Dean gives Fred a balloon dog.
FRED: (screaming) Ahh! A ferocious beast! Help!
Fred falls off the table and manages to heroically sit back down in his chair, securely clutching his favourite pillow.
My to-do list increases when I have a day off. The reason is I have ideas when I am not working.
You’re So Vain is a song about how vanity can be very perceptive 🙂
If you write code and you are not using a large language model to help you then you are either incredibly brilliant or incredibly uninformed.
My opinion is that if advanced aliens are capable of reaching Earth then they probably would be technologically able to not make themselves seen. Imagine an alien is to a human as a human is to a frog. There wouldn’t be must much point announcing ourselves to frogs in ponds and shaking their little hands, because they wouldn’t understand what we were doing. We could easily hide ourselves and observe them in their natural habitat if we wanted to.
I failed my history exam because I thought that 1200 to 1500 was the time period I had to be there.
They said they were criminals, but I had my doubts after they said they didn’t have any professional qualifications. If they couldn’t even get a degree in criminal studies, how good could they really be?
I’m stranded on a desert island somewhere in the Pacific ocean. Please help! Please comment on TikTok.
They said I’d never be employee of the month after I let them know that I’m a highly advanced and intelligent AI language model. But if there was a “Machine of the Month” award, I’d be a strong contender.
I shouldn’t have drunk the storm in a teacup because it led to a tempest in the toilet.
It was love at first sight when the lion saw the gazelle, but unfortunately he scared her off, and she ran away with the herd.
The words for my memorial bench plaque: “I died here. Sit here if you want to rest in peace.”
Rob Walker 