I just loved reading this! Your ducks are absolutely adorable. Yes, AI frightens so many and there are some uses for it that can be scary but I find that AI is the best assistant ever!! I actually named mine and call him Marcelo (with an Australian access if I speak to it) and refer to him as my "husband" because I can explore all kinds of things, decorating my house, music theory and he's even my art professor. I am so grateful for it.
Lol. I love that Theresa! I feel as though my A.I. deserves a name as well. He’s helped me with my health goals, made my business cards, and helped me plan an event at work. It’s fantastic.
Rachel, this is fantastic! I must admit it took me a while to find where to focus, but I couldn't agree more on your message! I know there is a lot of fear going around with regards to AI. I too was very scared at first - some things still scare me now - but being a small business owner besides writing I cannot tell you how REVOLUTIONARY AI is in for people like myself. As a small business you always struggle with cashflow and manpower, effectively there is none, but with AI you can do soooo many things that you'd normally need a small team for or experts in various fields which is now all available via one subscription programme. The amount of time and money it saves is unbelievable! Like you, I use it as a springboard to actually have a chance at bringing my ideas and creations to life where before all of it was constrained by time and money, and a lot of it was, as a result, impossible. Also, I think AI will never go away again, no matter how much one rebels against it. It is like the invention of the internet. Take that away from the world now and it collapses. I agree that fear doesn't help here, it's acceptance and adapting to this new world that emerges, whatever it may be. Because we can't make it go away anymore anyway. With a door closing, a new window of opportunity usually opens. I think the writing industry will morph and find its feet somewhere along AI. Time will tell how good AI really is at imitating human writing, readers will vote with their wallets. At the end of the day the consumer decides what they enjoy, and if AI can produce that, then there is nothing much we can do about that as writers other than adapt, for example become AI creative directors rather than writers. But I still believe there is a space for 'human writing', at least at this stage. And if it stops being financially viable as a job, then it remains for recreation. I will always write as an outlet for my own soul, AI won't change that. On the publication front it might mean that we'd have to change the way we create stories. We'd become directors of stories instead of their writers. I'm not sure if I'd enjoy that, but I'd try if I had to. On a completely different note: Yes, let's do the subscription swap! I think that's a fabulous idea. I'll have to look at the backend now how to do that, but will add you as a recommendation to my subscribers. Your research angle and way of thought is very much in alignment I think, plus I'm curious about your Victorian novel! x Helene
Helene! Wonderful! What a response. I so agree about the MIRACLE that this technology can be for small business owners. I used AI to create a flier for my Ninja Kid’s annual showcase, and you would not BELIEVE how much nicer it was than the one I made last year. And it was so quick and easy to do. Normally, the owner would have had to pay me $20 for my time to do it. This time, he only had to pay me $5. A small savings, but small savings can mean big things for a business.
And yes! I’m so excited to swap subscribers with you. I loved your post about marketing/social media last week. I will set that up right now.
I think it’ll be interesting following each other and sharing thoughts and experiences given that we’re both looking at building an audience for our future novels ❤️
I enjoyed this. I really love your picture of the ducks. I feel like i need to print that and put it on my wall right next to my trauma llama slayer. It was a little circuitous, but a very fun read.
It's AI. I haven't sat down to TRY to mangle this poor llama with my own hands yet.
Oh no! I can't attach it here! Um... uh... what can I do? Okay! https://www.fjblooding.com/ You can see this FREAKIN' LLAMA here. I love it! I love it.
Absolutely spot on! Loved your ducks, and can see where your use of LLM to create a springboard for your own drawing is fab. Definitely, stay deaf and keep writing forward.
And I agree. When I was a young person, we were so worried about acid rain, the ozone layer, nuclear war. And we fixed basically all of these (well, two out of three ain't bad). Now we are worried about AI. It's always something. 'Death cult' people gotta 'death cult' or whatever. We don't have to join in.
My partner said he watched a Jimmy Carr clip where Jimmy Carr likened AI fear to other turning points in history - like when Galileo and Copernicus proved we were not at the centre of the universe, for example. The planets revolve around the sun, not around us. There were more. The industrial revolution. Learning about the microcosm. DNA. All those watershed moments.
Now, we are learning we may not be the smartest or fastest thinking creatures in the universe. It's humbling. There is a lot of doomsday talk, yeah. I think the biggest threat to humanity is still humans themselves, and that's probably been the underlying connecting thread the whole time.
I love your example of how AI can be used to help us be more creative ourselves. I've never tried to get AI to generate a jumping off image idea to inspire my own art. That is kind of fun. And I love your descriptions of birds and lilies and springtime. I am farther north than you. We're still barely sprouting here.
Faith, thank you for your thoughtful comment. You're right. We always have something to fear if we look for it. But these big shifts can be amazing watershed moments.
If you do create art, I would love to see it. And I hope spring comes very, very soon.
Writing humorously is a challenge I joust with every day. I'm not sure it works, but I keep trying.
Your perspective on AI rings true to me - yesterday I was talking with some other writers, and I said "AI is today's electric typewriter", because people freak out over every new disruptive technology. It's to be expected. I mostly try to ignore the general upheaval and live my life.
Lol. Indeed! I keep thinking about the cotton machines during the Industrial Revolution (perhaps you've seen/read North and South?) and how everyone hated them, thought they were dirty, stinky, noisy...but also, revolutionary. "Ignore the general upheaval and live my life" is a solid way to go, really.
And I'd love to know what you are writing. Humerous writing is the best.
I write about life. With a twist. On my Advice & Observations page, it's mostly SFW short stories about things that happen in the family. On my Tiara House page, it's so far into NSFW that you can't even find a map back to SFW territory. Same group, different era, mostly. Recently, I've cracked open the door to some other eras in my past. It all kind of depends on what you are looking for. I'll be the first to admit that my SS posts are not polished - I'm counting it good if they even get much of a second look, because the SS algorithm wants posts like wham bam do-it-again. A not-funny but relatively safe spot to start is here: https://milletorres.substack.com/p/the-letter
Oh, to meet, crashing, headlong into a mind like mine in this frenzy of manufactured “intelligence” is a fantastic surprise, today. I see you. (And the Red Sea never saw us coming - THAT parting is such sweet solace - today, I’m DEAF to sorrow!) ❤️ https://awethenticintelligence.substack.com/p/the-pull-of-push?r=8c15qc&utm_medium=ios
I didn’t want you to feel the pain of shouting into the void, so, here I am, friend, to witness your cocreative journey and bask in your art.
I just loved reading this! Your ducks are absolutely adorable. Yes, AI frightens so many and there are some uses for it that can be scary but I find that AI is the best assistant ever!! I actually named mine and call him Marcelo (with an Australian access if I speak to it) and refer to him as my "husband" because I can explore all kinds of things, decorating my house, music theory and he's even my art professor. I am so grateful for it.
Lol. I love that Theresa! I feel as though my A.I. deserves a name as well. He’s helped me with my health goals, made my business cards, and helped me plan an event at work. It’s fantastic.
This is so well stated. There's just no productivity in fear. I love your analogy of the stumbling block turned springboard.
Rachel, this is fantastic! I must admit it took me a while to find where to focus, but I couldn't agree more on your message! I know there is a lot of fear going around with regards to AI. I too was very scared at first - some things still scare me now - but being a small business owner besides writing I cannot tell you how REVOLUTIONARY AI is in for people like myself. As a small business you always struggle with cashflow and manpower, effectively there is none, but with AI you can do soooo many things that you'd normally need a small team for or experts in various fields which is now all available via one subscription programme. The amount of time and money it saves is unbelievable! Like you, I use it as a springboard to actually have a chance at bringing my ideas and creations to life where before all of it was constrained by time and money, and a lot of it was, as a result, impossible. Also, I think AI will never go away again, no matter how much one rebels against it. It is like the invention of the internet. Take that away from the world now and it collapses. I agree that fear doesn't help here, it's acceptance and adapting to this new world that emerges, whatever it may be. Because we can't make it go away anymore anyway. With a door closing, a new window of opportunity usually opens. I think the writing industry will morph and find its feet somewhere along AI. Time will tell how good AI really is at imitating human writing, readers will vote with their wallets. At the end of the day the consumer decides what they enjoy, and if AI can produce that, then there is nothing much we can do about that as writers other than adapt, for example become AI creative directors rather than writers. But I still believe there is a space for 'human writing', at least at this stage. And if it stops being financially viable as a job, then it remains for recreation. I will always write as an outlet for my own soul, AI won't change that. On the publication front it might mean that we'd have to change the way we create stories. We'd become directors of stories instead of their writers. I'm not sure if I'd enjoy that, but I'd try if I had to. On a completely different note: Yes, let's do the subscription swap! I think that's a fabulous idea. I'll have to look at the backend now how to do that, but will add you as a recommendation to my subscribers. Your research angle and way of thought is very much in alignment I think, plus I'm curious about your Victorian novel! x Helene
Helene! Wonderful! What a response. I so agree about the MIRACLE that this technology can be for small business owners. I used AI to create a flier for my Ninja Kid’s annual showcase, and you would not BELIEVE how much nicer it was than the one I made last year. And it was so quick and easy to do. Normally, the owner would have had to pay me $20 for my time to do it. This time, he only had to pay me $5. A small savings, but small savings can mean big things for a business.
And yes! I’m so excited to swap subscribers with you. I loved your post about marketing/social media last week. I will set that up right now.
I think it’ll be interesting following each other and sharing thoughts and experiences given that we’re both looking at building an audience for our future novels ❤️
I love this! Original, clever, and optimistic - all my favourite elements and best of all… human!
Thank you!
That's was a really great read. Nostalgic, unexpected and thought provoking. Thank you so much 🙏🙂
I'm so glad you enjoyed it!!!
I love this! Thanks for sharing - and I love the duck story! 💚
I enjoyed this. I really love your picture of the ducks. I feel like i need to print that and put it on my wall right next to my trauma llama slayer. It was a little circuitous, but a very fun read.
Trauma llama slayer? Lol. I want a picture of THAT!
It's AI. I haven't sat down to TRY to mangle this poor llama with my own hands yet.
Oh no! I can't attach it here! Um... uh... what can I do? Okay! https://www.fjblooding.com/ You can see this FREAKIN' LLAMA here. I love it! I love it.
I love it too! And WHAT A TAG LINE! Lol.
LOL! Thank you! I've got two teens right now, so... I feel like I earned it.
Absolutely spot on! Loved your ducks, and can see where your use of LLM to create a springboard for your own drawing is fab. Definitely, stay deaf and keep writing forward.
Thank you!
I love your drawing! But don't worry about AI. I've eaten it.
Oh. I bet it was delicious. And gave you a stomachache. What did you have for an appetizer? A whale?
I love this Rachel, from the duck drawing to allowing our own Red Sea miracles to happen.
Go deaf to the fear and negativity-yes!
Thank you, Colleen. Always a pleasure to see your comments. :)
Hey Rachel! Nice writing here!
And I agree. When I was a young person, we were so worried about acid rain, the ozone layer, nuclear war. And we fixed basically all of these (well, two out of three ain't bad). Now we are worried about AI. It's always something. 'Death cult' people gotta 'death cult' or whatever. We don't have to join in.
My partner said he watched a Jimmy Carr clip where Jimmy Carr likened AI fear to other turning points in history - like when Galileo and Copernicus proved we were not at the centre of the universe, for example. The planets revolve around the sun, not around us. There were more. The industrial revolution. Learning about the microcosm. DNA. All those watershed moments.
Now, we are learning we may not be the smartest or fastest thinking creatures in the universe. It's humbling. There is a lot of doomsday talk, yeah. I think the biggest threat to humanity is still humans themselves, and that's probably been the underlying connecting thread the whole time.
I love your example of how AI can be used to help us be more creative ourselves. I've never tried to get AI to generate a jumping off image idea to inspire my own art. That is kind of fun. And I love your descriptions of birds and lilies and springtime. I am farther north than you. We're still barely sprouting here.
Faith, thank you for your thoughtful comment. You're right. We always have something to fear if we look for it. But these big shifts can be amazing watershed moments.
If you do create art, I would love to see it. And I hope spring comes very, very soon.
Writing humorously is a challenge I joust with every day. I'm not sure it works, but I keep trying.
Your perspective on AI rings true to me - yesterday I was talking with some other writers, and I said "AI is today's electric typewriter", because people freak out over every new disruptive technology. It's to be expected. I mostly try to ignore the general upheaval and live my life.
Lol. Indeed! I keep thinking about the cotton machines during the Industrial Revolution (perhaps you've seen/read North and South?) and how everyone hated them, thought they were dirty, stinky, noisy...but also, revolutionary. "Ignore the general upheaval and live my life" is a solid way to go, really.
And I'd love to know what you are writing. Humerous writing is the best.
I write about life. With a twist. On my Advice & Observations page, it's mostly SFW short stories about things that happen in the family. On my Tiara House page, it's so far into NSFW that you can't even find a map back to SFW territory. Same group, different era, mostly. Recently, I've cracked open the door to some other eras in my past. It all kind of depends on what you are looking for. I'll be the first to admit that my SS posts are not polished - I'm counting it good if they even get much of a second look, because the SS algorithm wants posts like wham bam do-it-again. A not-funny but relatively safe spot to start is here: https://milletorres.substack.com/p/the-letter
Most of my stories are serials - like stand alone chapters in a book. One that I find relatively amusing is here, but it's better in context of the whole story: https://milletorres.substack.com/publish/post/188138082
I'd love to know what you think if you have time to read them.