Lab Work
We try to be fair. While we spend a considerable amount of time debunking Ai hype and pounting out some serious flaws that are somehow overlooked by those who have a stake in the AI game, we also try to point out things that AI is good for. The most recent hype around AI has been a subset called agents. Bits of code that perform relatively simple tasks that you might normally do yourself, usually at a much slower rate than the agent is able to do. The problem is that the average AI user does not want to or have the expertise to buld agents to do a variety of tasks, and must rely on agents that are pre-built or are part of a specific application. we all have our special wants and needs and ‘agent X’ that comes with youe e-mail client or other application does not do exactly what you want it to, so you either live with it and work with a lesser time savings, or you find someone who can modify it.
This seems like we are already nitpicking agents, even though they have barely made it into the commercial market, but we are not. In fact we like the idea of Ai agents but when looking at any application, we look to see if it is easy to use, and as described, agents are typically not easy to use. They have to be told lots of things, like where the data they are to access might be, what format it might be in, and then what to do with it. When one is looking to save time by streamlining a daily process, you don’t want to spend more time instructing someone ( or something) how to do each part of the job. You just want to get it done.
Yesterday, Perplexity AI (pvt) announced Perplexity Lab, an ‘application’ that seems to build its own agents and coordinate them on a project by project basis. It is available to Perplexity Pro subscribers ($20/month or $200/yr) and acts like a team that you task with a project and expect them to report back with a finished result. Rather than try to describe how LAB works, here is an example (from Perplexity) of a simle project. We note that other than the first two paragraphs (Project, Specifics), the user gave LAB no other details about how to go about accomplishing the project, LAB planned the project, implemented it, and built the report. Perplexity says it took about 10 minutes to do the work once the specifics were given. We show a 2nd example completely outside of finace after the trading project.
To be honest we were amazed at how easily Lab designed, researched, and wrote these projects, although we would imagine that Perplexity was careful to craft projects that would be amenable to LAB’s strengths, but overall, other than some embedded AI apps that had little customer/user facing contact, this application seems to tick a lot of the boxes that we would want, particularly the ability to have the user write a short description of the project and let LAB figure out how to get it done. It might not always be exactly what you want, but it seems easily modifiable. We will work with LAB for a few weeks and report back as to how it performs in real-world siruations. We note also that Lab produces sources for all of it information so they can be checked for accuracy. At least on the surface, this is among the most practical AI application we have seen to date.
Yesterday, Perplexity AI (pvt) announced Perplexity Lab, an ‘application’ that seems to build its own agents and coordinate them on a project by project basis. It is available to Perplexity Pro subscribers ($20/month or $200/yr) and acts like a team that you task with a project and expect them to report back with a finished result. Rather than try to describe how LAB works, here is an example (from Perplexity) of a simle project. We note that other than the first two paragraphs (Project, Specifics), the user gave LAB no other details about how to go about accomplishing the project, LAB planned the project, implemented it, and built the report. Perplexity says it took about 10 minutes to do the work once the specifics were given. We show a 2nd example completely outside of finace after the trading project.
To be honest we were amazed at how easily Lab designed, researched, and wrote these projects, although we would imagine that Perplexity was careful to craft projects that would be amenable to LAB’s strengths, but overall, other than some embedded AI apps that had little customer/user facing contact, this application seems to tick a lot of the boxes that we would want, particularly the ability to have the user write a short description of the project and let LAB figure out how to get it done. It might not always be exactly what you want, but it seems easily modifiable. We will work with LAB for a few weeks and report back as to how it performs in real-world siruations. We note also that Lab produces sources for all of it information so they can be checked for accuracy. At least on the surface, this is among the most practical AI application we have seen to date.
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NEW PROJECT 1
Project: Develop a momentum trading strategy around specific stocks, events, and timing permutations based on historical data, creating an interactive dashboard.
Specifics: Recommend a momentum trading strategy for Apple (AAPL) stock around the 2025 WWDC event. First come up with different options for when to buy (e.g. buy a week before? day before? morning of?) and when to sell (day of? week later? month later?). Then back test the past 5 events (2019-2024) using historic stock prices from yahoo finance. What's the win rate for each method, and which one has the best risk/reward profile? Include tables and charts. Then build an interactive dashboard
Here's what Labs came up with:
WWDC Apple Stock Trading Strategy Analysis (2019-2024)
Comprehensive back test analysis of momentum trading strategies around Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference
Key Metrics
Total Trades Analyzed 90 Across all strategies
Best Strategy Buy 1W Sell 1M 12.47% avg return
Highest Single Trade 20.78% June 2024 WWDC
Overall Win Rate 77.8% Across all strategies
Strategy Performance Overview
Sort by: Average Return Win Rate Sharpe Ratio Max Drawdown
NEW PROJECT 1
Project: Develop a momentum trading strategy around specific stocks, events, and timing permutations based on historical data, creating an interactive dashboard.
Specifics: Recommend a momentum trading strategy for Apple (AAPL) stock around the 2025 WWDC event. First come up with different options for when to buy (e.g. buy a week before? day before? morning of?) and when to sell (day of? week later? month later?). Then back test the past 5 events (2019-2024) using historic stock prices from yahoo finance. What's the win rate for each method, and which one has the best risk/reward profile? Include tables and charts. Then build an interactive dashboard
Here's what Labs came up with:
WWDC Apple Stock Trading Strategy Analysis (2019-2024)
Comprehensive back test analysis of momentum trading strategies around Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference
Key Metrics
Total Trades Analyzed 90 Across all strategies
Best Strategy Buy 1W Sell 1M 12.47% avg return
Highest Single Trade 20.78% June 2024 WWDC
Overall Win Rate 77.8% Across all strategies
Strategy Performance Overview
Sort by: Average Return Win Rate Sharpe Ratio Max Drawdown
Detailed Year-by-Year Results
Strategy Summary: 1 Week Before → 1 Month After
Average Return: 12.47%
Win Rate: 83.3%
Sharpe Ratio: 1.61
Best Trade: 20.78%
Worst Trade: -1.70%
Max Drawdown: -1.70%
Average Returns by Strategy
Win Rate Comparison
Yearly Performance Heatmap
Yearly Performance Heatmap
Trading Strategy Recommendations
1 Buy 1 Week Before, Sell 1 Month After
12.47% Avg Return 83.3% Win Rate1.61 Sharpe Ratio
Rationale: Best risk-adjusted returns with highest Sharpe ratio. Captures pre-event momentum and post-event follow-through. Low maximum drawdown of -1.70%.
2 Buy 1 Day Before, Sell 1 Month After
10.82% Avg Return 83.3% Win Rate1.30 Sharpe Ratio
Rationale: Strong returns with shorter pre-event exposure. Good for traders wanting to minimize time at risk while still capturing event momentum.
3 Buy 1 Week Before, Sell 1 Day After
3.95% Avg Return 83.3% Win Rate1.00 Sharpe Ratio
Rationale: Conservative approach with quick exit. Lowest maximum drawdown (-0.31%) makes it suitable for risk-averse traders.
Risk Analysis & Considerations
Recommended Approach: Buy 1 Week Before, Sell 1 Month After
WWDC 2025 Dates: June 9-13, 2025
Suggested Execution:
Back test Methodology
Trading Strategy Recommendations
1 Buy 1 Week Before, Sell 1 Month After
12.47% Avg Return 83.3% Win Rate1.61 Sharpe Ratio
Rationale: Best risk-adjusted returns with highest Sharpe ratio. Captures pre-event momentum and post-event follow-through. Low maximum drawdown of -1.70%.
2 Buy 1 Day Before, Sell 1 Month After
10.82% Avg Return 83.3% Win Rate1.30 Sharpe Ratio
Rationale: Strong returns with shorter pre-event exposure. Good for traders wanting to minimize time at risk while still capturing event momentum.
3 Buy 1 Week Before, Sell 1 Day After
3.95% Avg Return 83.3% Win Rate1.00 Sharpe Ratio
Rationale: Conservative approach with quick exit. Lowest maximum drawdown (-0.31%) makes it suitable for risk-averse traders.
Risk Analysis & Considerations
- Historical Performance: Strategies showed strong consistency across 6 WWDC events with 77.8% overall win rate
- Market Conditions: Results may vary in different market environments; these back tests occurred during various market cycles
- Volatility: Tech stocks can be highly volatile around events; position sizing is crucial
- Execution Risk: Real-world trading costs, slippage, and liquidity should be considered
Recommended Approach: Buy 1 Week Before, Sell 1 Month After
WWDC 2025 Dates: June 9-13, 2025
Suggested Execution:
- Entry: June 2, 2025 (1 week before)
- Exit: July 9-13, 2025 (1 month after)
- Risk Management: Stop loss at -5% to limit downside
- Position Size: No more than 2-3% of portfolio due to single-stock concentration risk
Back test Methodology
- Analyzed 15 different buy/sell timing combinations
- Used Yahoo Finance historical data for Apple (AAPL)
- 6 WWDC events from 2019-2024
- Assumes market orders at closing prices
- No trading costs or slippage included
- Data Source: Yahoo Finance API
- Price Data: Adjusted closing prices
- Limitations: Past performance doesn't guarantee future results
- Sample Size: Limited to 6 events; larger sample would be preferable
- Market Conditions: Results may not apply in all market environments
- Focus purely on technical/momentum factors
- Perfect execution at closing prices
- No transaction costs or taxes
- No position sizing constraints
- No consideration of fundamental analysis
NEW PROJECT 2
Project: Develop a genre-blended film concept with visual storyboards and complete screenplay for a unique character archetype.
Specifics: Develop a short sci fi film concept in noir style about a 30 year old female scientist living on mars in the future when a calamity hits. Create 9 storyboards and a full screenplay
Red Dust: A Science Fiction Noir Film Concept
This comprehensive film concept presents "Red Dust," a science fiction noir short film that blends the atmospheric tension of classic film noir with the isolation and dangers of Mars colonization158. Set in 2157 on humanity's first permanent Martian settlement, the story follows Dr. Elena Vasquez, a 30-year-old atmospheric scientist who uncovers a deadly conspiracy when a catastrophic dust storm threatens the colony's survival.
Project: Develop a genre-blended film concept with visual storyboards and complete screenplay for a unique character archetype.
Specifics: Develop a short sci fi film concept in noir style about a 30 year old female scientist living on mars in the future when a calamity hits. Create 9 storyboards and a full screenplay
Red Dust: A Science Fiction Noir Film Concept
This comprehensive film concept presents "Red Dust," a science fiction noir short film that blends the atmospheric tension of classic film noir with the isolation and dangers of Mars colonization158. Set in 2157 on humanity's first permanent Martian settlement, the story follows Dr. Elena Vasquez, a 30-year-old atmospheric scientist who uncovers a deadly conspiracy when a catastrophic dust storm threatens the colony's survival.
Dr. Elena Vasquez in her Mars research laboratory
Film Concept Overview
Genre and Tone
"Red Dust" operates as a tech noir thriller, combining the visual aesthetics and moral ambiguity of classic film noir with futuristic science fiction elements159. The film draws inspiration from masterworks like "Blade Runner" and "Dark City," utilizing high-contrast lighting, deep shadows, and atmospheric tension to create a distinctly noir visual language adapted for the Martian environment128. The story explores themes of corporate corruption, environmental catastrophe, and human survival in extreme isolation61619.
Setting and World-Building
The film takes place in New Olympia, a domed colony on Mars representing humanity's ambitious attempt at interplanetary colonization61028. The settlement faces the harsh realities of Martian existence: thin atmosphere requiring constant life support, extreme temperature fluctuations, and the ever-present threat of massive dust storms that can last for months131617. These environmental challenges serve both as plot devices and metaphors for the fragility of human civilization when transplanted to hostile worlds141820.
Film Concept Overview
Genre and Tone
"Red Dust" operates as a tech noir thriller, combining the visual aesthetics and moral ambiguity of classic film noir with futuristic science fiction elements159. The film draws inspiration from masterworks like "Blade Runner" and "Dark City," utilizing high-contrast lighting, deep shadows, and atmospheric tension to create a distinctly noir visual language adapted for the Martian environment128. The story explores themes of corporate corruption, environmental catastrophe, and human survival in extreme isolation61619.
Setting and World-Building
The film takes place in New Olympia, a domed colony on Mars representing humanity's ambitious attempt at interplanetary colonization61028. The settlement faces the harsh realities of Martian existence: thin atmosphere requiring constant life support, extreme temperature fluctuations, and the ever-present threat of massive dust storms that can last for months131617. These environmental challenges serve both as plot devices and metaphors for the fragility of human civilization when transplanted to hostile worlds141820.
New Olympia colony during the catastrophic dust storm
Character Development
Protagonist: Dr. Elena Vasquez
Elena embodies the classic noir protagonist - a morally upright individual thrust into a web of corruption and conspiracy78. As an atmospheric systems specialist, she possesses the technical expertise necessary to understand both the colony's vulnerabilities and the sophisticated nature of the sabotage she discovers28. Her character arc follows the traditional noir pattern of an ordinary person forced to become a detective and ultimately a hero when institutional authority fails19.
Antagonist: Director Marcus Kane
Kane represents the corporate corruption that follows humanity to new worlds, prioritizing profit over human life1019. His character draws from classic noir villains who use their positions of authority to exploit others while maintaining a veneer of respectability18. The insurance fraud motive reflects contemporary concerns about corporate malfeasance in extreme environments where oversight is minimal1120.
Visual Style and Cinematography
Noir Aesthetic Adaptation
The film employs classic noir lighting techniques adapted for the Martian environment827. Chiaroscuro lighting creates dramatic contrasts between light and shadow, while the colony's emergency lighting systems provide the red-tinted illumination that enhances both the noir atmosphere and the alien setting827. The interplay between the colony's artificial lighting and the natural Martian environment creates unique visual opportunities for expressing psychological states through illumination18.
Storyboard Sequence
The nine storyboards visualize key narrative moments that demonstrate the film's noir cinematography and pacing26:
Character Development
Protagonist: Dr. Elena Vasquez
Elena embodies the classic noir protagonist - a morally upright individual thrust into a web of corruption and conspiracy78. As an atmospheric systems specialist, she possesses the technical expertise necessary to understand both the colony's vulnerabilities and the sophisticated nature of the sabotage she discovers28. Her character arc follows the traditional noir pattern of an ordinary person forced to become a detective and ultimately a hero when institutional authority fails19.
Antagonist: Director Marcus Kane
Kane represents the corporate corruption that follows humanity to new worlds, prioritizing profit over human life1019. His character draws from classic noir villains who use their positions of authority to exploit others while maintaining a veneer of respectability18. The insurance fraud motive reflects contemporary concerns about corporate malfeasance in extreme environments where oversight is minimal1120.
Visual Style and Cinematography
Noir Aesthetic Adaptation
The film employs classic noir lighting techniques adapted for the Martian environment827. Chiaroscuro lighting creates dramatic contrasts between light and shadow, while the colony's emergency lighting systems provide the red-tinted illumination that enhances both the noir atmosphere and the alien setting827. The interplay between the colony's artificial lighting and the natural Martian environment creates unique visual opportunities for expressing psychological states through illumination18.
Storyboard Sequence
The nine storyboards visualize key narrative moments that demonstrate the film's noir cinematography and pacing26:
Storyboard panel 1: Elena discovers the sabotage
Storyboard panel 2: The sabotaged atmospheric processor
Storyboard panel 3: The mysterious saboteur revealed
Storyboard panel 4: Elena confronts Director Kane
Storyboard panel 5: The underground chase sequence
Storyboard panel 6: Elena races against time to restore life support
Storyboard panel 7: The final confrontation in the control room
Storyboard panel 8: Life support systems restored
Screenplay Structure and Format
Three-Act Structure
The screenplay follows the classical three-act structure essential to effective storytelling212225. Act One establishes the colony setting and introduces Elena's discovery of the sabotage during the approaching dust storm2125. Act Two develops the conspiracy revelation and Elena's investigation, culminating in her confrontation with Kane2122. Act Three presents the climactic race against time to restore the life support systems while the storm rages2125.
Screenplay Format and Elements
The script adheres to professional screenplay formatting standards, incorporating proper scene headings, character names, dialogue, and action descriptions2324. The format includes specific technical elements such as scene transitions, parentheticals for character direction, and detailed action sequences that support the noir visual style2324. The screenplay balances dialogue-driven character development with action sequences that maintain tension throughout the narrative2225.
red-dust-screenplay.md
Generated File
Scientific Foundation and Plausibility
Mars Colonization Challenges
The film grounds its fictional elements in realistic scientific challenges facing Mars colonization61213. The atmospheric processing systems central to the plot reflect actual proposed technologies for maintaining breathable air in Martian habitats28. The dust storm catastrophe draws from real Martian weather phenomena, where planet-wide storms can last for months and pose serious threats to solar power systems and equipment1517.
Life Support Systems
The technical aspects of the colony's life support infrastructure reflect current research into closed-loop life support systems necessary for long-term space habitation28. The vulnerability of these systems to sabotage highlights the precarious nature of human survival in environments where technological failure equals death121920. The film's portrayal of atmospheric processing, oxygen generation, and pressure maintenance systems maintains scientific plausibility while serving the dramatic narrative628.
Thematic Analysis
Corporate Exploitation and Environmental Crisis
The film explores how corporate interests might exploit environmental crises for financial gain, reflecting contemporary concerns about disaster capitalism101119. Kane's insurance fraud scheme represents the potential for corporate entities to prioritize profit over human survival, even in humanity's most vulnerable outposts1020. This theme resonates with current debates about corporate responsibility in extreme environments and climate change scenarios1119.
Isolation and Community
The Martian setting amplifies themes of isolation and interdependence that are central to both science fiction and noir genres619. The colony's physical isolation from Earth creates a pressure-cooker environment where individual actions have amplified consequences for the entire community1114. Elena's role as both scientist and reluctant detective emphasizes how expertise and moral courage become essential for community survival728.
Technology and Human Nature
The film examines how advanced technology cannot eliminate fundamental human flaws such as greed and corruption1519. Despite humanity's technological achievement in establishing a Mars colony, the same moral failings that plague Earth society follow colonists to their new world1011. This theme aligns with classic science fiction's exploration of whether technological progress necessarily equals moral progress59.
Production Considerations
Budget and Scale
As a short film concept, "Red Dust" is designed for efficient production with limited locations and a small cast2126. The colony setting allows for controlled interior environments that can be constructed in studio spaces, while the Martian exterior shots can utilize practical effects and digital enhancement26. The noir lighting style actually reduces lighting requirements by embracing shadows and high-contrast illumination827.
Visual Effects and Practical Elements
The film balances practical effects with digital enhancement to create the Martian environment cost-effectively26. The dust storm sequences can combine practical wind effects with digital particle systems, while the colony interiors rely primarily on practical sets with atmospheric lighting827. The storyboard sequence demonstrates how careful shot composition can maximize visual impact while minimizing complex effects requirements26.
Conclusion
"Red Dust" represents a compelling fusion of science fiction speculation and noir storytelling traditions, creating a unique cinematic experience that explores timeless themes through a futuristic lens159. The film's grounding in realistic Mars colonization challenges provides scientific credibility while the noir aesthetic creates atmospheric tension and visual distinction6819. Through Elena's journey from scientist to detective to hero, the story examines how individual courage and expertise become essential when institutional authority fails in humanity's most vulnerable outposts71128.
The complete screenplay, storyboard sequence, and production framework provide a comprehensive foundation for bringing this science fiction noir vision to life, demonstrating how classic storytelling techniques can be successfully adapted to explore contemporary concerns about corporate responsibility, environmental crisis, and human survival in extreme circumstances1821.
Three-Act Structure
The screenplay follows the classical three-act structure essential to effective storytelling212225. Act One establishes the colony setting and introduces Elena's discovery of the sabotage during the approaching dust storm2125. Act Two develops the conspiracy revelation and Elena's investigation, culminating in her confrontation with Kane2122. Act Three presents the climactic race against time to restore the life support systems while the storm rages2125.
Screenplay Format and Elements
The script adheres to professional screenplay formatting standards, incorporating proper scene headings, character names, dialogue, and action descriptions2324. The format includes specific technical elements such as scene transitions, parentheticals for character direction, and detailed action sequences that support the noir visual style2324. The screenplay balances dialogue-driven character development with action sequences that maintain tension throughout the narrative2225.
red-dust-screenplay.md
Generated File
Scientific Foundation and Plausibility
Mars Colonization Challenges
The film grounds its fictional elements in realistic scientific challenges facing Mars colonization61213. The atmospheric processing systems central to the plot reflect actual proposed technologies for maintaining breathable air in Martian habitats28. The dust storm catastrophe draws from real Martian weather phenomena, where planet-wide storms can last for months and pose serious threats to solar power systems and equipment1517.
Life Support Systems
The technical aspects of the colony's life support infrastructure reflect current research into closed-loop life support systems necessary for long-term space habitation28. The vulnerability of these systems to sabotage highlights the precarious nature of human survival in environments where technological failure equals death121920. The film's portrayal of atmospheric processing, oxygen generation, and pressure maintenance systems maintains scientific plausibility while serving the dramatic narrative628.
Thematic Analysis
Corporate Exploitation and Environmental Crisis
The film explores how corporate interests might exploit environmental crises for financial gain, reflecting contemporary concerns about disaster capitalism101119. Kane's insurance fraud scheme represents the potential for corporate entities to prioritize profit over human survival, even in humanity's most vulnerable outposts1020. This theme resonates with current debates about corporate responsibility in extreme environments and climate change scenarios1119.
Isolation and Community
The Martian setting amplifies themes of isolation and interdependence that are central to both science fiction and noir genres619. The colony's physical isolation from Earth creates a pressure-cooker environment where individual actions have amplified consequences for the entire community1114. Elena's role as both scientist and reluctant detective emphasizes how expertise and moral courage become essential for community survival728.
Technology and Human Nature
The film examines how advanced technology cannot eliminate fundamental human flaws such as greed and corruption1519. Despite humanity's technological achievement in establishing a Mars colony, the same moral failings that plague Earth society follow colonists to their new world1011. This theme aligns with classic science fiction's exploration of whether technological progress necessarily equals moral progress59.
Production Considerations
Budget and Scale
As a short film concept, "Red Dust" is designed for efficient production with limited locations and a small cast2126. The colony setting allows for controlled interior environments that can be constructed in studio spaces, while the Martian exterior shots can utilize practical effects and digital enhancement26. The noir lighting style actually reduces lighting requirements by embracing shadows and high-contrast illumination827.
Visual Effects and Practical Elements
The film balances practical effects with digital enhancement to create the Martian environment cost-effectively26. The dust storm sequences can combine practical wind effects with digital particle systems, while the colony interiors rely primarily on practical sets with atmospheric lighting827. The storyboard sequence demonstrates how careful shot composition can maximize visual impact while minimizing complex effects requirements26.
Conclusion
"Red Dust" represents a compelling fusion of science fiction speculation and noir storytelling traditions, creating a unique cinematic experience that explores timeless themes through a futuristic lens159. The film's grounding in realistic Mars colonization challenges provides scientific credibility while the noir aesthetic creates atmospheric tension and visual distinction6819. Through Elena's journey from scientist to detective to hero, the story examines how individual courage and expertise become essential when institutional authority fails in humanity's most vulnerable outposts71128.
The complete screenplay, storyboard sequence, and production framework provide a comprehensive foundation for bringing this science fiction noir vision to life, demonstrating how classic storytelling techniques can be successfully adapted to explore contemporary concerns about corporate responsibility, environmental crisis, and human survival in extreme circumstances1821.
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