The Ethereal Scupper

Author: NDExile

  • Yesterday Shaped Tomorrow

    What are you most worried about for the future?

    After some careful thought I must cautiously say,

    I am mostly worried about things that are of yesterday.

    The Scientific Revolution, many argue, improved the human condition.

    Scientific method and observation replaced the Aristotelian Tradition.

    The notion of  true freedom, civic duty and the common good, 

    were supplanted with, do it, just because we could.

    The impact of technology advancement, measured in the short term,

    Has shaped a calamitous journey from which we might not return.

    The question “Does it benefit all of mankind or just a few?”

    Is no longer raised, to seek a divergent or opposing view.

    The future is here now, it arrives at the end of each day.

    How long will it endure, No one can really say.

  • Potato . . . Potahto

    Potato . . . Potahto

    There was a young man from Decatur.

    Called a potato a spud, not a tater.

    His language was precise.

    Flip a coin, roll the dice.

    Do it now rather than later.

  • The home of change

    The home of change

    There was a young man from Madrid.

    Made his living trading peseta for quid.

    Mid-career he made a change.

    Bought himself a home on the range.

    Now he lives off-of-the-grid.

  • Home Body . . . Not

    What countries do you want to visit?

    Not one to travel much, I prefer to stay at home.

    If I were to venture abroad, I might just go to Rome.

    Perchance a side trip to see the Tower that leans in Pisa.

    Then off Paris France to visit the Mona Lisa.

    By then I’d be rejuvenated, full of vigor and vim.

    Off to the north coast of France for an English Channel Swim.

    Cannot forget the White Cliffs located nearby at Dover.

    Then off to Dublin to meet the fabled Irish Rover.

    My travelogue with photos maintained on my smartphone.

    I’ll share it with you all, whenever I reach home.

  • Never was trendy

    Never was trendy

    There are somethings I enjoy, mostly those things that I like.

    For example, I’d rather eat Walleye, than dine on Northern Pike.

    When it comes to mobility, getting from point A to point B,

    The internal combustion engine is good enough for me.

    On vacation, I like time in the northern Rocky Mountains.

    A preference for glacier fed springs over public water fountains.

    I have a liking for the simple life, make no bones about it.

    As for the latest iPhone, I can live without it.

  • Chance of Showers

    Chance of Showers

    A brainstorming session is an order that’s rather tall.

    Depending on the participants you may end up with a brain-squall.

    To achieve the ultimate outcome, develop your invitee list most carefully.

    If not done with meticulous selection, you may end up with half-wits like me.

    Start the meeting only when those assembled represent a healthy quorum.

    Then and only then, is the forecast favorable for a brainstorm.

  • Driven to Underachieve

    Driven to Underachieve

    I sought a job at a factory down by the sea.

    Worked real hard on my impressibility.

    Their questions hurt my head.

    What are you good at? I said;

    “I excel at mediocrity!”

  • Even a Dinosaur Can Do AI

    Even a Dinosaur Can Do AI

    My results from GenAI were rather haunting.

    Crafting the right prompt was quite daunting. 

    Then I ran into a T-Rex.

    “Clarity, Specificity, and Context”.

    That’s how you improve your prompting. 

  • He’s Got Pizzazz!

    He’s Got Pizzazz!

    Sam presented himself as a wizard.

    Turned ice-cream and Oreos into a Blizzard. 

    He could get grimy stuff, squeaky clean. 

    Even extracted the lima from a bean, 

    and sold a chicken a new gizzard. 

  • Mother Nature is No Fool

    Ah, yes I long for Spring,

    Above the 45th Parallel it’s a psychological thing.

    The calendar says, “It’s here!”

    Mother Nature says, “Not so my dear.”

    ”Today more snow I’ll bring!”