VGrafLive

21/06/2024

Arrrgghhh.

Many of you are unaware that I am an Ordained Minister in the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster (FSM) - A.K.A. Pastafarianism. Yes, by His Noodly Appendages, it is so.

I have been following the latest chatter about some people requiring the posting of some particular set of religious rules, i.e., "Commandments", in every classroom of every school in a particular State in a particular Country.

My - Our - sense is, first, that such action would contravene the First Amendment of that Country's Constitution which prohibits the Government and States therein from establishing any Religion. That seemed a good idea back in 1776-1789 and continues to be one.

That said, should that State and the increasingly bonkers (a Common Law legal term) determine to allow this action to go forward, we think it only fair that all Religions, including the FSM, be able to have its fundamental moral precepts likewise posted.

Here I offer for your consideration those Eight Condiments of FSM:

What are the basic rules, the basic dos and don’ts, of Pastafarianism?

The FSM gave the pirate Mosey 10 commandments (his pirate gang called them “Condiments”) in stone tablets to distribute to the world. He dropped them while carrying them and two got shattered on the way, accounting for pirates “flimsy moral standards”. In the end this is what he came up with :

The Eight I'd Really Rather You Didn'ts

1) I’d really rather you didn’t act like a sanctimonious holier-than-thou ass when describing my Noodly Goodness. If some people don’t believe in me, that’s okay. Really, I’m not that vain. Besides, this isn’t about them so don’t change the subject.

2) I’d really rather you didn’t use my existence as a means to oppress, subjugate, punish, eviscerate, and/or, you know, be mean to others. I don’t require sacrifices, and purity is for drinking water, not people.

3) I’d really rather you didn’t judge people for the way they look, or how they dress, or the way they talk, or, well, just play nice, okay? Oh, and get this in your thick heads: Woman = person. Man = person. Samey – samey. One is not better than the other, unless we’re talking about fashion and I’m sorry, but I gave that to women and some guys who know the difference between teal and fuchsia.

4) I’d really rather you didn’t indulge in conduct that offends yourself, or your willing, consenting partner of legal age and mental maturity. As for anyone who might object, I think the expression is go f*** yourself, unless they find that offensive in which case they can turn off the TV for once and go for a walk for a change.

5) I’d really rather you didn’t challenge the bigoted, misogynist, hateful ideas of others on an empty stomach. Eat, then go after the b*******.

6) I’d really rather you didn’t build multimillion-dollar churches/temples/mosques/shrines to my Noodly Goodness when the money could be better spent (take your pick): 1. Ending poverty 2. Curing diseases 3. Living in peace, loving with passion, and lowering the cost of cable; I might be a complex-carbohydrate omniscient being, but I enjoy the simple things in life. I ought to know. I am the creator.

7) I’d really rather you didn’t go around telling people I talk to you. You’re not that interesting. Get over yourself. And I told you to love your fellow man, can’t you take a hint?

8) I’d really rather you didn’t do unto others as you would have them do unto you if you are into, um, stuff that uses a lot of leather/lubricant/Las Vegas. If the other person is into it, however (pursuant to #4), then have at it, take pictures, and for the love of Mike, wear a condom! Honestly, it’s a piece of rubber. If I didn’t want it to feel good when you did it I would have added spikes, or something.

These Condiments were copied from The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster as revealed to Bobby Henderson.

Thanks and Ramen.

P.S., I'm also a proud card-carrying member of the Secret Science Club. https://www.instagram.com/secretscienceclub/

P.P.S., https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_Spaghetti_Monster

P.P.P.S., https://www.spaghettimonster.org/

P.P.P.P.S., And, finally, for those of you living in a cave:
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/21/us/louisiana-ten-commandments-landry.html

27/05/2021

1984? And AI? If Microsoft's Brad Smith is deeply concerned, why shouldn't I still be? And you?

How is your sleep? Are you curled up next to some altar, dreaming of the future just as I did?

你的睡眠怎么样? 你也曲身躺在圣坛旁，像我做的那样，梦到未来么?

Will you then awake, as I, to find your doom over you lustily looming, and in the distance your destruction storming through the breach, with the innocents already wailing?

你会像我一样，醒来发现 你的厄运正在逼近，看到未来，你的毁灭
在无辜的人哭泣声中 正冲破缺口扑来?

Will you cry out in that falling night, what have we wrought?
Or are you teachable, as Faustus was not?

你是否会在那个堕落的夜晚大声呼喊，我们做了什么? 或者你是驯良的，不同于浮士德吗?

- from "Cassandra", Stephen Dale Davison

https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-57122120

Tech executives warned that democracy has to win the AI arms race, in a new BBC Panorama.

06/04/2021

02/03/2021

Creepy and fascinating. If the truth no longer matters, may as well do fiction well...

https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/portrait-to-animation-ai-brings-to-life-marie-curie-charles-darwin-and-more/

This is very surreal.

02/03/2021

A long-awaited report says the US president should ignore calls for a ban on autonomous weapons.

16/01/2021

24/12/2020

Dr F Election Fraud short 12 14 20

17/12/2020

Life Imitates Art Imitating Life.

There's an old Russian expression, "Не вешай лапшу мне на уши." - "Don't hang noodles on my ears" meaning "don't try to make a fool of me".

We've been reading much lately of the recent case of a John le Carré-quality caper. Excerpting from the NY Times:

MOSCOW — President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia denied on Thursday that he was behind the near-deadly poisoning of his most prominent political opponent, telling journalists with a laugh that if Russian agents had wanted to kill Aleksei A. Navalny, “they would have probably finished the job.”

Mr. Navalny, a 44-year-old opposition leader with an online audience of millions, was poisoned with a military-grade nerve agent in Siberia in August. He fell ill on a commercial flight and survived thanks to the pilot’s emergency landing and the ambulance crew that met him on the airport tarmac.

Mr. Putin, speaking at his annual, hourslong news conference, acknowledged that Russian intelligence agents were tracking Mr. Navalny’s movements across the country. But he insisted that American intelligence was behind the uproar over the attempted poisoning. He said an investigation by an international group of journalists published on Monday that uncovered apparent involvement by Russian intelligence had also been engineered by the United States.

The accompanying video clip is from the "Muscovy" scene of VgrafLive's Dr. Faustus. (Go to Vgarflive.org to subscribe for free and get a link to watch the entire play).

https://youtu.be/aSLqn_MgNxA

Happy Holidays, Merry Maskmas and a very joyful New Administration Year.

Dr F Muscovy Tea short 12 17 20

08/12/2020

AI Ethics: Can it work by honor system alone?

Faustus (to the Chinese Emperor): I have the power to end these affronts. My very same spirits can also closely observe the affairs of men, their schemes, their practices in the market, in the workshop, the field, in their homes.

And in Faustus's "Alternative Facts" scene:
SECOND SCHOLAR. I, likewise an academic, have beheld these alternative facts with my own eyes and ears. Sadly, too simple is my wit to discriminate the sham from the true.

Ethical guidelines are the only tool to date to control AI systems. They're not doing much for our rights, finds a new report.

And subscribe to watch Cassandra & Dr. Faustus at vgrafglive.org.

https://www.zdnet.com/article/the-trouble-with-ai-why-we-need-new-laws-to-stop-algorithms-from-ruining-our-lives/?ftag=TRE-03-10aaa6b&bhid=27468788681198626856345596332252&mid=13194007&cid=1526954615

Ethical guidelines are the only tool to date to control AI systems. They're not doing much for our rights, finds a new report.

04/12/2020

PUPPETEER OR PUTIN? Faustus, 2.0 nails geopolitics in today's weaponized AI (artificial intelligence).

Act 2 of VgrafLive's Dr. Faustus features a fictional 16th century Russian Tsar, Kukolnik (Russian for "puppeteer"). The accompanying Defense One article shows how well our drama captures our 21st century world.
https://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2020/12/putin-urges-ai-limits-thee-not-me/170458/

Sign up at VgrafLive.org to see our play.

An attempt to parse the two themes sounded by Russian leaders on artificial intelligence.

02/12/2020

The Beat Behind Cassandra

That eerie out-of-any-time timpani holding Cassandra in its grip was created and performed by:

Michael Schott (drummer) is glad to be a part of the team bringing Dr. Faustus' story into a modern light. He is a musician and drummer, native to New York City. Music has brought Michael to interesting places as a performer and teacher, having played here in New York, the Hudson Valley, and across the globe in countries like India and Ecuador. He is very excited to help out in this show that brings more awareness around AI and our relationship with it.

Hear his work at vgraflive.org and in this trailer: https://youtu.be/XupJXeLltfM

26/11/2020

The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming!

Channeling very first Russian Tsar, Ivan the Terrible, our Tsar Kukolnik (“puppeteer”) reflects the history and leaders of both 16th and 21st century Russia.

Alex Gagné (Tsar Kukolnik, Cardinal) is thrilled to be a part of this modern cutting edge telling of the classic Faustus. остерегайтесь знакомых вам демонов! (Russian for “beware of the demons you know." Alex has also performed Off-Broadway: Camp Morning Wood- A Very Naked Musical (playwrights Horizons). Off-Off Broadway: Love Labour's Lost (Shake and Bake), Richard III (Bridge Production Group), Romeo and Juliet ( Gorilla Rep). Regional Theatre: Charlie's Aunt (Winnipesaukee Playhouse, NH), Midsummer Night's Dream (North Carolina Symphony), Pinocchio, Jungle Book, Born Yesterday ( Peterborough Players). BFA Acting- University of North Carolina School of the Arts. actoralexgagne.com

Ralph Louis Davila (Defense Minister Gruchev, Cardinal), is honored to take part in Michael Frenchman's Synthetic Science Theatre production of Faustus, a modern-day representation of a play which after centuries is still applicable. This play as constructed by Frenchman shows that today’s technology may have already had significant implications for the human race. Ralph has also recently photo doubled for Mark Ruffalo in his 2020 Emmy Award winning performance in the HBO series, "I know This Much Is True", which is based on a Wally Lamb Novel, Directed by Dereck Cianfrance. Ralph has also held many featured and Background roles in series such as HBO's "Succession", Showtime's "Billions", HBO's Gilded Age (currently in production), America’s Journey, as well as performed in various other film, theatre, and series productions.

Nicholas Sperdute plays Foreign Minister Medvedevich as well as Scholars 1 & 2 in “Alternative Facts”.

See them in Act 2, Scene 6 of Dr. Faustus, 2.0 at vgraflive.org.

26/11/2020

Cathay - The Middle Kingdom. Remarkably unchanged in 5000 years.

Euro-centric Marlowe never envisioned a China scene in his 1590 Faustus. But ours is a Faustus for the 21st century. These two actors helped bring it to life:

Dan Chen (Emperor Yingde Xiong) is an actor and educator who enjoys performing classical works in non-classical ways, as well as originating roles in new material. Earlier this year, Dan played MALCOLM in an iPhone feature film adaptation of Shakespeare’s MACBETH. He also starred as the feckless Dean of Students in the award-winning pilot episode of THE LAST RESORT, which began its online festival run earlier this month. Currently, he is excited to be voicing his first character in a 3-D Animation film, which is in production now, and starring in a few live action shorts (all slated for 2021 release dates). For a more detailed bio, additional credits/samples of his work, and updates on upcoming projects, please visit his website at: www.DramaLaw.com and/or follow him on Instagram.

Richard Yé (Court Ministers Chen & Wang, Cardinal, demons and Spirits) has performed throughout the USA and internationally as professional dancer and, in more recent years, has focused on his, acting, singing and voice over training. Most recently, he lead as the Teacher in Joe Carraro’s Off-Broadway political play, “Conversations With An Average Joe” and as Pete in Kevin Davis’s musical comedy, “One In A Million Musical”. Richard is a certified American Ballet Theater National Training Curriculum teacher and currently resides in NYC.

See them both at vgraflive.org

26/11/2020

Oh, Master Doctor!

The Duchess and Duke of Vanholt play a fairly small part in the original 1590 Faustus. We’ve expanded their parts to deliciously highlight some of the real downsides of worldwide e-retailing. Fresh grapes in winter? Yum! The Duchess is hilariously flirtatious – with an Amazon Prime delivery.

Angela Theresa Collins (Duchess of Vanholt) is a proud member of AEA. She spends her time in creative pursuits and is happy to count Faustus as her second of three acting jobs in 2020! Angela loves history, classic writers, comedy and great women! Learn more about her work at http: // www. Facebook.com/ACTOR.ATCollins. Angela thanks Michael Frenchman and William Kozy for recommending her for such a fun project.

See the Duchess in Act II of Dr. Faustus, 2.0. by subscribing at vgraflive.org.

23/11/2020

Alternative Facts: Beguiling Beauty and Gullible Brilliance

Helen of Troy and the three Scholars were entertaining characters in Marlowe's original Faustus. But in our Dr. Faustus, 2.0, these three actors sharpen focus on the tricks and tricksters who would deceive us today.

Nicholas Sperdute (Scholar 1 and 2, Minister Medvedevich, Cardinal and demon), is beyond elated to be a part of Michael Frenchman’s creative retelling of the tale of Faustus. Nicholas is an actor and comedian. You may have seen him (or possibly not), acting in Timeless Melody, Cassini and doing his comedy stuff at Upright Citizens Brigade. Thank you for your time and for reading this bio; have a nice day.

Tommy Coleman (Scholar 3, Cardinal, demon) is happy to tackle a new Faustus for today’s audiences. A native of Norfolk, VA, and a graduate of both Temple University and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Tommy is pleased to be able to create during this unprecedented time. Previous credits include: Film: American Dreamer (Officer Watson), the Emmy-Nominated Souls on Fire: The Abolitionists (Shields Green). London: The Lightning Child (Dionysus), Topdog/Underdog (Booth), Off Broadway: Quicksand (Dr. Robert Anderson), Look Upon Our Lowliness (Kendall Pearce). Regional: A Christmas Carol (Fred). Tommy’s voice will feature heavily in Harmonix’s newest video game Fuser being released on multiple gaming platforms in November. www.tommycoleman.net

Carin Freidag (Helen of Troy) is excited to be a part of this look into what is quickly becoming our present in regards to AI! Carin’s other credits include regional theater, commercial and Industrial projects. Thanks to Bill Kozy and Michael Frenchman for this opportunity.

See them all at vgraflive.org.

And the first two people who identify what contemporary people the three Scholars represent will receive the Faustus costume tee-shirt of their choice. And that's a hint.

13/11/2020

The Good, the Bad - and the excellent acting:

The Good and Evil Angels came from the original 1590 Faustus play as relatively minor parts. Not so in our Faustus where they clearly and powerfully represent the psychologically-conflicted Faustus's mind as well as the inherent ethical conundrums of our own time.

Good Angel: "Don't Be Evil. Do the Right Thing" (from the former Google credos)

Vicki Oceguera (Good Angel, Pope's mistress) is ecstatic to be a part of such a thought-provoking and timely modern retelling of “Faustus 2.0”. Vicki is an actor/singer/puppeteer based in New York. National Tour: Clifford the Big Red Dog; Jim Henson's Dinosaur Train Live! (Director: John Tartaglia). Off-Broadway: The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show; Pageant Princess the Musical (Director: Shaun Peknic); Treasure Island. Regional: Elf (Emily Hobbs); Grease (Jan); James and the Giant Peach (Aunt Sponge); Oliver (Nancy). www.vicki-oceguera.com

and

The Evil Angel's, "What could possibly go wrong?"

Tiffany Esteb (Evil Angel, Pope's mistress) was recently in the Plays (Alternative Theater Company), and was in the pilot Queens. She played the Duke of York in Richard II with Muse of Fire Theatre Company in Los Angeles. She has also done many plays in New York, including The Victim (Jewel Theatre) and Marfa Lights (INTAR). Her independent film credits include Now, Forager and Second Chance. She studied acting with Austin Pendleton and at RADA’s Summer Classical Theatre Program.

Both their roles were performed with delicious delivery and perfectly timed reactions, Vicki Oceguera and Tiffany Esteb can be seen by subscribing at vgraflive.org.

10/11/2020

The Devil, the Pope and a Duke: Versatile "Gus"

Gustavo "Gus" Ferrari (Lucifer, Duke of Vanholt, Pope): A veteran of the stage, Gus, has numerous theatre, film and TV credits to his name and has traveled the country performing interactive and educational theatre. He received his training from the Moscow Theatre’s Stanislavsky Seminar and HB Studios. Gus was a founding member of l.N.T.A.R.53 Latino Actors Workshop (1997-2000), presided over Teaneck New Theatre (2002) in NJ and is a board member of the F.A.C.T. Theatre Company. Favorite roles include: R.P. McMurphy (“One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”), Juror # 10 (“12 Angry Jurors”) and Lucien P. Smith (“The Boys Next Door”). Gus is pleased and excited to be a part such a timely and relevant project as the VgrafLive Synthetic Science Theatre series - a cautionary tale about our digital culture and reliance on A.I.
Contact: gusferrarionline.com

See Gustavo do it all via vgraflive.org. Subscribe there.

10/11/2020

Kozy Plays the Devil's Agent:

William Kozy (Mephistopheles) is a native New Yorker who majored in Theatre Arts and English at Georgetown University, and then received his Master's Degree in Film Production from New York University Graduate Film School. In addition to his acting career, William has spent a long time in the film/TV industry as a sound recordist and boom operator. As an actor he has appeared on the shows, A Crime To Remember (episodes: "Guess Who?", "The Wrong Man", "Such a Pretty Face"), The Hunt With John Walsh (eps: "Bad Cop", "Brutal Obsession", "The Frozen Prison"), Deadly Sins (eps: "Pride--Mother of All Sins", "Killer Dolls", "SoCal Killers", "Rotten to the Core"), Deadly Devotion (ep: "Supremacist Sin"), Celebrity Ghost Stories (eps: Phyllis Diller, Loretta Lynn).

Go to vgraflive.org to see a trailer and subscribe to see the Synthetic Science Theatre plays.

10/11/2020

She saw the Future; No one listened.

Lauren E. Butler is thrilled to portray Cassandra in this modern representation of both this classic Greek tale and of Dr. Faustus. Lauren is passionate about theatrical works that reimagine classical stories to reveal new meaning and modern relevance. In the past, she has devised and performed in an adaptation of Lysistrata as an apprentice with One Year Lease Theater Company, performed in As You Like It with the Purslane Theater Company, and in Electra at The Queens Theatre. Lauren creates original work as part of her theatre and production company The Tadpoles with her collaborator Sophia Gutchinov. Together, they have continued to create comedic sketches during the recent months in quarantine, which are available on their YouTube channel. Lauren’s work in acting, modeling, writing, and more is available on her website www.laurenebutler.com.

See her at vgraflive.org.

10/11/2020

He sold his soul for power. No, not HIM. I mean Dr. Faustus.

Elections over, Faustus posted. Time for the the Cassandra & Dr. Faustus Cast playbill listings:

Matthew Schott (Faustus) is a New York based actor, writer and producer. Member of the Lolopolis Comedy Group with Upright Citizens Brigade training, Matthew is the creator of The Saga of the Shining Emblem, a one-of -a-kind improvised story-telling experience. This was his second performance as Dr. Faustus.

26/10/2020

AI Update:

While not an autonomous (AI-controlled) robot, this one will definitely be a valuable application of such technology.

https://www.cnn.com/videos/business/2020/10/20/iphone-12-pro-first-look-video-orig.cnn-business/video/playlists/business-tech/

The iPhone 12 has arrived, with 5G capability and camera and screen updates. Are these enough to justify the price tag?

06/10/2020

16th Century bribes and lies. Now at internet speed. Aided by AI and cyber-trolls. And Dr, Faustus, of course.

05/10/2020

Who said that? Is that true? Who are you voting for? Why? Are you sure? Dr. Faustus says, "Don’t worry". Uh-huh. Subscribe here: vgraflive.org.

02/10/2020

They say will make new jobs to replace the old. Who are "they"? Dr. Faustus, maybe?

01/10/2020

: in your phone, in that surveillance camera, in your e-store and social media. Hope someone good knows what they’re doing. Not Dr. Faustus. Watch the trailer here: vgraflive.org.

30/09/2020

Faustus sells his soul for wealth and power. Now a Faustus for the 21st Century of Big Tech, Artificial Intelligence - and International conflict. Premiering October 5th. Watch the trailer here: vgraflive.org.

29/09/2020

Cassandra: she saw the future-but no one believed her. With dire results. The first act of the new teleplay premieres October 5th. Watch the trailer here: VGrafLive.org.

28/09/2020

VgrafLive's DR. FAUSTUS, 2.0 knows your face oh so well!

Just in time for the October 5th launch of VgrafLive's Synthetic Science Theatre series, opening with Cassandra & Dr. Faustus, 2.0, this piece about controversial AI-driven facial recognition appeared on CNN's website.

Our serialized teleplay is a Faustus for the 21st Century of Big Tech, AI and global conflicts. It provides Elizabethan-style takes on contemporary Fake News and FaceSwaps, consumer data-mining, election-meddling by evils demons and spirits (or are those really AI algorithms?). You'll travel to the Surveillance State of a certain Far Eastern country's Emperor as well as to the court of a 16th Century Tsar looking to buy magical autonomous weapons from a certain famous bargain-making Doctor.

And how does it turn out? Subscribe (free), watch and learn.

You can go to vgraflive.org starting tomorrow (September 28th) to subscribe for the series in advance. For now, have a look at a report from a real "Tragical Present of Dr. Faustus, 2.0."

https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/27/tech/elon-musk-tesla-bill-gates-microsoft-open-ai/index.html

Tesla CEO Elon Musk doesn't seem to approve of Microsoft's deal with OpenAI — the research company he co-founded in 2015.

18/09/2020

COMING SOON...upcoming production of "The Tragical Present of Dr. Faustus, 2.0" Derived from Christopher Marlowe’s 1590 play in which a brilliant man sells his soul for power and wealth, ours is a Faustus for the 21st Century of Global Big Tech and Artificial Intelligence – and international conflict. Stay tuned...Synthetic Science Theatre's 15-episode series will launch featuring "Pandora's Bot", "Cassandra/Dr. Faustus", "Frankenmind", "RUR" and numerous "AI Flashbacks" reviewing AI/Robot films since the 1920s. More details to follow!! Thank you for all your support!!

28/07/2020

Meet Miquela, the Fully CGI Actress

Following on the VGrafLive "Dr. Faustus" casting and production notice, do check out this recent article about a non-human actor.

https://nofilmschool.com/lil-miquela-cgi-caa-signed?fbclid=IwAR0-sjTZUNsqk_KL0lgwCjWYR1MVfhOCBcn61GiekEvBbaDh_0WiK1rcWr8

What's next? "Open the Stage door, HAL"?

CAA has signed Lil Miquela, a CGI character who also acts.