Joseph Dickson – Page 23

Journals

In 2013, I began using the Bullet Journal method, frequently either paired with a Moleskine or Leuchtturm1917 A5 hard-cover notebook and a Dixon Ticonderoga pencil. An A5 journal still serves as my filtered inbox. A trick I learned after Reading David Crensaw’s book The Myth of Multitasking, where he suggested using one inbox for everything, or was that in David Allen’s Getting Things Done? Either way, I picked up the practice of using a journal as my inbox.

However, I craved a better long-form writing experience; pencils were okay, but ballpoint and gel pens didn’t suit me. I eventually picked up my first fountain pen, a TWSBI Eco with a fine nib, during the pandemic around 2020. Since then, I have explored the idea of finding the perfect combination of pen, notebook, and ink. Along the way, I realized my preferences changed.

My Daily Journal

Ideally, cream paper, unlined, blank page, A5 notebook, or warm paper is suitable for pencil sketches or inky, messy notes and incomplete thoughts. I have a preference for darker inks, particularly reds. However, different shades of black and blue-black are a close second. Hard or soft cover will do as long as the cover and binding hold up to a year of daily use and tossing about.

I usually pair this daily journal with a fine or medium nib Pilot Prera, particularly for its slip cap, my perfect multi-purpose combination for all but prolonged writing sessions.

Long-Form Writing

Another A5, but with ruled cream paper, and I didn’t expect to enjoy it. Restricting myself to lined pages guides my hand and helps keep my thoughts grounded. I don’t get distracted by drifting rows of text, which keeps me in a mind-like water focus as I write. I always pair this activity with a Pilot Custom 823 and Pilot blue-black to reduce my cognitive load by avoiding a decision. I grab the book and pre-filled pen and find a comfortable place for a long writing session.

Using a separate journal for long-form writing is distraction-free and forward-thinking. I don’t flip pages to notes or projects in my daily journal and often keep my smartphone with its pointless notifications in another room or on mute. If a stray idea pops up, I’ll reach for my pocket notebook instead.

The Pocket Notebook

My leather passport wallet holds a Muji or Field Notes pocket notebook. The intention is to resist grabbing my phone. The wallet is always on me and an alternative to unlocking my device, opening an app, and swiping over the glass with my thumb. I pair the notebook wallet with a Kaweco Sport using an extra-fine nib and Noodler’s Black ink.

The Kaweco is rugged and holds up to bouncing in my front pants pocket, gets scuffed up against my keys, and Noodler’s black is thick enough not to drip into the cap.

Travel Companion

A Traveler’s Company Notebook is perfect for occasions where I want to bring just one notebook, larger than my passport wallet, and if I’m comfortable carrying it around. The modular design allows for different inserts and combinations of paper, and I could use it as an oversized wallet. However, its flexibility makes it thick; all these individual notebooks, inserts, and accessories take up space, and the notebooks rarely lay flat when open.

Hobonichi Techo

This year, I’m experimenting with using this cutesy A6 planner to recap my day. I may have more on that in the future post.

The Caretaker’s Vigil

In the vast expanse of space, a lone spaceship glided silently, its hull reflecting the distant stars like a beacon of hope cutting through the darkness. Onboard, amidst the hum of machinery and the soft glow of control panels, stood Mara, the caretaker of the vessel.

Mara had been chosen for this solemn duty years ago, selected from among the finest engineers and scientists on Earth. Her task was clear: to ensure the safe passage of the ship and its precious cargoa group of settlers bound for a distant planet hundreds of light years away.

As the ship’s AI monitored its trajectory, Mara moved through the corridors with purpose, her footsteps echoing faintly in the quietude of the vessel. She checked and rechecked the cryogenic pods, where the settlers lay in a state of suspended animation, their dreams of a new world frozen alongside their bodies.

Every system, every component was under Mara’s watchful eye. She maintained the life support systems, tended to the hydroponic gardens that provided sustenance, and monitored the ship’s engines, ensuring they remained on course despite the vastness of space.

Days turned into weeks, weeks into months, and still Mara persevered, her dedication unwavering even as the monotony of her duties threatened to wear her down. She found solace in the knowledge that she was part of something greater, a journey that would reshape the destiny of humanity.

But as the years passed, Mara couldn’t help but feel the weight of solitude pressing down upon her. She missed the sights and sounds of Earth, the touch of sunlight on her skin, the laughter of loved ones left behind. Yet, she knew there was no turning back, no escape from the void that stretched endlessly before her.

And then, one fateful day, as Mara stood at the helm of the ship, a beacon of light appeared on the horizona distant star shining brighter than any other. It was their destination, the new home that awaited them after centuries of travel.

With a sense of awe and reverence, Mara guided the ship toward the shimmering light, her heart heavy with the knowledge that she would not live to see the fruits of her labor. But as she looked upon the sleeping faces of the settlers, she knew that their dreams would soon become reality, thanks to her tireless efforts.

As the ship entered orbit around the new planet, Mara felt a sense of peace wash over hera final act of kindness bestowed upon those who would awaken to a world of endless possibilities. And as she closed her eyes one last time, Mara whispered a silent prayer, her legacy etched into the stars for all eternity.

Please write me a science fiction short story about a caretaker of a spaceship traveling between Earth and a distant planet hundreds of light years away. They will not live to see their new home but are tasked with maintaining the vessel and its hundreds of settlers frozen in cryogenic sleep and will awake after the ship arrives at its new home.

Joseph Dickson to ChatGPT 3.5

ChatGPT generated the above story and included a few ideas I wouldn’t have considered. Almost makes me want to refine this concept further.

Bonus

I ran the story above through Grammarly

In the vast expanse of space, a lone spaceship glided silently, its hull reflecting the distant stars like a beacon of hope cutting through the darkness. Onboard stood Mara, the vessel’s caretaker, amidst the hum of machinery and the soft glow of control panels.

Mara had been chosen for this solemn duty years ago, selected from among Earth’s finest engineers and scientists. Her task was straightforward: to ensure the ship’s safe passage and its precious cargoa group of settlers bound for a distant planet hundreds of light years away.

As the ship’s AI monitored its trajectory, Mara moved through the corridors with purpose, her footsteps echoing faintly in the tranquility of the vessel. She checked and rechecked the cryogenic pods, where the settlers lay in a state of suspended animation, their dreams of a new world frozen alongside their bodies.
Every system, every component, was under Mara’s watchful eye. She maintained the life support systems, tended to the hydroponic gardens that provided sustenance, and monitored the ship’s engines, ensuring they remained on course despite the vast space.

Days turned into weeks, weeks into months, and still, Mara persevered, her dedication unwavering even as the monotony of her duties threatened to wear her down. She found solace in the knowledge that she was part of something greater, a journey that would reshape the destiny of humanity.

But as the years passed, Mara couldn’t help but feel the weight of solitude pressing down upon her. She missed the sights and sounds of Earth, the touch of sunlight on her skin, and the laughter of loved ones left behind. Yet, she knew there was no turning back, no escape from the void that stretched endlessly before her.

And then, one fateful day, as Mara stood at the ship’s helm, a beacon of light appeared on the horizona distant star shining brighter than any other. It was their destination, the new home that awaited them after centuries of travel.

With a sense of awe and reverence, Mara guided the ship toward the shimmering light, her heart heavy with the knowledge that she would not live to see the fruits of her labor. But as she looked upon the sleeping faces of the settlers, she knew their dreams would soon become reality, thanks to her tireless efforts.

As the ship entered orbit around the new planet, Mara felt a sense of peace wash over hera final act of kindness bestowed upon those who would awaken to a world of endless possibilities. As she closed her eyes one last time, Mara whispered a silent prayer, her legacy etched into the stars for all eternity.

Artificial Intelligence Conference

The Cal Poly Pomona Artificial Intelligence Fair will be held on April 17, 2024, at the Bronco Student Center in Ursa Major. Join us for this multidisciplinary event exploring artificial intelligence (AI), from today’s task-specific devices, services, and systems to purely theoretical possibilities. Website & Instagram.

Short Blurb

The Artwork

Inspired by a monospace terminal font, the underscore cursor waits for input from the user to generate a result.

The Date

Reminiscent of a software version number.

The Avatar

Simply ai_ social media platforms provide context within the profile name, bio, and post content.

The Colors

CPP blue, green, and gold along with magenta represent generated output.

#fcb415

#048442

#0b436a

#ed0f54

#ffffff (white)

#000000

Beneficial and Neutral outcomes are represented by CPP Primary colors:

ai_art

ai_music

ai_tools

Negative results are represented in magenta:

ai_bias

ai_hallucination

ai_misinformation

The Rules for Rendered Output:

Always lowercase, a single word, simplistic, imperfect, and sterile.

lacks humanity, always refer to as it.

ai_ always in black and output in color.

If used in text like this email, opt for a bold monospace font like Lucida Console.

Never place a space after the underscore or within the rendered output, ai_ is always black.

Multi-word output should be discouraged, if necessary, use a use a hyphen.
- ai_chat-bot
- ai_ task-specific
- Punctuation can follow the output if used in a sentence.
  - My banks customer service is useless, they use an ai_chat-bot.
    - Magenta used for a negative outcome.
  - Ask Billy is useful for an ai_chat-bot, it provides direct answers most of the time.
    - CPP Primary colors for a beneficial or neutral outcome.