8x8 (13. 824)

claudefishing: AI slop is a new kind of creative poverty  

saint-pierre-et-miquleon: Mark Carney meets with Emmanuel Macron on the small French overseas territorial collective, which once toyed with the idea of joining the United States, just off the coast of Newfoundland  

soundscape: avian vocalisations can boost one’s mood but the positive effects are negated by traffic noise  

an imperfect analogy: what lessons nuclear proliferation treaties have for AI containment  

jefferies tubes: the first physical model of the Enterprise finds a home at the MIT museum  

old dog, new tricks: OK Go’s “White Knuckles” video sixteen yearrs on—see previously  

apostolic journey: the Pope’s upcoming to France includes a stop in Metz to pay tribute to Robert Schuman, one of the Founding Fathers of the European Union  

sunshine superman: understanding intention, agnosticism and the new uncanny valley

 synchronoptica

one year ago: a thwarted assassination attempt led to an involuntary outing (with synchronoptica), carbon-dating plus Donald in Mathmagic Land (1961)

two years ago: the Tanaka Memorial of 1927  

three years ago: a musical montage from DJ Earworm, an exhibition of antique home entertainment, assorted links to revisit plus The Love Boat (1977)

four years ago: more links to enjoy,  Our Lady of Mercy plus even more links

five years ago: assorted links to revisit plus punctuation appreciation day

six years ago: Pope Liberius, more links worth revisiting plus the 1976 Swine Flu outbreak

seven years ago: Trump pressures Ukrainian authorities for dirt on his apparent political opponent, more synthetic models, UK courts rule that the suspension of Parliament was an abuse of power plus variations on Misirlou

eight years ago: an atlas of remote islands, theatrics trumps discourse, and more and more links plus twenty-seven songs about the twenty-seven amendments to the US constitution

 

day two hundred (13. 823)

Whilst acknowledging that Iranian leadership did meet with Washington through Qatari and Pakistani intermediaries on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Tehran maintains it did not compromise on any of its demands. Pezeshkian delivers a defiant message—calling his country a “victim of terrorism” from the US and Israel, the American delegation storming out during the Iranian president’s address after holding up pictures of students killed in the Minab school attack. Argentina’s Milei slams the United Nations’ critical stance against Israel over Palestine, calling it a useless organisation filled with “useless parasites” and claiming their condemnation condones the genocide of Christians in Africa and reiterates that the Falklands are Argentine, stating that self-determination does not apply for a population implanted by an occupying power. Trump’s Board of Peace tries to signal progress and update the international community its recovery plans for Gaza. Syrian president al-Sharaa, taking the podium, lashes out at Tel Aviv over the expansion of the Golan Heights occupied territory and continuing attacks along the buffer zone, administered by the UN, prompting Israel to reassert its claim to the annexed land seized in the 1967 war. Meanwhile, Trump is hosting Xi in Washington and talking AI and trade, according to US secretary of state, Ukraine and Russia are interested in a limited ceasefire with respect to grain and petrol, whilst Trump imposes a ban on diesel fuel in hope of lowering sky-rocketing prices, the move unlikely to bring about relief at home and more pain for those downstream. Trump also formally invites Putin to the G20 in December to be held at his golf course outside of Miami. Greenland has already said its peace.  Zelenskyy has yet to enter the conversation.

de aanbidding van het lam gods (13. 822)

Our gratitude to TYWKIWDBI to pointing our attention back to the artistic mastery of the polyptych altarpiece of St Bavo’s cathedral of Ghent (previously), incredibly detailed and imbued with symbolism, especially remarkable since oil painting was a new media at the time of its execution—the monumental commission of Jodocus Vijd and Lysbette Borluut, one of the wealthiest and politically powerful couples in the city—childless and hoping to secure a legacy on Earth and for the hereafter—considered by many to be the definitive example of the transition from Medieval to Renaissance art. There’s a lot to unpack in the study below and were particularly impressed how the shadows and reflections depicted in the panels were made to match how light fell during mass where the altarpiece is displayed, drawing the viewer in with a sense of life and motion. The central panel of the upper register is called a deësis from Byzantine iconography traditions (from the Greek for prayer or supplication, which represents Christ in Majesty, flanked by the Virgin Mary and John the Baptist. The near life-sized Adam and Eve in niches at the opposite ends are one of the earliest and most direct occurrences of the nude human form in Western art.

proud as a peacock (13. 821)

Though familiar with some of these adjectival forms pertaining or relating to animals—plus a few others not included concerning the generation of geese and more weasel-words, we appreciated this list from Futility Closet, foremost for the spirit in which it was compiled, recognising the humanity in all living creatures and sympathy for them, as well as for adding some new premium vocabulary to our quiver. Pavonine, from the Latin for peafowl, refers to possessing the distinctive colouring (just as something described as hippotigrine can be a zebra-striped pattern) or the iridescence of their feathers—and by extension, can mean something showy or a fetish of vanity, pride or conspicuous consumption. Procyonine, also derived from the genus and family, means raccoon-like, exhibiting the traits or behaviour of a trash panda. One should not only apply, project our negative, dehumanising habits to noble and dignified creatures, however.

synchronoptica

one year ago: assorted links worth the revisit (with synchronoptica), the UN General Assembly plus the US meatpacking industry

two years ago: a 1974 tour of Fort Knox plus more links to enjoy  

three years ago: “Heroes” (1977), The Swiss Family Robinson plus superlative urban wildlife photography

four years ago: Trump family facing legal peril over exaggerating the value of their crime syndicate plus an infinite scroll of the updating internet 

five years ago: the unification of Saudi Arabia (1932) plus your daily demon: Phenex

six years ago: the US Subversives Control Act (1950), the Halo Effect and hindsight bias plus an anthology of Korean folktales

seven years ago: the Fatberg commemorated plus variations on the Dr Who theme

eight years ago: the first day of Autumn, numbers stations, a family’s political rebuttal plus a space probe arrives at its target asteroid

 

 

day one hundred ninety-nine (13. 820)

As expected, previewed per a social media post, Trump’s remarks for the UNGA focused less on international issues and touted his domestic record of tremendous winning—tax cuts, the stock market buoyed by his manipulation, immigration enforcement—briefly making the rounds concerning the joint US-Israeli war of aggression on Iran, justifying it as a long ignored threat and promising to “drive them into Hell” if they don’t capitulate and make a deal, the continuing war Ukraine, pledging it will end, “I think, more quickly than people understand,” defending his actions in Latin America including his kidnapping of Nicólas Maduro and laying claim to Venezuela’s oil wealth, attacks on boats in the Caribbean, securing the border with Mexico and crippling embargo on Cuba (prompting the delegation to leave the floor in protest), his agreement with Denmark on Greenland (the signing ceremony follows shortly after his campaign speech), and the hemispheric bombast concluding with a rejection of “globalist scheme” to control AI with an impromptu and unbidden pitch to call the technology “super intelligence.” Trump declined to join former presidents at the quarter-century observance of the anniversary of 9/11 in NewYork City because he was told he could not make a campaign speech, and we wonder why he was given such a platform at the United Nations. The American president’s unquenchable thirst for attention which left several events without live-, mainstream coverage out of journalistic solidarity after banning three news outlets (wire-services pledging not to post pictures or footage until after midnight, hence the file photo of rants from 2018) from the White House acknowledges the presence of CNN cameras during his lengthy tirade, protesting that the network said that wouldn’t be covering him. The reporter responds that, “The United Nations allowed us in, sir.” He really takes the oxygen out of the room. Macron follows as significant sidebars proceed.

synchronoptica

one year ago: assorted links worth revisiting (with synchronoptica) plus Trump in talks with the Taliban

two years ago: Bilbo Baggins’ birthday, St Mauritius, first contact plus a presidential assassination attempt (1975)

three years ago: more links to enjoy plus a compact galactic grouping

four years ago: MERS-CoV (2012),  the premier of West Wing (1999), Putin addresses the public and announces a draft plus an early Hobbit computer game

five years ago: assorted links to revisit plus Fiddler on the Roof (1964)

six years ago: Ruth Bader Ginsburg lies in state, the last day of summer, even more links plus dazzling skylines made of dot-stickers

seven years ago: exploring the Messel Pit plus a highly idiosyncratic language

eight years ago: rehabilitating coral ecosystems with electricity, an AI makes college course catalogues, typhoon naming conventions plus an M-class exoplanet

 

 

international day of peace (13. 819)

Originally declared back in 1981 to occur on the third Tuesday in September, marking the opening session of the United Nations’ General Assembly, then amended from a moveable feast to a fixed date on 2001 when the UNGA was scheduled to begin early, Secretary General Kofi Annan issuing the annual decree on 10. September: “The International Day of Peace started with such a dream. It was proclaimed 20 years ago by the United Nations General Assembly, at the initiative of Costa Rica. This year, at the initiative of Costa Rica and the United Kingdom, the Assembly decided to go one step further. It declared that the International Day of Peace should be a day of global ceasefire and non-violence. This step promises to be more than symbolic. Where respected, it will have practical effect. Where truces are observed, medical and developmental agencies can provide vital services to civilian victims in safety. And even a one-day pause in the fighting gives us something to build on in the work to end conflict. On this International Day of Peace, let us dare to imagine a world free of conflict and violence. And let us seize the opportunity for peace to take hold, day by day, year by year, until every day is a day of peace,” the day prior to assembly’s start on 11. September, preempted by the 9/11 terror attacks just blocks away from UN headquarters. To inaugurate the occasion, the Peace Bell is rung, a bonsho donated to the infra-national body by Japan in 1954, cast from coins and medals contributed by world citizens, melted down and tolled for peace on 21. September, and on 21. March, Earth Day, in hopes of better stewardship of our shared home. Both observances ring a bit hollow right now. The belfry is in the style of a traditional Buddhist blossom temple. Alloy includes bullets, military badges and nine gold pieces given by Pope Pius XII. The foundation which originally proposed the forging of such a symbol presented a replica to San Marino in 2019 in recognition of its history of being the oldest republic in the world and pacifism. Honorary bell-ringers include Margaret Mead, NYC mayor David Dinkins, Aye Aye Thant as well as secretaries-general and presidents of the assemblies.

day one hundred ninety-eight (13. 818)

Lawmakers is Iran draft legislation to pull the country out of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty whilst issuing stark warnings to the US following Trump’s prognosis of options available for ending the conflict are either total obliteration, economic rot or reaching a deal that suggest a fresh wave of military strikes. Tehran promises to retaliate “without limitations,” the Revolutionary Guard saying that the USA lacks the courage and resolve to defeat the Islamic Republic and the world will be “astounded” by Iran’s new weapons. Just as the White House East Wing renovations and the ballroom were a cover for an apocalypse grade bunker, the American president reveals that he plans for his triumphal arch in the capital to host a den of snipers and drones—ostensibly for defensive purposes but likely to quell riots. Trump sanctions the entire staff AfD secures a bald majority in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern but has no options of forming a state government. IDF carry out strikes in Lebanon’s Tyre district and enter Syria. European jet fuel imports fall by half with serious shortages expected.

synchronoptica

one year ago: assorted links worth revisiting (with synchronoptica), American Idiot plus a banger from Earth, Wind & Fire

two years ago: Weird Al parodies Bob Dylan with palindromes plus more gerrymandering 

three year ago: grieving the loss of dark skies 

four years ago:  Ba-Dee-Ya, Martin Luther’s German translation of the Bible, more on the US Space Force plus a collection of manhole covers

five years ago: an advertisement for Ivermectin 

six years ago:  the Order of the Smile, The Hobbit (1937), the legacy of colonial goods stores, alternative chess plus wide-scale money laundering

seven years ago: The Far Side returns plus more Earth, Wind and Fire

eight years ago: assorted links to revisit, a sexy Handmaiden costume for Halloween plus Dial-a-Song

 

for a fee, i’m happy to be your backdoor man (13. 817)

As our faithful chronicler reminds, AC/DC released their third studio album on this day in 1976, the title track being an advertisement for a hitman who will help clients solve their problems, ranging from lecherous bosses and teachers to unfaithful partners, at low costs with services including concrete shoes, cyanide poisoning, electrocution and explosives—TNT and High Voltage referencing tracks from their previous albums. The name of the song is an homage to the cartoon Beany and Cecil—Angus Young was a young fan of the 1960s show—with the villain character Dishonest John (mostly referred to by his initials) handing out a business card reading, “Dirty deeds done dirt cheap. Special rates for Sundays and holidays.” Other minor baddies but recurring characters from the series include Go Man Van Gogh (voiced by Scatman Crothers) as a stereotypical beatnik, Jacques the Knife, a jazz singing sawfish with a heavy French accent, and Rin Tin Can, a robot dog, whom all deserve to be the backstory of a hardrock anthem in our opinion. The record was certified Platinum six times over but still ranks third among the Australian band’s work with Highway to Hell and Back in Black selling more copies. In 1981, a household in Libertyville Illinois filed lawsuit against the record label for a quarter of a million dollars, claiming distress caused by crank calls for their phone number inclusion in the song lyrics, 36-24-36 followed by a “hey!” which could be interpreted as eight. What the heck, DJ! You dirty guy!