SUNDAY SCROLL: Is A.I. becoming more real, or is reality becoming more like A.I?
Something new to read, watch, look at, listen to and do to #bemorehuman
Gong xi fa cai 🍊🍊and welcome to the new year of the 🐉, I hope those of you that celebrated have a belly full of bakkwa and pineapple tarts but now it's time to feed your brain with the Sunday Scroll.
Read this…
Fellow Substacker David Farrier has written an hilarious rant about this “photo”, which went viral for reasons that he cannot fathom.
Is it because it captures a candid and beautiful human moment? No, it's obviously not real. It is because it's great art? No, the kid on the right has six toes for goodness sake. So what is it? And what does it say about our ability to discern, never mind appreciate, reality?
EXTRA: Why is it okay for an individual to post an obvious A.I. fake but not a corporation? Do we expect more of companies than humans? Malaysia Airlines' attempt to use AI stirs up conversations around authenticity.
Watch this…
As more of what we see online is augmented and homogenised by A.I. the more we stand to be disappointed by reality…unless we shape reality to meet the standards of A.I. which is kind of what happens in this Korean short film. A young girl takes drastic action to alter her appearance to meet the aesthetic ideal of her society.
This 2014 film was developed by local content platform Viddsee into the Mediacorp series ‘Alienated’ released last year starring Adrian Pang and I can understand why - it arguably has even more relevance now than it did then.
Look at this…
The Apple Vision Pro went live this week and, much as I genuinely would like to try watching a concert film on it (say, the Elvis 68 Comeback Special or Bowie at Live Aid), it has led to some seriously dystopian scenes around the world. What do you think - should people be using this on the street or is it the final nail in the coffin of common courtesy?
Listen to this…
If you’re looking for a hot take on the new tech, Stephen Fry has just joined Substack and his second post is all about unboxing and acquainting himself with his Apple Vision Pro, not only in prose but also voice over. Click his post below to hear him read it aloud in that luscious RP accent.
Do this…
Okay, a bit of personal promo here but I have two events on this week. On Valentines Day I am playing my first set in nearly 20 years at the Flying V Metal Bar in the basement of the Adelphi mall on Coleman Street alongside artist Bach Zainol and Azhar Punkrocker of of local ska-punks Grüv Street Runners. It's all acoustic so not too heavy, if you don't want to be a lone on Valentines come join us!
And, me and my partner in
, , will be launching our first full length, full cast audio drama called 'Calyptra Morteferum' and reading aloud the next story we’re adapting by F.K. Marlowe as part of the inaugural ‘Spooken Word Horror’ night also at The Flying V on Thursday. If your Valentines is booked, come to this instead.
That's your lot 'til Thursday, enjoy the long weekend ahead! Nx