Thoughts on Grainy Mære

Technofascism and love

Sun, 09 Mar 2025 21:19:00 +0200

A few days ago, I attended a debate featuring experts delving into the emerging threat of “Techno-Fascism” and how the manipulation of big data can sway elections and public opinion. I went in hoping to gain fresh insights into possible alternatives to this looming issue. However, about two-thirds of the event felt like preaching to the choir - lots of analysis, but not much in the way of actionable solutions.

2024 - new year, new me?

Wed, 03 Jan 2024 02:45:00 +0200

The days around New Year’s Eve are usually a time for me to review the past year and reflect on things. Last year, I tried something different - an experiment, really - where I journaled everything I did for a whole year. To my surprise, I was astonished to see that I reached more goals than I thought (though, of course, there were plenty I missed as well). Journaling helped me focus on new goals and resolutions, and also to re-evaluate some things along the way.

AI, Art and editing pics

Wed, 07 Sep 2022 15:37:00 +0200

The last few days, I’ve had a lot of discussions about AI image generators and art. With tools like DALL-E, Midjourney, or Stable Diffusion, you can create images from just a short description and some parameters - though I think “AI” is a misleading term here. These algorithms aren’t intelligent or sentient; they’re more like remix generators, fed with existing knowledge (the training data). Since the beginning of the month, I’ve had a Midjourney subscription to test one of the generators. I’ve used it often to get a feel for the process and its potential. The surreal images and the open, social nature of Midjourney are really interesting and feel unique, but after a while, I’m not sure what to think about these image generators if I want to have a sophisticated opinion. One thing is for sure: they are a gamechanger.

Pressing this button will not cancel the oncoming shitshow

Mon, 15 Aug 2022 01:37:00 +0200

In times of climate catastrophe, the phrase “faster than expected” has become a meme - one that’s not even funny anymore. I wanted to be optimistic, to believe that humanity would finally find a way to prevent further crisis and destruction of our environment. Honestly, I give up. This isn’t just doomsaying from doomscrolling; it’s the harsh reality. I think we’re beyond fucked, and I don’t even know what to do anymore. It makes me sad and depressed to watch, in real time, as everything goes to shit:

What brings you peace?

Sun, 03 Jul 2022 21:30:00 +0200

Yesterday, I went for a walk in Potsdam and came across some Christian missionaries who invited me to write something on their whiteboard in response to the question: “What brings you peace?” It’s a simple question, but not always easy to answer on the spot - especially these days. Still, it’s a good question to ask yourself from time to time.

The journey ahead

Sat, 11 Dec 2021 05:31:00 +0200

The year is almost over and usually it is a good opportunity to look back, evaluate the course i go and set a new one for the next year. This time it hits a bit different as i am feeling like i am stuck in the air, at the brink of a depression, unsure what to do (the pandemic has changed any resolutions anyway). Mostly i can hold a facade and i would consider my (mental) health as not extremly bad but not good either. However i can feel the toll of the pandemic situation and other external factors which leads to cracks in the facade.¹ I am really thankful for meeting people recently i hold dearly, because i would have certainly drowned over time in the blending mush of days going by. Also going out and taking pictures is my coping mechanism as well. In a way, Photography, like other creative pursuits, is a form of mindfulness or art therapy. The act of focusing on composition, light, and subject can help to ground you in the present moment and provide a sense of accomplishment - these little meditative moments when i am just in the flow and only focused on my camera and the enviroment while forgetting everything else for a brief second like my anxiety, my fear of death and all the other things that are thrown in my way.

Why I shoot film

Wed, 08 Sep 2021 01:22:32 +0200

My Exakta TL100, a 35mm Lens and a roll of film near the Bornholmer Brücke

Photography has always been a personal journey for me as a way to connect with memories, technology, and creativity.

There is a great scene in the movie ‘One Hour Photo’ which I really took to my heart. Sy Parrish, technician in a one hour photo lab and protagonist (greatly played by Robin Williams), is on a flea market where he looks through some old photos and thinks: “I’m sure my customers never think about it… but these snapshots are their little stands against the flow of time. The shutter is clicked… the flash goes off… and they’ve stopped time… if just for the blink of an eye. And if these pictures have anything important to say to future generations, it’s this… ‘I was here. I existed. I was young. I was happy… and someone cared enough about me in this world to take my picture.’”¹

It's alive (again)

Mon, 06 Sep 2021 22:59:32 +0200

Hello, this site is an experiment for me. For a long time, I tried to blog about different things, but in the end each attempt just landed unattended in the ‘graveyard’ where every project that is no longer supported, obsolete, or has been replaced by something superior has landed. I realized that I had too many expectations or simply that the passion was missing.

So why the resurrection? Well, I would describe myself as a jack-of-all-trades with interests in all sorts of things, but there is one thing where I am really passionate: photography. Especially analog photography. I like to shoot pictures with my old GDR cameras, which really are my workhorses. Meanwhile, I have reached a state where I have enough pictures I want to share but no good platform for sharing. Reliance on social networks is not an option for me, so I thought a photo blog would be a nice way to share pictures and thoughts. So, if possible, I try to self-host my services and learn new things on the way. Additionally, I want to get more fluent in foreign languages, so this offers a good opportunity to exercise.