At this year’s InConjunction Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention, I was on a panel about AI — Artificial Intelligence, for you non-science-nerds out there. Having found myself on a panel with a PhD who had programmed AI, a guy with a degree in philosophy of science, and an author with a forthcoming book centered on advanced AI, I did the intelligent thing and volunteered to moderate the panel. That meant all I was expected to do was ask questions. Not as dumb as I look, me.
ANYWAY, all this is leading up to my saying that Google’s Deep Mind has taught itself to walk. Sadly, it is far better at running, jumping, and vaulting than I ever was or ever shall be.
Oh, and while you’re at that site, check out the British Airways’ air safety video. You’re welcome.
The ever-thoughtful Megan Morgan had a post on writing character descriptions which is very good. I’d be very interested to hear what my non-writing readers think about character description: how much is too much, how little is too little, does the “I looked at myself in the mirror” gambit wash right over you or burn you like fire? What’s the best example of effortless first-person character description you ever read? Do you even CARE what the first-person narrator looks like?
Now, all the Whovians already know this, and non-Whovians probably don’t give a flying frack, but the new Doctor Who has been announced — AND SHE’S A WOMAN. ~waves to Jane~ Long, long ago, my pal Jane showed me some Doctor Who fan films, in one of which the doctor was a woman. (For those who don’t know, Doctor Who is a science fiction series in which, whenever the leading actor wants to move on, the character dies and is regenerated with a different form and personality. For those who didn’t grow up as my child, with my claiming that I knew everything because I was the Doctor, this adds plausibility to my claim.)
A WRITING PROMPT FOR YOU: Think about those character description questions.
MA
joey
July 21, 2017 at 5:29pmI actually really like character descriptions, and I like them early and sorta all at once so I know what I’m dealin with. Especially when it applies to the plot. I mean, if the killer only kills blondes, it’s more relevant than if the killer kills indiscriminately. I don’t mind the mirror. It’s part of daily life for most everyone, and seems natural.
Marian Allen
July 21, 2017 at 5:31pmThank you SO MUCH for this comment! That’s really helpful!
Jane
July 22, 2017 at 10:47amHi ya back!
And the first female Doctor was brilliant, too. She wakes up in old London and glances at the storefront she’s walking by to discover the new regeneration. She takes it with a wry comment. Her new companion is a cockney chimney sweep, who was most engaging. Hmm, maybe it’s somewhere on the internets……
Marian Allen
July 22, 2017 at 11:18amSounds terrific! I’m definitely going to have to find and watch this new season. š