The most absurd thing about it - what problem is it trying to solve? You would think we have a problem of there being not enough books. Lol, there are enough books. There are enough human writers writing books. That is NOT the problem. If anything, we need more readers. So I don't know what these AI bros think they will achieve with their slop. People don't want to buy good quality amazing books, so they think they will buy their slop ?
The targeting of entertainment generally seems like a very odd move, and writing especially. Well done, you can now be as financially unsuccessful as every writer in history?
No coincidence that the tech is being driven by people who seem to have a fundamental lack of understanding of art, though.
Hahaha I do think the ones who think the robot will write them a best seller are in for a rude surprise when they see the numbers in publishing. But i also think the tech pros just want to hoover good quality writing so whatever their bots are spewing for people sounds decent. Books, emails, presentations, essays, reports, project summaries, blogs. Everyone needs content and no one seems to want to write it.
The reality of what’s happening with AI is appalling. The whole thing makes my blood boil and my teeth gnash of their own volition. I’m listening to Sharon Blackie’s book, Wise Women, and I’m feeling like an army of wizened old ladies needs to rise up and put these greedy little boys in their place.
I am now going to scream in the woods before I start the day’s work.
Sending hugs for what they are putting you through and kudos for not giving up. xo
LIFE is inefficient! We don't learn by being efficient, we learn by experimenting, meandering, going in the wrong direction before circling around again. It'd be nice is someday we could get out of the tech bro infused cultural mindset of efficiency and productivity and remember that.
Not really related, but kindasortamaybe....AI is KILLING my husband's eBay listings. As in copying one of his listings but using AI to describe it. And eBay really isn't doing anything about it. And said listings are SO OBVIOUSLY not written by a human. So I get it. And it's annoying as fuck.
I mean, there's a reason (several, actually) that I read your newsletter but don't ever go on Facebook or Instagram. They can steal as many books as they like, but that's unlikely to change.
Meaghan, I'm so sorry about some of your incredible stories being stolen to train AI.
I want to tell you that (a) I understand the worry and difficult emotions you express on this topic, and (b) you sharing your thoughts, feelings and news on this topic creates more HOPE every time. I hope you know that, and thank you for sharing.
"Because a book is a journey, it is carved through the creative wilderness by the writer, before the reader sets out on the path." <-- beautifully written
This is exactly how I feel about this! 👏 Also, my target audience would never be so dumb as to willingly consume AI slop, so I keep writing knowing I’ll always have readers 😮💨💜✨
You are so right. AI is just gobbling up content and spitting it out again. Some writers are just giving up and surrendering to the AI machine. But we have to fight back. I don't think AI can ever replicate real creative work made from human hearts and hands - and if we don't keep making it, AI wins and everybody loses.
I 100% agree. Even if AI is churning out stories faster than we are, they’re still not telling OUR stories. Only we can do that, and that’s what I’m focusing on— writing my own stories 🫶🏻
WE KEEP WRITING!! ART WILL OVERCOME!!
May the odds be ever in our favour!
The most absurd thing about it - what problem is it trying to solve? You would think we have a problem of there being not enough books. Lol, there are enough books. There are enough human writers writing books. That is NOT the problem. If anything, we need more readers. So I don't know what these AI bros think they will achieve with their slop. People don't want to buy good quality amazing books, so they think they will buy their slop ?
Excellent point. I think part of it is they think we will pay for the ability to create slop.
Well hopefully that will be a very short lived business model
The targeting of entertainment generally seems like a very odd move, and writing especially. Well done, you can now be as financially unsuccessful as every writer in history?
No coincidence that the tech is being driven by people who seem to have a fundamental lack of understanding of art, though.
Hahaha I do think the ones who think the robot will write them a best seller are in for a rude surprise when they see the numbers in publishing. But i also think the tech pros just want to hoover good quality writing so whatever their bots are spewing for people sounds decent. Books, emails, presentations, essays, reports, project summaries, blogs. Everyone needs content and no one seems to want to write it.
The reality of what’s happening with AI is appalling. The whole thing makes my blood boil and my teeth gnash of their own volition. I’m listening to Sharon Blackie’s book, Wise Women, and I’m feeling like an army of wizened old ladies needs to rise up and put these greedy little boys in their place.
I am now going to scream in the woods before I start the day’s work.
Sending hugs for what they are putting you through and kudos for not giving up. xo
I volunteer to join your circle of wise wilderness crones!
LIFE is inefficient! We don't learn by being efficient, we learn by experimenting, meandering, going in the wrong direction before circling around again. It'd be nice is someday we could get out of the tech bro infused cultural mindset of efficiency and productivity and remember that.
agreed. We all could do with a bit more meandering!
Not really related, but kindasortamaybe....AI is KILLING my husband's eBay listings. As in copying one of his listings but using AI to describe it. And eBay really isn't doing anything about it. And said listings are SO OBVIOUSLY not written by a human. So I get it. And it's annoying as fuck.
That's so frustrating. Sorry to hear. It feels like its infecting everything
Facebook always getting away with shit even if they breaks laws… So annoying.
Very annoying
Hell yeah.
I mean, there's a reason (several, actually) that I read your newsletter but don't ever go on Facebook or Instagram. They can steal as many books as they like, but that's unlikely to change.
I guess it’s a consolation that my books aren’t popular enough to be scraped!
Haha definitely don't think it's about popularity
Meaghan, I'm so sorry about some of your incredible stories being stolen to train AI.
I want to tell you that (a) I understand the worry and difficult emotions you express on this topic, and (b) you sharing your thoughts, feelings and news on this topic creates more HOPE every time. I hope you know that, and thank you for sharing.
"Because a book is a journey, it is carved through the creative wilderness by the writer, before the reader sets out on the path." <-- beautifully written
Thanks so much Marisa!
Bloated gets my vote. And slimy. Just ugh. No other words. But we write on. We draw, we create. Because AI cannot do that xx
Haha I also like bloated. Write on, my friend
This is exactly how I feel about this! 👏 Also, my target audience would never be so dumb as to willingly consume AI slop, so I keep writing knowing I’ll always have readers 😮💨💜✨
Exactly! Readers want something real!
This post fed my soul in the middle of the soul-sucking existence. Thank you for the Art Will Overcome perspective I needed today.
So glad you liked it! Art WILL overcome!
Same! Just keep writing 🤓
There will always be an appetite for human-created books and art, just like there's an appetite for fine dining. Not everybody's eating fast food.
100%. fast food might even be too generous! its one of those ancient dehydrated convenience store hot dogs.
You are so right. AI is just gobbling up content and spitting it out again. Some writers are just giving up and surrendering to the AI machine. But we have to fight back. I don't think AI can ever replicate real creative work made from human hearts and hands - and if we don't keep making it, AI wins and everybody loses.
Yes! Definitely keep writing
I 100% agree. Even if AI is churning out stories faster than we are, they’re still not telling OUR stories. Only we can do that, and that’s what I’m focusing on— writing my own stories 🫶🏻
Heck yeah! When we're reading, who wants to reach out through their imagination and feel the cold, fake, crispy digits of a bot reaching back?
Right?! When the fad wears off, all that will be left is soulless mediocrity