HAL 9000 and Google Assistant

Because I had a few minutes to waste this evening, I asked a few question to Google Assistant on my phone, trying sometimes to make it (her?) fumble. So at some point, I asked who she thought was the best actor, and she replied... HAL 9000. And she added that apparently, he's a real nice person in real life. I don't know if someone who is into Stanley Kubrick at Google made a joke, or if it is based on some algorithms and the Assistant knows what kind of movie I love, but I thought this was both funny and a bit scary.

Daisy Bell

"Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer, do
I'm half crazy, all for the love of you,
It won't be a stylish marriage,
I can't afford a carriage
But you'll look sweet upon the seat
Of a bicycle built for two"

I'm sure you all know the lyrics of the old song Daisy Bell. It's quite a catchy song, nice and upbeat, and it has been immortalized by computer scientists and a certain famous filmmaker in a certain movie. Well, it turns out that tonight it became very popular with a certain little boy, when I sang it a capella for him on a whim. He loved it. So here it is for your enjoyment, sung by Gerald Adam (don't know him). I hope you enjoy and it brings a smile to your face. It sure got Wolfie a few excited giggles:

Stanley Kubrick, In Memoriam

"The most terrifying fact about the universe is not that it is hostile but that it is indifferent; but if we can come to terms with this indifference and accept the challenges of life within the boundaries of death – however mutable man may be able to make them – our existence as a species can have genuine meaning and fulfillment. However vast the darkness, we must supply our own light."

Yesterday was the day Stanley Kubrick died. People of a generation remember when they learned the death of Kennedy, I remember the day I learned of the death of Stanley Kubrick. I was in a newsagent and they announced his death on the radio. By fate or chance (and I don't believe in fate so it was chance), I was watching clips of his movies when I remember that it was the anniversary of his death. He was an amazing filmmaker and my favorite. As an homage, I am showing two clips from 2001: A Space Odyssey. It was the first Kubrick movie I saw, it may have been his best. The first scene is the epiphany of one of our primate ancestors in the discovery of technology and the second shows the development of this discovery millions of years later, sending the human species closer to the stars. Nothing trivial.