One interesting unintended consequence of AI might be it role in reshaping examinations in academia and related activities, such as applying for a job. Multiple surveys indicate that students are rapidly adopting AI in their work. Not surprising. AI tools can be extremely helpful in writing an essay, revising any text, answering questions, drawing, translating, … Continue reading Pen and Paper: Is AI Driving Us Back to the Future?
Art
Designing a Coin and Building Relations
One of the best ways to support international relations is by connecting individuals across nations whether through visits or joint activities. In the current international context, when many relations between nations are increasingly problematic, I was reminded of the value of cross-national work through a design competition – designing a coin. I’m far from an … Continue reading Designing a Coin and Building Relations
Is Digital Too Perfect?
This blog is authored by A. Michael Noll, and posted with the author's permission. Two applications of digital are in creation and in recording. Digital can be used for audio and for video. Digital computers were used decades ago to synthesize musical sounds. A violin could be synthesized – or any other instrument. But the … Continue reading Is Digital Too Perfect?
The Fifth Estate Transformed
My book on The Fifth Estate (Oxford University Press) was published in 2023, so it was wonderful to get a Christmas gift of the book transformed into a different form – from a book to a complex paper work. I would never have thought of representing my book in the way Thurle Wright has done … Continue reading The Fifth Estate Transformed
Don Diego Illustrated by Patrick Atkins
My wonderful bulldog, Don Diego, appeared in an illustration for a book, entitled The Puppy Prophet.* The book by David Cary Lane was illustrated by Patrick Atkins, my younger daughter’s partner. It was one of my most interesting Christmas presents. Along with the book came an illustration by Patrick, as he is an illustrator, which … Continue reading Don Diego Illustrated by Patrick Atkins
The Power of Music – Orchestra Vox at Gatehouse
It is easy to take music for granted when we are surrounded by gadgets that can connect us with any musician or genre of music in an instant. However, last Friday evening at the Gatehouse in Oxford, I saw the power that music can play in a way I should never forget. Gatehouse is a … Continue reading The Power of Music – Orchestra Vox at Gatehouse
Digital Kaleidoscope: A Commentary by A. Michael Noll
DIGITAL KALEIDOSCOPE A. Michael Noll February 2, 2023 © A. M. Noll 2023 [The following commentary is authored by A. Michael Noll, and posted with the permission of the author. Michael experimented with many of the technologies of 3D, computational art, and tactile telecommunication in the 1960s and 1970s at Bell Labs. I always find … Continue reading Digital Kaleidoscope: A Commentary by A. Michael Noll
A. Michael Noll’s Story of Harmon-Knowlton’s ‘The Nude’
HARMON-KNOWLTON’S “THE NUDE” OVERSHADOWS ALL A. Michael Noll August 28, 2022 Copyright © 2022 A. Michael Noll Mosaic Graphics Newspapers have been using a mosaic of dots with gray-scale values to reproduce photos. In 1967, Leon Harmon and Kenneth Knowlton did it, using a digital computer to assign gray-scale values to photos. Harmon and Knowlton … Continue reading A. Michael Noll’s Story of Harmon-Knowlton’s ‘The Nude’
A. Michael Noll Reflects on Two Art Exhibitions
TWO EXHIBITIONS: THE PAST – THE FUTURE A. Michael Noll August 4, 2022 [The following commentary is authored by A. Michael Noll, and posted with the permission of the author. Michael was a pioneer in computer art in the 1960s, when the very idea of computer art might have been inexplicable.] In 1968, two exhibitions … Continue reading A. Michael Noll Reflects on Two Art Exhibitions
Books and the Internet in Prisons: Beyond the Right to Read
A British High Court justice has 'struck down a ban on sending books to prisoners', as reported by the NYT: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/06/world/europe/british-judge-lifts-restriction-on-books-in-prison.html A number of writers, poets and human rights advocates have been pressing for the right of prisoners to buy books from the 'outside world'. Apparently the prison service had supported access to books, but only through … Continue reading Books and the Internet in Prisons: Beyond the Right to Read