Author: user

  • Learning Resources in Tech

    Useful links worth a mention:

    Coding https://reeborg.ca/reeborg.html?lang=en&mode=python&menu=worlds%2Fmenus%2Freeborg_intro_en.json&name=Alone&url=worlds%2Ftutorial_en%2Falone.json

  • Dr Chris Van Tulleken: Why We Crave Junk Food and How to Stop

    Blog Based on

    I am not sure if i can do this justice a full watch of this Video is recommended

    and the book

    https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ultra-Processed-People-Stuff-That-Isnt-ebook

    Introduction

    In our modern world, where convenience often takes precedence over health, many of us find ourselves succumbing to the allure of junk food. Dr. Chris Van Tulleken, a renowned medical doctor and television presenter, has extensively studied the reasons behind our cravings for unhealthy foods and offers practical solutions to curb this tendency. Understanding the science behind our cravings and implementing effective strategies can help us make healthier choices and improve our overall well-being.

    The Science Behind Our Cravings

    Dr. Van Tulleken explains that our cravings for junk food are rooted in our biology and the food industry’s manipulation of our natural instincts. Here are some key factors contributing to our cravings:

    1. Evolutionary Biology: Our ancestors relied on high-calorie foods for survival. In the past, when food was scarce, consuming energy-dense foods like fats and sugars was crucial for survival. Today, these instincts persist, driving us towards calorie-rich junk food.
    2. Food Engineering: The food industry employs sophisticated techniques to make junk food irresistible. These foods are engineered to hit the “bliss point,” a perfect combination of salt, sugar, and fat that triggers pleasure centers in our brains, making us crave more.
    3. Addictive Properties: Junk food can be as addictive as drugs. The combination of sugar and fat can lead to a release of dopamine, the brain’s pleasure chemical, creating a cycle of craving and consumption similar to addictive substances.
    4. Psychological Triggers: Stress, boredom, and emotional distress can trigger cravings for comfort foods. Junk food often provides a temporary sense of relief, reinforcing the habit of turning to unhealthy snacks in times of need.

    Strategies to Curb Cravings

    Understanding the reasons behind our cravings is only half the battle. Dr. Van Tulleken offers practical strategies to help us break free from the grip of junk food:

    1. Mindful Eating: Practicing mindfulness can help us become more aware of our eating habits and cravings. By paying attention to what we eat and how it makes us feel, we can make more conscious food choices.
    2. Healthy Substitutes: Replacing junk food with healthier alternatives can satisfy our cravings without the negative health impacts. Fresh fruits, nuts, and whole grains can provide the same pleasure without the guilt.
    3. Plan and Prepare: Planning meals and snacks ahead of time can help us avoid impulsive junk food consumption. Keeping healthy snacks readily available can reduce the temptation to reach for unhealthy options.
    4. Understand Labels: Becoming familiar with food labels and ingredients can help us make informed choices. Avoiding products with added sugars, artificial flavors, and unhealthy fats can significantly improve our diet.
    5. Hydration: Sometimes, our body confuses thirst with hunger. Staying well-hydrated can reduce unnecessary cravings and promote overall health.
    6. Sleep and Exercise: Adequate sleep and regular physical activity can regulate hormones that control hunger and cravings. A well-rested and active body is less likely to crave junk food.
    7. Seek Support: Making dietary changes can be challenging. Seeking support from friends, family, or a professional can provide the motivation and accountability needed to stay on track.

    The Journey to Healthier Habits

    Transitioning away from junk food is a journey that requires patience and persistence. Dr. Van Tulleken emphasizes the importance of understanding our cravings, making gradual changes, and celebrating small victories along the way. By implementing these strategies, we can take control of our eating habits and move towards a healthier, more balanced lifestyle.

    Ultimately, breaking free from the grip of junk food is not just about willpower; it’s about understanding the science behind our cravings and making informed, mindful choices. With the guidance of experts like Dr. Chris Van Tulleken, we can empower ourselves to overcome these challenges and lead healthier, happier lives.

    https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/how-to-eat-a-balanced-diet/what-are-processed-foods/

    https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/how-to-eat-less-processed-food

    https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/ultra-processed-foods-what-to-avoid

  • The 15-Minute Reset: Transform Your Space with a Quick Tidy-Up

    In our busy lives, finding time to maintain a tidy home can feel overwhelming. However, you don’t need hours to make a significant difference in your living space. Introducing the 15-Minute Reset—a quick and effective method to tidy up a room and create a more organized, stress-free environment.

    Why a 15-Minute Reset?

    The beauty of the 15-Minute Reset lies in its simplicity and manageability. Setting aside just 15 minutes to focus on one room can lead to noticeable improvements without feeling like a daunting task. This method capitalizes on the idea that small, consistent efforts can lead to big results over time.

    How to Execute the 15-Minute Reset

    1. Set a Timer: Begin by setting a timer for 15 minutes. This creates a sense of urgency and helps you stay focused, ensuring that you make the most of this short period.
    2. Choose Your Room: Decide which room needs your attention the most. It could be your living room, kitchen, bedroom, or even your home office. Starting with the most cluttered or frequently used room can often provide the most immediate sense of accomplishment.
    3. Gather Your Supplies: Before you start, grab a few essential cleaning supplies: a trash bag for any garbage, a laundry basket for items that belong in other rooms, and a box or basket for items that need to be organized within the room.
    4. Start with Surfaces: Clear off any surfaces first—tables, countertops, desks. Put away items that have designated spots, toss out any trash, and gather items that belong elsewhere in the house.
    5. Tidy Up the Floors: Once the surfaces are clear, move on to the floors. Pick up any stray items and put them in their proper places. If you find things that belong in other rooms, place them in the laundry basket to be dealt with later.
    6. Quick Dust and Wipe: Use a dust cloth to quickly dust surfaces and a damp cloth to wipe down any sticky or dirty areas. This step helps to freshen up the room and gives it a cleaner appearance.
    7. Organize and Straighten: Take a few minutes to organize any cluttered areas. Straighten books, stack magazines, and ensure that items are neatly arranged. If you have time, do a quick sweep or vacuum to finish off.
    8. Final Touches: Once the timer goes off, take a step back and admire your work. You’ll be surprised at how much you can accomplish in just 15 minutes. If you have extra time, you can do a quick sweep or vacuum to finish off.

    The Benefits of the 15-Minute Reset

    • Reduced Stress: A tidy room can significantly reduce stress and create a more peaceful environment. Knowing that you have a clean and organized space can help you relax and feel more in control.
    • Increased Productivity: A clutter-free area can boost your productivity, making it easier to focus on tasks without being distracted by mess and disorganization.
    • Maintenance Made Easy: By incorporating a 15-Minute Reset into your daily routine, you can keep your home consistently tidy without the need for extensive cleaning sessions.
    • Boosted Mood: There’s a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction that comes from completing a small, manageable task. Tidying up can lift your mood and give you a positive start or end to your day.

    Conclusion

    The 15-Minute Reset is a powerful tool for maintaining a clean and organized home, even with a busy schedule. By dedicating just a small portion of your day to tidying up, you can create a more inviting and stress-free environment. Try incorporating this simple practice into your daily routine and experience the benefits of a tidy space without the overwhelm.

  • Perception: Adjusting Our Lens on Reality

    Perception is a complex, multifaceted phenomenon. It shapes our understanding of the world, influencing how we interact with our environment and the people within it. Imagine perception as a camera lens, adjustable and capable of capturing different views depending on the angle and focus. In this blog post, we will explore the analogy of perception as an adjustable lens, delve into the concept of 3D goggles, and consider the experience of color blindness to illustrate how our perception can be limited and enriched.

    The Lens Analogy: Adjusting Our View

    Perception can be likened to an adjustable camera lens. When we look at a scene through a camera, changing the lens or the settings can drastically alter the image we capture. Similarly, our perception of reality can be adjusted by shifting our perspective, trying new experiences, and challenging our assumptions.

    Imagine standing at a scenic overlook. One person might focus on the majestic mountains in the distance, while another might notice the intricate details of the wildflowers at their feet. Both are valid perspectives, shaped by individual interests and experiences. By consciously adjusting our lens, we can appreciate different aspects of the same scene, gaining a richer, more nuanced understanding of the world around us.

    3D Goggles: Adding Depth to Our Perception

    3D goggles enhance our perception by adding depth to a previously flat image. When we put on 3D goggles at a movie theater, what was once a two-dimensional picture suddenly becomes a vivid, immersive experience. This transformation mirrors how expanding our perception can add depth and richness to our lives.

    Consider how traveling to a new country can change our perception of cultural norms. Experiencing different traditions, cuisines, and ways of life can broaden our understanding, making us more empathetic and open-minded. Similarly, learning a new skill or hobby can provide a fresh perspective, allowing us to see the world through a different lens.

    By embracing new experiences and viewpoints, we can enhance our perception, much like putting on a pair of 3D goggles.

    Color Blindness: Understanding Perceptual Limitations

    Color blindness is a condition where individuals perceive colors differently due to the absence or malfunction of certain color-detecting cells in their eyes. This condition highlights the fact that our perception is not always an accurate representation of reality but is instead shaped by our biological limitations.

    For someone with color blindness, the vibrant hues of a sunset might appear muted or indistinguishable. This doesn’t make their perception less valid, but it does differ from the norm. Understanding color blindness can teach us valuable lessons about the diversity of human perception.

    Just as we use corrective lenses to improve our vision, we can employ strategies to overcome our perceptual limitations. Educating ourselves about different viewpoints, practicing mindfulness to stay present, and actively seeking out new experiences can help us see beyond our innate biases and expand our understanding of the world.

    Conclusion: Embracing Perceptual Flexibility

    Our perception is a powerful tool that shapes our reality. By adjusting our lens, donning metaphorical 3D goggles, and recognizing the limitations of our perception, we can enrich our understanding and interactions with the world.

    Cultivating an open and flexible perception allows us to appreciate the beauty of diversity and complexity in life. It enables us to navigate our personal and professional lives with greater empathy, creativity, and mindfulness. So, let’s embrace the adjustable nature of our perception, continually striving to see the world through different lenses and enriching our lives in the process.

  • AI Art

    Table of Contents

    Introduction

    Most pages on this site have a cartoon at the top of the page & 99% of them have been generated by AI.

    This page is dedicated to playing around with AI Art to try and get the best picture available

    This page has some really good examples of styles you can use in your prompt

    https://www.shutterstock.com/ai-image-generator/styles?consentChanged=true

    Going straight to Dall-e gives a nicer feedback rather than calling it directly from chatgbt

    Coney Island

    Here’s the image depicting a young girl, accompanied by her parents, as she first steps foot on land at Coney Island, New York, in the 1800s. The scene captures the moment of their arrival, filled with hope and trepidation, rendered in a vivid oil painting style. Feel free to use this for your project!

    Pyramids

    Here are two images depicting the construction of the pyramids in ancient Egypt. These scenes show workers engaged in various activities, with the grandeur of the partially constructed pyramids and the geographical context highlighted. Feel free to use these images for your project!

    Picturesque coastal village at sunset.

    i pasted this in and asked “do a oil painting of this”

    “do a futuristic version please”

    and now a plastic brick version

    “show me 2 more versions of the orginal picture uploaded at the start of this conversation

    1) watercolor

    2) pencil sketch”

    give me a representation of what does £X look like?

    give me a representation of what does £1,000 look like

    Here are the representations of £10,000 in cash, featuring two hundred £50 notes.

    Here are the representations of £100,000 in cash, featuring two thousand £50 notes.

    A large pile of £100,000 in cash, with two thousand £50 notes stacked and fanned out to show the amount. The notes are new, crisp, and arranged neatly in multiple bundles. The background is a clean, white surface to emphasize the money.

    Here are the representations of £1,000,000 in cash, featuring twenty thousand £50 notes.

    Relativity (M. C. Escher)

    After a few issues with copywriting the best way to find a similar picture was

    typing “Recreate this” and paste in a picture taken from Google photos

    “To recreate an image inspired by the provided one, I’ll describe a scene based on it without directly replicating the copyrighted artwork.

    Let’s create an image featuring a surreal architectural scene with multiple staircases intersecting at impossible angles, with figures walking on them in various directions, some upside down, and the overall structure having a maze-like appearance.

    I’ll go ahead and generate this for you.”

    Roman Times

    “create a picture in roman times of soldiers coming out of a tavern into the dirtiness of the city”

    Old British painters

    “A serene rural landscape inspired by John Constable’s “The Hay Wain.” The scene features a picturesque countryside with a gently flowing river in the foreground. A wooden cart is half-submerged in the water, being pulled by horses. On the left, there is a charming old farmhouse surrounded by trees, with smoke gently rising from the chimney. The sky is filled with fluffy white clouds, casting soft shadows on the lush green fields. The painting should evoke a sense of peacefulness and natural beauty, with attention to detail in the foliage, water reflections, and overall composition, capturing the essence of Constable’s pastoral scenes.”

    An oil painting similar to John Constable's 'The Hay Wain,' imagining it as if Constable painted another version one year later. The scene features a picturesque countryside with a gently flowing river in the foreground. A wooden cart is half-submerged in the water, being pulled by horses led by a laborer. On the left, there is a charming old farmhouse surrounded by trees, with smoke gently rising from the chimney. The sky is filled with fluffy white clouds, casting soft shadows on the lush green fields. The painting should evoke a sense of peacefulness and natural beauty, with attention to detail in the foliage, water reflections, and overall composition. The oil painting technique should emphasize rich textures and colors, capturing the essence and feel of Constable's original masterpiece.

    Lavender field

    I love this picture which is from a bing background

    i struggled to get anything better than the original

    my prompts were:

    “replicate as near as you can this picture , its a lavender field”

    make it look like a photo you would take

    with the orginal i added , make it an oil painting the technique should emphasize rich textures and colors.

    with the orginal i added , make it an oil painting the technique should emphasize rich textures and colors like how constable would have painted it

    give me the prompt i would need to recreate this

    Here is the prompt you would need to recreate the oil painting:

    “An oil painting of a vast lavender field at sunset, with rows of vibrant purple flowers stretching towards the horizon. The technique emphasizes rich textures and colors, reminiscent of John Constable’s style, with thick brushstrokes creating a sense of depth and movement. The sky is painted with hues of pink, orange, and purple, blending beautifully into a gradient. In the center of the field stands a solitary tree, adding a focal point to the landscape. Mountains can be seen in the distant background. The atmosphere is serene and picturesque, captured in a vibrant and textured style.”

    Serene lakeside village

    Do this as a water colour

    “Here are the watercolor versions of the serene lakeside village.”

    Here are the futuristic versions of the serene lakeside village

    Fortresses of the Mind: The Psychological Power of Castles

    I was trying to create a visual image of

    Query i gave to Dalle “create a cartoon of a moat around a castle which is under construction
    outside the moat i would you to signify threats and inside the castle safery,protection,honesy,family,caring,support and welcoming”

    Funny cartoon – March 2025

    Using Chatgpt new image creation in March 2026

    Create image hi create a funny cartoon picture of a company denying a large security breach in the background have a picture of a robber making off with a physical computer

    Coney Island 2 -March 2025

    See a picture at the top of this post for Coney Island v1

    V2 is based on ChatGPT4o new image creation March 2025

    create an  image depicting a young girl, accompanied by her parents, as she first steps foot on land at Coney Island, New York, in the 1800s. The scene captures the moment of their arrival, filled with hope and trepidation, rendered in a vivid oil painting style.

    give me a representation of what does £X look like? 2 – March 2025

    First version above new one using the new create image feature

    Create image give me a representation of what does £1,000 look like