Benefit of the Doute pour la Calamité du Discours
Disclaimer: Everything below is a mix of what I observed and heard during the event. The goal isn’t to pinpoint "who exactly said what," but to share (usually) an outsider's view and overall perspective on these industries. I’m not here to act as a definitive firsthand source—readers should do their own research. I hope this inspires you to attend events, explore new industries, and hear what leaders are presenting. These notes combine my observations with thoughts on how things could run smoother and how ideas connect (IMO). I’m not an expert, you know? Just hanging out in the room with them. Enjoy!Topics: Art Workshop, Paint by Numbers, Community, Climate, AI
The event I went to yesterday has a part 2 today at a college downtown. I’ve got the time, the energy, and the interest to DO SOMETHING with my afternoon, so I finished up some meetings, my epic Sunday morning routine (got stood up by my daughter who took an invite to the ZOOOOO instead of hanging out with me - I get it) and then head downtown to join community in the act of making art.
Why Attend: From what I understand, this event is giong to be collaborative mural painting and workshops on making art projects. This sounds like it’ll be a fun, social event. So, since 1/3rd of yesterday’s event was pretty outstanding, I feel like there are decent odds this will be amazing as well. Let’s go find out.
Photo Commentary and Collage
Notes from the Event:
Upon arrival the greeting team was really passive-aggressive. They were like, “what are you here for?” and then like gave me a hard time for checking in and then kept askign all these crazy questions like, which events are you attending -b ut I didn’t know the name of the exact event and then thy were like - idk. Its liek they just created problems just to enjoy a power trip. There were only two things going on, classes at the school - or the workshop. And even though I said, I’m here for the french group’s workshops, they were ‘playing stupid’ (see my glossary) towards me, like they couldn’t understand what I coudl possibly be talkign about until I used the exact proper wording. I was just like, omg gimme a break. This is just like yesterday’s majority of the event: ridiculous.
Even so, I made my way through their checkpoint - liek… the woman checking me in forgot my name 3 times. She had me repeat my name 3 times till she finally got it. My name is KELLY. Five letters. So common, Barbie’s younger sister’s name. I mean. gimme a break. And the building is tiny.
So, then I saw my least favorite photographer on Earth was there, too and I’m like omg. She recognized me, too, from yesterday when I told her not to take pictures of me, yet she kept doing it, passive-aggressively, of me (isn’t that illegal, lol?)
Then, yeah, even though I told the check-in people I was running late, they reminded me of this a million times and told me to go sit down, like 5 feet from where we were standing and it was so obvious. And the presentation had just ended, but two more were gonna go on.
I really thought it was going to be, like, workshops, hands-on creating art. SO I didn’t even bring a notebook or my laptop. But once I realized there’d be talks, I asked them for paper and a pen so they gave me a clipboard and things to take notes on. Here’s what I wrote (and… I’ll be honest… my handwriting is a little hard to read. omg. Let’s do our best)
I wrote that I could NOT imagine going to COLLEGE here. I have such a stereotype of what “college” looks like and this is SUCH an arts school. Just hard to put into words, but it’s surreal this building checks the box of “college”. An Arts degree. I feel ike a jaw-dropped parent who can’t believe I’m spending 6 figures so my child can spend time in this tiny building to learn to draw hahah.
This next speaker is so hard to hear.
She asks everyone to scan a QR code and put one word that represents “progress” to you.
people write Climate change, equality, optimism, dialogue, education, mobility, reason.
I didn’t write anything, I’m not the biggest fan of scanning QR codes to enter stuff on screens.
A lady in the row ahead of em tried to get the attention of the woman sititn got my right and gave up.
Reminds me of the weird guy at my bus stop earlier today. He was sitting next to me on a bench and then kept shaking and shaking and then moving closer to me, so then I stood up and moved away. Then he yelled “ma’am” at me like 20 times and kept asking me if the bus was coming. I finally said, “Should be” and then he ended up getting off one stop before me
I’ll be honest, he looked younger than me and I just get the feeling he’s not a super dangerous guy, just really at a disadvantage. I hate to see it. But, this whole world needs help. Especially here in the USA more people even realize. Or they do realize, but yeah. The whole world needs more love and help.
Crazy reptilian Anunnaki are making life hard for everyone!!!
This lady speaking is soooo quiet!!! And the world’s worst photographer is here again.
A lady who spoke last night gets up on the stage to talk. She is talking again about her nonprofit (one she said was the first in the world? Or the first of its kinda in the world? Idk still never clarified that)
LOL this photographer’s bright ass flash!!! Get out of here with your huge flashing cameraaaaaa.
Upstairs, the color-by-numbers mural is SO lame. It’s a piece of fabric with paint pens!! Like so tiny and dull, and only one girl was up there doing it alone. IDK, probably out of sympathy. That’s the vibe I picked up on. I’m disappointed cause it’s part of why I came. I thought we’d be painting a mural in the alleyway somewhere or something.
I feel this isn’t what I came here to do. I want to leave, busk, and eat food. lol. I haven’t busked in over 2 months, but I just decided to bring my guitar in case I get the motivation to finally do it again.
She says they have all-age classes (I’m like ALL ages???) then i go check and its for 6 and up… so that’s not ALL ages. My daughter doesn’t qualify.
The next talk (after this one) appears to be about climate change comic making? Omg. 100% not for me - like in some ways its 100% for me, but the combo. Idk. I’m kinda open to it but also, just feel it’s a coin flip.
Now there are going to be 2 presentations by current students of the school. Then there will be an opne discussion.
I’m like WTF this was advertised as an ART WORKSHOP!!!!!! THIS IS NOT ART MAKINGGGGG
Well, this next guy will talk about AI, so thats at least interesting and relevant to me
He’s an undergrad student, studying AI and math and applied math (what’s the difference between MATH and APPLIED MATH lol)
In the future, there’s going to be no avoiding AI. Everyone will have to interact with it.
AI will always be better at math than humans. Same with other fields, medical, image making, etc. It’s rather grim (lol)
Will we be taken over? Where to humans fit in? Intelligence is surpassing us.
Just this week, an automated robot beat humans in the time for the best ever marathon.
More intelligent than us, than 300,000 years of humanity.
How do we grapple? Why do we continue to even study or make art since AI surpasses us? Why bother?
so much (idk what i wrotteeee)
We communicate and live together with intelligent beings. We need to come together and talk about what is important to us. Art makes us feel something. We won’t lose this.
we need to decide what we can do and why it’s important to us. Process of the day.
OMG, this photographer keeps taking pics of me. LOL this lady. Go away. She’s so unprofessional and passive-aggressive.
The future doesn’t ask if you’ll be the best, but if you have a passion.
Math is about presenting with others. Coming together, unifying as humans.
Already his speech is over.
The next guy’s name literally is like “Pempape Pupah” hahaha
He has the hardest accent to understand.
He’s talking about climate change and ice caps, and Co2
living, consuming, and serving humanity. Designing systems with planet’s constraints in mind. We are limited from the start.
We have sciences but not the collective narrative for how to act.
Climate reaction is a logical necessity.
Climate change is an important issue, global
Thank you so much (omg his speech is so short???)
It’s Q&A, so I ask what kids can study about for AI at young ages?
His reply was not really impressive to me.
he says we need critical thinking before interacting with AI. Maybe use it for jobs int eh future, but you first need a deep understanding of your subject, before using AI as a tool. How do you know if it does a good job if you’re not an exper. How do you know if the output is good without expert knowledge? HOw do you know if a tool is useful unless you’re an expert in your subject and generating prompts. You need specific word choice.
Focus on learning.
I just feel his reply is not realistic. SO many kids are already using AI and my students use it literally daily. So, idk. I think he’s not tuned into reality.
I realize hardly anyone who was there last night/at yesterday’s (part 1) of this event is here now? So weird. Only like 25 people here. And its totally not what they advertised it to be.
One guy says he’s not confident that AI should be used to teach climate.
lol this guy who spoke about AI is so negative about it.
More climate change responsibility lies with families and communities.
I’m like omg, what about corporations? and media!?
omg the photographer just hit her camera on the doorway. I”m like lady, be careful with your tools.
Climate change is a topic… idk what he said.
Okay, now they’re finishing up this talk. Now they want to talk about progress and education.
I notice a guy in front of me texting someone about what a disaster this event is. He says” he’s frustrated with the organization and there are no meetings or debates. IT’s so vague about everything in these talks, and there are more adults than youth.”
Then they say we need to get into groups for this next part - so i’m like, omg I wanna be in a group with this guy and hear what he’s thinking. Cause I agree this event is such a disaster.
OMG now the lady says to get into groups and CHOOSE A TOPIC TO TALK ABOUT? That’s ridiculous ahhahaha. She says options include: student loans, AI, climate - just decide as a group.
This guy tells me that he was invited here by the organization and he was asked to bring students so they could engage in a live debate. SO he did bring students (one was in the group with us) but turns out there is no debate.
So the student vents to me.
She brings up Javon’s Paradox about AI: easier, cheaper, too much
The Jevons paradox occurs when increased efficiency in using a resource (e.g., fuel, electricity) lowers its relative cost, causing demand to rise so much that total consumption increases rather than decreases. Proposed by economist William Stanley Jevons in 1865 regarding coal use, it shows efficiency gains can "backfire"."
Mayor Katie Wilson ran on a campaign of anti-surveillance but immediately folded
Journalism is all about knowing what to write about, using your own voice, upholding integrity, storytelling, authenticity, aautehenticity and utilization
This girl reminds me of the “alternative” girl from “Josie and the Pussycats” who they end up brainwashing in the movie cause she won’t conform. She has that vibe 1000%. And I feel liek that was the only “down to earth” girl in the movie - along with teh other peopel they had kidnapped, part of teh movie. So, I mean this in the best way possible hahaha.
Wow! Your opinion is so intersting. we’d love to hear more from people like you.
SHe’s like - yeah right you wanna hear from me. then he’s like, yes, we do - this way.
Then he says, “smells like teen spirit” into his audio device and a van shows up and they kidnap/brainwash her!!!! Cause she can’t be swayed by the pop music.
She says that AI-made art isn’t art. I told her about my songwriting with AI class I teach to kids, and she says it just feeds into instant gratification and the dopamine addiction cycle.
This is one of the last good art schools left in the nation, and it’s in the basement of Amazon.
Music can be healing. Music and chord structures heal.
Consumers = consumption of the AI musicians are charting. Humans need a consumer connection. Passion and power.
Oversaturation with AI vs the unknown. We need live music and connection. It’s crucial to get that back.
Art and sports build up your human connection.
She’s working on an allegory for AI art: it’s like farting in a cave and thinking spirits are talign back to you. It’s birds pecking at their reflection in the window.
Artists create so much during the process, so only focusing on the end product is too basic. You lose value.
We are too comfortable with being uncomfortable. We have small conversations and then feel a little better, but at the end of the day, we sleep well without making any real change. We need to actually address these huge problems in the world.
She said she needs a mic to just primal scream for 5 minutes. I told her she can have the mic AFTER the scream. I’d love to hear her speak.
After that, I left and went to go eat sushi and busk. I also had a nice conversation with my ex-fiancé in Tehran. I’m glad things are getting safer for him and I hope we can see each other soon.
Busking was fun. I didn’t make much money, but one guy cried after I sang “Travelling Soldier,” and he thanked me. Another guy tipped me $20… but in total I made $26.
And actually, I ended up reaching out to that student and asking if she’ll do a podcast with me. I’m not sure what it’d be - i don’t even have the exact platform for her, and I don’t even agree with all of her thoughts, but I just think it may be interesting to hear more from her. To have a discussion. Let’s see what she says.
