b-n-hendricks

[b-n-hendricks]

[b-n-hendricks]

[b-n-hendricks]

iDigBio chatbot zoom webinar

A few weeks ago iNaturalist, a major online biodiversity social network/forum and database, announced it had received money from Google to create a generative AI tool for the purpose of adding "natural language" explanations to user-submitted content. No one asked for this, almost no one wanted this, people were already happily doing this sort of thing for free, and backlash was immediate: https://www.reddit.com/r/iNaturalist/comments/1l85g47/inaturalist_is_partnering_with_google_generative/

iDigBio is (was?) an NSF-funded online database, which brings together museum collection material from around the world for easy viewing in one place.

iDigBio is introducing a new "agentic" LLM chatbot called "iChatBio" to their website (which already has a search bar) in order to allow for "integrated searches across several databases simultaneously" with "a single, customized plain-language query". This is something entirely possible with the current state of the website right now, and something I do for my research almost every day. Again, the website has a search bar, and by definition it is already linking multiple sources of information together, because that's what a database is. AT BEST, assuming it works with 100% accuracy, they have re-invented the search bar but made it cost more energy. It is truly that lame.

Hopefully I can go on without explaining why generative AI should not be ANYWHERE near biology. Even if these tools did not plagiarize from real people and occasionally just make things up, they are more environmentally costly than existing alternatives, which undermines the supposed goal of these sites in the first place: to document and protect biodiversity. It's hard enough already.

I suspect iDigBio higher-ups already know how people feel about iNaturalist's recent announcement, as many people use both websites, and so they are keeping quiet about this to avoid extra scrutiny. I have received two separate iDigBio zoom webinar invitations in separate listservs within the past few days - one with just the chatbot webinar, and one with a totally different set (with some more generic stuff like "looking forward to the future!"). If the new iChatBio agentic LLM is so wonderful, then I think as many people as possible should know about it, so I am distributing the link to the chatbot webinar.

The webinar is on Monday, August 18th, from 1pm to 2pm. Here is the link to register:

It asks for your name, email, and organization. If you don't have an official affiliation and you would still like to participate, I see nothing wrong with listing yourself as "independent organization" and "citizen scientist". The website says ET in one place and CT in another place, and I'm not sure which is true, so I will be there at 1pm ET (maybe they had the chatbot write the announcement, too).

I encourage anyone interested in biodiversity, museum collections, databases, living things, information flow, or the planet Earth in general to take a look at this if you are able, and to perhaps prepare some questions. Feel free to share this link with other biology or data listservs, or with anyone you know who may be interested.

I can't imagine what people at iDigBio are thinking. If I had to guess, I truly think they want this announcement over and buried quickly, so they can pretend everyone is fine with it and collect the money. I am not fine with it.

[b-n-hendricks]

Dysphoria As I Can Communicate It.

[b-n-hendricks]

[b-n-hendricks]

[b-n-hendricks]

[b-n-hendricks]

[b-n-hendricks]

[b-n-hendricks]

[b-n-hendricks]

[Hyping myself up in front of a mirror]: I will post tomorrow! I will post tomorrow! I will post tomorrow!!!!!!

[b-n-hendricks]

Trying to raise money to support my puppies vet bills! His insurance isn't willing to cover the specialised treatment that he needs asap. Any help would be appreciated!:)

[b-n-hendricks]

[b-n-hendricks]

[b-n-hendricks]

[b-n-hendricks]

[b-n-hendricks]

D.ALL 1st Anniversary!

Hi! Hello! Greetings!

D.ALL’s been going on for a whole year! Frankly, I can hardly believe I’m still working on it. In a good way! Can’t really put it into words, but it feels “right” to be working on D.ALL.

I won’t be coy, I did promise D.ALL book 1 would come out today, but apparently writing is hard and takes a lot of time—who’d a thunk!

To compensate, here’s a little progress report on all things D.ALL.

Editin’s Over Halfway Done!

That’s right! From Prologue.A to Chapter 17 is all edited!

D.ALL’s gonna be (including epilogues and prologues) 29 chapters total, so that means I’m 66.5% percent done! For about two months of work (I didn’t write at all in March.), I’m pretty proud of that percentage.

Sadly doesn’t mean I only have another two months to go, since these next chapters are gonna be completely rewritten—as those chapters were made during my depression and burnout. I dislike how I handled them and didn’t give enough time to flesh out the cast, especially the folk of Lilipass and Free.

Now, I don’t hate my old writing. For the first thing I’ve ever written, it’s fine! It’s got good ideas! It’s got a flair! But!…

I’ve decided to remove the original version of D.ALL from my site. It will be back as a secret for people to find once D.ALL Book 1 is released, along with some commentary.

HOWEVER, since I'm kind, adorable, and the greatest, I’ve released the new edits of Prologue.A/B and Chapters 1 to 9—all of the first arc! As always, you can find them on my website: bnhendricks.neocities.org.

Don’t know if I’m gonna keep to my word and upload the rest of the chapters for free, but at the very least those chapters will be. There are two wolves inside of me, one’s a punk who’s all for media bein’ free, the other knows hard work should be compensated.

Anyhoo, that’s it when it comes to writing stuff!

Cover Art’s Bein’ Worked On!

Not much I can show, been focused on writing, but figured I’d be cool to talk about the trio’s new designs/my new designing process.

I’m working on Foxx, Frost, and Free’s new models in stages. Blocking them out, refining their shapes, sculpting detail, rigging, then—and only then—doing material work. Doing the same stage for each at the same time so I don’t lose momentum or feel like I’m starting all over again.

I’m nearing the middle of the block out stage, but I already feel very happy with the direction I’m going. The original models weren’t necessarily rushed, rather, I didn’t commit to the ideas I had because I lacked self-confidence and kindness. Feels nice to finally be able to express those ideas.

Free

Starting with Free, he'll remain mostly the same, just a clothes update and a shave (Yeah, I've decided removed his “hair.” Didn’t feel right.). I’ve spent a good amount of time working on his pins, since it’s easy, fun work that I can do when I can’t do anything else.

Frost

I’ve been re-thinking Frost’s horns and their overall shape. Frost’s original horns were just too complex, and I think, even with my better skills, would feel too heavy and complicated to look good. Right now, their horns are little too small but fit with the idea I’m going for.

The trio aren’t really folks with the gun so-to-speak; I want to especially express this in Frost’s design. They’re more grounded now—that’s the best way I can explain it.

Foxx

Can’t show much, or really anything, spoilers—heavy spoilers… but know this, with Foxx I’m moving towards something more organic-looking, more fox! Furthermore, I have a good idea for how his cloak works, how it’s layered. Looking forward to doing his material work.

Remember, every model starts with, hopes, dreams, and a crappy little sketch!