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John Byrne
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Grumpy Old Guy

Joined: 11 May 2005
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Posted: 26 January 2026 at 2:22pm | IP Logged | 1 post reply
The topic is fascinating, but once I realized the voice was AI, it became more and more difficult to concentrate on what was being said. My mind kept waiting for those little glitches that indicate AI.

Give A Listen…

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Evan S. Kurtz
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Posted: 26 January 2026 at 3:14pm | IP Logged | 2 post reply
On a similar topic, there's a YouTube channel with videos relating to the lectures of Richard Feynman that I find fascinating, though they likewise acknowledge that they "transform Feynman's lectures and writings into engaging video format using AI voice synthesis, staying faithful to his original words and style." (Link goes to a video on light speed.) 
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Michael Penn
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Posted: 26 January 2026 at 3:36pm | IP Logged | 3 post reply
> once I realized the voice was AI <

I find this kind of thing incredibly disturbing, even when done with the best intentions (which paves the road to an undesired destination, after all).
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Sergio Saavedra
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Posted: 27 January 2026 at 12:04pm | IP Logged | 4 post reply
This footage of a speech by Lincoln during the First Civil War has been brought to light. Good thing is was caught on camera:
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John Byrne
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Posted: 27 January 2026 at 1:32pm | IP Logged | 5 post reply
One of my complaints about the comments on videos is how many people post without having checked what others have already said. The “FDR” comments here are a prime example.
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Vinny Valenti
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Posted: 27 January 2026 at 2:42pm | IP Logged | 6 post reply
Ok, that Lincoln one is just weird. AI people "talking" tend to over-expess themselves in the mouth movements at the moment. They need to tone it down a bit (maybe it's for the best that they don't - once we get to the point where we really can't tell if AI is in use, then we're all screwed). Also, it was too jarring to see the face switching with each cut. Some of them were clearly Daniel Day Lewis.

It would be interesting to so somthing done with Teddy Roosevelt, though. There's at least one known recording of his voice, and it's surprisingly high-pitched, much like Lincoln's was said to be.


Edited by Vinny Valenti on 27 January 2026 at 2:44pm
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John Byrne
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Posted: 27 January 2026 at 2:58pm | IP Logged | 7 post reply
Lincoln’s high pitched voice was described as a benefit in those pre-loudspeaker days. It helped his voice carry across larger crowds.
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