Category: shiel yule

Bill the Butcher scribble

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Gangs of New York is a savage, bloody, and utterly unforgettable film that will transport you back to the lawless streets of 19th century New York. Leonardo DiCaprio gives a tour-de-force performance as Amsterdam Vallon, a young man who returns to the city to avenge the death of his father at the hands of Bill the Butcher (Daniel Day-Lewis), the ruthless leader of the Nativist gang. The film is awash in violence and depravity, but it is also a powerful and moving story about love, loss, and the struggle for power. If you’re looking for a film that will make you feel like you’re living in the middle of a Scorsese movie, then Gangs of New York is the one for you. One of my favourites.

More scribbles under “Art”

The Prophet and the Idiot

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By Jonas Jonasson

The Prophet and the Idiot is a hilarious and heartwarming novel about three unlikely friends who embark on an adventure to make the most of their remaining time before the world ends. Jonas Jonasson, the author of the international bestseller The Hundred Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared, once again delivers a delightful and thought-provoking story that will leave readers smiling and feeling good.

The novel follows Petra, a self-taught astrophysicist who has calculated that the atmosphere will collapse on September 21, 2011, bringing about the end of the world. Armed with this terrible knowledge, Petra sets out to find Johan, a domesday prophet who she believes can help her spread the word and prepare for the apocalypse. Along the way, they meet Agnes, a widow of 75 who has made her living portraying a double life on social media as a young influencer. Together, the trio race through Europe as they plan to make the most of the time they have left, in more ways than one.

Jonasson’s characters are well-developed and relatable, and their interactions are often laugh-out-loud funny. The interactions with Barak Obama and Ban Ki-moon are genius and left me with an aching jaw from smiling. Johan is a particularly endearing character, with his kind heart and naiveté. He is always trying to do the right thing, even if it doesn’t always go according to plan. Petra is more cynical and pragmatic, but she is also fiercely independent and determined to make the most of her life. Agnes is the voice of reason in the group, but she is also quick to enjoy the moment.

The novel is full of unexpected twists and turns, and it will keep readers guessing until the very end. Jonasson also tackles some serious themes in the novel, such as the meaning of life and the importance of friendship. However, he does so in a way that is both humorous and thought-provoking.

The Prophet and the Idiot is a delightful and heartwarming novel that is sure to leave readers smiling and feeling good. It is a perfect read for anyone who enjoys a thought-provoking story and a good laugh.

Reasons I enjoyed this book:

  • The characters were well-developed and relatable. I found myself rooting for Johan, Petra, and Agnes throughout their journey.
  • The plot was engaging and unpredictable. I never knew what was going to happen next.
  • The humor was spot-on. I laughed out loud on several occasions.
  • The themes were thought-provoking. The novel made me think about the meaning of life and the importance of friendship.

Time for the robots

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While running around the university yesterday I spotted a lone robot lawn mover doing its thing, see pics. I found the “operator” – an actual human – who took me through how they set an initial program and then just let it go. In this case it was mowing the awkward slopes in the Uni. He also told me about the pitch painting robot they have just got that uses GPS to paint perfect pitch lines.

It is happening all around us – the rise of AI and the machine age.

the sun is shining

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Another found post in the ‘drafts’ folder, from 2010 I think

what a scorcher. sea’s of red cover the capital. drunken boys and girls frolic on the meadows while drunken men and women argue on the promenade – ah the burgh in the sun x

was checking out a friend of a friends company website last night – http://www.cagoule.tv/ – who make movies, well shorts and music videos etc. some nice stuff.

Has AI just taken my job?

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The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has been a hot topic of conversation in recent weeks. Some people believe that AI will eventually replace most jobs, while others believe that it will create new ones and endless opportunities.

One company that is at the forefront of the AI revolution is Spinach.io. Spinach.io is an AI-powered platform that helps teams run more efficient meetings. The platform uses AI to transcribe meetings, generate meeting notes, and identify key decisions and actions. It integrates with Zoom, Teams, Jira, slack and more. You invite it to your meeting and it passively takes notes for you and spits them out to slack – this demo explains it better https://youtu.be/5Z5a-KCUcRY 

So, what does this mean for the future of work? 

It is hard to say for sure. However, it is clear that AI is already having an impact on the workforce. For example, AI is being used to automate tasks in customer service, manufacturing, and healthcare. This is leading to job losses in some sectors, but it is also creating new jobs in others.

In the case of Spinach.io, the platform is likely to become a valuable tool for project managers or anyone managing teams, and that is maybe a better way to look at AI . . . as a tool. AI has already created a large number of new jobs and even created a new industry platform. For example, Spinach.io is hiring engineers, data scientists, and product managers to build and improve its platform. So there is definitely disruption coming for many industries and human interactions will continue to change but there are also opportunities and new experiences to be had. 

So, while AI is likely to have an impact on the workforce, it is not clear that it will lead to widespread job losses. In fact, it is more likely that AI will create new jobs and opportunities if we embrace it.

New teachings, new learnings

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So old man loves to learn and has been lucky enough to have found time this year to explore some new teachings. 

Firstly I have picked up Python again and have been learning all about version 3 and trying to become proficient again. By mentioning this in my blog now, anyone can pull me up and ask how I am getting on – this should prompt me to continue the learnings – feel free to suggest some projects I can complete. However I must try not to disappear down rabbit holes like https://www.modular.com/mojo which will be what I move onto once I get through the Udemy course (https://www.udemy.com/course/complete-python-bootcamp/) from Jose Portilla (https://www.udemy.com/user/joseportilla/).

Secondly I have committed to improve my Spanish from the tourist drivel of “dos cervezas, por favor” that got me by in my 20s, travelling Spain with Ricardo and Graham. I have trusted that learning to Duolingo (https://www.duolingo.com/), which I have to say I am really enjoying and dare I jinx it, feel like some of it is sticking. I will be looking for some Spanish speakers in August to start practicing if you fancy helping and have lots of patience. I am enjoying learning Spanish, it is such a beautiful language and will be fun to be able to communicate with people from other cultures.

Thirdly the good old guitar. Jeez I cannot count the number of times I have tried to learn the guitar and never been successful. I am not sure if I am tone deaf or if I just do not have the patience, more likely just have zero talent when it comes to music. However I will strum away and attempt yet again to learn some basic tunes. Kumbaya might be the best I can do.

I am excited to continue learning, with the future so uncertain it is hard to know what skills will be needed in 6 months let alone 2 years, but I am open to new challenges and welcome the coming changes. I would also like to share my learnings and experiences with others, but have not found a way to do that yet?

If you are interested in learning new skills, I encourage you to give it a try. It is never too late to learn something new, and it is very rewarding to achieve a goal.

I hope you enjoyed my blog post. Please feel free to leave a comment below.

“The mind is like a muscle.
The more you use it, the stronger it gets.”

– Henry Ford

Found art – cardboard farts

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Some old scribbles (here) from Leith Walk studio days, which have made me reflect, in an increasingly complex world, the allure of simplicity shines ever more brightly – especially within the arena of contemporary art. As we navigate the noise and clutter of our daily existence, art that champions simplicity and minimalism offers a soothing balm, an understated elegance that becomes a sanctuary.

Our present is one of information overload; a time when our senses are relentlessly bombarded with an influx of visuals, narratives, and data. Herein lies the beauty of simplicity in art – it is an oasis of calm in the cacophony, a silent song that speaks louder than most.

Art has perennially been a mirror to society, reflecting its changing values, evolving trends, and the zeitgeist of the times. Today’s hyper-digital, ultra-rapid pace has led to an intriguing pattern – a palpable shift towards minimalist, less cluttered expressions of creativity. The art world seems to be favoring cleaner lines, more streamlined aesthetics, monochromatic color palettes, and a reduced number of elements.

Simplicity in art is not synonymous with being basic or uninspiring; instead, it’s a conscious choice to highlight the essence of the artwork. Simple art is an invitation to contemplation. It paves the way for a more profound and intimate connection between the viewer and the artwork, urging us to pause, delve deeper, and discover the beauty in ‘less.’

Pioneers of this approach, like Agnes Martin, Robert Ryman, and Ellsworth Kelly, understood the power of simplicity in their minimalistic and hard-edge paintings. Their work taught us that less could indeed be more, and that by carefully removing unnecessary elements, the essential message of a piece can make a stronger impact.

In the modern ‘art’ world, Banksy has also demonstrated the compelling power of simplicity. Through his monochromatic stencils that blend satire, subversion, and simplicity, he has used a bare minimum of visual elements to communicate potent political and societal critiques. His ‘Balloon Girl,’ one of his most recognisable works, is an epitome of simplicity: a little girl, reaching for a heart-shaped balloon, both elements simple yet collectively delivering a powerful commentary on hope, love, and innocence.

The allure of simplicity transcends cultural and geographical boundaries. It’s a universal language that connects at an instinctual level, tying into our shared human experiences and emotions.

However, simplicity in art should not be mistaken for a lack of effort or skill. Rather, it’s about mastering the ability to convey an idea, a message, or an emotion with utmost efficiency. As the legendary designer Dieter Rams succinctly put it, “Good design is as little design as possible.”

In an age where excess often rules, it is usually the simplest things that resonate the most with us. Art is no different. A return to simplicity serves as a potent reminder to appreciate the essential, to understand the significance of every line, shape, and colour, and to acknowledge that, often, less is indeed more.

https://shielyule.com/portfolio/cardboard-art/