Martin Top: 1925 & 1908

In whatever remaining years or months we still have before AI (artificial intelligence) creates some monstrous dystopia along the lines of Terminator or The Matrix, I thought I should employ it for something helpful and benign. About our chapel are two old photographs, one from about 1925 (above and below) outside the main entrances, the other from 1908, taken by the new extension. I asked an AI platform to sharpen the images, remedy any tears or stains and add some basic colour. The finished products are not superb, but they are interesting. Somehow, the additional colour, despite the limited range and sometimes inaccurate application (like the woman in 1925 wearing a bright yellow fur about her neck), ‘bring them to life’.

Today, I give an hour’s talk down in Staffordshire to a large room full of evangelists and evangelistic workers on William Tyndale. My fear is that they will think it tedious; some bore filling the inevitable history slot which is to be endured before the exciting seminars begin or lunch is served. It is my job to add colour to that grey image, to breathe life into those memories, to draw instruction and wisdom from a great man of yesteryear.

Let every man of whatsoever craft or occupation he be of...serve his brethren. William Tyndale

Does not this individual, below, look like me in a wig? Is it some distant relation, or is AI playing tricks?

A.