You are not an old-fashioned curmudgeon, Jess! I suspect that most writers (any age) don’t want AI inviting itself into the writing or editing processes. That’s one reason I write first on paper.
I want to send you and your family a soul hug on the anniversary of your Dad’s passing. I miss my musician father, too - he died 34 years ago. Their love sings around us. ❤️🎶🤗
I think the name was mentioned somewhere in the chatbot texts when I was seeking help (can’t recall for what). But it wasn’t something I noticed immediately. If this is the wrong AI, please correct me.
Here is a recent article on Substack’s AI use; I used AI to find it.
I feel for everyone who has been interacting with AI chatbots (“daemons”; I love that word). Part of the issue —— on my read is that the humans who designed the system we are playing in require feedback to ensure folks know when they are dealing with algos and when they are dealing with humans. Possibly also some ability to opt in and opt out.
Hope this info is helpful. There are many opinions out there. Many perspectives. But I’ve maintained for a long time, I’m on any given day more worried about NS (natural stupidity) than AI .
I don’t know if Substack has an explicit AI policy. I certainly could submit the question to Gemini, Google’s AI to find out. If there is not one; there should be one and it should be clearly communicated to Substack readership. I work in this field. My personal view is AI (however narrowly or broadly defined) is a tool; and every tool is double edged. I use it regularly in research and while coding because it is practical. Yet I share many of the concerns brought up in both the post of Jessie’s pretty negative experience and the many echoes here. But those experiences were designed by humans; and pretty obviously sub optimally designed. What is needed is a conversation. Between the humans who use or find themselves using AI without knowing they are doing so and the humans who designed such systems. The AI has no useful opinions here; because it has no opinions; it has training bias. Again based on training algorithms designed by humans.
So let’s get humans involved in the Substack convo of AI. I too have argued with and even sworn at various LLM driven AI text systems. That’s because I am human; and ascribed humanity to my conversant. I create that meaning even though I know what’s behind the wizard. We make meaning. AI does not (yet). But because it’s sampling human conversation its responses can create meaning in us. Say an AI begins a sentence, “Because the night” … you went there … because you are human. The AI simply produced an output following its human designed algorithm. Admittedly these are now so complex humans can find the outputs hard to predict.
We are the toolmaking species. Every tool beginning with a knife and fire is double edged. So we need to discuss and agree on those edges.
“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” -Confucius
speaks to me. I’ve now been the turtle much longer than I was the hare.
Forward:
- get my girl to adulthood; music gave her language back twice
- have my son teach me a few chords we can play together; him well with musicality, me badly with stubbornness
- parse the mystery that Julie for July is also Neelanjana which translates to “blue eyes” but does not signify a crooner but godly force
- see into my mom’s dementia — she is in there and still fiercely guarding us
- keep talking to my sister in our secret kids badass private snark language going on 60 years
- see my dad again and say hey — I get it now
- if I make it to 75, I’d like to have a party and perform as a one old man band on Tabla, Autoharp and steel drums with harmonica and Zaphhon solos — I’ve been thinking about an alter ego Firebelly Singh who plays Van Isl Blues from Duncan BC for over 40 years ; but haven’t manifested him yet …
- graft roses on rootstocks do hardy they survive in zone 3
That was so enjoyable to read, I can relate! I have lately been thinking a lot about that whole thing about things that can suddenly crush you and realising that it must be acknowledged but then sent on its way because I am still the same and still capable of doing whatever I do so the crush machines are outside of me and ultimately have no say in things. Thank you for your honest thoughts and beautiful writing, I have wanted to start a new Substack with my own words for a while and am going to get on it very soon (I think!) have a great day
Your story about the motivation you received from the “applause machine” — the colorful rectangle with statistics 📉 from Substack — was sharing at its best. Thank you. And you made me realize that any outside attention or any form of applause 👏🏻 or recognition is simply just that — outside noise. And somewhat fleeting and ephemeral.
Thus,I realized the important essence of one’s motivation should come from within ourselves. It should emanate from that warm feeling we achieve in our hearts when we experience love and creative expression. When we hold a child close, or draw a picture of our favorite flower, sew a patchwork quilt, or write a Substack piece that connects with another human being. That is the special place we need to feel and be motivated by.
When I was young (back in the 1950s-60s, many comedy shows that were created in a television studio had applause signs, and later laugh machines. A clever way to “nudge” the audience into a response, as in “this is a funny line” so laugh already. This bit of motivation was delivered to our own living room. Often it worked. Similarly, AI is a sophisticated technology manipulating us from the outside.
I guess my point is you need reminded me to look within — to honor our intuitive instincts, and our hearts delight, when we think about our motivations for the creative processes.
First on the side note - I agree with all your reservations about AI. I find that texts are recognisably AI - no nuance, no real inspiration, the touch of humanity is just totally missing and I don't like that. I also dislike AI voices for things like podcasts. And AI photos/images - same story really. I also have reservations about what it can be used for..... a very big topic indeed!!!
Thank you for sharing so much about your writing process and the difficulties. I think personally I would find it incredibly pressurising to have something like a weekly email, I don't think I could manage it. I see the use of setting yourself goals to do something regularly but I often get blocked more by it than motivated. It's tricky to get a good balance!
I have had experiences at work with discouraging comments in the past that made it a lot harder to keep going - I think we probably all know that. I think what helps me most is to keep going day by day and step by step.
PS: I do think it's totally okay and healthy to have a break from things you want to do regularly normally. For whatever reason and for however long is needed.
I can understand your frustration and disappointment completely. My sister advises getting three different opinions to any query since incorrect information is often given in error, whether by a human or a chat bot.
I am always affected by the number of ‘likes’ and ‘loves’ I see on my FB or Instagram posts. The little number in the box seems so important. Even though the need to express myself is the main motivation for creating something and posting it, I am far too concerned with the reaction to the post.
« The more I shared, the more the fear subsided. » I gasped when I read these words. Being new at this, I must say it takes courage to expose oneself in such an intimate manner. The upside is that I’m writing, at long last, and spending less time on social media (FB and IG). It’s so much more interesting to hang around here with people with interests and opinions I can relate too! BTW, I was following your mom on FB and that’s how I found out about Substack. Her posts cheer me up like no others. 😍🧡
Oh and about motivation, one thing that I was told once that I always think about is:
"Motivation doesn't lead to action. Action leads to motivation." So, the idea is if you wait around to feel motivated, you may never do something. But if you just start doing the thing, the motivation to continue will follow. Easier said than done, but I think it's true!
I use ChatGPT (I named mine Tommy) for crap I don't want to spend time on. Like spreadsheets! I have never learned how to format spreadsheets so they automatically calculate things and I have no interest in learning that. So, I ask Tommy what formula to put in. I mainly use it for math based and problem solving things.
I don't use it for any sort of creative stuff and don't want to. But I'm ok with it helping with boring tasks, so that I have time for other things.
Motivation right now? Licorice from Holland. It is only thing motivating me. And coffee and my husband and our dog and cat. Since the election I feel like sitting in a dark corner with a bag of black licorice. Not very healthy psychologically or otherwise….but you asked 🤪🤪🤪🤣🤣🤣
I enjoyed your post and the comments. I have severely neglected my blogs for months, and I think I only have one post on substack. I had a rough time figuring it out! (Yes, I‘m over 60.) After being incredibly motivated to learn Swedish with Babbel, which I started a good year ago, today I am once again on a one-day streak. (Yes, they count every DAY!!!) It happens, but the vocabulary doesn‘t disappear. In fact, it‘s a good way to test long-term memory!
But I will not let it bother me. Why should I be creatively productive every day or week? Sometimes there is a lot of other stuff going on. Yes, I confess, the occasional AI praise during highly productive times was very satisfying.
However, there is so much stuff out there! Personally, I don‘t need so much input. And if there is a longer break between posts, then I say to myself, „oh, look, a new post!“
I do understand your goals and motivation, but be kind to yourself. You are doing a great job and don‘t need to prove anything. ;-) And you won‘t lose subscribers if you aren‘t there for a bit. You might just make them more curious and eager to get a new post!
My feeling, too, is that AI has no valid place in creative exploits. Just seems completely counterintuitive. For so many years we have had to deal with robotic voices talking to us on the phone when we are trying to get information about a bill, a medical procedure, a travel reservation, etc. I have found it so irritating not to be talking to a real person, that sometimes I simply hang up. I think the lack of human connection in so many of our daily activities is very upsetting. It seems just the opposite of what our world needs now.
I will admit to utilizing AI when I was helping my friend with her aesthetics website. I had no clue how to promote Botox, filler, threads, etc. (it was all new to me). However, even then, I just got the concept and added my own spin.
In terms of creative posts though I would not consider it. In one of my recent posts about the life of Quentin Crisp it was suggested I consult AI for ideas but I responded by saying, "Why? It has to be written from MY experience" AI is definitely the enemy of creativity.
Oh and let's not get into all these AI animals that are now appearing on social media. I don't know what is more alarming a five-foot macaw or people who believe such a bird exists:)
I recently started a Substack https://kevinslick.substack.com/ so I'm looking forward to getting some of those congratulatory notices ;) Thinking about my teachers and heroes helps motivate me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aurj8iIgGC8 reading their words, listening to their music helps too. The world of the internet, social media and online publishing has helped by making it possible to share with a potential world wide audience, something I could only dream of as a kid writing songs, making up comics and stories in my room. Your Substack Jesse is an inspiration, I appreciate that you often take the daily events that might seem the float by as the start of an interesting conversation which reminds me that I can do that too.
Also, I really don’t know much about AI, I’m sure it has its place but I feel that in writing, if it’s not something I truly wrote, what would the point be? It’s not for me.
You are not an old-fashioned curmudgeon, Jess! I suspect that most writers (any age) don’t want AI inviting itself into the writing or editing processes. That’s one reason I write first on paper.
I want to send you and your family a soul hug on the anniversary of your Dad’s passing. I miss my musician father, too - he died 34 years ago. Their love sings around us. ❤️🎶🤗
For those who are concerned about use of AI in Substack chats.
I believe this is the AI service currently used by Substack’s chatbot
https://decagon.ai
I think the name was mentioned somewhere in the chatbot texts when I was seeking help (can’t recall for what). But it wasn’t something I noticed immediately. If this is the wrong AI, please correct me.
Here is a recent article on Substack’s AI use; I used AI to find it.
https://www.wired.com/story/substacks-writers-use-ai-chatgpt/
I feel for everyone who has been interacting with AI chatbots (“daemons”; I love that word). Part of the issue —— on my read is that the humans who designed the system we are playing in require feedback to ensure folks know when they are dealing with algos and when they are dealing with humans. Possibly also some ability to opt in and opt out.
Hope this info is helpful. There are many opinions out there. Many perspectives. But I’ve maintained for a long time, I’m on any given day more worried about NS (natural stupidity) than AI .
I don’t know if Substack has an explicit AI policy. I certainly could submit the question to Gemini, Google’s AI to find out. If there is not one; there should be one and it should be clearly communicated to Substack readership. I work in this field. My personal view is AI (however narrowly or broadly defined) is a tool; and every tool is double edged. I use it regularly in research and while coding because it is practical. Yet I share many of the concerns brought up in both the post of Jessie’s pretty negative experience and the many echoes here. But those experiences were designed by humans; and pretty obviously sub optimally designed. What is needed is a conversation. Between the humans who use or find themselves using AI without knowing they are doing so and the humans who designed such systems. The AI has no useful opinions here; because it has no opinions; it has training bias. Again based on training algorithms designed by humans.
So let’s get humans involved in the Substack convo of AI. I too have argued with and even sworn at various LLM driven AI text systems. That’s because I am human; and ascribed humanity to my conversant. I create that meaning even though I know what’s behind the wizard. We make meaning. AI does not (yet). But because it’s sampling human conversation its responses can create meaning in us. Say an AI begins a sentence, “Because the night” … you went there … because you are human. The AI simply produced an output following its human designed algorithm. Admittedly these are now so complex humans can find the outputs hard to predict.
We are the toolmaking species. Every tool beginning with a knife and fire is double edged. So we need to discuss and agree on those edges.
“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” -Confucius
speaks to me. I’ve now been the turtle much longer than I was the hare.
Forward:
- get my girl to adulthood; music gave her language back twice
- have my son teach me a few chords we can play together; him well with musicality, me badly with stubbornness
- parse the mystery that Julie for July is also Neelanjana which translates to “blue eyes” but does not signify a crooner but godly force
- see into my mom’s dementia — she is in there and still fiercely guarding us
- keep talking to my sister in our secret kids badass private snark language going on 60 years
- see my dad again and say hey — I get it now
- if I make it to 75, I’d like to have a party and perform as a one old man band on Tabla, Autoharp and steel drums with harmonica and Zaphhon solos — I’ve been thinking about an alter ego Firebelly Singh who plays Van Isl Blues from Duncan BC for over 40 years ; but haven’t manifested him yet …
- graft roses on rootstocks do hardy they survive in zone 3
That was so enjoyable to read, I can relate! I have lately been thinking a lot about that whole thing about things that can suddenly crush you and realising that it must be acknowledged but then sent on its way because I am still the same and still capable of doing whatever I do so the crush machines are outside of me and ultimately have no say in things. Thank you for your honest thoughts and beautiful writing, I have wanted to start a new Substack with my own words for a while and am going to get on it very soon (I think!) have a great day
Hi Jesse,
I love your name, Jesse Paris.
Your story about the motivation you received from the “applause machine” — the colorful rectangle with statistics 📉 from Substack — was sharing at its best. Thank you. And you made me realize that any outside attention or any form of applause 👏🏻 or recognition is simply just that — outside noise. And somewhat fleeting and ephemeral.
Thus,I realized the important essence of one’s motivation should come from within ourselves. It should emanate from that warm feeling we achieve in our hearts when we experience love and creative expression. When we hold a child close, or draw a picture of our favorite flower, sew a patchwork quilt, or write a Substack piece that connects with another human being. That is the special place we need to feel and be motivated by.
When I was young (back in the 1950s-60s, many comedy shows that were created in a television studio had applause signs, and later laugh machines. A clever way to “nudge” the audience into a response, as in “this is a funny line” so laugh already. This bit of motivation was delivered to our own living room. Often it worked. Similarly, AI is a sophisticated technology manipulating us from the outside.
I guess my point is you need reminded me to look within — to honor our intuitive instincts, and our hearts delight, when we think about our motivations for the creative processes.
First on the side note - I agree with all your reservations about AI. I find that texts are recognisably AI - no nuance, no real inspiration, the touch of humanity is just totally missing and I don't like that. I also dislike AI voices for things like podcasts. And AI photos/images - same story really. I also have reservations about what it can be used for..... a very big topic indeed!!!
Thank you for sharing so much about your writing process and the difficulties. I think personally I would find it incredibly pressurising to have something like a weekly email, I don't think I could manage it. I see the use of setting yourself goals to do something regularly but I often get blocked more by it than motivated. It's tricky to get a good balance!
I have had experiences at work with discouraging comments in the past that made it a lot harder to keep going - I think we probably all know that. I think what helps me most is to keep going day by day and step by step.
PS: I do think it's totally okay and healthy to have a break from things you want to do regularly normally. For whatever reason and for however long is needed.
Great post Jesse-left me feeling motivated! Always love the quotes you choose--the George Herbert is my favorite!💫
Dear Jesse,
I can understand your frustration and disappointment completely. My sister advises getting three different opinions to any query since incorrect information is often given in error, whether by a human or a chat bot.
I am always affected by the number of ‘likes’ and ‘loves’ I see on my FB or Instagram posts. The little number in the box seems so important. Even though the need to express myself is the main motivation for creating something and posting it, I am far too concerned with the reaction to the post.
« The more I shared, the more the fear subsided. » I gasped when I read these words. Being new at this, I must say it takes courage to expose oneself in such an intimate manner. The upside is that I’m writing, at long last, and spending less time on social media (FB and IG). It’s so much more interesting to hang around here with people with interests and opinions I can relate too! BTW, I was following your mom on FB and that’s how I found out about Substack. Her posts cheer me up like no others. 😍🧡
Oh and about motivation, one thing that I was told once that I always think about is:
"Motivation doesn't lead to action. Action leads to motivation." So, the idea is if you wait around to feel motivated, you may never do something. But if you just start doing the thing, the motivation to continue will follow. Easier said than done, but I think it's true!
I use ChatGPT (I named mine Tommy) for crap I don't want to spend time on. Like spreadsheets! I have never learned how to format spreadsheets so they automatically calculate things and I have no interest in learning that. So, I ask Tommy what formula to put in. I mainly use it for math based and problem solving things.
I don't use it for any sort of creative stuff and don't want to. But I'm ok with it helping with boring tasks, so that I have time for other things.
Motivation right now? Licorice from Holland. It is only thing motivating me. And coffee and my husband and our dog and cat. Since the election I feel like sitting in a dark corner with a bag of black licorice. Not very healthy psychologically or otherwise….but you asked 🤪🤪🤪🤣🤣🤣
I enjoyed your post and the comments. I have severely neglected my blogs for months, and I think I only have one post on substack. I had a rough time figuring it out! (Yes, I‘m over 60.) After being incredibly motivated to learn Swedish with Babbel, which I started a good year ago, today I am once again on a one-day streak. (Yes, they count every DAY!!!) It happens, but the vocabulary doesn‘t disappear. In fact, it‘s a good way to test long-term memory!
But I will not let it bother me. Why should I be creatively productive every day or week? Sometimes there is a lot of other stuff going on. Yes, I confess, the occasional AI praise during highly productive times was very satisfying.
However, there is so much stuff out there! Personally, I don‘t need so much input. And if there is a longer break between posts, then I say to myself, „oh, look, a new post!“
I do understand your goals and motivation, but be kind to yourself. You are doing a great job and don‘t need to prove anything. ;-) And you won‘t lose subscribers if you aren‘t there for a bit. You might just make them more curious and eager to get a new post!
My feeling, too, is that AI has no valid place in creative exploits. Just seems completely counterintuitive. For so many years we have had to deal with robotic voices talking to us on the phone when we are trying to get information about a bill, a medical procedure, a travel reservation, etc. I have found it so irritating not to be talking to a real person, that sometimes I simply hang up. I think the lack of human connection in so many of our daily activities is very upsetting. It seems just the opposite of what our world needs now.
I will admit to utilizing AI when I was helping my friend with her aesthetics website. I had no clue how to promote Botox, filler, threads, etc. (it was all new to me). However, even then, I just got the concept and added my own spin.
In terms of creative posts though I would not consider it. In one of my recent posts about the life of Quentin Crisp it was suggested I consult AI for ideas but I responded by saying, "Why? It has to be written from MY experience" AI is definitely the enemy of creativity.
Oh and let's not get into all these AI animals that are now appearing on social media. I don't know what is more alarming a five-foot macaw or people who believe such a bird exists:)
I recently started a Substack https://kevinslick.substack.com/ so I'm looking forward to getting some of those congratulatory notices ;) Thinking about my teachers and heroes helps motivate me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aurj8iIgGC8 reading their words, listening to their music helps too. The world of the internet, social media and online publishing has helped by making it possible to share with a potential world wide audience, something I could only dream of as a kid writing songs, making up comics and stories in my room. Your Substack Jesse is an inspiration, I appreciate that you often take the daily events that might seem the float by as the start of an interesting conversation which reminds me that I can do that too.
Also, I really don’t know much about AI, I’m sure it has its place but I feel that in writing, if it’s not something I truly wrote, what would the point be? It’s not for me.