hckrnws

I always loved Desiderata, its really wholesome and genuinely good advice.

I know it doesnt deserve it, but as a sort of sacrilege I couldn't resist asking GPT-4 to do a version of Desiderata reframed as advice for Instagram Influencers (on the basis that nothing could be further from the sentiment of the original). Interestingly it kept throwing out the original text again, it took a lot of tries to get it to alter it. Apologies in advance for this:

Instagramata

Go confidently amid the filters and the likes, and remember what joy there may be in authenticity. As far as possible, without compromise, be on good terms with all followers. Share your story boldly and kindly; and listen to others, even to the trolls and the haters; they too have their perspective.

Avoid vain and dishonest influencers; they are vexatious to the soul. If you compare yourself with others, you may become insecure or arrogant, for always there will be more popular and less popular accounts than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your collaborations. Keep interested in your own niche, however humble; it is a real expression of your passion in the changing trends of time.

Exercise caution in your endorsements, for social media is full of deception. But let this not blind you to what value there is; many influencers strive for high standards, and everywhere online is full of creativity. Be yourself. Especially do not fake engagement. Neither be cynical about feedback; for in the face of all algorithm changes and shadow bans, it is as perennial as the hashtags.

Take kindly the advice of experts, gracefully adapting to new features. Nurture strength of character to shield you from negative comments. But do not distress yourself with unrealistic expectations. Many fears are born of insecurity and isolation. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the internet no less than the memes and the reels; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt social media is evolving as it should.

Therefore be at peace with Instagram, whatever you conceive it to be. And whatever your goals and aspirations, in the noisy distraction of online life, keep peace in your heart. With all its glamour, drama and broken dreams, it is still a wonderful platform. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

I think that this was a great idea.

Maybe we should do this for almost any vocation.

Of course there is also http://web.mit.edu/~yandros/poetry/deteriorata

Heresy! Sacrilege! It's supposed to say Milwaukee, not Sioux City! Otherwise I've been saying "well, at least we're not in Milwaukee" for years with no reason. Okay, okay, still some reason. Except for those times I said it _in_ Milwaukee, but I think that was obvious.

Though I must note that the airport code argument does favor SUX....

> And despite the changing fortunes of time, There is always a big future in computer maintenance.

And so we’re all here.

My favorite version of this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Axyqk5ERKQ

The female singer was some unknown, named Melissa Manchester.

I like this one by “Lazy Boy”

https://youtu.be/9vGwDUcBHbk

Did you mean previously unknown? Or is this an ironic comment.

The "was" strongly implies "was at the time". Wikipedia says this was released a year before her debut album, and a few years before her first hit song.

It was ironic.

When this was done (I think 1971 or so), she was unknown.

My favorite version of this, "Undesiderata" by Romana Machado:

http://web.archive.org/web/20070206220051/http://www.fqa.com...

This was in a frame above the bath when I was a kid. It sunk in - I've always remembered it and can recite it pretty well even now, 40+ years later. I think it's a lovely bit of advice :-)

Wow. Bath time is a great time for a kid to ponder this stuff. I should get a print framed.

I prefer Rudyard Kipling's If.