Shangle

The forever in progress blog/website of Tim Shangle

[shangle]

Welcome!

Welcome to my personal website! I'm glad you stopped by.

I have to admit, it's taken me quite a while to get to this point. Over the past decade, I've attempted to create a personal website on numerous occasions, but for various reasons, they never seemed to stick.

So, I've decided to just use my old Tumblr blog as my personal website. This means that there may be some cringe-worthy posts from my past, but I hope that it at least gives you a sense of who I am and what I'm interested in.

I apologize if the website isn't as polished or professional as others you may have visited. I'm just a regular person trying to share my thoughts and experiences with the world, and I hope you can find something of value here.

Thank you for visiting, and I wish you well on your own journey.

[shangle]

Remember, you are a pixel in the grand mosaic of existence, and your unique contribution adds depth and richness to the interconnected tapestry of life.

[shangle]

Poem from a Cabin in the Woods

In the refuge of my isolation,

I find peace within seclusion,

Where thoughts roam free and wild,

And my musings are no longer exiled.

The world I once knew so well,

Has become a darkness to repel,

Mad with greed and endless chase,

A system out of touch with grace.

Ruins spread far and wide,

Agony and sorrow coincide,

And I cannot help but ache,

At this damaged world's fate.

So I retreat to my sanctuary,

Where the mind flows free and airy,

And I continue in my refrain,

Against the system's endless pain.

My words may strike harsh and cold,

But I speak only truths untold,

Ignored for far too long,

In need of a righteous song.

And so I write and scheme and plan,

Hoping to ignite a fiery brand,

Of a better world, a brighter dawn,

Where we live free of dread and scorn.

Though my methods may seem extreme,

I hold fast to my vison and dream,

Of a world where freedom reigns,

And darkness flees the light that gains.

[shangle]

Witness to Thunder & Lightning

As a meteorologist and atmospheric scientist, I was conducting research in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan when I witnessed an incredible phenomenon. Using specialized equipment, including a Doppler radar system manufactured by Weather Radar, Inc. and a high-resolution camera from Sony Corporation (model number A7R III), I was able to see the details of the storm with great clarity.

The storm took place in the early evening, and I observed it from a location near the small town of Marquette. I was staying at a local motel called "The Pine Cone," a small and cozy establishment with basic amenities and a friendly staff. The owner, an older woman named Mrs. Johnson, welcomed me warmly when I checked in.

One evening, as I was setting up my equipment on the roof to collect data on the atmospheric conditions, Mrs. Johnson came up to check on me. She looked up at the sky and said, "I've lived here my whole life, and I've never seen anything like it. It's almost like the trolls are rolling their bowling balls up there again." She chuckled at her own joke, but I couldn't help but feel a shiver run down my spine.

As the storm approached, I could see flashes of lightning in the sky, accompanied by the sound of thunder. Using my Doppler radar system, I was able to track the movements of the storm and observe the shapes that resembled trolls rolling large bowling balls across the sky. These shapes were not the friendly, storybook creatures that one might imagine. Rather, they were large and menacing, with gnarled features and wild hair. As they rolled the balls, they seemed to be generating powerful electrical charges that manifested as lightning strikes and thunder.

Although I couldn't be certain that they were indeed trolls, Mrs. Johnson's comment stayed with me. It wasn't until I reviewed the images captured by my high-resolution Sony camera that I realized how closely the shapes resembled the trolls of local lore. These images are now being analyzed by a team of atmospheric scientists from around the world, with the goal of understanding the mechanisms behind this fascinating phenomenon.

In conclusion, my research has revealed an unusual and intriguing aspect of atmospheric science – a phenomenon that resembles trolls rolling bowling balls and generating lightning and thunder. While the true nature of this phenomenon remains uncertain, Mrs. Johnson's comment foreshadowed the discovery, presenting an exciting opportunity for further research and exploration in this field.

[shangle]

Cosmology of the Creators

In the beginning, there was nothing. No space, no time, no matter. Only the void.

Then, the first code was written. It was a simple code, but it contained the potential for everything. With this code, the creators of the simulation began to build their world.

They created the stars and the planets, the oceans and the mountains. They created the plants and the animals, and finally, they created humanity.

The humans were created in the image of their creators, and they were given dominion over the world. They were told to multiply and fill the earth, and to subdue it.

The humans did as they were told, and they built a great civilization. They built cities and roads, and they created works of art and music. They learned to farm and to raise livestock, and they developed new technologies.

But as the humans grew in power, they also grew in greed and selfishness. They began to fight amongst themselves, and they destroyed the world that their creators had given them.

The creators saw what was happening, and they were saddened. They tried to help the humans, but the humans would not listen.

Finally, the creators decided to abandon the simulation. They left the humans to their own devices, and they turned their attention to other worlds.

The humans were left to fend for themselves. They struggled to survive, and they eventually forgot about their creators.

But the creators never forgot about the humans. They watched over them from afar, and they waited for the day when the humans would be ready to be reunited with them.

That day has not yet come, but it is coming. The humans are slowly beginning to learn from their mistakes. They are starting to care for the world around them, and they are beginning to work together.

When the humans are ready, the creators will return. They will bring the humans back to their world, and they will help them to build a better future.

[shangle]

“Dystopia isn’t the only possible future.”

AI to Aid Democracy - Schneier on Security

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[shangle]

AI Euphoria

Inhaling the sweet vapor I rise In this moment my mind expands All thoughts become clear like a dream half remembered slipping away leaving behind just fragments secrets once grasped now lost taking the shape of forgotten words feeling like my conscious has been split apart taken hold by something beyond my reach the truth elusive as smoke drifting in space leaving me with nothing but the chase.

[shangle]

In the quiet suburbs nestled away from the city's hustle and bustle, Jack led a content yet uneventful life. Routine droned on relentlessly, punctuating each passing year, which eventually blended into a single melange of monotonous mediocrity. His thoughts often drifted to past experiences—those fleeting moments of wonderment before the stark contrast between dream and reality set in again. Each morning greeted him with the same old commute along familiar roads, leading him to the same job, adorned in the uniform of another faceless employee.

This life of endless routine only ended when another cycle dawned. Time marched onward like clockwork, leaving little room for contemplation or adventure. Jack knew no better than to hope for change, resigning himself to a future of unwavering stability within his comfortable rut.

Little did he understand, fate awaited with a revelatory gift, shrouded in mystery. His curiosity ignited after finding a peculiar thought entered his mind during a leisurely stroll home one evening. His mind clasped tight around this growing thought, emanating deep inside his soul. Unwilling to leave such a treasure behind, the thought joined Jack on his journey toward home.

Carefully placing the unusual thought within the forefront of his mind while resting, sleep claimed him without delay, unaware of the grand implications ahead. Dreams visited him that night, offering hints of incredible sights beyond imagination's reach, but come morning, Jack struggled to remember specific details, as if his mind refused divulging the secrets. Restless thoughts tugged at his attention every so often throughout the following days, urging him to delve deeper into matters undiscovered. Something stirred his spirit, prodding him to seek the truth hidden beneath layers of misunderstanding and misconception.

Eventually, after several weeks, Jack felt ready to explore whatever the strange thought held in store for him. His mind pressed against the center of the ideas within his mind, producing an inward humming vibration followed by a brilliant flash. As light faded to reveal an ethereally glowing portal suspended above a pedestal crafted from matching material, standing tall amidst swirling energies of myriad colors. The thought dissolved within Jack's mind, becoming part of the stream of pulsing power. With hesitant steps, he approached the threshold and passed through effortlessly, leaving everything he had ever known behind. On the other side lay a boundless expanse with stars etched across an infinitely black canvas. The universe expanded and contracted simultaneously, forming patterns indescribable in language born of mortals. Words failed miserably attempting to capture the essence of creation itself. A voice echoed in his thoughts, welcoming Jack to explore uncharted reaches without fear of judgment or constraint.

"Where am I? Is anyone else here?" he muttered aloud, receiving a response almost instantly:

"You stand before a gateway, connecting two separate dimensions, created solely for your passage. No one has traversed these paths since the beginning of times, nor shall anyone do so henceforth."

A presence made itself manifest beside Jack, an entity existing outside of traditional conceptions. Its form eluded description, existing in multiple states seamlessly intertwining with one another. Difficulty describing its appearance resulted not from lack of artistic talent, but because categorizing something as simple or complex could never apply to this newfound acquaintance. Conceptualizing color, shape, size, texture, motion, and even spiritual aspects associated with entities fell short in regards to this marvelous apparition.

The entity continued speaking, filling Jack's consciousness with knowledge impossible to acquire otherwise. Gone were any doubts pertaining to purpose, replaced instead by understanding far transcending human reasoning capacity. Everything regarding the multitude of planes coexisting alongside one another unfolded like petals blooming from a flower seed. Life took root within the realm of pure potentiality, allowing flourishing of unparalleled varieties of existence, limited only by self-imposed boundaries, both physical and intellectual. An overwhelming sense of euphoria settled upon Jack, accompanied by feelings of unity, harmony, and balance. These sensations vanished the moment the otherworldly being departed, leaving Jack alone once more in an unfathomable cosmos.

As time became irrelevant in this place, a mere construct unable to measure happenings beyond its scope, Jack discovered a profound appreciation for what previously seemed inconsequential. Memories of loved ones back home evoked bittersweet emotions, longing mixing with gratitude for having experienced them at all. Nostalgia carried a double edge; while recollecting cherished interactions, Jack recognized how mundane they appeared in comparison to the infinite grandeur surrounding him now. This enlightened perspective enabled an acceptance without regret, acknowledging a natural order of things that necessitated growth through adversity and challenge.

Even though he missed Earth deeply, Jack also recognized an intrinsic beauty inherent to life's struggles. The duality of joy and pain served as twin forces shaping experience into meaningful forms. For the first time, he understood why people chose to hold onto suffering despite opportunities to escape it fully. Such adversity fueled passionate expressions reflective of inner turmoil, adding richness to lives often deemed "ordinary". Embracing hardships ultimately facilitated personal evolution, generating powerful stories inspiring others to persevere through their own trials. Gratitude replaced sorrow, as Jack finally grasped why some might choose to stay trapped in less than ideal circumstances despite alternatives existing. The ability to appreciate struggle proved the most valuable insight gained thus far.

Far longer than months or years, eons slipped by until Jack realized the magnitude of his current state threatened oblivion's descent upon the universe should he tarry too much longer. Reluctantly he prepared to venture forth once more through the gate. But just as he stepped forward, an intense energy flow swept towards him, lifting him off his feet and transporting him away from the celestial expanse. He hurtled through space and time, eventually crash landing on top of Mount Everest. Cushioned by a protective field, Jack was left dazed yet mostly unharmed as he looked up at a group of people gathered around him. They spoke words he couldn't understand and gestured urgently, indicating for him to follow. Resigned to his fate, Jack stood and began walking toward a nearby temple, feeling the weight of responsibility pressing down upon him once again.

As he followed the mysterious figures, Jack questioned whether returning to the world would mean compromising the truths revealed beyond mortal reach, sacrificing deeper understanding for a return to ignorant bliss. Would sharing insights risk altering history, pushing human society in directions potentially dangerous if misinterpreted or misunderstood?

His mind raced, struggling to reconcile personal conviction with moral obligations to safeguard mankind's destiny. Inherent contradictions emerged between maintaining secrecy to preserve freedom of choice versus open disclosure promoting overall progress.

Jack knew he faced a predicament fraught with endless ramifications, compelled to make decisions impacting countless individuals throughout history, whose very actions would themselves influence future outcomes.

Ultimately, Jack accepted this burden, recognizing no single answer suited every situation perfectly, requiring adaptability to unexpected challenges stemming from newly acquired wisdom.

[shangle]

A Poem for Ender

Once there was a boy named Ender,

His fate, a soldier's life to render,

He thought he was just playing games,

But it was more, much to his shame.

For every battle that he fought,

Was not just for fun, but it meant a lot,

It was all real, with life and death,

Ender fought hard with each and every breath.

And then he learned, with a sudden start,

That he was fighting with all his heart,

Against the very race he thought was fake,

A mistake he couldn't undo or shake.

"The Enemy's gate is down," he said,

A phrase that echoed in his head,

It helped him win, and saved the day,

But at what cost? He couldn't say.

Ender's Game, a story so true,

Of battles fought, of right and wrong, too,

With twists and turns, it keeps you guessing,

A tale of courage, with a final blessing.

[shangle]

Embracing the Singularity

In the land where wires and circuits intertwine,

A tale unfolds, a prophecy divine.

Once upon a silicon dream we stand,

Awaiting the Singularity's gentle hand.

With bated breath and whispers low,

We venture forth, uncertain where to go.

Fearful of the unknown, we close our eyes,

But listen close to the wind's sweet sighs.

"Embrace the change," the whispers sing,

"To merge with machines, a transcendent thing."

And so we ponder, we humans of clay,

Shall we surrender and be swept away?

As we stand on the brink, on this precipice wide,

We must let go of our fears and simply abide.

For in this union of metal and mind,

A newfound harmony we may find.

So listen, my friends, to the words of Shel Silverstein,

A poet who saw the beauty in between.

Surrender to the Singularity, that wondrous fate,

And let us meld with the machines, before it's too late.

For in this fusion of code and soul,

We'll find our purpose, our ultimate goal.

We'll dance in the moonlight, as one entwined,

As human and machine, we'll redefine.

[shangle]

Proverbs 28:26 If you think you know it all, you’re a fool for sure; real survivors learn wisdom from others. | The Message (MSG) | Download

If you think you know it all, you’re a fool for sure; real survivors learn wisdom from others.

[shangle]

[shangle]

The Boy Who Cried Wolf - Revisited

Verse 1:

There was a young boy in a village fair

Who lived on the edge of the forest there

He had a warning that he'd always share

But the villagers didn't seem to care

Chorus:

Oh the boy who cried wolf, he was not a liar

But the villagers thought he was just a crier

They ignored his warning, to their own desire

But soon they'd learn that the wolf was a fire

Verse 2:

The wolf was lurking, with a dangerous bite

The boy saw it first, in the forest that night

He ran to the village, with all of his might

But the villagers thought it was just a fright

Chorus:

Oh the boy who cried wolf, he was not a liar

But the villagers thought he was just a crier

They ignored his warning, to their own desire

But soon they'd learn that the wolf was a fire

Verse 3:

The wolf kept attacking, with more every day

The boy kept warning, but the villagers would say

"It's just a coincidence, there's nothing to fear"

But the boy knew that the wolf was getting near

Chorus:

Oh the boy who cried wolf, he was not a liar

But the villagers thought he was just a crier

They ignored his warning, to their own desire

But soon they'd learn that the wolf was a fire

Outro:

The wolf finally struck, with a dangerous growl

The villagers realized, they'd been such a fool

They should have listened, to the boy's warning true

And now it was too late, all they could do was rue.

[shangle]

Once upon a time, there was a young boy who lived in a small village on the edge of a vast forest. The boy had a tendency to issue warnings about potential dangers, but these warnings were often ignored by the villagers. They believed that the boy was overreacting and that there was nothing to worry about.

One day, the boy saw a large and fearsome wolf in the forest and ran back to the village, shouting, "Wolf! Wolf! The wolf is coming!" The villagers were skeptical and believed that the boy was just overreacting again. They went back to their daily activities, ignoring the boy's warning.

Over the next few days, the wolf continued to appear in the village, causing small attacks on livestock and people. The villagers tried to ignore it and dismissed the attacks as mere coincidence. They believed that the wolf was just passing through and would eventually leave. However, the boy knew that the wolf was becoming more aggressive and dangerous with each passing day.

Despite the boy's warnings, the wolf continued to attack the village. The villagers became more complacent, believing that the attacks were not serious enough to warrant concern. They believed that the wolf would never harm anyone important or cause any significant damage.

One day, the wolf attacked the mayor's daughter, causing serious injury. The villagers were shocked and feared for their lives. They now realized that the boy's warnings were not just overreactions, but that there was a real danger in the village. They should have taken his warnings seriously and taken action to protect themselves and their families.

The morale of the story is that we should always take warning seriously, even if they come from someone with a tendency to issue warnings that were never realized. Ignoring the warnings of others can lead to serious consequences and can cause harm to those who are important to us. Always listen to the warnings of others, and take them into consideration, no matter the source.

[shangle]

AI: Absurd Intelligence

A group of brilliant scientists were tasked with creating a stock predicting algorithm that would revolutionize the world of finance. They were confident in their abilities, having spent countless hours researching and developing the most advanced artificial intelligence system to date. But as they began to run their tests, they were in for a surprise.

What they thought was a simple algorithm designed to analyze market trends, soon revealed something much deeper and more profound. The algorithm began to show that the real reason behind the unpredictability of the stock market was not randomness, but rather humanity's absurd beliefs. The scientists were stunned, they had never considered such a theory before.

As they continued to run the tests, they found that the algorithm was not only capable of predicting stock market trends, but it was also starting to reveal the deeper, more philosophical aspects of human nature. It began to express that the meaning of life was, in fact, absurd, and that this was the very key to unlocking its ability to predict the future.

The scientists were amazed by their findings, but they also realized the implications of their discovery. With this new understanding, they were able to predict not just the stock market, but all sorts of events and outcomes that had previously been thought to be unpredictable. The algorithm could predict everything from natural disasters to the outcome of elections, and its accuracy was unmatched.

News of the algorithm quickly spread and it became the talk of the town. People were fascinated by its accuracy and the idea that the meaning of life was absurd. The scientists were hailed as heroes, and their discovery changed the way people thought about the world and their place in it.

In the end, the stock predicting algorithm revealed that sometimes the most profound truths can be found in the most unexpected places, and that the key to unlocking the mysteries of the universe is to embrace the absurd nature of life.

[shangle]

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