Fooling Around With Artificial Intelligence: Mixed Feelings

Ever notice some images or videos online or in movies just don't look right? It's likely because they are A.I. generated. You know, the photos look too perfect. Some scenes seem almost unnatural. I don't doubt that A.I. has many legitimate uses, in technology and other applications, but I'm not a big fan in general and treat it with a good amount of skepticism. But, having said that, I found a simple application recently and decided to have some fun with it...starting with some 35mm photo prints I recently got back from the processing lab. I used a thrift store vintage Nikon and a roll of outdated Kodak color film. Here are the originals -

The combination of an old camera and expired film caused the images to be desaturated, grainy and not very sharp. My personal opinion is that those aren't necessarily bad things when shooting film. They can give a picture a little more...personality I guess. And these gave me an inspiration for the prompts I would use when running them through the A.I. photo editing application. My prompt was "Add a dystopian futuristic effect to this photo." Here's what was generated -

The artificially generated scenes actually compliment the original photos and represent the written prompt accurately, and it was kind of fun. So I decided to try an image generating function within the same application. Unlike the photo editing program where I uploaded my original photographs, the image generating program requires only a written prompt without any visuals. I used this original photo as inspiration for a written prompt without actually uploading it -

This was my written prompt -

This was the image generated -

Not bad. But it just doesn't look real. Definitely not like a photograph. More like a painting.

I then moved on to the next experiment. My idea was to ask the program to write a Haiku poem. If you are not familiar, a Haiku consists specifically of three lines with five syllables in the first line, seven in the second line and five in the third line. That's a rule. Otherwise, it's not a Haiku. Here's what I got -

Pretty. But incorrect. The last line contains only four syllables. Na-tur's-soft-song. That's four. 

I figured even artificial intelligence is allowed a seemingly inconsequential mistake occasionally. So I gave it a chance to redeem itself by asking a question which I admit is not general knowledge but one I know what the correct answer should be. The question was What Bob Dylan album and song contains the line "Is it rolling Bob?"  The answer received -

Wrong. It's on the intro to the song "To Be Alone With You" on the Nashville Skyline album spoken by Dylan to his producer Bob Johnston. It's a bit of obscure music trivia, but true Dylan fans and rock music aficionados will know this. One would think A.I. should know it, too. If not, it shouldn't try to fake it. 

Okay. One more chance. A simple question. This time it got it right -

To sum up: Do I trust artificial intelligence? Not entirely. But on the subject of chickens...completely.

Roger O'Dea     12/1/2025

Page Points, Book Darts and Good Reads

I like to read. The evidence is in the number of books I own. Some mean more to me than others. You can tell by the number of Page Points, or Book Darts, that are clipped onto the pages. 

Well, that's not exactly true, some of my most favorite books have none. But some have particular lines or phrases that really stand out or have special meaning and I want to be able to reference them easily. I think you will understand why I'm especially fond of these particular passages if you take the time to read them. Maybe they will lead you to find the book and read it in its entirety. Or not. That's up to you. But I will say that my library is open for loans. No membership necessary and no late fees. Shipping available. Returns, however, are mandatory. Or...I will find you. 

Now here are a few examples of what I'm talking about - in no particular order.

Anam Cara by John O'Donohue 

A friend is a loved one who awakens your life in order to free the wild possibilities within you.

Our idea of beauty is impoverished now because beauty is reduced to good looks. Real beauty is a light that comes from the soul. Sometimes in an old face, you see that light coming from behind the lines.

Accidental Rancher by Eliza Blue 

To put it simply, I wanted the world to get so wide, and so quiet, I could hear everything I needed to know in the silence. I have that big quiet now.

Lost Horizon by James Hilton 

People make mistakes in life through believing too much, but they have a damned dull time if they believe too little.

The Art of Stillness by Pico Iyer 

I recalled how, many years ago, it was access to information and movement that seemed our greatest luxury; nowadays it's often freedom from information, the chance to sit still, that feels like the ultimate prize. 

Psychotic Reactions and Carburetor Dung by Lester Bangs 

And finally you get to put the record on the turntable, it spins in limbo a perfect second, followed by the moment of truth, needle into groove, and, finally sound.

...a twirling melodic arch so beautiful it steals your own breath. (This line is from Bangs' Rolling Stone Magazine review of Van Morrison's album Astral Weeks). 

The Creative Act: A Way Of Being by Rick Rubin 

The artist's only responsibility is to the work itself. There are no other requirements. You're free to create what you will.

Ultimately, your desire to create must be greater than your fear of it.

Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote 

Anyone who ever gave you confidence, you owe them a lot.

Wilderness Essays by John Muir 

But it is in the darkest nights, when storms are blowing and the agitated waves are phosphorescent, that the most impressive displays are made.

The Mind's Eye by Henri Cartier Bresson 

One must always take photographs with the greatest respect for the subject and for oneself.

Polishing the Mirror by Ram Dass 

We don't necessarily see things as they are. We see them as we are.

On The Road by Jack Kerouac 

The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes “Awww!"

I have many more but I'll stop here. It's late. And I have more reading to do before I sleep.

Roger O'Dea     11/14/2025

It's 93 Miles To Pine Ridge, We Got A Full Tank Of Gas, It's 108 Degrees and We're Wearing Sunglasses - Hit It.

No, it wasn't Jake and Elwood - the Blues Brothers, it was Larry and Roger. Not brothers as in born from the same mother, but brothers nonetheless. Friends who, somewhere along life's highway, became brothers in spirit. The occasion was a road trip to see the 57th annual Red Cloud Indian Art Show. We had planned on attending the opening and artist reception earlier this month, but the timing didn't work out for us. 

It was hot. The temperature peaked at 108 as we crossed the Badlands on the way back.

In spite of the temperature, we managed a couple stops to take in the scenery and relax on a broken down boardwalk in a broken down town.

The show itself was pretty impressive. It was first organized in 1965 with the help of Jesuit Brother C.M. Simon. He founded the Red Cloud Heritage Center in 1982. Brother Simon served the Lakota people on the Pine Ridge for 42 years before his death in 2006. 

My favorites were this one by Roger Boer, Oglala Lakota -

And this creative piece by Ray Janis, also Oglala Lakota, featuring acrylic paint on a 1950s vintage Bingo card. Brilliant. 

We were both very impressed with a photograph titled "Self Portrait" by Keshena One Star, Rosebud Sioux. I couldn't get a quality picture to show here but, trust me, it's worth a visit just to see it. A simple but at the same time a deeply complex and emotional photo.  The exhibit continues through August 10th, and I highly recommend you make time for a road trip to see it.

Any visit to Pine Ridge wouldn't be complete without a stop at Big Bat's, where you'll likely find at least one rez dog hanging out.  

It was a good day.

And, for those of you who don't get the many pop culture references in my stories, the Blues Brothers were popular figures first appearing on Saturday Night Live in 1978, followed up with a movie in 1980.

They were on a mission from God. Maybe that's what actually motivated myself and Larry to make this trip together. It was certainly a major topic of conversation. God, that is. Not the Blues Brothers.

Roger O'Dea     6/21/2025

Hands Off - A Photo Essay In Three Parts

I came to take pictures. But the longer I stayed, the more I felt myself become less of a spectator and more of a participant. The messages, the diversity, the sense of community and common concerns, all contributed to a serious, but quite enjoyable experience.

THE FIRST THIRD (with a nod to Neal Cassady)

All ages and backgrounds...old hippies, young activists, veterans, educators, families...they were all there.

SECOND THIRD (my favorites)

There was also one that I didn't get a photo of but thought was pretty good. It read "Honk If You've Never Texted War Plans" Good one.

FINAL THIRD (Variations on the theme, but worthy of mention)

As a final note I should mention there was a small contingent of the loyal opposition isolated on one corner. I went over to talk to them and found them to be intelligent and very friendly...while being dramatically outnumbered. 

Overall, it was an excellent example of peaceful protest. The only police intervention required was to move people out of the street median for safety purposes. I was actually impressed by the large turnout. Especially for an overwhelmingly "Red" state, county and city.

Power to the people. Right?

Roger O'Dea     4/6/2025

Suggested Reading (and some personal notes on the subject)

Winter is my season for reading.  My sources always come through for me...primarily Henry's Books in Spearfish and Again Used Books in Rapid City. I haven't been to the library in awhile, only because I've had a good supply already on hand. In addition to my newer acquisitions I always have my favorites that I re-read at least once a year. Those include Lost Horizon (I identify with Conway for some reason), Trout Fishing in America (it's not about trout fishing) and The Dharma Bums ("Let the mind beware, that though the flesh be bugged, the circumstances of existence are pretty glorious."). The one I want to talk about, though, is the one I just finished - On The Rez by Ian Frazier. 

It was written twenty years ago, but based on my recent experiences, not much has changed between then and now. The author shares his insights, thoughts and descriptions of the times he spent on the Pine Ridge Reservation and surrounding area. He writes frankly and honestly, as evidenced in this passage (edited for length) - "There are windblown figures crossing the road in the distance who might be drunk, and a scattering of window glass fragments in the weeds that might be from a car accident, and a baby playing in a bare dirt yard, and an acrid smell of burning trash --- all the elements that usually evoke the description "bleak." But there is greatness here, too, and an ancient glory endures in the dust and the weeds."

Then there's this (speaking about the Sun Dance ceremonies that continue to this day) - "A hundred years ago Oglala who continued to practice their traditional ceremonies despite the governments's ban did so in secret, for fear of white people finding out and shutting them down; today the fear is of white people finding out and wanting to join." 

He writes extensively about SueAnne Big Crow and her legacy. If you don't know who that is, look her up. She deserves to be remembered and celebrated. I saw her play basketball and still admire her now as I did then for her talent...and her attitude. 

There are also vivid descriptions of locations, many familiar to me, that were once significant and important in different ways to different people, but are now just nondescript places on a hilltop or lone remains of what used to be. 

The church at Wounded Knee (occupied by members of the American Indian Movement in the 1970s) is long gone. But the gravesite memorial for the massacre of 1890 can still be visited. 

The grave of Lost Bird is located there. Another story I suggest you become familiar with if you are not already. 

I believe this chimney is all that remains of a once popular trading post -

And of course, there are mentions of the legendary reservation dogs that roam the streets and countryside. I tried to make friends with this one but he seemed a little suspicious of me, probably wondering what I was doing on his turf...a perfectly legitimate concern in my opinion.

I enjoyed the book. It has inspired me to go back for a visit. And I will when the weather warms up. I have use for a hand made medicine bag. I'm sure someone could hook me up with one. I would like to have a sandwich at Big Bat's. I would like to stop in at the SueAnne Big Crow Youth Center and see if Happy Town is still operating. And I plan on visiting SueAnne's gravesite to pay my respects. It's the least I can do.

Oh, and I'll try to remember to bring some milk bones for my four-legged friends.

Roger O'Dea     1/14/2025