Artificial Intelligence

 

Note incorrect salute -- oh, maybe the RSF is Navy... hmmmm

Have you heard of these new supercomputer mind brains, artificial intelligences?  If you have or haven't, they're terrifyingly there and I asked one tonight, a Chatbot, "Write a story about the British Empire's expansion to the stars, Openai Chatbot."

What a sensible request and the happy bot replied:

Once upon a time, in an alternate reality, (ahem) the British Empire was not content with its earthly conquests. Its leaders and scientists were determined to expand their empire to the stars.

In the year 1875, a team of British scientists led by Professor James Rutherford unveiled their latest invention, a spacecraft capable of traveling beyond Earth's atmosphere. The spacecraft, named the HMS Victoria, was equipped with advanced technology that allowed it to withstand the harsh conditions of space travel.

Excitement and anticipation ran high as the British Empire announced its plans to launch the HMS Victoria on a mission to explore the solar system. The ship was manned by a crew of brave and skilled astronauts, led by Captain William Anderson.

As the HMS Victoria blasted off from Earth, it marked a new era of British dominance beyond the planet's surface. The ship journeyed through the asteroid belt, passed by Jupiter and its moons, and explored the depths of the Kuiper Belt.

The crew of the HMS Victoria encountered new life forms and planets with untold resources that could fuel the British Empire's expansion further. They made contact with aliens who welcomed them with curiosity and hospitality.

The British Empire's expansion to the stars was not without its challenges, as they also encountered hostile alien races and uncharted territories that threatened their survival. However, with their advanced technology and British ingenuity, the crew was able to overcome these obstacles.

As the HMS Victoria returned to Earth, the crew were hailed as heroes, and their achievements were celebrated by the entire British Empire. The British Empire's expansion to the stars had become a reality, and it marked the beginning of a new age of exploration and expansion beyond the boundaries of Earth.

With this new frontier, the British Empire had secured its place in history as the greatest empire that ever was, spanning not only the globe but the stars as well. And they looked to the future, knowing that there were still many more worlds and civilizations to explore, conquer and exploit.

 

Yes, there were giants in those days

Well done, Chatbot! See you at #1 Whitehall.

Ad Astra,

LSP

Colonel Burnaby - Victorian Hero

 

Few today, especially in the States, have heard of him but Colonel Frederick Burnaby was legendary in Victorian England as a hero. And no wonder, standing at an athletic 6.4", this son of a clergyman was famous for being able to vault over billiard tables, bend pokers with his bare hands and much more besides.

Joining the Horseguards in 1859 at the age of 17, Burnaby fast secured a reputation for strength, intellect, good humor and a restless spirit. This drove him to take lengthy periods of leave in adventurous pursuits and that's exactly what they were.

He worked as a war correspondent for  the Times in the Carlist civil war in Spain, went political (intel officer) in Egypt, the Balkans and most famously Central Asia, riding in the latter case some 900 miles on a pony to Khiva. Read the book, if you haven't already, Road to Khiva.

Taking time out from the Army, our adventurous Life Guard went into politics as an old skool Tory in league with Winston Churchill's father, Lord Randolph Churchill. They set up the Primrose League and Burnaby ran unsuccessfully for office in Birmingham.

Undaunted, he rejoined the Colours to serve against the Mahdist uprising in the Sudan where he initially distinguished himself for using a shotgun against the Moslem fanatics, and was mentioned in Dispatches for his bravery, returning home to yet more heroic accolade. But the Sudan wasn't a done thing and Burnaby returned to the fight as part of General Gordon's rescue mission, only to meet his end at the battle of Abu Klea.

He was stabbed through the neck by a Mohammedan spear whilst rescuing wounded men from outside the Square. He died as he lived, a hero, and the soldiers under his command wept at his death. He spoke seven languages, was the first man to cross the English Channel by balloon, authored several books (read Kiva) and was loved by the men he bravely served.

On hearing of his death, Queen Victoria wrote in her diary of "poor, strange Burnaby." Yes readers, there were giants in those days.

Honi Soit,

LSP

Who Were These Men?

 

Who were the men who built the mighty British Empire? Were they effete, tofu gorging, soy swilling, self-apologizing, climate aggrandizing soi bois? Were they puberty blocking trans Rainbow Warriors? No, they were not. Here's IKB:

You'll note he had a knighthood, in contradistinction to Paul McCartney, give that man a K. My, how that worm's turned. Then there's Gladstone, the Great Statesman. Look at his face and ask, "Would he have been in favour of trans marriages, for a second."

No, of course not. Point being, who were these men? Giants.

Arduus Ad Solem,

LSP

There Were Giants in Those Days

And by giants, I mean Lancelot Blackburne, who was Archbishop of York after a spell in the West Indies as a buccaneer, or pirate.

Blackburne wasn't noted for good behavior. According to Brewer's Rogues, Villains and Eccentrics "[his] behaviour was seldom of a standard to be expected of an archbishop. In many respects his behaviour was seldom of a standard to be expected of a pirate."

He kept apartments on Downing Street.

LSP