Ed Adams - Edge - Google Bard (AI) Review

 And then I thought I'd try a second novel as a further test.

"Edge" by Ed Adams: A Gripping Tale of Survival and Second Chances

"Edge" by Ed Adams is a captivating science fiction novel that takes readers on a thrilling journey to a dystopian future where the Earth has been ravaged by climate change and societal upheaval. The story follows the lives of a group of survivors who are struggling to make their way in a harsh and unforgiving environment, while also facing the weight of personal loss and the uncertainty of the future.

A Gripping Plot with a Touch of Hope

Adams masterfully weaves together a complex plot that is both suspenseful and thought-provoking. The story is filled with twists and turns that will keep readers guessing until the very end, while also exploring themes of survival, hope, and the resilience of the human spirit.

Well-Developed Characters and Realistic Worldbuilding

The characters in "Edge" are incredibly well-developed, and they quickly become relatable and engaging. Adams brings them to life with vivid descriptions and insightful dialogue, and their struggles and triumphs resonate with readers on a personal level. The world of "Edge" is also meticulously crafted, and the details of the dystopian society are both bleak and realistic.

A Thought-Provoking Exploration of Human Nature

Beyond its thrilling plot and well-developed characters, "Edge" also delves into thought-provoking themes about human nature, morality, and the choices we make in the face of adversity. Adams challenges readers to question their own perspectives and beliefs, and he encourages them to consider the difficult decisions that individuals face in such a challenging world.

A Must-Read for Fans of Science Fiction and Dystopian Fiction

"Edge" is a must-read for fans of science fiction and dystopian fiction. It is a gripping and thought-provoking story that will stay with readers long after they finish reading. Adams' writing is both engaging and insightful, and he creates a world that is both believable and terrifying.

Here are some of the things I liked about the book:

• The plot is suspenseful and full of twists and turns.
• The characters are well-developed and relatable.
• The world is meticulously crafted and realistic.
• The novel explores thought-provoking themes about human nature, morality, and the choices we make in the face of adversity.

Overall, "Edge" is a fantastic read that will appeal to fans of science fiction, dystopian fiction, and thought-provoking stories. It is a captivating and thought-provoking tale that will stay with readers long after they finish reading.

I hope this review is helpful!

Ed Adams - The Watcher - Google Bard Review

I asked Google Bard (AI) to review my novel, the Watcher

The Watcher by Ed Adams is a thrilling and thought-provoking novel that explores the nature of reality, consciousness, and the very fabric of the universe.

Adams' writing is both engaging and thought-provoking. He deftly weaves together themes of science fiction, philosophy, and personal identity to create a story that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. The novel is also well-paced and suspenseful, with plenty of action and twists and turns to keep the reader on the edge of their seat.

Overall, The Watcher is a must-read for fans of science fiction, philosophy, and thought-provoking fiction. Adams' novel is a refreshing and original take on the genre, and it will leave you questioning the nature of reality, consciousness, and the very fabric of the universe.

Here are some of the things I liked about the book:

• The premise is original and thought-provoking.
• The writing is engaging and well-paced.
• The characters are well-developed and relatable.
• The novel is suspenseful and full of twists and turns.
• The themes of science fiction, philosophy, and personal identity are explored in depth.

If you are looking for a thought-provoking and entertaining science fiction novel, I highly recommend The Watcher.

I hope this review is helpful!

distraction politics

 Anything to create wriggle room.

Yay. 4000 miles = my Platinum target...Achieved.

 
Well, I wasn't sure at the half year point whether I'd make it this year, when I was 700 miles behind the pace after our holiday in Switzerland. However, I seem to have managed to catch up, as can be seen from the attached Strava graph. 4002.3 miles and it is still November. 

I have a sneaking feeling that December will be largely bike free, but perhaps mince pie heavy. Thats what I pushed through November and managed to finish just slightly ahead of the target. I'll award myself 'Platinum' again this year. 

Since I've been using Garmin to monitor my progress, many years ago, I've clocked 43,295.8 miles and 374,528 feet of elevation gain. My longest ride was 100.4 miles and my biggest climb is 546 feet, although I think I've done some longer ones, but the system doesn't always record everything. 

Now I need to work out a different set of targets for 2024, maybe using some form of interval and I have a secret wish to go back into using Sufferfest for some of the time. Maybe I'll come up with some kind of hybrid target. 

Anyway, my lightweight Fizik saddle is very worn now, although my (much heavier) Brooks leather saddle looks almost 'box fresh' even after bearing the brunt of the miles.

Whoops Apocalypse

Do we get what we deserve? 

• The current situation with several major wars (Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan ) to name a few examples.  
• A leadership unable to run the country, yet with an indeterminate opposition and a wild-eyed spanner thrower.
• So many examples of corruption and incompetence in government that it is almost futile to keep lists.
• Ill-balanced and uncaring sector relief (food banks, charities to support essential services, the mainly ignored north)
• Continued fat-cat troughing of everything.

The old TV show Whoops Apocalypse and the story of containment theory exemplified by General Sir John Hackett predicted situations like this from as far back as the 1980s.

EV Electric car charging times

I get asked by people how long it takes to recharge my electric car. There's three main modes.

Here’s a breakdown of the charging methods and approximately how long each take to fully charge from a low battery:

• Level 1 AC (240V ordinary mains outlet at home): 20+ hours.  No, I have never used this mode, but carry the charger as a 'just in case' provision. I believe they are called 'granny chargers'.
• AC Level 2 (Third party chargers/Tesla chargers/Tesla 'home charger'): 8-12 hours - Like I have installed on the outside of the house. I have a Tesla Wall Charger which will reliably charge my car to 'full' or 80-90% overnight. It's usual practice to charge to 80-90% and it easily does this on off-peak electricity. A full charge to 90% (303 miles) costs about £5.60 and to full 335 miles is around £6.50. 
•  Level 3 DCFC (Tesla Supercharger): 15-25 minutes. It depends on the charge and whether the car next door is sharing the same supply. I can get to 80% in about 15 minutes or 30 minutes if I'm sharing the power supply. It will cost more though, maybe £15-20 to fill up.

When I started using the car, I was often travelling around the country and therefore using the Superchargers. When I'm at home (which is about 60-70% of my charging now - with over a year of usage) then I've almost always got a 'full tank'. And no visits to service stations. 

Despite what people say, there is only one main plug type in general use throughout the UK and Europe (cars since around 2019 have been fitted with it). It's the CCS plug and is a standard Euro-spec connector that combines two DC pins arranged below a Type 2 connector, allowing for fast charging. Like in my picture above.

Nanowrimo, now at around 10k words

I was at the Glorious Arthouse in Exeter on Sunday for the NaNoWriMo writers get-together. I arrived a few minutes late and had to squeeze a chair into what was a very crowded space. 

The discipline of the event was 20 minutes writing and then 20 minutes chatting, repeated several times. I was working out some next plot moves so my writing was very limited. 

I reckon about 300 words, which I typed into Evernote on my iPhone. Of course it appeared as if by magic on my Mac and I could drop it into Scrivener when I returned home. 

 Among our chats was the one about Planners and Pantsers. I'm more like a 'by the seat of my pantser' rather than one with the whole story mapped out. I think the characters have a chance to do their own things which can still lead to some surreal moments. 

Another discussion was about Fantasy vs Reality. I know I've written about Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality and similar and even have some super-beings in a couple of novels, but I can't bring myself to use 'with a single bound they were free' magic-wand type lines. The fantasy magic can wait for a children's story. 

And that's how I find myself in Corsica, by way of Vasil Nevski Military University, Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria.

..or is it?

 I can't help wondering whether that last Beatles song made using Neural Mix or whatever, is really 'the last track', given the emergence of AI. 

I've seen it more with Taylor Swift and other slightly more modern artists, where a song doesn't get made and so some fans have a go instead.

Click the pic.

Tweetdeck redux

About time I managed to get tweetdeck running again. Now I need to fine tune it.

Calm before storm along the river

Good for those tranquil moments. Sit and watch the water.

Hot chocolate as good as in Vienna

Camelot Castle. Round table extra.

Splashing about near Padstow

 Sometimes it's about tasting the fresh air and waves.