Byte's Cypherpunk 2081

Tom's Pantry

After sharing a hearty bowl of ramen and a few laughs at your expense, Ruby’s sharp eyes catch a glint of the outsider in you. With a weathered smile and a wink, she offers a task veiled in danger: secure a batch of Pulsewave Paprika, a forbidden spice from Tom’s Pantry. As she transfers her crypto with a cryptic message for Tom—”SWIM is on their way”—her eyes soften and she says, “Tom will be waiting.”

Entering the neon-splashed expanse of Tom’s Pantry, you feel like you’re stepping into another dimension—distinct from the cozy confines of Ruby’s Café. The immense aisles unfold before you, teeming with cyberpunk oddities and relics from the surface world. You observe Tom navigating this treasure trove with ease, his cybernetic limbs whirring softly with each movement, a stark reminder of the inevitable merging of man and machine. His eclectic attire bridges the digital revolution and the dapper days of the early 20th century, providing a comforting snapshot of the store’s unique charm.

As your gaze meets Tom’s, the comforting image of Ruby’s smile fades into the background. The cool draft from the massive pipes stirs around you, and a chorus of electronic beeps—the soundtrack of the future—fills your ears. Here, among the endless aisles of Tom’s Pantry, you must face the first true test of your mettle in this brave new world.

<3 -TC

Introduction

Tom’s Pantry” 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: 7.7 GB
  • Color Space: SRGB

Software Used

  • Pano2VR
  • Photoshop
  • Lightroom
  • Topaz Gigapixel AI
  • Magnific AI
  • Stable Diffusion XL
  • Mid Journey
  • Blockade Labs
  • DALL-E

Artwork

Breakthrough in Compositing

Ruby’s Café set the bar for next-level compositing. The reception of Ruby’s location surpassed all others in the series so far. Now that I’ve dramatically transformed my workflow, I aim to bring the highest level of detail ever seen in this saga. Processing objects and characters in the early stages of upscaling allows the upscale process to simultaneously interpret both background objects and characters. This creates a more harmonious and seamless composite, resulting in a hyper-realistic final image that generates the most convincing virtual reality achievable at this stage in my workflow.

 

Lessons in Generosity

My grandfather Tom was an extraordinary figure in my life, embodying a charm that was simply magnetic. His demeanor was a delightful blend of smiles, jokes, and whimsy, always ready with a witty comment for any occasion. When I used to ask about my parents’ whereabouts, he’d joke, “They fell into the pig’s pen, and the pigs ate them.” As a child, this remark hardly comforted me, but looking back as an adult, I find it immensely humorous. He possessed a unique talent for lifting spirits and was fiercely committed to recognizing hard work and effort. Some of my fondest memories in Blackfoot, Idaho, involve him inquiring about my grades; a good report would prompt him to reward me with shiny coins and cash from his pocket.

One truth that has taken me some time to fully grasp is the fortune of growing up close to my grandparents. Having such wonderful grandparents nearby provided me with interactions that have significantly influenced who I’ve become as an adult. Although my gratitude has deepened with time, I am truly humbled by how fortunate I was to have remarkable male role models like Tom in my life. May the impact of Tom’s greatness echo into eternity.

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 newest tool in my arsenal is DALL-E, the prompt coherence available in the latest version of this software is exceptional.  I particularly enjoy the ability to converse with a GPT to refine and direct, the prompt.

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.

Continue to Trausti's Taproom

Byte's Cypherpunk 2081

NEXUS

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Byte's Cypherpunk 2081

Joans

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Byte's Cypherpunk 2081

Introduction

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Byte's Cypherpunk 2081

Imperium's End

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Byte's Cypherpunk 2081

Dragon's Den

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Byte's Cypherpunk 2081

Deep Blue

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Byte's Cypherpunk 2081

Ruby's Cafe

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Byte's Cypherpunk 2081

Tom's Pantry

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Byte's Cypherpunk 2081

Trausti's Taproom

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Byte's Cypherpunk 2081

Shelly's Arcade

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Tribute to my Grandfather Tom

This location serves as a heartfelt homage to my late grandfather and World War II veteran, Thomas B. Slayton—a monumental figure who affectionately dubbed me “TC”. Tom’s generosity knew no bounds; he delighted in taking me and my cousins on numerous adventures into Yellowstone from his cabin in Island Park. He imparted wisdom on how to fish, navigate a 4-wheeler, ignite a fire, and master the art of roasting the perfect mallow. As time has passed, I’ve had the chance to reflect on the profound influences in my life, and Grandpa Tom occupies a place of unparalleled respect and honor.

With love,

-TC

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