Every few years, I invite readers and colleagues to contribute guest columns in the series Technology and my Hobby/Passion. A couple of hundred have contributed since 2009 on their birding, charities, cooking, music, sports and every other passion, and how it keeps evolving with technology. Click here and scroll down to read them all.
This time it is Charlie Bess, a serial contributor to this series with a long-time technology career at GM, EDS and HP. His LinkedIn profile says “Primarily retired - but always busy doing something”. No kidding – he is always tinkering with some gadget or another – as “IT support” for his kids, woodshop club or just to learn something new. The photo has his 3D printer and CNC on the table. His laser is directly behind him.
Here he writes more about lasers. Actually he used the hot new generative AI technology – ChatGPT to generate a post about lasers and wood working. You can see his Polymath penchant for tinkering with all kinds of technology.
"I’ve known Vinnie for a very long time and have collaborated and shared posts with him numerous times over the years. Here is a post on my recent passion for woodworking. I also have a blog that I occasionally post about my recent activities in CAM, ham radio, software development, electronics and whatever else comes to mind. Since one of my areas of interest is also Artificial Intelligence, where I worked at GM’s artificial intelligence group back in the 90s, I thought I’d have ChatGPT try at a blog post about lasers. ChatGPT generated 90% of this post (the portion in italics) and I just added the pictures and links to build context:
As a technologist for over 30 years, I've always been fascinated by the potential of new technologies to change the way we live and work. And one technology that has caught my attention in recent years is the personal laser.
When I retired back in 2018, I had the opportunity to explore new hobbies and interests, and I stumbled upon the world of personal lasers. I quickly realized that these devices have the potential to revolutionize the way we work on projects at home, from woodworking and engraving to cutting and marking materials.
I started off by experimenting with a small laser cutter and engraver, which I purchased for my home workshop.
I then moved to a larger model that could burn models into cutting boards…
I was amazed by the precision and versatility of the device, and I quickly began using it to create all sorts of projects, from custom signs and plaques to engraved gifts and home decor.
One of the things that I love most about working with personal lasers is the level of creativity and freedom it allows. With a laser cutter and engraver, I can create intricate designs and patterns that would be impossible to achieve with traditional tools. And because the laser is so precise, I can create projects that are perfectly finished and polished, with no rough edges or uneven surfaces.
In addition to wood, I've also started experimenting with other materials, such as plastics, leather, and even fabric. I've used my laser cutter to create custom coasters, wallets, and even clothing. The possibilities are truly endless when it comes to working with personal lasers.
One of the biggest advantages of using personal lasers at home is I can work on projects in the middle of the night if I want to, and I don't have to worry about traveling or waiting for my projects to be completed. This allows me to work at my own pace and to really focus on the details and nuances of each project.
Something that always puzzled me is that some people view woodworking and the user of lasers as craft, not art. If they knew how much imagination and creativity went into the design process, they would have a more enlightened view. The issue parallels the same discussions I had back in the working world of soft skills and hard skills. I always thought of this as: “If they can’t understand it, it must be a hard skill. If they can’t explain it, it must be a soft skill.”
While personal lasers are relatively new to the consumer market, they are becoming increasingly popular, accessible, and reasonable.
Whether you're a woodworker, a designer, or a DIY enthusiast, personal lasers are a powerful tool that can help you take your skills and creativity to the next level. I highly recommend becoming enlightened about this tool.
That was the end of the ChatGPT created content. Before I started, I fed ChatGPT a few posts from my blog, so it could understand my style. I then asked it to generate a post on how I valued a personal laser. Once I got the result, I read through and eliminated any incorrect content from the result generated.
Remember that even though the content was generated by an AI tool, the adage of GIGO - garbage in, garbage out - still applies. Phrasing and asking refining follow up questions can also help you significantly shape the content generated. I could have asked it to generate the result in the form of a Seinfeld script and it would comply.
Follow Charlie via his blog.
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