Midjourney Continues to Surprise

Midjourney is sometimes brilliant, sometimes useless, sometimes surprising, but always a leap into the night.  The images of a witch with curly blonde hair at her synthesizers was nearly perfect on the first try.  The angel on the beach was an evolutionary result and not what I was aiming for although I think it moved in an entertaining direction.

Witch with synthesizers 

Angel at the beach

Unanticipated Consequences and Guilt

And so in a minor way I was involved in the internet and computer animation.  To have killed off newspapers and drawn animation to have been participated in that in any way is a horrible sin I can not be forgiven for.

Mexican restaurant or Harvard?

This is a test of writing a blog post on my phone.

Jill and I ordered food late in Joshua tree from a 24-hour Mexican restaurant. Our hostess was a beautiful African American woman who reminded me of a famous actress seen in science fiction and superhero movies. But one of these went to Harvard and became an actress and the other is serving bean tostadas at midnight. It's not clear to me that this country provides opportunities to everybody. In fact it's very clear that it doesn't. This country is a disgrace.

Prohibited Terms in MidJourney and the Public Morality

Imagine the problem that Midjourney faces: to police the morals of millions of the worlds' citizens many of whom have very sick ideas of what they want to visualize.  So if it finds a term that is prohibited, it just stops you cold and gives you a button you can push if you dont like it.  Of course the button does nothing, but maybe it makes the user feel better.

I have innocently run into some of these, which I specify below as far as I remember.  I speculate there are others that we can imagine that are also on the prohibited list.

Terms I have tried that dont work: latex, spandex, nazi, national socialist, bloody, swastika

Terms I have not tried but probably dont work: anything involving explicit sex, blood, defecation, genocide.

The Black Flag of Vengeance Courtesy of MidJourney

 
Although MidJourney is clearly hit and miss, and can be frustrating, it can also be very productive.  Here are a few concept sketches of a black flag with daggers and stars.  Unspoken is the thought that this is a homage to the Wagner Group and their now deceased leader.

And these with more emphasis on the dagger element.

And a different design with a dagger

ChatGPT Release Forever of All Things

 
I offered to create a class picture of my high school reunion and was cautioned to be concerned about privacy rights.  Hence, I asked ChatGPT to write me a release to own everything someone might do, for all purposes, forever, in all media, without compensation.  I dont think this quite does that, but it is a fun first draft.

[Your Name/Your Organization]
[Address]
[City, State, Zip Code]
[Email Address]
[Phone Number]
[Date]
[Subject's Name]
[Subject's Address]
[City, State, Zip Code]

RELEASE AND WAIVER OF RIGHTS

I, [Subject's Name], hereinafter referred to as the "Subject," hereby grant to [Your Name/Your Organization], hereinafter referred to as the "Recipient," and its legal representatives, successors, and assigns, the absolute and irrevocable right and permission to use, reproduce, distribute, display, and publish in any media, now known or hereafter devised, including but not limited to photographs, images, ideas, intellectual property, and any related materials (the "Materials") depicting or created by me.

I understand that the Materials may be used for various purposes, including but not limited to promotion, advertising, marketing, educational, and editorial purposes, without any further compensation to me. I waive any right to inspect or approve the final product wherein the Materials appear.

I hereby release, discharge, and hold harmless the Recipient, its agents, representatives, and all persons acting under its permission or authority from any liability related to the use of the Materials, including but not limited to any claims for libel, defamation, invasion of privacy, or infringement of copyright.

I affirm that I am the sole owner of any intellectual property rights associated with the Materials and that I have the legal right to grant the permissions and rights outlined in this release. I agree that this release is binding upon me, my heirs, legal representatives, and assigns.

This release shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the [Your State/Country]. Any disputes arising out of this release shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in [Your City/County].

I have read and understood this release before signing it and hereby acknowledge receipt of a copy for my records.

Subject's Name: [Subject's Full Name]
Signature: ______________________________
Date: ______________________________
Witness (if applicable):
Witness's Name: [Witness's Full Name]
Signature: ______________________________
Date: ______________________________