Hey! He's back! I hope all is well with you, Mark. Loved your AI's explanation of music. Right on. I wrote a story once of an alien who was observing human behavior and keeping field notes. She had this to say about mu-zik:
" Humans have an art form whereby they arrange harmonic sounds and rhythms so as to produce a continuous, melodic composition. It is called mu-zik, and it’s created by blowing through metal pipes or manipulating taut pieces of thread or banging rhythmically on hollow, barrel-like instruments. Those who make mu-zik appear on street corners, and in the transport system and in various indoor gathering places. The auditory sensation of mu-zik fills the air at night in Man-Hat-Tan; it is ubiquitous, an integral part of human experience. It disturbs my sleep.
Wait a minute… can robots LIKE? You remember Mr Data in Startrek. He could not experience love, per se, but he explained that he COULD get used to having a certain person around and miss their presence when they were gone. That sounds like love to me.
Good to have you back, Mark! It's been so long, I almost had to consult the Archive to confirm who you were and what significance you held. 🤪 Don't be a stranger!
Thanks, Richard. It has been a while. I started my Substack break in March. I am still fully immersed in making music, but yesterday I got the urge to write, so I knocked out a couple of things. Tomorrow's entry is on my music Substack, and it is a geeky story about how I switched from hardware loopers to a software looper.
Thanks, John. Unfortunately, I can't read How Human because I am no longer a Medium member. You could post it on your account here, and I could read it. 🤓
What a treat to receive a letter from you Mark Starlin!
I read, and made a note, of this from today’s Marginalian email. Let AI chew on that. 😂
“Individual experience was indispensable. “Two travellers,” he wrote, “seldom saw the same object in the same manner, and each reported the fact differently, according to his sensations, and his peculiar mode of thinking.” … Unlike most of his contemporaries, George believed that reason alone was not enough to understand the world. That didn’t mean that he diminished the value of observation, but he had no interest in simply collecting data — being “a mere compiler… that I cannot do.” Those thinkers who worshipped cold evidence alone “had their wish; facts were collected in all parts of the world, and yet knowledge was not increased.” Years later he would explain that “the first point from which all knowledge is gained is based on Empfindung” — a German term that can be translated as “sensations,” though it is more nuanced as it not only refers to the physical senses but also implies a capacity to feel and an awareness of a subjective experience of the world.” -George Forster
Hi Mark,
I followed your instructions.
I think it is posted.
Nothing yet. I am going to Direct Message you. You can find it by clicking the cartoon text bubble icon at the top of this page.
Glad you're back, Mark! Good stuff as always.
Thanks, Rebecca. It's good to see familiar names in the comments. 🤓
You have given me hope, oddly enough.
Hope is the essence of humanity. 🤓
Thank you. Will give it a try.
Welcome back/
Thanks, David. I am not sure I am back. But I got the itch to write yesterday, so I did. 🤓
There you are! 💚😊
Hey Jack. I got the writing bug yesterday, so I knocked out a couple of things. I hope you and Deb are doing well.
Hey! He's back! I hope all is well with you, Mark. Loved your AI's explanation of music. Right on. I wrote a story once of an alien who was observing human behavior and keeping field notes. She had this to say about mu-zik:
" Humans have an art form whereby they arrange harmonic sounds and rhythms so as to produce a continuous, melodic composition. It is called mu-zik, and it’s created by blowing through metal pipes or manipulating taut pieces of thread or banging rhythmically on hollow, barrel-like instruments. Those who make mu-zik appear on street corners, and in the transport system and in various indoor gathering places. The auditory sensation of mu-zik fills the air at night in Man-Hat-Tan; it is ubiquitous, an integral part of human experience. It disturbs my sleep.
Love it. Music probably would seem weird to non-humans. Or maybe not. I hope robots like it. 🤣
Wait a minute… can robots LIKE? You remember Mr Data in Startrek. He could not experience love, per se, but he explained that he COULD get used to having a certain person around and miss their presence when they were gone. That sounds like love to me.
Indeed. Or at least companionship.
Good to have you back, Mark! It's been so long, I almost had to consult the Archive to confirm who you were and what significance you held. 🤪 Don't be a stranger!
Thanks, Richard. It has been a while. I started my Substack break in March. I am still fully immersed in making music, but yesterday I got the urge to write, so I knocked out a couple of things. Tomorrow's entry is on my music Substack, and it is a geeky story about how I switched from hardware loopers to a software looper.
Great seeing your name in my inbox, Mark!
I hope you are well. By this post, I would say so.
You mean you write and sing without referring to the archive? Impossible!
I too have written about AI. The story How Human might be of interest to you.
More power to you.
John
Thanks, John. Unfortunately, I can't read How Human because I am no longer a Medium member. You could post it on your account here, and I could read it. 🤓
I think I posted it. Let me know if you can't find it.
The only post I see is the Coming Soon post that Substack posts when you sign up.
To post a story:
Select Dashboard button at the top right of your Substack.
If you don’t see a Dashboard button, select the Create button on the left menu.
Then select Article.
Then add the title and subtitle (if you want one)
Most people place an image right under their name, but you don’t have to. Click on the Insert Image icon at the top to add one.
Copy and paste the story text from Medium or your computer.
Then select the Continue button at the top right.
Then select the Send To Everyone now button at the bottom right.
I guess it is about time. I'll try to figure it out.
What a treat to receive a letter from you Mark Starlin!
I read, and made a note, of this from today’s Marginalian email. Let AI chew on that. 😂
“Individual experience was indispensable. “Two travellers,” he wrote, “seldom saw the same object in the same manner, and each reported the fact differently, according to his sensations, and his peculiar mode of thinking.” … Unlike most of his contemporaries, George believed that reason alone was not enough to understand the world. That didn’t mean that he diminished the value of observation, but he had no interest in simply collecting data — being “a mere compiler… that I cannot do.” Those thinkers who worshipped cold evidence alone “had their wish; facts were collected in all parts of the world, and yet knowledge was not increased.” Years later he would explain that “the first point from which all knowledge is gained is based on Empfindung” — a German term that can be translated as “sensations,” though it is more nuanced as it not only refers to the physical senses but also implies a capacity to feel and an awareness of a subjective experience of the world.” -George Forster
Thanks, 3. Yes, everyone's reality is unique. We all perceive the world differently. Maybe even AI robots.
3 (or more!) seers inside of one goofy human. 😂
That’s possible for everyone. 💜
Sure makes life more interesting!
Imagine how boring life would be without a little goffiness.