Raymond G. Taylor
Bio
Author living in Kent, England. Writer of short stories and poems in a wide range of genres, forms and styles. A non-fiction writer for 40+ years. Subjects include art, history, science, business, law, and the human condition.
Stories (635)
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1995
Midway between new born and four-score-ten. What did it mean? Born at the end of the 1950s, by a few days, I was now 35 years old. A year older than this time last year. Was I any wiser? As editor of a low-key trade magazine I guess I was at the top of my chosen profession. Reasonably good wage, treated quite well in the organisation, small team of dedicated professionals behind me. I was a married, mortgage-paying dad of two. Or at least would be that summer as we happily awaited, at the start of the year, our new arrival. A lot would change over the coming years.
By Raymond G. Taylor2 years ago in Chapters
Cottage in the forest
For many days I trekked through the King's forest known as Sherwood, in Nottinghamshire, fearing I was walking in circles. I was also nervous, for the paths I trod were reputed to be patrolled by vagabonds and cut-throats, not least the notorious outlaw know locally as Robin in the Hood. I was heading for the city of Nottingham, wherein my betrothed awaited me.
By Raymond G. Taylor2 years ago in Fiction
The Man in the High Castle
Philip K. Dick's novel, about an alternative ending to the Second World War and defeat for the allies, begins and ends with an inversion of the truth. This upsetting of history and blurring of reality is a constant theme, running throughout the narrative.
By Raymond G. Taylor2 years ago in BookClub
The first piece
First piece I ever wrote professionally was a survey of uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) in 1987, for a publication aimed at specialist computer equipment manufacturers. Not the most interesting subject for a young business and technology journalist, but I felt I had done a good job.
By Raymond G. Taylor2 years ago in Writers
Run with the Pack: Chapter 2
As she continued to bask in the watery winter sunshine, Elha the she-wolf, rested. For some time, she slumbered, half asleep but alert to any change in sounds or scents. She was vaguely aware of the sound of crows squabbling and of the tall trees creaking and rustling in the winter breeze. The sun was falling in the sky and dipping toward the horizon. The late winter dusk gathered as the cold surrounded her and spurred her into action. She could rest no longer, dreams or no dreams. She must move on.
By Raymond G. Taylor2 years ago in Chapters
AI: Academic research and modern slavery THREE: Limitations
As the third part of an exploration into ChatGPT and essay writing, I explored the AI's ability to produce a comprehensive reading list. The results are disappointing. The conversation is tracked by the "User" and "ChatGPT" headings, which are self-explanatory. The user requests and ChatGPT responses are reproduced verbatim for accuracy and are entirely unedited other than to format the headings. I have added my own conclusions to the end, but please feel free to make your own evaluation. I would be delighted to know your views and please leave them in comments at the end of the article.
By Raymond G. Taylor2 years ago in 01
AI: Academic research and modern slavery, part TWO, Literature Review
ChatGPT was asked to generate a literature review based on a given essay outline, shown below. The essay outline was itself generated by ChatGPT. See AI: Academic research and modern slavery: ONE
By Raymond G. Taylor2 years ago in 01
Barbie: defining an epoch
Forget the hype, forget the feministic knee jerk, go see the movie. Barbie is a film about life, and the juxtaposition of reality and fantasy. It speaks to gender identity, growing up and the struggle to come to terms with existence. Future generations will recognize Barbie as defining an epoch.
By Raymond G. Taylor2 years ago in Critique
