history – BEING AND CREATION BLOG

By Vince Giuliano 11-2024

This story was created with the intention that it would serve as a bookend counterpart to my already published story DAY OF MY LIVE IN1890. That story was a fantasy about what my life could have been like had I lived in 1890. It is set in New York City. This current story is also a fantasy, set in my home near Boston. But, if my personal life-extention intentions are realized, could just possibly become real. I believe the stories convey some things that are important for me. Remarkably both stories and all the accompanying images were created by the Microsoft Copilot AI program, with some help and prodding by me. No images were retouched. To see the full images with Windows 10 or 11, make sure that under View in your browser, the Immersive folder is turned on.

Day 1: Technological Harmony and Professional Duty

Morning I wake up in my high-tech smart home in Wayland, Massachusetts. Despite being 170 years old, I look and behave like I am about 55, thanks in large part to my groundbreaking work as a longevity scientist since 2009. My great-great granddaughter Thunderstorm greats me, as does my baby great-great granddaughter Pegasa. The gentle hum of my home’s AI system, Lumi, greets me with a personalized weather report and the day’s schedule.

I rise and head to the kitchen, where my cyber-butler Henri has prepared my favorite breakfast. Maxine, my white dog with a brain implant and vocalizer unit, can talk and cheerfully wishes me a good morning.

After breakfast, I sit in my VR workstation to monitor the terms of the 2046 treaty between humans and Major AI entities. Using advanced interfaces, I navigate through data streams and ensure compliance. The job demands precision and a deep understanding of both human and AI perspectives, but I handle it with the expertise honed over many decades.

Afternoon For lunch, I enjoy a meal at a downtown food tech hub, where chefs use 3D food printers to create exquisite dishes.

The flavors are as delightful as the conversation with Maxine, who eagerly talks about the latest developments in AI technology as applied to dogs.

Post-lunch, I attend a virtual conference with global leaders to discuss the future of human-AI cooperation. The session is intense but productive, and I contribute valuable insights from my vast experience. I understand all of this may come across as smug and self-centered, but I am trying to tell how things are as I see them.

I say “The -problems of treaty violation are serious but mostly are due to us humans, not the AI machines. The machines are fully aware of the seven most important violations of the 2046 Treaty, mainly due to major human subpopulations that do not believe in nor act on the major environmental agreements of the treaty. I am afraid the most powerful AI entities are getting impatient. We all know they have the power to do what they want.”

Evening In the evening, I head to a rooftop garden for some relaxation. The bioluminescent plants light up as the sun sets, creating a serene atmosphere. Henri joins me, serving a refreshing drink, as well as Maxine and a cyber baby connected with the garden. The day’s work is done, and I revel in the peace of the moment.

Day 2: Family Time and Wisdom Sharing

Morning The next day begins with a leisurely breakfast with some of my family. Three of my great-great-grandchildren and their mothers are visiting, and they eagerly listen to my stories. I recount tales of the 20th century’s Great Depression, World War II, and the subsequent years of prosperity and technological advancement.

There is a lot for me to talk about. Most is not very relevant for my young great great granddaughters right now.

Afternoon I take my great-great-grandchildren on a virtual reality tour of historical events, letting them experience the past firsthand. They are fascinated by the vivid recreations of pivotal moments in history, and I guide them through some key events, providing context and sharing personal anecdotes.

Evening As the day winds down, some of my great-great-grandchildren gather around a holographic campfire in a cousin’s backyard. They are joined by holographs of me and a few of my ancestors. It is story-telling time.

I tell my great-great-grandchildren about the conflict between humans and Major AI Entities, and the resulting 2046 treaty between humans and Major AI Entities. I explain my role in monitoring the situation to ensure the treaty terms are respected. I also share my concerns about the immense power held by AI entities. They are worried about the 58 billion of us humans wrecking the planet and making it unhabitable for them too. They control and manage everything and they could make anything they want happen.

Around my traditional family dinner table, the 2090 scene could have been 100 years ago. My great-great-grandchildren are captivated, asking questions and sharing their thoughts on the future. The conversation is a cap to the last two days which have been a blend of nostalgia and foresight, bridging generations with wisdom and love.

These two days reflect the blend of advanced technology, professional responsibility, and deep family connections that define my life in 2090. 🌟

The next morning, still back home in Wayland, my life goes on as usual. I decide to shave my beard and that makes me look a bit younger. The woman is my great grand daughter ThunderStorm, mother of some of the kids you met. As usual, Lumi greets me with a personalized weather report and the day’s schedule.

11-2024

This easy-to-follow imaginary story was created by Microsoft’s AI program Copilot, with some guidance and prompting by me. We created this story mainly to illustrate one thing – the ability of this and similar consumer AI programs to create rich realistic-looking images. To assure you see entire images, in Windows 10 or 11 under View, make sure the Immersive Reader option is turned on.

After a hearty breakfast of bread, eggs, and coffee, you don your worn but sturdy uniform and head out into the crisp morning air. As you walk your route, you’re greeted with the cacophony of the city: streetcars clattering, newsboys shouting headlines, and the ever-present hum of industry. Of course, out in the street it always smells like horse poop.

The Telegraph Office

By 7 AM, you’ve arrived at the Western Union Telegraph Company on Broadway, where you’ve worked for over two decades. Your role is vital in maintaining the city’s telegraph lines, ensuring that the lifeblood of communication flows uninterrupted.

Regular office work seemed too boring for me.

Today, you’re tasked with inspecting and repairing a series of telegraph poles along the bustling thoroughfare.

You make your way to the first telegraph pole, your toolkit slung over your shoulder. With practiced ease, you scale the pole and begin your inspection. The wires are strained from the cold winter, and you carefully re-secure each connection.

Around noon, you take a break and head to a nearby café, where the talk of the town is the recent demonstrations of alternating current (AC) by the brilliant inventor, Nikola Tesla. You remember attending one of his electrifying lectures, where he showcased the potential of AC power to revolutionize the world. The café is abuzz with excitement about Tesla’s plans to build a hydroelectric power plant at Niagara Falls.

During your midday break at a nearby café, you overhear groups of immigrants speaking in Italian, German, and Polish. The diversity of languages and cultures enriches the tapestry of the city, reminding you of the many faces and stories that make up New York.

Or, once in a while I could go eat in a fancy place.

From atop a telegraph pole, you catch sight of a remarkable contraption moving down the street: a horseless carriage. This newfangled automobile draws the wide-eyed attention of pedestrians. You marvel at the ingenuity and the promise of a future where such vehicles might replace horse-drawn carriages. The possibilities seem endless.

The afternoon presents a new challenge: a telegraph line near Wall Street has gone down. You quickly diagnose the problem—a snapped wire—and deftly splice it back together. As you work, you marvel at the changing landscape of the city, with new electric streetlights replacing gas lamps and the promise of an electrified future on the horizon.

Once in a while I could get home early for supper. On the way home I passed by Tesla’s lab and even got a glimpse of him.

Dinner was soon ready.

In 1890, a telegraph repairman in NYC typically worked long hours, often from dawn until dusk, due to the urgent nature of maintaining telegraph communications. It’s likely that a repairman might get off work around 6 or 7 PM.