aixcentric

Last month I read an article about the website ChatGPT which was launched last November.  It’s based on a ‘massive supercomputer’ from Microsoft and is designed to provide fluently-written text in response to questions, ie. it’s not a search engine.  Apparently it’s making some universities in Paris revert to in-person exams in some circumstances, but other professions are hailing its capabilities.

To provide content, it has swallowed up, I read, the contents of 8 million websites.  With more than 2000+ posts on Aixcentric to date, I wondered whether those were in there too?

So, I asked it a purposely vague question: Do you know anything about a blog called Aixcentric?

This is what it came back with, literally in seconds.  Incredibly impressive but with one big mistake!

(more…)

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Just time to catch the Braderie tomorrow. It’s a time when shops in centre ville are allowed to let their special offers spill out onto the pavement for all to see.  It’s often winter stock that needs to be cleared.  Over 100 shops are taking part and not just clothes stores.

One trader described the situation as ‘catastrophique’ blaming a perfect storm of inflation, people buying on the internet, people buying more second-hand goods, rising costs…

Hopefully the braderie is good for business and equally good for bargains.

And…

The Antiques Fair: This will be held on Wednesday, 22nd March, 6-18:00. Expect 35-65 stalls outside the Palais de Justice.

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By coincidence, following my last post, I read in La Provence this morning that a 7-part series on Varian Fry and his network will be shown on Netflix. (more…)

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Les Restos du Coeur have organised a nation-wide collection of food and hygiene products this weekend, 3-5 March.

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If you loved the Musee Granet exhibition of David Hockney’s work and

a) are ready for more, and

b) will be in London before 4th June,

then here are details of ‘David Hockney: Bigger & Closer’ an immersive show which has just opened.

(more…)

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Lucky Aixois.  There’s a roller-disco set up in les Allees Provencales from now until 25th Feb.

It is in the square outside the tourist office and is in action 11-20:00 each day.  Skate hire is 3 euros.  Profitez!

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…On Saturday 4th February, 10:00 at the Mazarin.  The film, ‘A Bigger Splash’ (1973) will be preceded by a talk by the director of the Musee Granet, Bruno Ely,

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Beyonce is embarking on her first world tour for seven years to promote her new album Renaissance.  It begins in Europe this May and will include a concert (more…)

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Aix is in for a major Cezanne celebration in 2025 including an exhibition at the Musée Granet.

This will include a ‘parcours culturel’ between the major artistic sites – the family home at Jas de Bouffan, his studio and his beloved Bibemus quarry where he used to paint. (more…)

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