Ruby's Cafe

Byte's Cypherpunk 2081

Upon entering Ruby’s Café, you’re immediately enveloped in an atmosphere that blends the futuristic with the familiar. The vibrant glow of neon signage casts a hazy sheen over every surface; the walls narrate a curious tale steeped in cyberpunk lore. The rich aroma of ramen broth, a heady mix of spices and steam, permeates the air, promising a culinary escape. At the heart of this refuge stands a figure as timeless as the cafe itself. The elderly proprietor, with a gaze that has weathered many digital storms, waits for you ahead.

Here, respect for formidable women may prove advantageous. The matriarch’s presence radiates resilience; her experiences are vast—as if she’s seen the c-beams glitter near the Tannhäuser Gate. It’s possible that a bowl of savory ramen might lead to a conversation that could provide pivotal guidance to the hidden main terminal.

As your stomach growls in anticipation, echoed by the contented purrs of the café’s resident cats, you realize Ruby’s offers more than just food—it’s a gateway to the secrets of the city, nestled within the comforting embrace of legendary Ramen and the unforgettable presence of Ruby.

<3 -TC

Introduction

“Ruby’s Cafe” is a virtual location from my “Byte’s Cypherpunk 2081” VR series, the most technical, intricate, and novel Equirectangular image series I’ve ever created.

Image Specifications

Equirectangular Dimensions: 18,432 x 9,216 pixels
Resolution: 240 Px/In
PSB file size: 7.1 GB
Color Space: SRGB

Software Used

Pano2VR
Photoshop
Lightroom
Topaz Gigapixel AI
Magnific AI
Stable Diffusion XL
Mid Journey
Blockade Labs

Artwork

Breakthrough in Compositing

When creating Ruby’s Café, I hadn’t anticipated pioneering a new compositing method. Yet, this accidental experiment has dramatically transformed my workflow. Being the debut of this technique, I’m eager to gauge its reception. In this unique approach, objects and characters undergo compositing in the early stages of upscaling, allowing the upscale process to simultaneously interpret both background and character. This provides a more harmonious and seamless composite, resulting in a hyper-realistic final image that generates a more convincing virtual reality.

Lessons in Love

Ruby’s Café embodies the profound bond between a grandson and his grandmother. Here, amid the cozy clatter and warm aromas, love’s quiet power unfolds through simple, heartfelt exchanges. Each shared moment, from laughter over a meal to conversations steeped in the café’s ambiance, carries the essence of Ruby’s wisdom.

Ruby taught me that love, shared with positive intent, echoes eternally, shaping all of our journeys.

Cyberpunk Aesthetic & Ethos

Upholding the essence of Cypherpunk intrigue and the raw, unfiltered spirit of Cyberpunk remains my foremost commitment. The true soul of Cyberpunk is unveiled in its stark portrayal of human dichotomies. It transcends mere aesthetic, embodying a lifestyle where defiance is the norm, and the PUNK ethos boldly confronts conventional moralities with a defiant stance, underscoring the philosophy of personal code and rule.

This genre is a testament to rebellion against the mundane, a staunch refusal to align with the decaying moral fabric of society. In the Cyberpunk realm, survival hinges on adaptability and resilience, where the only moral compass is one’s own conscience. Whether as a decker or a hacker, the necessity to tread murky waters for survival is a well-known truth.

My passion for this genre stems from its celebration of rebellion, anti-authoritarianism, and the indomitable human spirit. Growing up during the rise of home computing, I’ve witnessed the digital evolution firsthand. The line between the real and the virtual has not just blurred; it has intertwined, especially as my interactions with AI have deepened. From the early days of 1989, my life has been illuminated by the glow of a computer screen.

Observing the myriad reactions to each technological breakthrough – from apprehension to eager acceptance – has been a fascinating journey. It’s a cycle of evolution and obsolescence, where new systems rise and fade. Cyberpunk not only mirrors our contemporary dilemmas but also casts them into a future landscape. This potent amalgamation of prophecy, introspection, conflict, escapism, and unapologetic punk ethos is what renders Cypherpunk and Cyberpunk not just genres, but realms of endless exploration and resonance for me.

Prompt Engineering

My skill in prompt engineering has been honing with each passing day, particularly as I near my two-year mark of interaction with Mid Journey this July, 2024. This LLM stands out as one of the most extraordinary tools I’ve had the privilege to work with. Its ability to match the color space and lighting of portraits to my scenes with precision is noteworthy. This not only streamlines the compositing process but also ensures that all renders integrate flawlessly into the scene, enhancing the overall visual coherence.

I’m equally impressed with the capabilities of SDXL and automatic1111. These robust tools have revolutionized my workflow, offering an unparalleled degree of creative control over my digital creations.

The art of prompt engineering is crucial in AI-generated projects. Steering the AI towards specific constraints such as lighting, color, depth of field, exposure, style, subject position, camera angles, seed numbers, and negative prompting is a delicate balance. It requires not just technical expertise but also an intuitive understanding of the medium. Countless hours spent practicing with AI and refining the economy of my language have been key in maintaining consistency across all renderings.

Despite meticulous prompting, patience remains a vital component, often accompanied by the necessity to iterate or refine prompts to achieve the desired outcome.

Cypherpunk Ethos

In the realm of digital currency, the Cypherpunk movement laid the groundwork for a pivotal shift in our global financial system, aiming to save humanity from the pitfalls of traditional monetary structures. Bitcoin, a brainchild of this movement, brought forth a transformative concept of money, emphasizing transparency, security, and decentralization. Its blockchain technology records every transaction on-chain, ensuring an immutable and transparent ledger, a stark contrast to the often opaque operations of conventional banking.

Bitcoin’s innovation lies in addressing crucial aspects of sound money – durability, portability, divisibility, uniformity, stability, scarcity, and acceptability – all encapsulated in a digital format. This paradigm shift is not just about a new form of currency; it’s a profound statement on reclaiming financial autonomy and fostering a more equitable global economy.

Turning to Ergo, a platform that stands on the shoulders of Bitcoin’s revolutionary ideals, we see the next evolution in the quest to fix the money system. Ergo extends the Cypherpunk ethos, offering enhanced privacy, advanced smart contract capabilities, and economic freedom through accessible, decentralized financial tools. It harmonizes the best of blockchain development and academic research, providing a robust platform for versatile dApps and financial agreements that run with predictable costs and successful execution. Ergo’s Sigma Protocols enable sophisticated, efficient zero-knowledge transactions, marking a significant step towards a more secure, transparent, and equitable financial future.

Byte's Cypherpunk 2081

Shelly's Arcade

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Tribute to my Grandmother Ruby

My grandmother, Ruby Montague, was a towering figure in my life, especially during my formative years. As my mother worked and my father pursued his education, Grandma Ruby’s nurturing presence was a constant. Her home, perched atop a hill, became my sanctuary.

I would spend my days with her, learning and adventuring in her garden, climbing trees, and helping with chores. Once the garden was attended to, I would join her in the kitchen. Standing by her side as she prepared dinner, I was captivated by how she would play music and hum along to the tune, filling the room with warmth and melody. At night before bed she would prepare a “magic potion” for me (which I later learned was milk and clear corn syrup), and she would sing me to sleep with the song “You are my Sunshine”.

Ruby, may your light forever shine.

With love,

-TC

Byte’s Cypherpunk 2081

TC Montague

Contact

Ruby's Cafe

Introduction

Image Specifications

Software Used

Artwork

Breakthrough in Compositing

Lessons in Love

Cyberpunk Aesthetic & Ethos

Prompt Engineering

Cypherpunk Ethos

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