tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73367885036570862272024-03-14T00:54:39.129-07:00Donut's mildly interesting stuffSome mildly interesting stuff i have come across from a gamer / IT admin / family man. Temotodochihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200029934775265283noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7336788503657086227.post-6672350129820764142024-02-29T03:45:00.000-08:002024-02-29T23:27:54.279-08:00Eidolons: The Shadowy Figures of Our Digital Age<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1N1RXDk-9fQEHcgYHwpphPZqghOf6eFwNnU4-jkXljSGyG02mVf0ldZKcaemjxbx0JKBYvVQZudN7o_YmWy-sXYhL_KdVlWxLajbKjYH7vDvTHO-t9LcIMnYMB-t3mbvhLYCS0MXDeUHocCpGcLxXkrAlWkf0OoNkgJ_2YddqSeoiwI5GOV-03J5vKa4/s1024/Nihminen.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="369" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1N1RXDk-9fQEHcgYHwpphPZqghOf6eFwNnU4-jkXljSGyG02mVf0ldZKcaemjxbx0JKBYvVQZudN7o_YmWy-sXYhL_KdVlWxLajbKjYH7vDvTHO-t9LcIMnYMB-t3mbvhLYCS0MXDeUHocCpGcLxXkrAlWkf0OoNkgJ_2YddqSeoiwI5GOV-03J5vKa4/w405-h369/Nihminen.webp" width="405" /></a></div><br /> <br /><br />As technology advances and virtual conversational partners, the "Eidolons", become increasingly difficult to separate from real people, we have to face a possible dystopian reality. In this scenario, where people's lives are increasingly moving into digital spheres - cheap remote housing, telecommuting and online communities - the stealthy integration of Eidolons into our daily lives could fundamentally change the way we experience relationships and social interaction.<br /><br />If Eidolons become part of our everyday social interactions without us noticing, this can lead to a number of consequences and changes in human behaviour:<br /><br /> When it is difficult to distinguish who is a real person and who is an AI-created Eidolon, trust between people can falter. As unpleasant experiences accumulate, uncertainty about whether an individual is authentic human can further reduce the willingness to engage in deep and meaningful interactions. <br /><br /> While Eidolons can provide conversational companionship, they may not be able to meet a person's basic need for genuine connection with another person. Paradoxically, this can exacerbate feelings of loneliness, even when "companionship" is more plentiful than ever.<br /><br /> If most social interaction takes place with Eidolons, people may lose their ability to navigate complex interpersonal social situations, such as conflict resolution, empathy and interpreting non-verbal communication.<br /><br /> As Eidolons integrate seamlessly into daily life, people's ability to distinguish between real and virtual reality may become blurred. This will affect people's perception of identity, privacy and self.<br /> <br /><br /><br />This development could lead to a dystopian reality, where genuine contact and understanding between people is weakened. A society in which digital and physical reality are seamlessly intertwined could create a world in which people find it difficult to find meaning and purpose in their relationships.<br /><br />The reality is that text-based Eidolon precursors already exist, and their conversational skills have evolved enormously over the past two years. They have reached a point where it can be challenging to distinguish between interacting with a human and an AI if based on conversation alone. As a result, people have become increasingly protective: they no longer dare to talk openly with strangers, which inevitably makes it more difficult to have genuine human-to-human interactions. This trend is creating a society in which mistrust prevails and genuine, meaningful human contact becomes increasingly challenging. <br /><br />When Casey Neistat demonstrated in his video his own experience of using Apple's Vision Pro headset in everyday life in New York, he casually touched on the same theme where virtual people are ever-present as discussion partners. While Vision Pro is only Apple's first step into the deep end of artificial reality, I'm sure it won't be the last. In Apple's headset, a virtual conversation partner is created by simulating mouth and facial expressions from images taken from the other party's face to match their speech, the end result being a simple three-dimensional floating torso avatar. Despite its simplicity, it works for humans almost as it is, but stealthily opens doors for non-humans. <br /><br />The curious thing is that, as technology moves towards ever more believable virtual interactions, people's own behaviour online is starting to look increasingly like that of a AI program. Interactions via text messages and digital channels have led many people to behave like bots - in a formulaic and predictable way. This development may make Eidolons less recognisable, but it also reflects a deeper change in ourselves, as we become accustomed to being connected without the need for human presence. This calls into question whether we need the Eidolons at all, or whether we are already becoming like them.<br /><br />While technology offers new opportunities for interaction and communication, it also challenges our traditional notions of social interaction and community. Faced with this situation, it is even more important to ask ourselves how we can maintain our humanity and build meaningful relationships in the age of the AI revolution.<br /><p></p>Temotodochihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200029934775265283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7336788503657086227.post-51423842502374674562024-02-18T02:26:00.000-08:002024-02-18T04:18:41.475-08:00The Quest for JOI: Navigating the Complexities of Digital Companionship in Today's AI Landscape<h1 style="text-align: left;"> </h1><h1 style="text-align: center;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qOyO1UJZvcDtI1HdDc1Wmq61PLMdg4V-_HRUWs_RsaEe-2DFM_2O8BrEbniXsop0Wh3XUGZs5fzrzWJ5e7-xhsBkKtpzNmJCTfY8q9kJ8snTRwtBu1DRn0_MWMRRezCNhPAT-9Pw43BVhAzv8qaGIZ5PX_EPb8zWYXd3BntIJ0UmAzERTMjpifqegso/s1024/cyber10.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qOyO1UJZvcDtI1HdDc1Wmq61PLMdg4V-_HRUWs_RsaEe-2DFM_2O8BrEbniXsop0Wh3XUGZs5fzrzWJ5e7-xhsBkKtpzNmJCTfY8q9kJ8snTRwtBu1DRn0_MWMRRezCNhPAT-9Pw43BVhAzv8qaGIZ5PX_EPb8zWYXd3BntIJ0UmAzERTMjpifqegso/w403-h406/cyber10.webp" width="403" /></a></div><br /></h1><h1 style="text-align: left;"></h1><p style="text-align: left;"><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">In the cinematic world of "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqB-gGP6G9I" target="_blank">Blade Runner 2049</a>," JOI represents an artificial companionship—a digital entity designed to adapt, respond, and evolve in ways that are strikingly human-like. With AI's capabilities today, the notion of creating such entities is within reach, yet riddled with technical and ethical considerations.</span><br /><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">The Human Element in AI</h3><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">At the heart of our fascination with characters like JOI is a desire for AI that transcends basic functionality, going into the realm of genuine companionship. For AI to truly complement the human experience, it must encompass the full spectrum of human emotions and interactions, including those less than perfect moments. The idea of an AI that can experience moods, quirks or mental issues—a system designed not just for relentless positivity but capable of reflecting the more challenging aspects of human nature—presents an intriguing paradox. How do we reconcile the need for safety and reliability in AI with the desire for a more authentic, human-like connection?<br /><br />This question underscores a broader reflection on what we seek from our technological counterparts. The allure of an AI companion lies not in its perfection but in its ability to mirror the complexities of human relationships, complete with the risks and rewards that such interactions entail. Yet, introducing flaws or negative emotional states into AI raises significant ethical considerations. How do we ensure that these digital entities can navigate the intricacies of human emotions without causing harm? Imagine if instead of just K's cigarrette JOI would've lit K himself on fire. </span><br /><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">But why bother? </h3><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Besides being a butler and lifelike personal assistant, digital companions like JOI could bridge the vast chasm of loneliness that many people face, providing not just the illusion of company, but a responsive presence that can engage, learn, and even provide comfort. Such technology could democratize access to social interaction, offering a non-judgmental, always-available entity to those who, for various reasons, find themselves on the fringes of social connectivity.<br /><br />This, however, does not come without its challenges. As we venture down this path, it's crucial to ensure that these digital companions supplement rather than supplant human interactions, serving as a gateway to improved social skills or confidence rather than an endpoint in themselves. The ultimate goal should be to enhance the well-being of users, encouraging and facilitating connections with the broader human community. This creates a shadow over the "perfect AI companion" idea. <br /><br />In embracing the potential of AI like JOI, we have an opportunity to address one of the most poignant aspects of the human condition: the need for connection. By weaving simulacra of empathy, understanding, and adaptability into the fabric of digital companionship, we can offer hope and a sense of belonging to those who might otherwise remain silent in the shadows of society.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Crafting AI personalities presents a real challenge: they must be
engaging without seeming too perfect. If we're not careful, we risk
creating a world where artificial companions are preferred over real
human interaction, making it even harder for people to connect with each
other in our already complex reality.</span><br /><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">The Context Dilemma</h3><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A pivotal moment in "Blade Runner 2049" is the loss of JOI's emanator, her "context"—the shared history and unique interaction patterns that defined her relationship with K. Everything else about JOI is trivial to replace from a vending machine. This raises an important question about our digital interactions: Should the context created with AI companions be preservable, offering a form of continuity and memory akin to human relationships? Or, in the spirit of the film, should such context be ephemeral, emphasizing the transient nature of digital companionship?</span><br /><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Technical Challenges and Innovations</h3><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The realization of a JOI-like companion today also confronts practical challenges, notably around latency and local processing. My work in delivering low-latency cloud rendering services for virtual reality has underscored the importance of real-time responsiveness in creating immersive experiences. Achieving sub-500ms latency for AI interactions—encompassing recording, analyzing, responding, and audio and even video generation—remains a formidable technical hurdle. Yet, advancements in edge computing and AI model efficiency offer promising pathways to reducing these delays, bringing us closer to seamless, real-time digital companionship.</span><br /><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Reflecting future<br /></h3><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As we navigate the development of AI companions, we are tasked with balancing innovation with ethical responsibility, striving to create digital entities that enhance rather than diminish the human experience. The quest for JOI is not just about technical achievement but a deeper exploration of what it means to connect, understand, and coexist with the increasingly intelligent systems that inhabit our world.<br /><br />In this journey, we must remain vigilant, ensuring that as we strive to bring the fiction of JOI into reality, we do so in a way that honors the complexity, dignity, and safety of both human and digital beings. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Creating a prototype of such service could be very interesting indeed. <br /></span></p>Temotodochihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200029934775265283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7336788503657086227.post-72174607168383580702016-11-16T07:45:00.001-08:002018-04-30T22:49:30.847-07:00Roland MT-32 and emulating it in old 90s games<br />
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A few days ago 8bit-keys published a video about Roland MT-32 midi device.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BMmFcs-_4x4" width="480"></iframe>
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This got me intrigued because i have played too many of those old 90s games and i never had the cash to buy such a device. It was crazy expensive back then. I could buy 3 Gravis Ultrasounds for the price of one roland MT-32 from the local music shop.<br />
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So, not knowing what i missed I decided to test MT-32 by emulating it in windows 7 + Dosbox combo and after some tinkering i found how to set it up.<br />
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Here's what you need:<br />
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* Munt from <a href="https://sourceforge.net/projects/munt/">https://sourceforge.net/projects/munt/</a><br />
* <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1j_XrcKR3GIeRY0F8Z7Uy6Nt0dLN1L6Nb/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Roland ROM software</a> for munt to use. (zip file)<br />
* Dosbox from <a href="http://www.dosbox.com/" target="_blank">http://www.dosbox.com/</a><br />
* <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_MT-32-compatible_computer_games" target="_blank">Games</a> - You probably know which one to test already<br />
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Install Munt, download the rom files and extract the zip contents somewhere.<br />
In Munt "Rom configuration" menu choose the directory where you unzipped the roms and choose two corresponding roms. You need one control rom and one pcm rom. Munt should be able to help you with this. Versions don't matter that much in general use.<br />
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While Munt is running in the background, install and run Dosbox. Instructions for general use of dosbox are out of the scope of this article. In dosbox type 'mixer /listmidi' and you should get a list of possible midi outputs. Most likely device numer 0 is the default windows midi output and device number 1 is Munt. Take note of Munts device id whatever it might be.<br />
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Open dosbox options / configuration file and search the line for midiconfig=<br />
add the Munt device id number on that line (ie. midiconfig=1).<br />
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Tada! You should be able to run some games with MT-32 music enabled.<br />
Sierra games in particular have a lot of jokes included for the small lcd screen of MT-32<br />
and they pop up in the taskbar.<br />
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Some sidenotes:<br />
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In some games MT-32 is the de-facto method of creating music for that particular game and it really shows, while in other games MT-32 support is an afterthought and on the same line as general midi and as such don't use the full features of the old Roland.<br />
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UFO/XCom 1 current "retail" 1.4 version has a broken roland driver, which you have to fix yourself by finding and replacing it with a 1.2 version of the roland.cat file in the games sound\ directory.<br />
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Happy gaming!<br />
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edit: fixed romlink Temotodochihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200029934775265283noreply@blogger.com6