Gemini AI Prompt. ``` **Theme:** Asiatic Black Bear **Objective:** Create a visually striking and **fear-provoking** image (3840 x 2160) depicting Asiatic black bears within an unnatural environment. The image should **evoke fear** and a sense of unease, highlighting the predatory nature of the Asiatic black bear and the unsettling impact of human influence on wildlife. **Style:** Ultra-realism. The image should exhibit an extreme level of detail and accuracy, blurring the lines between photography and digital art. Every texture, reflection, and shadow should be meticulously rendered to create a hyper-realistic depiction of the Asiatic black bear and its unnatural surroundings. Draw inspiration from high-resolution photography, 3D rendering, and the techniques of photorealistic painting, but with a focus on creating a sense of menace and dread. **Composition:** Design a composition that emphasizes the Asiatic black bear's powerful form and intense gaze within an unexpected and unnatural setting. Consider placing the bear in a dimly lit urban alleyway, a decaying industrial complex, or a sterile, unnerving digital space. Use stark contrasts and unsettling angles to create a sense of claustrophobia and vulnerability. **Color Palette:** * **Primary Palette (Asiatic Black Bear):** * #282828 (Deep, dark fur, the core of the bear's form) * #121212 (Shadows on fur, enhancing depth and texture) * #FFFFFF (The stark white of the chest patch, a focal point) * #404040 (Dark, reflective eyes and claws, adding a predatory gleam) * #000000 (Deep, intense shadows and the void of the bear's gaze) * **Secondary Palette (Unnatural Environment - Evoke Fear):** * #181818 (An almost absolute black, creating a sense of oppressive darkness) * #4A5568 (A cold, industrial grey-blue, suggesting metal and concrete) * #6B0000 (A deep, muted red, implying rusted metal or dried blood) * #3D2940 (A dark, subtly unsettling purple, adding an alien touch) * #2F2F2F (A very dark, neutral grey, creating a sense of entrapment and decay) * #808080 (A dull mid tone grey, suggesting concrete, or a sterile environment) **Technical Specifications:** * **Resolution:** 3840 x 2160 (4K UHD) * **Bit Depth:** 16-bit or 32-bit (for maximum color fidelity and post-processing flexibility, crucial for the subtle color shifts in the palettes) * **Color Space:** Adobe RGB (or ProPhoto RGB for the widest possible color gamut, allowing for accurate representation of the dark, muted colors) * **Dynamic Range:** High Dynamic Range (HDR) capture and processing, with an emphasis on preserving detail in the deep shadows and subtle highlights present in both palettes. * **Rendering Technique (if applicable):** Physically Based Rendering (PBR) with advanced material properties, specifically focusing on accurate representation of fur texture and metallic/concrete reflections in the unnatural environment. * **Texture Resolution:** High-resolution textures (8K or higher) for the bear's fur and the environment, ensuring that the minute details of the textures are visible at 4K resolution, particularly important for the subtle variations in the dark color palette. * **Lighting Technique:** Ray tracing or global illumination (if applicable), with a focus on creating dramatic, directional lighting and sharp, deep shadows to emphasize the bear's form and the oppressive atmosphere of the unnatural environment. Use of volumetric lighting to add depth and a sense of unease. * **Post-Processing Software:** Adobe Photoshop, Capture One, or equivalent, with advanced color grading and tone mapping capabilities to fine-tune the color palettes and dynamic range. * **Hardware Acceleration:** GPU acceleration for rendering, ray tracing, and post-processing, with a focus on maximizing performance for high-resolution textures and complex lighting calculations. * **Calibration:** Calibrated monitor and color management workflow, with a focus on accurate representation of dark tones and subtle color shifts, crucial for the chosen palettes. * **Time:** 23:30 ``` Substack AI Images. NI Curation.
Courage
Think back to your high school history class—reading about WWII and the soldiers who risked everything, or the American Revolution and the fearless who put their lives on the line for a different future. Maybe even some ancient battle where warriors fought with nothing but swords and sheer determination. We’re taught that bravery means acting without fear. But is that really true?
In Lt. Col. Dave Grossman’s book “On Combat: The Psychology and Physiology of Deadly Conflict in War and in Peace”, he points out a shift in how we view courage:
“Most of all, I think there is value in seeing how modern warriors can talk quite frankly about the role of fear in their experience.”
Fear
If today’s soldiers—people who face literal life-or-death situations—can openly discuss fear, why shouldn't investors do the same?
Venture capital is inherently risky, which is why it’s reserved for accredited and sophisticated investors. But a healthy dose of fear isn’t a weakness—it’s a tool. Acknowledging fear leads to better decision-making. The following are some possible positives of fear for investors when investing in a fund or startup.
Positives
Identifies potential risks
Feeling uneasy about an investment? That’s a cue to dig deeper. Fear prompts uncovering blind spots and refining strategy.
Encourages healthy discussion
Talking about concerns within your investment community leads to fresh insights and perspectives you might have missed.
Helps manage expectations
VC is a long game. Acknowledging fear helps set more realistic expectations about market fluctuations and potential volatility.
Enables better risk assessment
Expressing fears may move investors to scrutinize risk levels and adjust their portfolios accordingly.
Fear isn’t the enemy—it’s part of the process. The key is learning to use fear to your advantage.
Register
Attend the “Demystifying Venture” event by Investor Liaison Hannah Savage using the “Register now” button below.
