#449 - Burning Man on boats, DALL-E best prompts, and camp fundraisers
I attended my friend Alison's prayer workshop last week and learned how prayers can be just about anything you want them to be - meditation, focus, rest, poetry, and so on. It's pure will projected outwards.
Not a bad practice, as long as its not used in place of actual action.
I also attended Ephemerisle, the annual 'burning man on boats' gathering in the Stockton delta. I hadn't been since 2015, but it was a great time once more, just a bit tricky with logistics of getting out there and sleeping.
It was originally started by the libertarian Seasteading Institute which means no central authority, which sounds freeing, until theres no quiet hours and nobody can sleep, or the volunteer ferry is two hours late. Centralization is nice too!
I learned about the Navier 'tesla boat' hydrofoil (apparently electric boats aren't a thing cuz gasoline is 15x more powerful than batteries pound for pound but the foil makes it work) and how to wakesurf using the wake of the boat as a wave, which is way more fun and easy on your body than wakeboarding farther back!
Tech
My buddy Aris passes on this opportunity for engineer/researcher friends:
"We just kicked off hiring for the winter class of the OpenAI Residency — a 6-month, project-based program that provides a pathway for engineers and researchers to transition into AI and deep learning. Residents build on their existing experience while learning and working on practical problems with our teams – with the goal of joining OpenAI full-time upon completion.
We aim to have at least 50% of underrepresented talent in tech and engineering in the consideration pool of each interview stage.
Apply through Sept. 30. 👇"
Software Engineering: https://lnkd.in/g3GdTpBN
Research: https://lnkd.in/gBVK7x8D
Lifehacks
An Accessory Dwelling Unit that's just small enough that you don't need permitting for it in most jurisdictions. Folds into bedroom, kitchen, and living room to preserve space. Clever!
The DALL·E 2 prompt book — pitch.com
This gentleman has written an incredibly thorough and comprehensive guide on how to get the most out of the DALL E art generator, with specific words and phrases one can use to tweak the outcome. Put it to use!
Relatedly, this thread asking it for 'Pokemon cards from the year XXXX' is fascinating and incredible. Goes back all the way BC times, lol.
Fun
I'm gonna experiment here with upcoming SF Burner events this week, holler if FB privacy issues and I'll invite direct: