Stephanie Raffelock, a very wise woman and terrific writer, addressed the use of AI in her most recent story on Substack. In part, it’s a cautionary tale about the widespread use of AI in all forms of writing and image creation. She makes a number of great points. One being her core belief as to what it means to be a writer: “…writing is not just the crafting of words or the structure of stories. To write is to be a student of the human condition, starting with one’s own self.”
Much of who we are makes it into the tales we tell, whether purposely or not, and crafters of fiction will sometimes create some characters who will reflect some of our beliefs and follow a similar standard of behavior. Not that all the characters are molded to mirror us. That would get boring. But we might give one or two of our characteristics to one of the people in the story.
AI can’t do that.
Another point Stephanie makes is that AI can’t replicate that heart-to-heart connection that writers make to the people who will then read our words, our stories. She addresses the need for artists of all mediums to use their talents in ways to make a difference in a broken world. In a section of the essay she writes about the growing gap between the rich and the rest of us, the powerful and the rest of us: “Most of us aren’t part of the billionaire club; we can’t change politics except maybe our votes will count. We are practically impotent, except for our ability to create.”
She believes that “…making art is the greatest resistance that we have in these times. And when we use AI we not only give away our power, we give away the spirit of what it means to be a human being.”
To support her statement on the importance of art to speak truth, Stephanie included this quote from Lithuanian-American filmmaker, Jonas Mekas: “In the very end, civilizations perish because they listen to their politicians and not to their poets.”
Wouldn’t it be great if the whole world started listening to the poets? Can you even imagine what kind of impact that would make?
The idealist in me would love to think that maybe there would be no more war. People would work toward saving our planet. There would be no more bigotry, prejudice, or injustice. Poverty would become a thing of the past.
My wish list could go on indefinitely. When I dream, I dream big. 🙂 But you get the point.
I’d love to know what might be on your wish list, so please share in the comments. And do click on the link to the full article on Substack.It’s well worth the read.
Also, check out Stephanie’s books. I first met her when I read and reviewed A Delightful Little Book on Aging. Since then, I’ve read her other books, and they’re terrific. Good messages presented with lovely words and touches of humor.
Now to something a bit different.
One of my writing friends, Sandra Parshall, posted the following message from a hematologist on FB, and I swear I want to have a copy laminated so I can hand it to doctors who are not familiar with the crippling pain of the various forms of Trigeminal Neuralgia. I’d give it to members of the medical staff who look at me and wonder why I say my pain level is off the charts when I have no visible sign of trauma.
If I go to an ER, it’s only because the pain has soared and my normal regime of meds isn’t even bringing it down to the tolerable level of 4, but they can’t see the problem and it can’t be addressed as easily as a fractured bone, or a laceration.
Sadly, I’m not the only person who deals with this issue because we have a hidden medical problem.
The following is a fun meme I saw on Twitter recently. Author, Jason Pinter uses the platform to post cute things, and I really like this one. The first three ideas he lists as ways to support authors are serious, and I hope people take them to heart.
If you love stories, we’re here to serve.
The fourth thing he mentioned is what made me chuckle. I’ve always disliked doing laundry. Do I dare say I hate laundry? Not as much as I used to, since one person doesn’t dirty enough things to make daily laundry duties. But back when I was first starting on a writing career, help with all the dirty clothes, towels, sheets, and more dirty clothes that piled up when the kids were young.
There were days I was sure I’d be buried in a mountain of grass-stained soccer uniforms until the athletes were big enough to reach the start button on the washing machine.
In regard to the last two suggestions. Luckily, I’ve always had help with the income taxes. First my hubby, and more recently one of my sons. And so far I’ve eluded capture by the police for not paying that parking ticket back in 1978.
That’s all from me for today folks, and I’ll see you on Monday. I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Be safe. Be happy. Be kind.