I’ve been thinking that the key to making a success of AI will involve the ability to ask a really good question. That, plus the ability to spot half-digested BS.
This is both absolutely correct and also brilliant. And thanks for the link to that AI film site. That was very interesting. I cant stop writing either which is why I am glad someone lead me to substack.
I am so entangled with words that I have connected into whole relationships based mainly on a good use of vocabulary. I hear a good selection of words rolling by and I think "Let's make friends with THIS guy." Its probably a very stupid way to connect with someone. I bet sociopaths can probably work vocabulary. And yet...and yet...I dont think many of them bother. (fingers crossed.)
Perhaps your attraction to wordsmiths is its own flavor of sociopathy. Wouldn't it be great to learn late in your life that you're a sociopath? Such good cocktail party conversation!.
Haaa. Or as my grandmother would have said OY. So my big lesson in life is going to be that I should always have been selecting for inarticulate but good hearted substance abusers who might smash beer cans into their foreheads but at least never waste any time on phrasing. I guess we all have lessons to learn.
i particularly like this: "Despite the West’s best intentions to convince us otherwise, I do not believe money-making is the highest human ideal. I think it’s storytelling, in whatever medium, because it’s in telling our stories that we teach other who we were, who we are, and who we’d like to be. And, just as importantly, who we don’t want to be."
This is the same section that appealed to me the most. As an English professor and chair of a Humanities department, this is a view I keep trying to convince people of....along with getting students who hate writing and think they're bad at it to leave behind a lot of what they've previously been taught about writing and focus on finding a way to convey to others what they think is important, what they love. I tell them my goal is that they leave a little more confident in their ability and with the realization that they have something to say that's worth listening to.
As a frustrated artist, writer and lousy dancer, I read with envy. You write for many who never honed a creative skill. Keep it up. Living vicariously through your humorous takes and sometimes poignant world makes my day.
Love it! Storytelling is the ideal. I’m an art professor and a longtime fan (from the State to your stand up in the aughts). More recently I’ve really appreciated your writing and perspective on current events and culture. This post is not rambling. It’s incisive.
Gotta think, if'n yer gonna run an essay about being a writer, you might want to run it by someone before posting.
I'm happy to help if you want to assemble a team of proof-readers. Not every day, but I think 5 or 6 of us could clean out some of the more glaring 'typos'.
...not trying to be an asshole [which clearly I am] it's just that you seem like the sort of fellow who would not want to be posting content that passes the spell checker only.
Thanks Michael, I’m the same. Writing something, anything, every day is required for my sanity. Also my school took me from loving writing to HATING it. I’m still a bit bitter about it.
For the record reading My Custom Van was like the Beatles on Ed Sullivan for me. I’ve read my kindle edition so much that the app literally banned me for a while. Luckily I also have hard copy.
“I can’t help it.” ⭐️
Lucky for us!
I’ve been thinking that the key to making a success of AI will involve the ability to ask a really good question. That, plus the ability to spot half-digested BS.
I really liked this post. Some weird comments here, though.
This is both absolutely correct and also brilliant. And thanks for the link to that AI film site. That was very interesting. I cant stop writing either which is why I am glad someone lead me to substack.
Thanks, Merrill. It's what led me here, too. We're slaves to the alphabet.
I am so entangled with words that I have connected into whole relationships based mainly on a good use of vocabulary. I hear a good selection of words rolling by and I think "Let's make friends with THIS guy." Its probably a very stupid way to connect with someone. I bet sociopaths can probably work vocabulary. And yet...and yet...I dont think many of them bother. (fingers crossed.)
Perhaps your attraction to wordsmiths is its own flavor of sociopathy. Wouldn't it be great to learn late in your life that you're a sociopath? Such good cocktail party conversation!.
Haaa. Or as my grandmother would have said OY. So my big lesson in life is going to be that I should always have been selecting for inarticulate but good hearted substance abusers who might smash beer cans into their foreheads but at least never waste any time on phrasing. I guess we all have lessons to learn.
I wish I had your optimism Ian.
Too biological? Too human?
Have you read much about queer theory or trans ideology or “gender affirming care” for our youth?
Men can be women.
Trans women (biological males) can chest feed an infant and their milk is as good as any biological female.
Biological men claiming to be women can fairly compete against biological females.
Puberty blockers given to prepubescent children are harmless and reversible.
Children KNOW who they really are (born in the wrong body) at an age as young as two.
Truly resonated with me. Thanks.
I think this one is my favorite so far. ❤️
dear michael,
thanks for this writing!
i particularly like this: "Despite the West’s best intentions to convince us otherwise, I do not believe money-making is the highest human ideal. I think it’s storytelling, in whatever medium, because it’s in telling our stories that we teach other who we were, who we are, and who we’d like to be. And, just as importantly, who we don’t want to be."
love
myq
This is the same section that appealed to me the most. As an English professor and chair of a Humanities department, this is a view I keep trying to convince people of....along with getting students who hate writing and think they're bad at it to leave behind a lot of what they've previously been taught about writing and focus on finding a way to convey to others what they think is important, what they love. I tell them my goal is that they leave a little more confident in their ability and with the realization that they have something to say that's worth listening to.
Such a visual about people clutching their pearls. A real gem.
Personally, I prefer the term Wri-TOR, but yes.
As a frustrated artist, writer and lousy dancer, I read with envy. You write for many who never honed a creative skill. Keep it up. Living vicariously through your humorous takes and sometimes poignant world makes my day.
Slog of suck! Brilliant!
Love it! Storytelling is the ideal. I’m an art professor and a longtime fan (from the State to your stand up in the aughts). More recently I’ve really appreciated your writing and perspective on current events and culture. This post is not rambling. It’s incisive.
Gotta think, if'n yer gonna run an essay about being a writer, you might want to run it by someone before posting.
I'm happy to help if you want to assemble a team of proof-readers. Not every day, but I think 5 or 6 of us could clean out some of the more glaring 'typos'.
...not trying to be an asshole [which clearly I am] it's just that you seem like the sort of fellow who would not want to be posting content that passes the spell checker only.
Thanks Michael, I’m the same. Writing something, anything, every day is required for my sanity. Also my school took me from loving writing to HATING it. I’m still a bit bitter about it.
For the record reading My Custom Van was like the Beatles on Ed Sullivan for me. I’ve read my kindle edition so much that the app literally banned me for a while. Luckily I also have hard copy.
The exercise and writing analogy is so apt for me too, and I always forget it. Also I really appreciate your take on AI.