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steve2470

steve2470's Journal
steve2470's Journal
December 21, 2023

Yes, the music AI-pocalypse has arrived: AI can now compose and sing your songs or create from scratch

Exclusive: Gen AI music app Suno comes out of stealth
article link


Suno, a venture-backed AI music company, has come out of stealth with the aim of helping anyone write and create songs as easily as taking photos on a phone.

Why it matters: The race to build consumer AI audio products and platforms is accelerating.

Microsoft announced Tuesday that it has integrated Suno into its AI software platform Copilot.
Facebook and Google have released AI tools that can generate songs and sounds.
Zoom in: Unlike many AI music apps, Suno (pronounced soon-oh and means "listen" in Hindi) is focused on creating original tunes with original vocals — not on cloning or mimicking popular artists' voices or songs.


more at link above

Just for giggles, I told Suno AI application to compose and perform a few songs for me, all from scratch.

Shattered Dreams, a rock song about young male heartbreak

Shattered Dreams, same as above but different

Shattered Dreams, rock song about young female heartbreak

Shattered Dreams, female singer, slightly different

Obviously AI song composing and performing is in its infancy but this is just magical to me. I really hope it never poses a serious threat to human composers and performers.

If you want to play with it too, just go to https://suno.ai
December 20, 2023

Avdiivka Ukraine weather forecast for December 20 ( current Ukraine war hotspot )

Avdiivka

39F to 46F, overcast and light rain, then clearing to partly cloudy

According to this website, it won't stay consistently below freezing from today til the 27th. Hence, both armies have to contend with mud. In January 2024, it may be possible for the ground to freeze consistently.

Longer range possible forecast range data here:

January

December 20, 2023

Last car post: Don't care about the environment ? * I present, 1979 Pontiac Trans Am at $135K **

https://classiccars.com/listings/view/1691573/1979-pontiac-firebird-trans-am-se-for-sale-in-miami-florida-33186

* - I had this car back in the 80's. It got about 9 mpg in town, hence the "don't care about the environment".

** - Of course not final sales price and this car, I assume, is in "mint" condition / restored etc



Pontiac Trans Am
December 20, 2023

Are you just dying to purchase a 1971 AMC Gremlin ? Have $33,895 ? *

https://classics.autotrader.com/classic-cars/1971/amc/gremlin/101849433

* - Of course, this may not be the final sales price

Did anyone love or like this car in 1971, when I was 13 ? Not me but different strokes....



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

The AMC Gremlin (also American Motors Gremlin)[1] is a subcompact automobile introduced in 1970, manufactured and marketed in a single, two-door body style (1970–1978) by American Motors Corporation (AMC), as well as in Mexico (1974–1983) by AMC's Vehículos Automotores Mexicanos (VAM) subsidiary.



Steve

December 18, 2023

Physicist Discovers 'Paradox-Free' Time Travel Is Theoretically Possible

https://www.sciencealert.com/physicist-discovers-paradox-free-time-travel-is-theoretically-possible

original article: https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1361-6382/aba4bc , article in pdf format

As movies such as The Terminator, Donnie Darko, Back to the Future and many others show, moving around in time creates a lot of problems for the fundamental rules of the Universe: if you go back in time and stop your parents from meeting, for instance, how can you possibly exist in order to go back in time in the first place?

It's a monumental head-scratcher known as the 'grandfather paradox', but a few years ago physics student Germain Tobar, from the University of Queensland in Australia, worked out how to "square the numbers" to make time travel viable without the paradoxes.

"Classical dynamics says if you know the state of a system at a particular time, this can tell us the entire history of the system," Tobar explained back in 2020.

"However, Einstein's theory of general relativity predicts the existence of time loops or time travel – where an event can be both in the past and future of itself – theoretically turning the study of dynamics on its head."


Much more at the article. Sorry, since I don't know physics, I have no idea how to edit the article better.
December 13, 2023

Want a new resource for World War Two History ? Consider WW2TV on Youtube

WW2TV on Youtube link

Now, the disclaimers: 1- I am not paid or compensated, etc for this post in any way, shape or form.
2- I am not certifying the programs offered are totally error-free, but I do think they are high quality
3- The programs are definitely not for the total novice to WW2 history. Once you know the basics, then consider it
4- The presenter is from the UK and lives in Normandy, France. The shows do tilt towards the UK perspective. However, the American, French, Polish and other perspectives are presented at times.

YMMV and HTH !

December 13, 2023

"The old he-coon walks just before the light of day" : Do you remember this famous Florida politics quote ?

https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4458009/user-clip-hecoon

If you are short on time, here is the context: 1994 Florida governor's race. Lawton Chiles uttered that famous phrase.

Safe to click Wikipedia entry

What does it mean ? Per Google Bard AI ( Safe to click ) :

The phrase "The old he-coon walks just before the light of day" is a metaphorical expression with several layers of meaning, originating from Florida politics. Here's a breakdown:

**Literal Meaning *

* **He-coon * Refers to a mature male raccoon, known for its cunning and experience.
* **Light of day * Represents dawn, the start of a new period.

**Metaphorical Meanings *

1. **Experienced Politician * The he-coon symbolizes a seasoned political figure, well-versed in the game and operating strategically. They may be cautious and avoid direct confrontation, waiting for the right moment to act.
2. **Underdog Strategy * The phrase suggests the he-coon's preference for operating in the twilight, unseen but effective. It could represent an underdog candidate who waits until the last minute to campaign, surprising their opponents.
3. **Political Cunning * The he-coon's nocturnal nature implies a certain shrewdness and ability to navigate complex situations. It could represent a politician who uses their experience and knowledge to outmaneuver their rivals.

**Historical Context *

The phrase gained national attention in 1994 when then-Florida Governor Lawton Chiles used it during a gubernatorial debate against Jeb Bush. Chiles, known for his folksy demeanor and political savvy, used the metaphor to portray himself as the experienced "old he-coon" against his young opponent. The image resonated with voters, particularly older Floridians, and helped Chiles secure a come-from-behind victory.

**Overall *

"The old he-coon walks just before the light of day" is a colorful and evocative phrase that can be interpreted in various ways depending on the context. It generally represents the wisdom, cunning, and strategic approach of an experienced individual, particularly in a political setting.

I hope this explanation helps!


Hope you enjoyed this. I was watching the latest Resolute Square / Lincoln Project ] video podcast (
) , and Rick Wilson referenced it.

October 12, 2023

Yes, the Nazis did KILL babies during World War Two



Yes, the Nazis killed babies during World War Two. This was part of their systematic extermination of Jews, Roma, and other groups they considered to be "undesirable." Babies were killed in gas chambers, by shooting, and by other means. The Nazis also carried out a program of forced sterilization on women who they considered to be "racially inferior." The exact number of babies killed by the Nazis is unknown, but it is estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands.

The Nazi genocide was a horrific event in human history. It is important to remember and learn from this atrocity so that it never happens again.


https://g.co/bard/share/b0de84a848e5

also this:

Others were sent to a hospital barracks to wait out the rest of their pregnancy in squalid conditions. “Sister Klara,” a midwife who had been sent to the camp for murdering a child, oversaw the barracks with a woman named “Sister Pfani.” They were in charge of declaring babies born in the ward stillborn, then drowning them in buckets, often in front of the mothers who had just given birth. Sister Klara’s role did not include assisting with deliveries.


https://www.history.com/news/auschwitz-midwife-stanislawa-leszczynska-saint


This is definitely not in-depth research but a quick look.
October 12, 2023

NON-POLITICAL THREAD ! I wish all the best for our Jewish and Israeli DU'ers

Moderators: I know the rules. THIS IS NOT POLITICS.

I stand in support of you in this time of crisis.



Steve

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