Situational awareness in gaming

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One of my identities is that I am a gamer. I like to play computer-games, of different kinds. The first one that I obsessed over a lot was Valhalla, a DIKU II MUD.
Wow, that was a memory lane (see process video). Anyway, the point was/is situational awareness in gaming. I just had a session of CS:GO. During that session, there was a ton of situations where I did bad. Where I rushed too fast, and did not aim well. Where I did not do a good job. Oh well.

Other games I have played is WoW – World of Warcraft. I did that a lot after it’s launch, and during the first and second expansions as well.

Today, I play two games mostly:

  1. CS:GO
  2. Eve Online

The two games are very different. But I work with awareness in both of them. Especially CS:GO (which will become CS2 this year) is good for me, for keeping me sharp. I guess I will still be playing a game like that in 25 years, just like I played the original Beta for Counter-Strike back in 1999 or 2000 – not sure which it was.

Anyway. The point is: Using games like this to sharpen my real-time senses, and my operational situational awareness. I use that in many other situations as well; some consciously and some on an unconscious level.

(Process)

Process // Processing

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Friday morning, 07:39 AM

I am reflecting over my process. And I am processing my process.

I am in process. And I am in a process of processing.

I process

I am processing

Process//processing

I am in a process of crystallization. Now, right now. 07:41. Will get ready to go to work soon. I am still in this process.

I reflect, I am meta-reflecting on my process of processing the following:

1) Where I have been

2) Where I am now

3) Where I will be

I reflected again on this last night while talking with a friend. I told her: «I feel better these days than I did even before the sudden breakup of my marriage in July 2020»

And while I said that, I again felt it; the gut feeling.

I don’t need much more than what I have. After this terrible winter, I don’t need much to feel content.

I am processing all this. And I am in a process that will lead to more processing, new ideas, new perspectives, and also new outcome I Think.

I am grateful for where I am.

[Process]

Asking ChatGPT – 1

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Here is a video of my process of asking ChatGPT about my process/workflow for creating a music track in Garageband for iOS and video in Premiere Rush app for iOS and PC.

Video link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/4n8l86syik6d3b6/RPReplay_Final1685078737.MP4?dl=0

Here is the dialogue:

Prompt 1: «i want to learn to make music in Garageband, as well as videos in «Premiere Rush» app for iOS as well as PC. I need specific advice for how to streamline my process. I need a workflow that is as simple as possible, and as detailed as possible. My thinking is that, just like learning to ride the bicycle, I learn my process best by experimenting, in an iterative fashion, and gaining a «sense of mastery». You must act as a teacher with 20 years experience, so you have great pedagogical skills. You will now tell me what my Initial workflow should be. We will then continue from that starting point. Please note that my approach is to do things «quick and dirty», and to produce things (a finished movie with my own music) as fast as possible»

Response 1: «

Absolutely! I’d be happy to guide you through the initial workflow for creating music in GarageBand and videos in Premiere Rush. Let’s start with GarageBand and then move on to Premiere Rush. Here’s your step-by-step guide:

  1. Getting Started with GarageBand:
  • Install GarageBand on your iOS device or PC if you haven’t already. It’s available for free on iOS and macOS devices and comes pre-installed on Mac computers.
  • Open GarageBand and create a new project. Choose the “Empty Project” option to start from scratch.
  • Familiarize yourself with the GarageBand interface. Explore the various instruments, loops, and effects available.
  • Connect a MIDI keyboard or use the built-in virtual instruments to create melodies, chords, and drum patterns. Experiment with different sounds and instruments to find what inspires you.
  1. Creating a Music Track in GarageBand:
  • Start by selecting a software instrument or an audio recording track. Software instruments allow you to play virtual instruments using your MIDI keyboard or computer keyboard.
  • Use the musical typing feature in GarageBand to play melodies, chords, or drum patterns using your computer keyboard if you don’t have a MIDI keyboard.
  • Experiment with different loops available in GarageBand’s library. Drag and drop them into your project timeline to build your arrangement quickly.
  • Customize and fine-tune the loops by adjusting their duration, pitch, and effects. This will give your music a unique touch.
  • Record your own audio using a microphone if you want to add vocals or other live elements to your track. GarageBand has built-in recording capabilities.
  • Once you’re satisfied with your track, export it as a high-quality audio file by choosing “Share” from the menu and selecting the desired audio format.
  1. Getting Started with Premiere Rush:
  • Install Premiere Rush on your iOS device and PC if you haven’t already. It’s available for free, and you can use the same Adobe ID to sync your projects across devices.
  • Open Premiere Rush and create a new project. Choose the desired aspect ratio and resolution for your video.
  • Familiarize yourself with the Premiere Rush interface. Explore the timeline, media browser, and various editing tools available.
  • Import your music track from GarageBand by selecting “Import Media” and navigating to the location of your exported audio file.
  • Import any video footage or images you want to use for your video. You can either shoot videos directly within Premiere Rush or import existing media files.
  • Arrange your video clips and images on the timeline to create your desired sequence. Trim and split clips as needed to fit your vision.
  • Drag and drop your music track onto the audio track in the timeline. Adjust the volume levels to ensure the audio balances well with your video.
  • Add transitions, titles, and effects to enhance your video. Premiere Rush provides a range of options to make your video look professional.
  • Once you’re satisfied with your video, export it by selecting “Share” and choosing the desired format and quality settings.

Remember, this is just the initial workflow to get you started. As you gain more experience and familiarity with GarageBand and Premiere Rush, you can explore advanced techniques and features to further refine your music and videos. Enjoy the creative process, and don’t hesitate to experiment and iterate to develop your sense of mastery.»

Prompt 2: «How much time should I expect to spend to create the first video with my own audio track?»

Response 2: «

The time it takes to create your first video with your own audio track can vary depending on several factors, including your familiarity with the software, the complexity of your project, the length of the video, and your overall proficiency in music and video editing. However, as you mentioned that you prefer a quick and dirty approach, let’s consider a basic estimate for a straightforward project:

  1. Music Creation (GarageBand):
  • Familiarizing yourself with GarageBand: 1-2 hours
  • Creating a simple music track: 1-3 hours (including experimenting with loops, recording audio, and arranging the composition)
  1. Video Editing (Premiere Rush):
  • Familiarizing yourself with Premiere Rush: 1-2 hours
  • Importing media and arranging the video: 1-2 hours
  • Adding the music track and adjusting audio levels: 30 minutes – 1 hour
  • Applying basic transitions, titles, and effects: 30 minutes – 1 hour
  • Exporting the final video: 15-30 minutes

Based on this estimate, you can expect to spend around 5-10 hours in total to create your first video with your own audio track. Keep in mind that this is a rough estimate, and your actual time may vary depending on your learning speed, creative decisions, and the specific details of your project.

As you gain more experience and become more familiar with the software and your creative process, you’ll likely be able to streamline your workflow and reduce the time required for future projects. Practice and experimentation will help you become faster and more efficient in creating videos with your own music.»

Prompt 3: «Is it possible to cut down the time spent to 1 hour for the entire process? If so, what should I do to achieve this simplification of process?»

Response 3: «

While it may be challenging to complete the entire process, from music creation to video editing, in just 1 hour, it’s possible to simplify and streamline your workflow to make it more efficient. Here are some tips to help you reduce the overall time:

  1. Preparation and Organization:
  • Before you start working, gather all the media assets you’ll need, such as audio files, video clips, and images. Having them readily available will save time searching for them later.
  • Create a storyboard or rough outline of your video to have a clear vision of what you want to achieve. This will help you stay focused and minimize unnecessary experimentation.
  1. Music Creation:
  • Opt for simpler music compositions initially. Use a combination of pre-made loops and basic instrument tracks to create your audio track quickly.
  • Limit the number of instruments and effects you use to avoid getting overwhelmed with options. Stick to a few key elements that enhance your music.
  • Instead of recording live audio, consider using pre-recorded audio files or vocal samples to save time.
  1. Video Editing:
  • Choose a template or preset in Premiere Rush that aligns with your video’s style and theme. This will provide a ready-made framework to work with and save time on manual adjustments.
  • Keep your video clips short and focus on concise storytelling. Avoid lengthy or unnecessary footage that requires extensive trimming or editing.
  • Opt for simple transitions and effects that don’t require much customization. This will speed up the editing process.
  • Use pre-designed title templates to quickly add text to your video rather than creating custom titles from scratch.
  1. Efficient Editing Techniques:
  • Utilize keyboard shortcuts in both GarageBand and Premiere Rush to speed up your workflow. Learn the essential shortcuts for tasks like copying, pasting, trimming, and playback control.
  • Familiarize yourself with the basic editing tools and techniques in both software to quickly make adjustments and fine-tune your work.
  • Avoid excessive perfectionism. Remember, your goal is to create a quick and dirty video, so focus on achieving a satisfactory result rather than obsessing over minute details.

By following these tips and maintaining a focused, efficient approach, you can potentially reduce the overall time required for the process. However, it’s important to note that the complexity of your project and your familiarity with the software will still play a significant role. With practice and experience, you’ll gradually become faster and more proficient, enabling you to complete projects more quickly.»

Prompt 4: «Thank you!»

Response 4: «You’re welcome! I’m glad I could help. If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask. Happy music-making and video editing!»

\\\\

Video of my process of creating this blog entry on my iOS phone: https://www.dropbox.com/s/j8rq06a378n74tz/RPReplay_Final1685079193.MP4?dl=0

New seeds need good conditions

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Seeds, water, soil. Minerals. Sunshine. Components to create something, materials needed for optimal conditions.

What happens if the conditions are not optimal?

What happens if quality is less ideal?

Well, the outcome may not be what it Could be. And then, in reports and in narratives, excuses come up. Reasons for why the outcome was not ideal.

But what if we then do not work out the missing elements? What if we just point to something not happening, but we don’t look at the conditions in a proper manner?

Image by DALL-E, prompt by the author

We have seeds. We know that some of them will not grow. Some will not bear optimal fruits. But some Will grow well. Some Will give good outcome.

My new seeds, my new projects, also need their own good working conditions. Energy level. Time. Commitment. Love and labour.

The EWB project, and my making videos project. Two spare time projects. And of course my work, and my son’s development (he is 12).

I am aware of what I need for this, and I am conscious of my own role as leader for the group at EWB, and also my reporting to others, etc.

(Process)

A new creative process

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In December 2004, when I started videoblogging, I had no previous experience with putting my own face in front of the camera. But my drive was so huge that once I started out, I quickly scanned the scene, and I also made a decision: I need to be in NYC for the world’s first videoblogging conference. So I did, and one output from that process, which I keep referring back to in my own thinking, is this interview which “Human Dog” did with me, which mostly was about weather:

In this creative process, I got through a tough time in my personal life; after my father had died in March 2003, I went really far down into the series of basements, mostly because I did not get to know him before he died; he denied me this, and my mother denied me this, and they both just blamed each other without taking responsability for their actions. And when he died of cancer in 2003, when I was 25, he told me before he died that he not for one second regretted not having contact with me. That hurt. But the creative process of making videos helped me through that.

As I have previously written, this spring was when I finally came out of a lengthy depression. One concrete result out of that process was that I decided to get involved with EWB here in Norway, and I now am having an active role there. Ok.

Inspired by Asbjørg

But I have also been inspired by Asbjørg, who is a Norwegian artist who has been putting out videos for some time on Instagram. Here are two of them that touched me, for this or that reason: 1: Går i ring, 2: Kjære veps. I don’t know why, but the tunes, the videos, the creative output touched me deeply. I have also commented directly to Asbjørg that her output has meant a lot to me, inspired me; because I believe in giving others feedback. And now, inspired by her, I have today on May 25th 2023 decided to try things out myself. Creating a creative output where I also control the music. Or let’s just call it what it is: The sound track.

And here I am. I have my work at an organization where I deal with professional networks. I have my life with my son during the weekdays while he stays with his mother in the weekends. I have my spare time engagement at EWB Norway. And now I am keen on exploring the creation of videos again, but where I also create the sound.

What type of videos?

Well, I don’t know yet, but I will take one step at the time. First of all, I want to find a format. I think I will go for the same as Asbjørg. Instagram. My own main Instagram account (@dltq42) is locked down and I only have 15 followers there; an inner circle. But I can create a separate Instagram account for my explorations. And, like always, I like to share my process. So I think I will create two new accounts, which will be public. Now they are created: @dltqoutput, and @dltqprocess.

Output is, well, the output. The things I consider results. Process is my process getting to that output. Since both are public, they will work off each other as well.

May 25th 2023. It starts.

Scanning

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To scan. Scanning.

I often think of images. Rhizome networks. Radar stations. And whenever I enter a new arena, I scan.

I actually think that is the remains of a survival instinct from my childhood. I often needed to scan my surroundings. What was the tone of my mother’s voice? How was the environment in this new class, at this new school? How could I find my place within a new context; one that was new to me?

My adult life scanning works something like this:

New arena. Ok. What is the arena’s vision or stated goal? How does that goal match with what I see? The annual reports. The tendencies of communication. The way emails are written, or meetings conducted.

Then: What is “the hole”? Is there an angle or direction that I can use as a starting point for my interactions within this arena? Starting point is the key here. The starting point often becomes like a litmus test. I test the context of my starting point, as my first assumptions lay it out for me, within the boundaries of other actors and other processes.

Image: David Gould / Getty Images

So I basically lay out strips of litmus paper, and I test the paper towards the environment; I test the environment towards the paper. Acidic or alcaline? Does the environment, the paper, the scan, reveal an environment that I think I would enjoy being in? Or not?

The survival instinct from when I was 9 years old and just entered a new school.

Now, my instincts are not really about survival, but rather about what I feel like using my energy towards.

So, I have an endless supply of strips of mental litmus paper, and some liquid, that I use to let the thing that I want to test become liquid, test-able. What is the water? Well, I don’t know right now. I never actually thought of that. The litmus test trope is old within me, but the water’s existence or role is something I discovered just now.

If you want to test a stone, you can’t just scrub the paper on the dry stone. Acid testing on stone. Hmmm.

Anyway. The processes behind these things are wildly simplified when I use the symbol of the litmus paper; far more things are going on at the same time there. But the litmus test is alluring. Pleasant. Shows a simple answer: Acidic or alcaline, or in between somewhere. In reality, my litmus test process; the internal ones, is more about finding ways to play with the tools, the actors, the concepts, and to see how my sensitivities are working with the sensitivities of the others there, etc.

Ok, soon time to eat. And then get to the annual meeting of Engineers Without Borders here in Norway; it will be my first annual meeting since I joined the organization in April.

[Process]

17:54

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I was at hone; I am now out again. My son and I had dinner together. I am going to my cery first CouchSurfing event. It is here in Oslo, my own city. Organized by an «ambassador» at CS in Oslo.

Earlier today I received the email that I have been selected to be the leader of a subject matter group at Engineers Without Borders here in Norway.

The subject matter group is «IT and Digitalization»; the members are different IT professionals from different sectors and with different backgrounds who are spending some of their valuable spare time to volunteer at EWB. I think about that; their time, energy, other commitments.

I am just starting out; I will get introduced to the other members. I will meet some of them – I guess – at the General Assembly of EWB Norway on Wednesday; in teo days. I will also think about how I want to act in this role. A coordinator. A servant for these five members. To serve; it sounds weak. But I think all leadership is about serving those you are «leading». To really figure out what they need to succeed. And how you can help them get that. It’s also about being a good «host». Hosting the meetings, hosting the structures and procesures. As a host you offer, you try to make things easier for the one(s) being hosted.

My first leadership role came in 1999, when I became head of the new «media outreach team» at the student culture house called «Kvarteret» in Bergen. I learned a lot through that process. In 2000 I became President of a European network of student unions from different countries; there were 34 universities in total in the network.

I am excited, but I am also aware. Aware of my own strengths and weaknesses.

I took this picture before.

I take this picture now, 18:10:

A new trajectory. Orbit.