Sewing report

Been working for several days on a shirtdress made of this fabric. It's my first real attempt at a self-drafted pattern, and it looks like it might turn out. Pics when I've finished sewing on the numerous buttons.


ETA: Here it is. My main quibble is that it's a bit short (had to cut a strip off the bottom of the hem in order to have enough fabric to make a button placket for the front.)

Facebook-link Philosophizing

So, IBM is still seeing what they can do with Watson the computer. Recently they've tried feeding in data about foodstuffs and how humans react to different flavours, and tried having the machine generate recipes. It's rather reminiscent of Eddie, the Heart of Gold's computer, trying to make proper tea (as opposed the usual sweet brown liquid almost-but-not-quite-totally-unlike-tea), based on Arthur's descriptions. Watson's BBQ sauce is said to be quite good.

The comments, I notice, seem to contain a lot of complaints that this is a waste of time, seasoned with the occasional argument that creating a recipe is meaningless if the computer itself can never taste it as a human could.

Later the same day, in another article on a different topic, someone snarked about how if (people who are not them) have the time to indulge in (a hobby that is not theirs), they should be spending that time volunteering with local service groups instead. So apparently the world is full of people who dedicate all their free time to Good Works. Well, good for them. I guess we can forgive them the time they spend each day to running down other peoples' activities on the internet.

Meanwhile, IBM will not be mass-producing Watson's BBQ sauce, as the computer declined to use any filler ingredients (the AI was told to make something tasty, not inexpensive). They've posted the recipe, however, for those who'd like to try it: Bengali Butternut BBQ Sauce.

(no subject)

BPAL is doing a line of scents inspired by Only Lovers Left Alive! Named for characters, plot points, the soundtrack...