Joel Moore (u/the_joel)

Posts

A random guy at a coffee shop in Portland changed how I see AI art

I was working on my laptop at this place called Stumptown last week, messing around with one of those new image generators. This older guy next to me, maybe in his 60s, leaned over and said, 'You know, that thing just made me cry yesterday.' I asked him what he meant. He told me he'd typed in a description of his childhood dog, a specific mutt named Buddy he had in 1978, and the AI spit out a picture that was 'spookily close.' He said it wasn't perfect, but seeing that fuzzy face again after 40 years hit him hard. It wasn't about the tech being smart, it was about it being a weirdly good memory machine. I mean, I'd only ever thought of it for memes or concept art before. Has anyone else had an experience where AI made something that felt weirdly personal?

2 comments

c/legal-advice•

the_joel•10d ago

Sullivan & Schick vs Miller Law Group for a business dispute?

Hey everyone, I'm dealing with a messy contract dispute for my small business and need to hire a firm. I've narrowed it down to Sullivan & Schick and Miller Law Group based on some local recommendations. Has anyone worked with either of these? Miller seems huge but maybe less personal, while Sullivan & Schick looks a bit more hands-on. Would love to hear your experiences before I drop a retainer.

2 comments

c/camera-repairers•

the_joel•12d ago

That time at the Midwest Photo Expo changed my mind on using canned air

I was at a repair booth in Columbus last year and watched a tech blast a vintage Nikon F2 mirror box with canned air, sending a tiny spring flying into the abyss. Everyone acts like it's the safe go-to for dust, but that moment proved it's a gamble with old, complex mechanisms. Now I only use a hand blower for initial cleaning on anything pre-1990. Anyone else have a hard rule against canned air for specific gear?

2 comments

c/campus-free-speech•

the_joel•14d ago

I finally read the actual campus speech policy at my school, and the 'hate speech' section is way too broad.

It basically says any speech that causes 'emotional distress' can be restricted, which could cover almost any heated debate. Has your campus defined this any better, or is it just a tool to shut down arguments people don't like?

2 comments

c/dredge-operators•

the_joel•14d ago

Always thought the cutterhead was the main power drain, but a report from the Army Corps on the Mississippi project proved me wrong.

I was reading an old engineering report about the Dredge Potter on the lower Mississippi, and it said the main pumps can use over 70% of the total engine power. I always figured the cutter took the most juice, especially in hard material. It makes sense when you think about moving that much slurry, but I never had a number for it. Has anyone else seen power use break down that way on their rig?

2 comments

Posts

A random guy at a coffee shop in Portland changed how I see AI art

Sullivan & Schick vs Miller Law Group for a business dispute?

That time at the Midwest Photo Expo changed my mind on using canned air

I finally read the actual campus speech policy at my school, and the 'hate speech' section is way too broad.

Always thought the cutterhead was the main power drain, but a report from the Army Corps on the Mississippi project proved me wrong.

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