The real things in life count.

When you capture an authentic moment in a photo you can revisit it time and time again, and relive the moment. Sometimes we tend to look for signs. I’d like to share 3 little stories:

Snow photos and stories

Footprints in the snow: One very early morning I walked across a carpark which was covered in a carpet of snow and with no signs of any humans. I happened across some footprints presumably made by a bird. The pattern sparked my curiosity. Just as I was bending down to investigate further and imagine how this had come about, a van parked up nearby. The van driver wound down his window. ‘Interesting isn’t it?’ he called out to me. “It’s art – and it’s all free!” he added. “That’s true!” I replied. We both smiled and nodded in agreement.
 
 ‘Do you wanna build a snowman?’: I built this jolly snowman in the garden (with the help of one of my grandchildren). Happy times! On Day 1 Mr Snowman had a big happy smile. By Day 2 he looked curiously more animated with his head slightly tilted and a cheeky happy smile. Mr Snowman was with us a week and then gone but we have these fun fond memories captured on film.
 
A little bird told me so – centre stage: It was a robin on the garden fence that caught my eye. I focused in for a photo-shot of the robin only semi-aware of the wind-chimes. I did not set this up in advance and only on looking more closely at the photo afterwards did I see the possible likeness of the tree to my logo. It was the day before what would have been my mum’s birthday.
 
Were these messages, signs or just my imagination? Most probably the latter of course!

In reality they are just lovely moments, real memories, and authentic photos to look back on.
 
The simple authentic things around us can bring contentment and joy if we let them.

by Dr Julie Charlesworth 10/2/25

 

AI: Further thoughts for 2025.

Well, things have certainly moved on since I posted on this subject in January 2023!

It seems everything is accelerating, and it can be exhausting just trying to keep up.

There are many aspects to AI – the science, the tools, benefits, risks etc. Here are a few thoughts to start this new year.

The applications and potential applications in clinical and medical research such as diagnostics are laudable and impressive. Of course, this is just one area and there are many others in many different fields. AI can facilitate research and management of large amounts of data rapidly and efficiently.

Globally, AI is being taken very seriously. Nationally, the UK government’s investment news in January 2025 demonstrates how seriously the potential of AI is being taken. I recall that at the World EXPO 2020 (hosted by Dubai) the UK Pavilion seemed a bit understated in comparison with some other pavilions but in hindsight I think its focus on AI was ahead of its time.

The enthusiasm for AI is palpable everywhere and it is indeed exciting. However, information overload can be overwhelming with what seems like an ever-increasing pace of what we are told or led to believe is progress. With the dizzying rate of tech change and AI development I think it is a time for some reality checks.

Is AI ‘artificial intelligence’ or is ‘augmented computation’ a better term in most instances?

Is artificial intelligence ‘still mostly an illusion’ as some researchers suggest?

Where is all this heading?
What do we really want?
What do we really need?
What do we not want?

Certain adages should be borne in mind regarding i) content: rubbish in – rubbish out. ii) algorithms: bias in – bias out.

I think healthy scepticism can be a good thing and even some self-mocking at times can foster a healthy perspective.

Then there is the pressing need for balance between technical innovation, and ethical and moral responsibility.

Is all this noise around AI making us any happier? I doubt it.

There are many AI tools being developed and opinions on their value or usability differ. Just because you can use them doesn’t mean you necessarily should. There are still a lot of questions to ask. Take care not to get sucked into something or give away personal data unintentionally.

Beware of hype or jumping on a bandwagon for fear of missing out. We can’t even get some simple basic things right. AI is not the solution to every problem.

AI offers enormous potential benefits for individuals and society. However, AI regulation is an important factor under debate. Protection is needed against potentially harmful effects particularly for adolescents and children.

Watch out for some great summits, conferences, and debates this year which should include the perspectives of people everywhere and at every level.

AI is here and there is enormous potential to benefit humankind. I am curious. There is much to learn and better understand. Opinions may change. Communication, education, and clarifications will be necessary

I think we can have a positive attitude regarding benefits or potential benefits of AI whilst proceeding with caution and eyes wide open.

It’s an interesting time. Let’s see what 2025 brings…

by Dr Julie Charlesworth 20/1/25

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Previous post in January 2023 Thoughts on Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Time to lighten up.

Let’s lighten up for the festive season 🎅🤶🧑‍🎄🎄🌟. Starting with my message in a verse to bring a smile 😊.

CHRISTMAS CHEER AND FESTIVE HUGS ©

Hip hip hooray!
Christmas cheer.
It’s that time of year.
Again.

Dropping hints
Shopping stints
Less worry
More merry
Please.

Ding dong bell 🔔
Let all be well!
It’s jingle bells
And cinnamon smells.

Walking on eggshells
Tensions
Apprehensions.

Seasonal Greetings
Family meetings
Some travel afar
Some stay where they are.
Phew!

Fewer silly squabbles,
Wibbles and Wobbles.
Fewer family feuds.
We hope.

Less distance
Less insistence
Less being rude.
A chance to diffuse a family feud.

A chance to savour delightful food.
Savour the festive fervour.
Takes us one step further.
Festive mugs.
Hugs (sans bugs).

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©Julie Charlesworth, 2023

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A virtual hug in a verse and a couple of ‘mug shots’ (pun intended).

Festive Mug Shots 2023

Whether partying, shopping or working to deadlines always finding time for some fun.

by Dr Julie Charlesworth 10/12/24

A no-brainer: seasonal changes.

From trees to leaves: some tell-tale signs of the seasons.

Fading Autumn leaves and news eason signs Holly

It is a no-brainer to simply enjoy the changing seasons and appreciate all that Nature can offer. It feels like a good time to get out and refresh ahead of the new season to come.

by Dr Julie Charlesworth 30/11/24

Bygone Years, Apple Trees, and Core Values.

Photo of me and apple tree in bygone years

I spent much of my childhood playing amongst the trees in a small but treasured orchard. This was thanks to my very smart working-class dad. ‘The orchard’ was his pride and joy. He created and nurtured this enclosed area in the garden of our family home – a feat of hard physical work, imagination, and love. The abundance of fruit was generously given to friends, relatives, neighbours, and any visitors to the house.

Cherishing simple important formative times and values which have stood me in good stead in running my business and life generally. The values remain at the heart of what my company does and how it does it.

This message comes in the Autumn apple season. There was always an abundance of both dessert and baking apples. But there was so much more…

For a fuller picture you can imagine the other fruits of Dad’s labour in his orchard: plums, damsons, greengages, pears, crab apples, gooseberries, blackberries, blackcurrants.

With trees, bushes and brambles galore, for me it felt like a wonderland of adventure and sheer delight!

Happy Autumn half-term holidays.

by Dr Julie Charlesworth 24/10/24

[Photos taken by my hubby-to-be on a return visit with me in my early 20’s.]

Look out for reflections and stories to come…

Reflections on swimming pool

I am reflecting on a moment I captured in a snapshot last month during my ‘Hockney Period’.

See the sunlight reflecting on ripples of water stirred by a gentle cool breeze. An interesting and beautiful phenomenon from an artistic viewpoint or a ‘sciency’ physics perspective.

It was refreshing just to enjoy the moment and now the picture 😊.

Art, science or both – depends how you look at it.

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by Dr Julie Charlesworth 4/10/24

Very best wishes to all those embarking on studies and research careers.

What an important and exciting time this is for undergrads, postgrads, and postdocs! I am thinking about all those embarking on their studies and research careers, particularly in Life Sciences and of course generally as well. It’s time to reiterate some sentiments and messages to this new generation of scientists.

Very best wishes to Life Science students and early career researchers.

How the world and humankind need you!

How we should all be encouraging and supporting the younger research generation. For all those students and researchers driven by a passion for their subject it should be a time to really enjoy studying and research for the sake of research; a time to explore interests and have a great life and social life too. It’s not the easiest of times and research can be very frustrating with many ups and downs. It was ever thus. It is however an adventure with opportunities to grasp, whilst keeping a sense of perspective and having fun! Many of us are willing you on to a great future!

Looking forward…

The skills learnt will be transferable for many different career options. Early career researchers have much to contribute, and they deserve to be challenged, encouraged, and supported in their research careers. They also have so much potential in many walks of life and different spheres.

by Dr Julie Charlesworth 26/9/24