Light and Shadow

I can’t say enough about how much I enjoy looking at things that look real but aren’t real.  The attempt to recreate the ultimate creation has been the pursuit of artists through the ages. And I think it’s awesome.  The color of light impacts our moods and the emotions that go along with them. The degree of light can obscure or refine.  It’s what makes movies and TV and advertisements and anything else that we look at, but that are not real, awesome.

Skynet Not Just in the News but Writing It

Below you will find a news story written by a computer.  No, not written on a computer, but written by a computer.  The story was generated by Narrative Science, a company that designs artificial intelligence capable of writing stories based on data.  The data for this story came from the pitch by pitch account of the Robbinsdale Cubs Little League home opener fed into an iPod app.  I’d report a bit on the game myself but as you’ll read below Skynet (oops I mean Narrative Science) did a fine job.

The Cubs 2012 seize victory thanks to late double, drop the White Sox 7-6

The Cubs 2012 outlasted the White Sox on Saturday after four lead changes, squeaking out a 7-6 win at LVT N. The Cubs 2012 staved off the White Sox as the White Sox were unable to match the Cubs 2012 down the stretch.

The White Sox scored two runs in the fifth on an error and an RBI single by Tyrese Roberts. Unfortunately, the White Sox weren't able to take the lead back. The Cubs 2012's Riley Evans was perfect at the dish, going 2-2. He singled in the second and fifth innings.

The top of the first saw the Cubs 2012 take an early lead, 1-0. Simon Broberg kicked things off for the Cubs 2012 with a single. Luke Pilon doubled, plating Isaac Pilon. The Cubs 2012 matched their one-run second inning with one more in the fourth. In the second, the Cubs 2012 scored, scoring Evans.

After a quick strike from the Cubs 2012, the White Sox responded with three runs in the second. The White Sox scored on a three-run single by Brandon Flores. The lead stayed with the Cubs 2012 after the fifth, when they scored four runs on two doubles and two singles.

"Powered by Narrative Science and GameChanger. Copyright 2012. All rights reserved." Any reuse or republication of this story must include the preceding attribution.

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RGP in My Own Back Yard

A while back I wrote about RGPs and their outstanding ability to see the world around them as an opportunity for expression, creativity and productivity. Tonight I witnessed a 12 year old RGP in action as he bid on, monitored and won several items at a silent auction for a group of friends going to an orphanage in Liberia. 

At first I was puzzled by the strange assortment he penned his name under and a bit annoyed that he would “throw his money away” at such odd items that he couldn’t possibly have a use for.  I soon learned that each buy was strange for a 12 year old boy because none were meant for him.

This wasn’t the first time I have been puzzled by this guys decisions or thought processes but it showed me again that his oddity is one of generosity, a quality to strive for and appreciate and commend.  

The Opener

Opening day is upon us.  The uniforms are crisp and distributed but after 9 o’clock pictures the prominent pinstripes of our team pants will give way to an alternating pattern of green grass stain and red infield clay.  First Pitch 11:30.

How do you hit with 2 strikes on you?

Tonight we scrimmaged and as you’d expect we had several strikeouts.  It was interesting to watch the kids approach the at bat when they had two strikes on them.  There were two basic reactions.  There were a few who seized up and didn’t swing at all.  It was as if the fear of striking out became a self fulfilling prophecy and, as long as the pitcher put the ball over the plate, a backwards K was inevitable.   The others were so committed to not watching the 3^rd strike go by that they either swung at balls far out of the zone or were way too early.  With these kids their desire to hit and their aggressive approach limited their chance even for contact.

So the question is how to improve.  If there is one thing that is sure a two strike count is pretty tough.  There are the physical challenges of making contact with the ball if it’s close while letting balls out of the zone go by and there are the mental challenges of the added pressure of an impending strikeout.

Notice I haven’t offered any advice for a two strike approach? I’m planning to work with the team on this and give them a few tools to work with.  They will all have to do with increasing the likelihood of making contact with the ball: Move closer to the plate to be able to cover the outside corner better, choke up on the bat to increase bat speed and control and practice making contact when faced (mentally at least) with 2 strikes (in practice).

Would you rather?

Would you rather be a dam or the hydroelectric generator?  The dam has to work so hard to passively hold back an irresistible force. The generator welcomes the force and converts it into useable energy. Hard and impossible or active and generative.  I think the choice is clear.

This may seem like a choice you’ll never have to make but I actually decided today, and yesterday, and I hope to do it again. I bet you decided one way or the other today too.

April Showers in May

Rolling in the rain encroaches on the boundaries of the neighborhood and the awnings of our homes. The snare drum picks up its cadence as the drops per minute reaches a crescendo. Just as quickly as it came on the tempo slows and the decibel level falls with the size of the descending drops.  A steady pace  settles in, saturates the ground and tests the gutters for debris, a passing grade means water passes freely, flooding indicates failure.