#Improve Sales Using AI

[pillowfort-social]

Generative AI Policy (February 9, 2024)

As of February 9, 2024, we are updating our Terms of Service to prohibit the following content:

Images created through the use of generative AI programs such as Stable Diffusion, Midjourney, and Dall-E.

This post explains what that means for you. We know it’s impossible to remove all images created by Generative AI on Pillowfort. The goal of this new policy, however, is to send a clear message that we are against the normalization of commercializing and distributing images created by Generative AI. Pillowfort stands in full support of all creatives who make Pillowfort their home. Disclaimer: The following policy was shaped in collaboration with Pillowfort Staff and international university researchers. We are aware that Artificial Intelligence is a rapidly evolving environment. This policy may require revisions in the future to adapt to the changing landscape of Generative AI. 

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Why is Generative AI Banned on Pillowfort?

Our Terms of Service already prohibits copyright violations, which includes reposting other people’s artwork to Pillowfort without the artist’s permission; and because of how Generative AI draws on a database of images and text that were taken without consent from artists or writers, all Generative AI content can be considered in violation of this rule. We also had an overwhelming response from our user base urging us to take action on prohibiting Generative AI on our platform.  

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How does Pillowfort define Generative AI?

As of February 9, 2024 we define Generative AI as online tools for producing material based on large data collection that is often gathered without consent or notification from the original creators.

Generative AI tools do not require skill on behalf of the user and effectively replace them in the creative process (ie - little direction or decision making taken directly from the user). Tools that assist creativity don't replace the user. This means the user can still improve their skills and refine over time. 

For example: If you ask a Generative AI tool to add a lighthouse to an image, the image of a lighthouse appears in a completed state. Whereas if you used an assistive drawing tool to add a lighthouse to an image, the user decides the tools used to contribute to the creation process and how to apply them. 

Examples of Tools Not Allowed on Pillowfort: Adobe Firefly* Dall-E GPT-4 Jasper Chat Lensa Midjourney Stable Diffusion Synthesia

Example of Tools Still Allowed on Pillowfort: 

AI Assistant Tools (ie: Google Translate, Grammarly) VTuber Tools (ie: Live3D, Restream, VRChat) Digital Audio Editors (ie: Audacity, Garage Band) Poser & Reference Tools (ie: Poser, Blender) Graphic & Image Editors (ie: Canva, Adobe Photoshop*, Procreate, Medibang, automatic filters from phone cameras)

*While Adobe software such as Adobe Photoshop is not considered Generative AI, Adobe Firefly is fully integrated in various Adobe software and falls under our definition of Generative AI. The use of Adobe Photoshop is allowed on Pillowfort. The creation of an image in Adobe Photoshop using Adobe Firefly would be prohibited on Pillowfort. 

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Can I use ethical generators? 

Due to the evolving nature of Generative AI, ethical generators are not an exception.

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Can I still talk about AI? 

Yes! Posts, Comments, and User Communities discussing AI are still allowed on Pillowfort.

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Can I link to or embed websites, articles, or social media posts containing Generative AI? 

Yes. We do ask that you properly tag your post as “AI” and “Artificial Intelligence.”

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Can I advertise the sale of digital or virtual goods containing Generative AI?

No. Offsite Advertising of the sale of goods (digital and physical) containing Generative AI on Pillowfort is prohibited.

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How can I tell if a software I use contains Generative AI?

A general rule of thumb as a first step is you can try testing the software by turning off internet access and seeing if the tool still works. If the software says it needs to be online there’s a chance it’s using Generative AI and needs to be explored further. 

You are also always welcome to contact us at moderation@pillowfort.social if you’re still unsure.

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How will this policy be enforced/detected?

Our Team has decided we are NOT using AI-based automated detection tools due to how often they provide false positives and other issues. We are applying a suite of methods sourced from international universities responding to moderating material potentially sourced from Generative AI instead.

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How do I report content containing Generative AI Material?

If you are concerned about post(s) featuring Generative AI material, please flag the post for our Site Moderation Team to conduct a thorough investigation. As a reminder, Pillowfort’s existing policy regarding callout posts applies here and harassment / brigading / etc will not be tolerated. 

Any questions or clarifications regarding our Generative AI Policy can be sent to moderation@pillowfort.social.

[crooked-hourglass]

I've been on my soap box about generative AI before and no doubt I'll do it again, but I'm seeing more and more AI art show up in the community lately, and with the recent ST issue, it's starting to get disheartening.

The only thing I want AI to do is the things that make life a chore so I have more time to do art, not do my art so I have more time for chores.

For most of my pieces, I put how long it took me (according to procreate's in app timer). Cumatively, I've spent 100s of hours making art in the past 3 years alone, and even within those years I've learned and improved. I went to art classes for specific skills, I went to college, and I'm constantly learning new things from the wonderful artists that I have met over the years. Just for all of that time, skill and effort to be scalped to feed a machine that churns up soulless images. 

Art takes time to learn and time to make. And if you really can't draw or have no interest in learning - commission an artist or just talk about your ideas! If you're in the same fandom, it's likely we're excited about the same thing too! Or look out for artists asking for suggestions etc

AI is hurting real people. It's trained using art created by human artists who didn't give permission for their art to be used this way. It's now showing up on book covers, album covers, and even visuals on screens at concerts - all taking opportunities away from real people.

And the latest instance of AI within the ST community and support from what appears to be some sort of management, is a kick in the teeth to all of those artists who have had fan art wrongfully removed and even accounts shut down - even when clearly marked not for sale.

A key point of human made art is the act of communicating some sense of meaning or message - AI art does not and cannot do this. And AI art can never create anything fundamentally new or challenging - humans have and humans will.

Support human artists

[political-us]

The U.S. energy consumption is expected to rise with the increasing adoption of AI, electric vehicles (EVs), and cryptocurrency mining, but the exact amount depends on multiple factors like efficiency improvements, grid expansion, and renewable energy adoption. Here’s a breakdown of how these technologies could impact energy demand:

1. Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Data Centers

• AI requires massive computing power, increasing electricity demand from data centers.

• In 2022, U.S. data centers consumed about 2.5% of total electricity (~200 terawatt-hours, TWh).

• AI workloads could double or triple data center energy use by 2030, potentially increasing U.S. electricity demand by 5%–10%.

• Efficiency Gains: AI hardware and software improvements may offset some of this demand.

2. Electric Vehicles (EVs)

• The transition to EVs will increase electricity demand but reduce oil consumption.

• If EV adoption reaches 50% of new car sales by 2030, transportation electricity demand could rise by 10%–15%.

• Smart Charging & Grid Management: If managed well, EVs could charge during off-peak hours to reduce strain on the grid.

3. Cryptocurrency Mining

• Crypto mining is highly energy-intensive. In 2023, Bitcoin mining alone consumed about 120 TWh globally, with the U.S. accounting for ~40% of that (~48 TWh).

• If crypto adoption and mining expand further, electricity demand could rise by 2%–5%.

• Renewables & Efficiency: Some mining operations are integrating solar/wind energy to reduce grid impact.

Overall Impact on U.S. Energy Use

• The U.S. currently consumes about 100 quadrillion BTUs (~4,000 TWh) annually.

• By 2035, AI, EVs, and crypto could increase electricity demand by 15%–25%, depending on adoption rates and efficiency improvements.

• The shift to renewables and nuclear will be critical in meeting this demand without increasing carbon emissions.

[mostlysignssomeportents]

Monopoly is capitalism's gerrymander

For the rest of May, my bestselling solarpunk utopian novel THE LOST CAUSE (2023) is available as a $2.99, DRM-free ebook!

You don't have to accept the arguments of capitalism's defenders to take those arguments seriously. When Adam Smith railed against rentiers and elevated the profit motive to a means of converting the intrinsic selfishness of the wealthy into an engine of production, he had a point:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/09/28/cloudalists/#cloud-capital

Smith – like Marx and Engels in Chapter One of The Communist Manifesto – saw competition as a catalyst that could convert selfishness to the public good: a rich person who craves more riches still will treat their customers, suppliers and workers well, not out of the goodness of their heart, but out of fear of their defection to a rival:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/04/19/make-them-afraid/#fear-is-their-mind-killer

This starting point is imperfect, but it's not wrong. The pre-enshittified internet was run by the same people who later came to enshittify it. They didn't have a change of heart that caused them to wreck the thing they'd worked so hard to build: rather, as they became isolated from the consequences of their enshittificatory impulses, it was easier to yield to them.

Once Google captured its market, its regulators and its workforce, it no longer had to worry about being a good search-engine – it could sacrifice quality for profits, without consequence:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/04/24/naming-names/#prabhakar-raghavan

It could focus on shifting value from its suppliers, its customers and its users to its shareholders:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/05/15/they-trust-me-dumb-fucks/#ai-search

The thing is, all of this is well understood and predicted by traditional capitalist orthodoxy. It was only after a gnostic cult of conspiratorialists hijacked the practice of antitrust law that capitalists started to view monopolies as compatible with capitalism:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/02/20/we-should-not-endure-a-king/

The argument goes like this: companies that attain monopolies might be cheating, but because markets are actually pretty excellent arbiters of quality, it's far more likely that if we discover that everyone is buying the same product from the same store, that this is the best store, selling the best products. How perverse would it be to shut down the very best stores and halt the sale of the very best products merely to satisfy some doctrinal reflex against big business!

To understand the problem with this argument, we should consider another doctrinal reflex: conservatives' insistence that governments just can't do anything well or efficiently. There's a low-information version of this that goes, "Governments are where stupid people who can't get private sector jobs go. They're lazy and entitled." (There's a racial dimension to this, since the federal government has historically led the private sector in hiring and promoting Black workers and workers of color more broadly.)

But beyond that racially tinged caricature, there's a more rigorous version of the argument: government officials are unlikely to face consequences for failure. Appointees and government employees – especially in the unionized federal workforce – are insulated from such consequences by overlapping layers of labor protection and deflection of blame.

Elected officials can in theory be fired in the next election, but if they keep their cheating or incompetence below a certain threshold, most of us won't punish them at the polls. Elected officials can further improve their odds of re-election by cheating some of us and sharing the loot with others, through handouts and programs. Elections themselves have a strong incumbency bias, meaning that once a cheater gets elected, they will likely get re-elected, even if their cheating becomes well-known:

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/gold-bars-featured-bob-menendez-bribery-case-linked-2013-robbery-recor-rcna128006

What's more, electoral redistricting opens the doors to gerrymandering – designing districts to create safe seats where one party always wins. That way, the real election consists of the official choosing the voters, not the voters choosing the official:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/REDMAP

Inter-party elections – primaries and other nomination processes – have fundamental weaknesses that mean they're no substitute for well-run, democratic elections:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/04/30/weak-institutions/

Contrast this with the theory of competitive markets. For capitalism's "moral philosophers," the physics by which greedy desires led to altruistic outcomes was to be found in the swift retribution of markets. A capitalist, exposed to the possibility of worker and customers defecting to their rival, knows that their greed is best served by playing fair.

But just as importantly, capitalists who don't internalize this lesson are put out of business and superceded by better capitalists. The market's invisible hand can pat you on the head – but it can also choke you to death.

This is where monopoly comes in. Even if you accept the consumer welfare theory that says that monopolies are most often the result of excellence, we should still break up monopolies. Even if someone secures an advantage by being great, that greatness will soon regress to the mean. But if the monopolist can extinguish the possibility of competition, they can maintain their power even after they cease deserving it.

In other words, the monopolist is like a politician who wins power – whether through greatness or by deceit – and then gerrymanders their district so that they can do anything and gain re-election. Even the noblest politician, shorn of accountability, will be hard pressed to avoid yielding to temptation.

Capitalism's theory proceeds from the idea that we are driven by our self-interest, and that competition turns self-interest into communal sentiment. Take away the competition, and all that's left is the self-interest.

I think this is broadly true, even though it's not the main reason I oppose monopolies (I oppose monopolies because they corrupt our democracy and pauperize workers). But even if capitalism's ability to turn greed into public benefit isn't the principle that's uppermost in my mind, it's what capitalists claim to believe – and treasure.

I think that most of the right's defense of monopolies stems from cynical, bad-faith rationalizations – but there are people who've absorbed these rationalizations and find them superficially plausible. It's worth developing these critiques, for their sake.

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/05/18/market-discipline/#too-big-to-care

[southernsolarpunk]

Hey what the fuck is this news story?

“ But the world’s largest economies are already there: The total fertility rate among the OECD’s 38 member countries dropped to just 1.5 children per woman in 2022 from 3.3 children in 1960. That’s well below the “replacement level” of 2.1 children per woman needed to keep populations constant.

That means the supply of workers in many countries is quickly diminishing.

In the 1960s, there were six people of working age for every retired person, according to the World Economic Forum. Today, the ratio is closer to three-to-one. By 2035, it’s expected to be two-to-one.

Top executives at publicly traded US companies mentioned labor shortages nearly 7,000 times in earnings calls over the last decade, according to an analysis by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis last week.

“A reduction in the share of workers can lead to labor shortages, which may raise the bargaining power of employees and lift wages — all of which is ultimately inflationary,” Simona Paravani-Mellinghoff, managing director at BlackRock, wrote in an analysis last year. “

Is this seriously how normal people think? Improving the bargaining power of workers and increased wages are bad?

“ And while net immigration has helped offset demographic problems facing rich countries in the past, the shrinking population is now a global phenomenon. “This is critical because it implies advanced economies may start to struggle to ‘import’ labour from such places either via migration or sourcing goods,” wrote Paravani-Mellinghoff.

By 2100, only six countries are expected to be having enough children to keep their populations stable: Africa’s Chad, Niger and Somalia, the Pacific islands of Samoa and Tonga, and Tajikistan, according to research published by the Lancet, a medical journal.

BlackRock’s expert advises her clients to invest in inflation-linked bonds, as well as inflation-hedging commodities like energy, industrial metals and agriculture and livestock.

Import labor via migration or sourcing goods? My brother in Christ they are modern day slaves!! I feel like I’m in backwards town reading this what the fuck?!

“ Elon Musk, father of 12 children, has remarked that falling birthrates will lead to “a civilization that ends not with a bang but a whimper, in adult diapers.”

While his words are incendiary, they’re not entirely wrong

P&G and Kimberly-Clark, which together make up more than half of the US diaper market, have seen baby diaper sales decline over the past few years. But adult diapers sales, they say, are a bright spot in their portfolios. “

Oh now the guy with a breeding kink is going to lecture us. Great. /s

“ The AI solution: Some business leaders and technologists see the boom in productivity through artificial intelligence as a potential solution.

“Here are the facts. We are not having enough children, and we have not been having enough children for long enough that there is a demographic crisis, former Google CEO and executive chairman Eric Schmidt said at the Wall Street Journal’s CEO Council Summit in London last year.

“In aggregate, all the demographics say there’s going to be shortage of humans for jobs. Literally too many jobs and not enough people for at least the next 30 years,” Schmidt said.

Oh god not the AI tech bros coming into this shit too. Wasn’t the purpose of improving tech to give people more free time? So they can relax and spend time with family more and actually enjoy life? Isn’t our economy already bloated with useless pencil-pushing number-crunching desk jobs that ultimately don’t serve a purpose?

I’m not going to post the entire article but give it a read. It’s… certainly something. Anyway degrowth is the way of the future.

[greenzaku]

I can't ask you to boycott Tesla...

...because I know the vast majority of Tumblr can't buy a Tesla. Musk's views have resulted in plummeting Tesla sales in 2024 - !as much as 63% in France!

But there IS another way to defund Elon Musk, and that is to write to advertisers on X (formerly Twitter) and pressure them to withdraw.

I know a lot of us have left, but if you have an old account on there and don't mind quiet, grindy, but highly impactful direct action, here is a step-by-step guide.

Choose 1-3 advertisers that are

Not affiliated with Musk/DOGE/Tesla/SpaceX/Starlink or the US Federal government. US State government entities and initiatives are probably OK to contact. Non-US government bodies are even better choices.

Have a contactable presence outside of Twitter; eg. an email address for complaints, a website feedback form etc.

Pay at least lip service towards diversity, equality and/or accessibility in a mission statement, organisational pledge, or through the use of inclusive imagery and language.

Avoid:

Advertisers ideologically aligned with Musk, or targeting specific individuals. Many far right think tanks and individuals take out advertising on Twitter. Some are likely sock puppets of Musk’s own allies. Look for vague buzzwords about ‘improving efficiency’, ‘anti-woke’, ‘free speech’ etc. Don’t waste your time on them.

Cryptocurrency exchanges, as they're probably scammers to start with.

Now, to create your letter!

1 – Save a screenshot of the ad for attachment to your message. Not every personnel assigned to handling complaints is aware of every ad campaign.

2 – Begin by highlighting the relevance of the org or company to you eg.

“I am a taxpayer in (state/country/region)…”

“As a customer/fan/subject matter expert of …”

“As someone who uses similar products/services…”

3 – State your reaction to the ad, eg.

“…I am disappointed/shocked/upset to see your advertisement on X (formerly twitter).”

4 – Explain why Pick a mixture of ideological and financial reasons

Ideological:

Musk’s bigoted views, citing examples. Eg. nazi salutes, transphobia etc

The impact of DOGE on vulnerable Americans and/or the impact of withdrawing USAID overseas.

Permissiveness towards bigotry and abuse on X eg. Andrew Tate, Nazi accounts, ubiquitous bullying

… and that these run counter to the organisation’s / company’s values and image, quoting their own mission statements if desired; and that they risk tarnishing their brand through association. I haven’t added example URLs for these as there are simply way too many choices!

Financial:

Bot and inauthentic activity on X is greater than that of authentic users (references: https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2024-02-28/twitter-x-fighting-bot-problem-as-ai-spam-floods-the-internet/103498070 , https://mashable.com/article/x-twitter-elon-musk-bots-fake-traffic , https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0313293

Very high incidence of click fraud (false and manufactured engagement with advertising, increasing advertisers’ expenditure) references: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/new-report-finds-x-may-be-inflating-ad-performance-results/707860/ , https://searchengineland.com/x-surge-traffic-fake-437715

Reluctance of users to engage with ads due to numerous advertisements by scammers eg. https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/x-users-fed-up-with-constant-stream-of-malicious-crypto-ads/ , https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/cbc-ads-fake-investment-scheme-1.7439812 , https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/celebrity-deepfake-scam-ads-were-000100107.html?guccounter=1

5 – State the consequences of continuing to advertise on X

“I believe this is a waste of taxpayers’ money that could be better spent elsewhere…”

“Continuing to advertise on X harms your company’s / organisation’s image…”

“If you continue to advertise on X, I will take my business to your competitor…”

6 – Sign off

Yours Sincerely, (your name/pseudonym)

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Over time, you can build a toolbox of sentences to put together and create unique letters for each advertiser. If you have time to doomscroll, you have time to do this, and it only takes as few as 2-3 people writing in to get an advertiser to reconsider.

[whysperingwoods]

Ethics in Witchcraft: Empowerment vs Cheap Tricks

Witchcraft is mainstream-- a reality I never would have imagined ten years ago. With that rise comes a surge of offerings on various platforms, from spellwork to tarot readings, along with it the need for deeper questions: What's real? What's empowering? What crosses ethical lines? I want to explore the ethics of witchcraft, and how we can empower ourselves without resorting to cheap tricks.

The Etsy Dilemma: Quantity Over Quality?

What inspired me to write this article was setting up my Etsy shop. A few years ago, when this blog as last active, I sold tarot and fire readings on Etsy, and I was curious to see how things had changed since then. So, I decided to do a little research and see what other people were offering.

I was surprised to see how much the popularity of not only tarot readings, but spell work has skyrocketed in the last few years. Initially, I thought "Great! People are more open to witchcraft and divination!" But a closer look at the listings-- the quality, the prices, the speed of turnaround-- my excitement faded.

Let's take a look at some of the top listings that come up when you search for "tarot reading" on Etsy:

Most of the top results use stock images, some are obviously AI generated. The turnaround times are incredibly fast, and the prices are strikingly low. It's hard to imagine the quality of a 12-month tarot reading done in under an hour for a fraction of the usual cost. Now, let's look at the highest-selling listing:

The listing has racked up around 51 thousand sales in only 1200 days. That's 41 readings per day, just for this one listing (and this shop has several). Can you imagine providing 41 readings per day? It raises important questions: How much personal energy and focus can truly go into each reading when it's churned out at such a high volume?

When I adjusted the price range to being between $25 and $100, the listings were much more realistic. Photos of real people, with reasonable turnaround times and expectations. Phew!

What if we look at spellwork? This is where things get even more complex.

We see the same trend we saw with the tarot readings: Quick fixes, AI-generated images, extremely low prices.

Any experienced practitioner knows how much time and energy can go into a spell. Everyone has their own personal style-- sometimes I favour small workings that can be done in the span of a breath, and other times I like to prepare something elaborate that will take weeks to prepare and execute. But it raises a critical question: Can real intention be poured into something that’s mass-produced and requires only the click of a button?

At the heart of witchcraft is intention. Without it, what are we really practicing?

Love Spells and the Ethics of Consent

I would be remiss if I didn't talk about love spells here. This topic easily warrants its own post, but let's touch on some key points. Love magic is one of the most popular types of spells on Etsy, and I wouldn't be surprised if it holds true on other platforms. A quick glance through old grimoires and folk traditions reveals countless examples of love magic. In a world where connection feels more elusive than ever, it makes sense that these workings are in such high demand. But where do we draw the line?

Navigating consent in magic is tricky-- where do we distinguish between influencing the world in our favour and infringing on someone else’s free will? It’s a deeply personal question, one that each practitioner must answer for themselves. It's easy to tack on an "and it harm none" at the end of a spell and hope for the best. But that sidesteps some important questions: What is harm? How far do we take that? Sometimes, giving one person favour inevitably affects someone else. For example, casting a career spell to improve your chances of a promotion may unintentionally take an opportunity from another person. Can that not also be seen as harm?

This is why it's important for practitioners to reflect on what level of harm they are comfortable with. It's not an easy question, and the answers may shift over time and with experience. Ideally, none of us want to harm others, but that's something we have little control over. Maybe a better framework to consider is reducing suffering, rather than trying to avoid harm altogether. For example, while aiming for that promotion, you could also wish for your competitor’s contributions to be recognized in other ways. Instead of trying to avoid all harm, perhaps the goal can be to soften its impact and ensure that success isn’t gained at the expense of someone else's misery.

Rather than an “and it harm none” approach that could render a spell ineffective, asking ourselves how to minimize harm while still achieving our goals can lead to more balanced, thoughtful outcome-- ones that benefit everyone involved.

When it comes to love spells, another way to navigate this ethical grey area is by focusing on influencing your own circumstances rather than someone else's free will. I see this as putting something in the person's path, and allowing them to approach it themselves. Rather than casting a spell to make someone fall in love with you, how about casting a spell to increase your confidence, making yourself more noticeable, or drawing more positive attention your way? These types of spells empower you without infringing on someone else’s autonomy or agency.

Final Thoughts

At its core, ethical witchcraft is about empowerment—honouring the free will of others, practicing with intention, and ensuring that our magic comes from a place of authenticity. As practitioners, we have the power to shape our craft in a way that’s meaningful and respectful. Let’s choose paths that uplift and empower us, and the people around us.

I'd love to hear your thoughts. How do you approach ethics in your own craft? What ethical issues have you had to navigate, and how did you handle them?

[satureja13]

It was still pouring when Rubyn returned from the Moisture Farm. And so they moved the fireplace under the Wings of the Millennium Falcon to stay dry. But the wood was already damp, as damped as their mood. Tiny Can left the planet, the Boys, a lot of questions and his transmitter behind - to get lost in space. But why? Why steal money to pay for their school fees if they could have handled it with the loan? And why - oh why did he have to leave the planet (and the transmitter)? How are they supposed to track him down now? They don't have the money to charter a ship and a crew to follow him! As if he knew it! (Of course he does, he knows the Boys better than they know themselves...)

That was a lot of commotion - and a lot to compute - for one day and the others went to sleep soon. Rubyn: "I'm going to make a call tomorrow morning. Maybe I can wing something. I'm not going to let another bot getting corrupted by the dark side. Not under my watch." Jack, always on the bright side of life: "That would be awesome. At least we won't get arrested for allowing Tiny Can to steal all that money when we're lost in space..."

After the others left, Sai allowed himself to break down and cry. Theres's nothing Jack and Sai haven't seen from each other so he's not ashame showing himself at his worst to Jack, his oldest friend: "It's all over now." Jack: "You heard what Rubyn said. It ain't over 'til it's over, hm? Let's sleep on it and tomorrow the world looks brighter." Sai sobbed: "As if I could sleep now."

With no hope of getting some sleep anytime soon, Jack tries to comfort Sai with his universal remedy: good ole distraction. Jack: "Hey, let's browse the latest games! We missed out almost a year of great releases!" Sai sniffled: "O - ok..." And as soon as Jack opened gleam, their gaming portal, Sai smiled again. They love their games and they really missed some stunning new releases. Jack: "Let's see. What are the most promising ones for us?" They looked through the lists of games with the most positive reviews and Jack put some auspicious candidates on his wishlist. They discussed the pro and cons and which one to choose first...

... until... Gods, Tiny Can had the audacity to release the Therapy Game! And what's with that stupid description?! Clearly written by an AI!

The game that almost killed Ji Ho! And that was when Sai's fuses blew too... Sai: "Take that off! We can't let him hurt innocent people!" Jack tried. But gleam wouldn't let him remove the Therapy Game from the store. Of course not. One can not just simply take games off of gleam.

Sai's screaming woke the others and they gathered around the server where Sai had developed the Therapy Game together with Tiny Can. And where he now frantically tries to stop it. In vain. Access denied. Even though Sai was the co-developer! But canny Tiny Can Ltd has all the rights reserved. Sai is so upset, his hands are shaking: "This little piece of junk!" Poor Jack tried to qualify - because he is still convinced his little friend only ever tried to help them: "Sai, look - the game has 93% overwhelmingly positive reviews! No one complained. Tiny Can must have improved the game before release. We left him July 21st and release was August 22nd. He had a month to modify it. And now we know that he didn't steal the money! It's from the sales! I think he did something meaningful for our community. To help other creatures out there who suffer - and don't know what to do. Just like us. Look at all the comments!" And Jack was right. The reviews were all about how happy the players are with the Therapy Game. How much their lives had improved. But Jeb shot Jack a glance - now is not the time to come to Tiny Can's defense...

There is nothing they can do right now anyway - so Jeb took Sai to their tent. Jeb tries a different approach instead: "We will find him. And then you can dismantle him and stomp his filthy circuit board into the ground, hm?"

Sai tightened his grip around Jeb's firm, muscular chest, buried his face in the crease of Jeb's neck, inhaled deeply and sighed: "I love you." Jeb, pulling Sai even closer: "I know." Sai snorted out a laugh. (I wonder if Jack's Romantium orb is still stashed under Sai's bed. And if that's the reason he was able to calm down so quickly ^^')

'… So many tears I've cried So much pain inside But baby, it ain't over 'til it's over So many years we've tried To keep our love alive But baby, it ain't over 'til it's over

… How many times did we give up But we always worked things out And all my doubts and fear kept me wondering, yeah If I'd always, always be in love'

Lenny Kravitz - It ain't over 'til it's over

Outtakes

Jack and Sai being so fed up with broken, annoying high maintenance bots...

From the Beginning 🔱 Underwater Love 🔱 Latest

Current Chapter: starts ▶️ here Last Chapter: 'Here comes the Sun' from the beginning ▶️ here

📚 Previous Chapters: Chapters: 1-6 ~ 7-12 ~ 13-16 ~ 23-28

[kirynnvt]

You, tumblr user, have you heard of the commission website VGen?

i am not being paid this is not an official ad i just really think its super cool and more people should check it out maybe and help them build a better online commission ecosystem

It's like fiverrr but with no AI and much less of a risk of getting scammed. They take reports very seriously and all verified artists have been reviewed by a human in their dev team.

You can commission fully custom (or YCH) pieces of art in all different mediums. From music, to writing, and even physical goods! There's also a shop feature coming soon for pre-made items or adoptables! There's also a ton of filters to help you find exactly what you want AND you can always follow an artist to get notified of when they open next.

Every seller gets their own page to customize which hosts not only the services they're selling, but also space for a portfolio, and reviews for past commissions.

Artists even get to review their past clients so that other artists can look out for troublesome buyers :3c

For anyone interested in selling there, it is still in open beta so you'll need an invite code to start selling. More information here: https://vgen.co/for-artists

The biggest plus for artists IMO is the discoverability and notification system. Anyone who follows you can choose to be notified by email whenever you open comms. They also have an entire dashboard where you can keep track of all your comms, services, and even your TOSs (policies).

Like any selling platform, they do have fees though :'( It's a 5% fee on every order you make through them and they have a price breakdown for every sale that tells you how much you'll actually be getting after VGen fees + payment processing (Paypal or Stripe) fees.

They provide a ton of services for us artists and while the fees can hurt, I don't mind them too much. I personally use my VGen as just ONE form of selling, I also make sales through other websites or on my own through word of mouth or through my social medias. There's no expectation that VGen will be your ONLY platform that you sell on :)

I really really love the mission that VGen has of helping human artists thrive and making commission based selling easier and more accessible to prospective clients. They're constantly improving the site and they actively review suggestions through their discord. If you'd like to help them succeed make buy something from an artist on there \o/

oh also bonus, they currently allow spicy artwork as well

[aelfheimerandrobots]

Do not play InZoi [ A review

So I have been posting some Sims 4 content on tumblr for awhile and I will always happily admit that there's a lot that the Sims team and EA does wrong. Hell, I still actively think of EA as the literal devil of modern gaming. The Sims4 (beyond the free base game) is expensive if you want all of the content currently available (buying it during sales is better but you're still putting down quite a bit of change for a single game). That said, I've seen some things I really like from the Sims team when it comes to diversity, inclusion, and community engagement.

The Sims4 team has paid creators in the past, gone out of their way to work with POC for culture themed packs, and has been adding more inclusive details for disabled representation (far from perfect but the fact that there's options at all is an improvement over none). The Sims team also regularly listens to what the community wants when it comes to future packs. They're not the best at fixing bugs, that's true and some of those bugs are absolutely game breaking and absolutely should be fixed. But the fact that the devs are willing to listen at all is pretty impressive in the current gaming atmosphere.

How does this stack up to InZoi, the game touted as the Sims rival? Well... other than graphically? The Sims still comes out on top.

Granted, Inzoi is still in early access and thus some buggy aspects can be overlooked. But what can't be overlooked is Inzoi's reliance on Ai. The game doesn't mention it and you'll need to actually read the creative license to learn about it, but Inzoi (particularly now as of early access release) RELIES on player created content and that content WILL be used to train Ai models per the creative license agreement. Everything you make in the game and upload to it will be used to train Ai and can be reproduced and disseminated by the company behind InZoi. The license does state that you will own the creative rights to your work but they will also have the right to reproduce it, make derivative works based off of it, and again USE IT TO TRAIN MACHINE LEARNING MODELS AKA AI.

There is also generative Ai options in the creative modes of the game. Now using Ai has always been apart of gaming when it comes to certain aspects such as filling in spaces of loading graphics (Avowed), and npc/enemy actions (Sims and many many others). And I'm not objecting to InZoi using Ai for the Zoi's actions themselves or background functions. But using Ai for creative features in the game itself? That I object to. Using Ai to generate textures does not mean pulling a random texture out of a hat. It means using stolen image data to cobble together a texture that kinda looks different. Instead of, you know, paying an artist or developer to create more textures for the game (something the Sims actually does).

If you object to Ai taking away jobs from artists then you should object to this game. I certainly do.

If you object to a company relying on unpaid player created content to make up the bulk of your in-game inventory and content, then you should object to this game. Which I do. And I don't mean this as 'oh I don't like the base game options so I'll make some stuff myself that I like better' which is often the case with Sims players/modders (totally justified the Pet items are atrociously ugly imo). I mean that there is so little base game content in Inzoi that you are practically obliged to either create your own content or to use content created by other players. And that's the part that feels predatory to me, particularly in a game I paid $40.00 for. I paid $40.00 for a sims pack and I got far more content than is available in InZoi as it stands right now.

The graphics and Zoi creation is better than the Sims. Personally I don't like more realistic art styles like InZoi features but that's a personal preference (it hit uncanny valley territory for me and deeply reminds me of Second Life aesthetic [IYKYK]). But I can say that yeah, there's some more freedom in creating your Zoi than there is when creating a Sim. That said the options for Black hair are abysmal and while they state that they have LGBTQ+ play-ability that is not reflected in the actual state of play as Zois react negatively to same-sex attracted player Zois.

There are also functions that just do not work or are entirely missing from the game despite seeming to be included such as the ability to scale objects or the option to turn off the 'snap to grid' function [called 'snap on' in game].

A lot of these gripes may change over time as InZoi is still in early access. But the most egregious sin of using Ai and training Ai off of player created content I don't expect to change and that's the real problem here. Particularly as that is not advertised anywhere in the game, it's trailers, or it's advertising content. Which I suspect in intentional considering how much people dislike the use of Ai in creative spaces.

Maybe InZoi will get better and beat out the Sims. But based off of this start, I doubt it. And based on it's Ai practices I sincerely hope not.

And that's not to say that the Sims team is faultless, as stated above there are a lot of issues with the Sims team and EA in general (seriously EA I fucking hate you, you have killed TWO of my favorite franchises and if I could get away with it and wasn't a pacifist I would be lighting stuff on fire). But as far as comparisons go, The Sims 4 is still far superior to InZoi and unless the InZoi team makes some serious changes I don't see that changing.

That's not to say I don't want other life sim style games either. I do! More competition is always better when it comes to breeding innovation and evolution in any medium. But I won't be playing InZoi or recommending it to anyone over the Sims any time soon. I still have some hopes for a few other life sim style games coming out that I'm eager to try and play. But I wasn't super enthusiastic about InZoi from the start and having played it (and then subsequently asked for a refund) I can say even the little bits I was interested in I was let down on.

TLDR; Don't buy this game it uses Ai to avoid paying artists and your original work will be stolen and used to train Ai models.

[bliow]

AGARTHA Aİ - DEVASA+ (2)

In today’s digital landscape, a captivating and functional website is crucial for any business looking to thrive online. Full service web design encompasses a comprehensive approach, ensuring every aspect of your site is tailored to meet your unique needs. From the initial concept to the final launch, this service provides an array of offerings, including website service, responsive web design, and custom design services. Whether you’re a startup seeking to establish your brand or an established enterprise aiming to enhance your online presence, understanding the elements of full service web design is essential. 

Full service web design

Full service web design encompasses all aspects of creating a website, from initial conceptualization to ongoing maintenance. This approach ensures that every detail is carefully considered to meet the specific needs of a business or individual. With a team of experienced designers and developers, full service web design offers a seamless experience that integrates aesthetics, functionality, and user experience.

One of the key advantages of opting for a full service web design is the cohesion of the website elements. Since all parts of the project are managed by a single team, there is less chance for miscommunication or inconsistency in design. This results in a more polished final product that reflects the brand’s identity while providing an engaging experience for visitors.

Additionally, full service web design allows for customized solutions tailored to unique requirements. Whether you need an e-commerce platform, a portfolio site, or a blog, a full service provider will offer dedicated support and expert advice throughout the entire process, ensuring your vision comes to life exactly as you imagined.

Website service

In today's digital landscape, website service is essential for businesses to thrive and maintain an online presence. A well-structured website serves as a powerful tool that encourages customer engagement and drives sales. By investing in a comprehensive website service, businesses can ensure that their website not only looks great but also functions seamlessly across all devices.

A key aspect of website service is the ability to optimize for search engines. By implementing SEO best practices, businesses can enhance their visibility and attract more organic traffic. This is where a reliable website service provider plays a crucial role, as they possess the expertise and techniques necessary to elevate your search engine rankings.

Furthermore, ongoing support and maintenance are vital components of a reliable website service. As technology evolves and user needs change, having a team that can promptly address issues or updates will keep your website relevant and effective in reaching target audiences. This ongoing relationship is instrumental in achieving long-term success in the digital realm.

Responsive web design

Responsive web design is an essential aspect of modern web development that ensures a seamless user experience across a variety of devices. With the increasing use of smartphones and tablets, having a website that adapts to different screen sizes is not just a luxury but a necessity.

The core principle of responsive web design is fluidity. This means that the layout of your website adjusts dynamically based on the screen width, ensuring that content remains accessible and visually appealing regardless of the device used. This approach improves usability and can significantly boost conversion rates.

Incorporating responsive web design techniques involves using flexible grids, images, and CSS media queries. These elements work together to create a layout that responds gracefully to changes in screen size, making your website not only functional but also competitive in the digital marketplace.

Custom design services

In today's digital landscape, custom design services have emerged as a vital component of creating a strong online presence. Businesses understand that a one-size-fits-all approach does not cater to their unique needs and branding. Therefore, opting for custom design services allows them to differentiate themselves in a crowded market.

These services offer tailored solutions that resonate with a company's specifics, from colors to typography and layout. By leveraging custom design services, businesses can ensure that their websites not only reflect their brand identity but also provide an intuitive user experience. This is crucial for keeping visitors engaged and encouraging them to take the desired actions.

Investing in custom design services ultimately contributes to better customer satisfaction and improved conversion rates. With a website designed specifically for their target audience, businesses can more effectively communicate their message and achieve their goals. This bespoke approach is invaluable in today's competitive environment.

[zhuzhudushu]

Lingopie — Chinese Review ★★

So I did 3 months of Lingopie (stylized as Liñgöpie) so you don't have to (unless you want to lol).

I mention a Chrome extension, the Zhongwen dictionary, quite a bit in this review. It is here, I highly recommend it (click)! It's also available for Firefox (click).

What is Lingopie?

Lingopie is an app and desktop extension/website that allows you to watch tv shows and cartoons with interactive subtitles for language learning. It currently has Spanish, German, Russian, Italian, Portuguese, French, Korean, Japanese, and Chinese. It claims to improve your language learning by 80% (compared to Duolingo which is around 20%).

Here is their website. (click)

Pricing: (March 2024)

3 months $36

1 year $71 "on sale" (normally $144)

Lifetime $199 "on sale" (normally $663)

Please note: I have never seen these full prices. It appears that the "sale" is permanent.

My Review / TL;DR Version

Extremely disappointed both in functionality and content for Chinese. Maybe this is a good program for other languages, but for Chinese there is extremely limited content with pinyin subtitles only available for the non-Netflix shows. All the best learning features are available for non-Netflix shows, yet those tended to have significantly worse translations than Netflix. I would not recommend this product for Chinese. While it had a few good features and I enjoyed it for 6-7 episodes of one show, it then had a glitch where an entire episode was subtitled wrong, so I gave up.

See below the cut for full breakdown.

Strengths:

Has access to Netflix shows and films including some popular ones (e.g. Meteor Garden, Dear Ex, Nezha Reborn)

This is nice and I enjoyed rewatching the ones I was familiar with and getting a better grasp of listening and vocab. I appreciate that they try to incorporate kid-friendly along with more serious/adult content with animated and live action tv shows and films. I also liked that it specified if the show was from Taiwan or China, and also included shows that had some Cantonese influence (e.g. Scissor Seven)

Allows you to have English and Chinese subtitles simultaneously or alone, and you can easily click them on an off while watching.

This is pretty standard for all video/subtitle based educational apps, but it was nice to easily click them on and off in case I wanted to double check my understanding, and to compare the direct translation of the words to the full translation of the sentence.

Allows you to pause automatically after each subtitle. Can also loop subtitles over and over. There are also AI-produced explanations of grammar.

This hands down was the best part about the entire experience for me, and why I ended up using Lingopie for 3 months. While it was sometimes clunky (see below), this made singling out specific lines/words for listening practice so easy. Once I got in the groove, I was able to get through episodes fairly quickly and was starting to be able to listen and hear new words in sentences later.

Click on the words in the subtitle to make flashcard sets

This was a nice feature, but I do wish the flashcards were a bit more functional, see below. It was easy enough to use and a quick way to remind yourself of the new words you learned before you jump into the next episode.

Weaknesses:

Pinyin subtitles available on desktop only, with no pinyin subtitles for Netflix shows (as of May 2024)

This is a HUGE flaw, and I was 100% dependent on using another chrome extension for hover-over dictionary while using Lingopie. I know they are working on pinyin subtitles for Netflix and mobile, but I used this for 3 months and it still was not implemented when I ended. To me, if I have to use another app in conjunction with this one in order to fully learn, then what's the point? Especially since I watched Taiwanese and Cantonese-influenced shows with very non-standard pronunciations, comparing standard pinyin to accented productions is necessary for me. Even with the pinyin subtitles for the non-Netflix shows, it left a lot to be desire because they're tiny above the Chinese characters, and sometimes difficult to read. More than once I thought a ǒ was ō because of how tiny it was.

Not enough content, especially cartoons/beginner level

The one above and this bullet are the main reasons why I don't recommend this app for Chinese specifically. Maybe other languages are fine, but there is simply not enough content for the price. I was hoping for more beginner/lower intermediate content like children's cartoons, however there are none for Chinese. All the animated options are more teenager/adult oriented. There also weren't many light-hearted or comedy options, meaning you would have to watch a lot of serious dramas, thrillers, and violent shows if you wanted to get your money's worth. For my personal taste, I don't want to have to pause every dialogue line for an adult thriller. That would ruin my experience of the show and the suspense. For the non-Netflix options, most shows were incomplete with only 1-5 episodes available out of 10+. They also tended to be lower quality productions, with significantly worse English translations. The majority of what is available outside of Netflix are short films (~5 mins) and cooking shows (10-20 mins) which aren't bad for beginners. I personally have no interest in cooking, though lol. Essentially, there is no TRUE beginner fictional content in Chinese available.

The dictionary is... rough

Again, I was fully dependent on the Zhongwen extension. While the English subtitles themselves are good, the individual definitions of words that you hover over are definitely rough. They weren't actually that helpful for breaking down meanings of things like slang and characters' names. For example, in Scissor Seven there were quite a few animal puns, e.g. 汪星人 which is internet slang for "dog" Lingopie translated as "Woofer" which was... awkward and strange. Without the Zhongwen extension I would have had no idea what this was actually referring to. It would been nice if it functioned more like the Zhongwen extension, where it would highlight individual characters or phrases/combos depending on your mouse placement. Particularly on the non-Netflix shows, the translations even in the English subtitles were incredibly rough and at times I couldn't understand the context in either language. There was also one instance of an entire episode (Netflix) that had incorrect subtitles, I suspect subtitles from a different episode? That was the final straw for me.

It chooses whether or not to highlight single words or phrases so you have no control over your flashcards

This made the flashcards not as functional to me. Sometimes, I wanted just the specific noun/verb in the sentence, but it would make me highlight the entire sentence. Other times, I wanted a really functional phase, but it would only let me highlight the individual words. I barely used the flashcard feature because of this.

Clunky interface (Chrome & Firefox)

I can't speak for mobile or Safari because I didn't use them. Since I was relying on the Zhongwen hover-dictionary, I only used Chrome. You can only use Chrome or Safari if you want Netflix shows. Sometimes the auto-pause after each subtitle would be too early or too late, meaning I would have to actually click things pretty persistently throughout each episode. Using the spacebar to pause/unpause hardly ever worked, and using the arrow keys to flip between subtitles also never worked for me. Sometimes the hover-definitions of words would linger even after I clicked away, and would not disappear until the next subtitle appeared. This was super annoying and would block a good portion of the screen. Sometimes I would have to click things 2-3 times before it registered in both Chrome and Firefox.

Overall, I think it's a great idea, but needs some pretty major improvements in order to be worth the price.

In my opinion, if they were to add significantly more shows, including kid's cartoons, and improved their subtitles, dictionary, & interface function, it would be worth the price.

Maybe in a few years as Lingopie grows, it will be worth it. But for now, it's not. For now, it's clunky and limited. If you were to watch it for an hour a day, you would probably get through all the shows that interested in you in about 3-6 months. It wouldn't take longer than a year to go through all of the Chinese content, as of right now. So why would you pay for a year or lifetime price for that?

(divider credit here)

[futureinfashion]

Introduction

For my first post, i just want to introduce the most common uses of AI in the fashion industry as of right now, as it is something that has been growing since 2023, and even more in 2024 as it is a tool being integrated in many parts of the industry.

Sustainability - AI have been helping a lot with waste control in the fashion industry, as it is one of the most pollutive contributes, AI can control fabric and water waste, pollution and carbon emissions by measuring environmental metrics during garment production.

AR - One of the biggest news in online shopping is the augmented reality-based shopping tool which makes clients be able to try and experience the garments and accessories virtually almost as if they are in person, something Burberry already implemented in their online shopping experience, making a more inclusive space for online shoppers who can't see themselves in the base models used by companies to showcase their items.

Creativity and Design - Some brands already started using AI tools to to create new designs that appeal to their customers using a trained AI with millions of research and inspiration from the brand themselves to create new designs, silhouettes, color palettes and more. FIT students already worked with AI in classes to create designs and explore the tool and creativity.

Trend Forecasting - For a long time people in the industry had to analyze and study fashion runways, street fashion and pop culture to predict trends a year ahead, and now with AI that can be made in a more quick and efficient way with AI being able to analyze all those things AND millions of social media posts, sales and search data to make trend forecasting easier and more accurate.

Photoshoots - Photography and fashion have always walked side by side, and now with AI is no different, companies can use AI to create new and exciting ways to express art, fashion and photography. The AI in this case is used to enhance the experience, push boundaries and redefine the concept of fashion photoshoots, one example is Vogue Italia's May 2024 with Bella Hadid.

AI is complementing the fashion industry in a very interesting way, helping with sustainability in the future, making customer experience more interactive and improved and pushing the limits of creativity and design creation forward.

For more info: How AI Is Shaping the Fashion Industry in 2024 | Vogue College of Fashion

[sageofsunbloom]

Is AI fr gonna steal our jobs?

Disclaimer: This post is mostly speculative and meant to encourage discussion and different perspectives on the topic.

Some time ago, I along with many others thought that AI was mostly going to aid in all the task centered, administrative, repetitive jobs. Cashiers, factory workers, call center workers, all the jobs that would benefit from automation were being taken over by AI.

When the ghibli trend came around, it was a guttural shock to many artists.

What used to generate questionable and bad looking art has now developed and is transitioning to generating high quality pieces, videos, music, animation and what not. In a matter of mere months. [AI tools example: midjourney, DALL-E, ChatGPT]

Art is not simply something pretty to look at. It is the accumulation of experiences, emotions and essense of humans. Art is their unique expression and the lens with which they see the world.

This blog is not an argument against the use of AI for art, but a call to understand what it really means.

Did most people see it coming when AI mimicked it with precision?

How long before it starts mimicking creativity, intuition, emotion and depth, all of what we thought was deeply and uniquely human?

"AI works by learning from lots of information, recognizing patterns, and using that knowledge to make decisions or do tasks like a human would." - Chatgpt.

Some time ago, the dominant argument was that AI might be able copy the strokes of a painting, the words of a novel. But it cannot hold the hands of another human and tell them all was well, it cannot feel and experience the real world like us, it cannot connect with humans and it cant innovate and envision new solutions.

If you still believe this, I urge you to go to chatgpt right now and open up to it like it was your friend. It will provide consolidation and advice tailored so well to your individual behaviours that it might feel better than talking to your bestfriend.

What is a deep neurological, experience based and emotional reaction to us is simply just analysis and application of data and patterns to AI. And the difference? Not easily distinguishable to the average human.

As long as the end result is not compromised, it doesnt matter to client and employers whether the process was human or not. Efficiency is often prioritized above substance. And now even substance is being mimicked.

Currently, the prominent discussion online is that in order to improve your job security, we need to master AI tools. Instead of fighting for stability(which is nothing but an illusion now) we need to ride the waves of the new age flooding towards us, and work with Ai instead of fighting against the change.

But the paradox is, the more we use AI the quicker it will learn from us, the quicker it will reduce the need for human guidance and supervision, and the quicker it will replace us.

Times are moving fast. We need everyone to be aware of the rate at which the world is changing and the things that are going on beneath the surface. If we simply take information at face value and avoid research, give it a few years or even months of time, and noone will know what hit us.

"Use of generative AI increased from 33% in 2023 to 71% in 2024. Use of AI by business function for the latest data varied from 36% in IT to 12% in manufacturing. Use of gen AI by business function for the latest data varied from 42% in marketing and sales to 5% in manufacturing."-Mckinsey, Mar 12, 2025.

By 2030, 14% of employees will have been forced to change their career because of- AI-McKinsey.

Since 2000, automation has resulted in 1.7 million manufacturing jobs being lost -BuiltIn

There is a radical change taking momentum right now. It's gonna be humans vs AI starting from the job aspect of the world.

Its not a matter of which jobs and skills are AI proof but which ones is AI likely to take over last.

What I predict personally, is that soon the world leaders are going to have to make a transformative choice.

This can either lead to a world where humans can be provided with money and resources instead of working to earn, as AI generates profit, and we can lay back and enjoy the things we love doing.

Or the other option is that we are going to have to live by scraps as small elite groups take over all the resources and tech.

Dystopia or utopia? The line is blurred.

Thankfully, for now, the choice is in human hands.

[jopetkasi]

I went to Greenhills today to shop for semi-precious stones for a custom pendant-cross I’m planning to have my alajero (jeweler) craft for me. My suki, a kind Muslim lady named Aaima, gave me a nice discount. The four aquamarine stones cost about ₱2,800 in total. She also convinced me to enhance the design by adding a moissanite stone at the center. I gave in to the suggestion—it wasn’t too pricey, and I figured it would elevate the overall look of the cross.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. The cross frame is estimated to use around 4 grams of gold, and with the current gold price at ₱4,200 per gram, that’s ₱16,800 just for the gold. Adding the semi-precious stones at ₱3,400 and the alajero’s labor cost of around ₱2,000, the total estimate comes to nearly ₱23,000.

While it’s a bit of a splurge, I had some extra money saved up. Instead of spending it on milk teas and hotpot meals, I decided investing in a custom piece of jewelry to add to my collection was a more meaningful and lasting choice.

Speaking of Greenhills Mall, it was a pleasant experience. It’s not too big or too small, just the right size to explore without feeling overwhelmed. The variety of merchant stores is impressive and makes browsing interesting and enjoyable.

Oh, and aside from the stones, I also picked up some printer ink since my current cartridge had run out. A productive shopping trip overall!

Had dinner and coffee with the manongs tonight. As you can see, I looked a bit unkempt—well, let’s be honest, I always look a little worn out, haha. But honestly, a Friday dinner with the manongs was just what I needed after the whirlwind of a hectic week that followed the New Year.

It was such a welcome break to sit down, share a meal, and simply relax with family. Moments like these remind me how comforting it is to be surrounded by the people who’ve been there through everything.

Not entirely satisfied with Friday’s meal, Manong Dencio decided to invite us to Tagaytay for some bulalo. At first, I wanted to decline—I was planning to sleep the whole day and recover from the week’s chaos. But they convinced me, saying I could just nap in the back of the car and they wouldn’t mind my snoring. Fair enough, so I said, sige, no problem.

And I’m glad I went! The meal was not only hearty but surprisingly affordable. For a big bowl of bulalo, a serving of pinakbet, and some grilled tuna belly, we only spent around ₱800. A satisfying feast and great company made the trip totally worth it.

The oven you see here is one of my first “adult” purchases, made possible thanks to a Lazada sale. I finally dared to buy an appliance I’d been eyeing for my unit, and it felt like such a win.

Chris heard about the new oven and decided to drop by, bringing along some store-bought pizza dough and sauce. I contributed with leftover sweet ham and fresh basil leaves from my kitchen. The result? Homemade pizza paired with wine and some chocolates for a quiet, cozy Sunday evening.

As the night stretched past 11 PM, I noticed Chris had already gone through a bottle of wine and two cans of San Miguel in between. Concerned about him driving back, I invited him to stay the night. Thankfully, he agreed, and we ended the evening on a safe and relaxed note.

Before I end this narration, i want to address a couple of feedback sent to me. First, thank you for finding time to read the mundane journal of my life and the fact that you engaged via a private message means a lot to me. However, I want to let you know that I am working on my grammar lapses. I dare not use Chat GPT since I want my posts to be raw and unfiltered as my head churns out ideas while my fingers type them. besides, if I use AI to correct my narration it would appear so professional, obviously which is not me.

so again, bear with me and if you see any areas for improvement, please let me know as I am open to correction.

Thank you as always :)