Can’t tell you how much I appreciate this. The irony’s not lost on me—having just made the case for AI in the classroom in a recent essay, I could’ve just as easily written the counterpoint. I told someone this week: there’s a moment in my day when I can feel the pull away from technology in my bones… and yet, I’m more tethered to a device than ever. You nailed this one. Beautifully said and designed, Jesse.
Thank you, Erin. It's an exciting time with all this technology. I, too, am constantly struggling with devices. AI seems a little different because it's so powerful in its ability to create things (like headlines) that capture our attention. Some may say we should give in; it's creating what we "want"; scrollable news that's entertaining (and addictive).
For the time being, I'm still resisting the urge to let AI create for me. When I scroll, I feel the opposite of how I feel when I read writing that nourishes, inspires, and makes me think.
I wish I believed that AI will be a net plus. Since most AI investments are to achieve advancements in surveillance, #1 by far and #2 marketing, with all other goals far behind, I don't see where it will help us.
To me its analog is "green energy"--an excuse for business as usual and exponential growth in energy consumption. Jevon's paradox virtually assures us that any "efficiencies" AI finds will be offset by greater consumption.
I tend to agree with much of what you say here, including Jevon’s. However, I’m hopeful the tedium of certain scientific analyses will lead to motivation to utilize AI/quantum capabilities to speed up that type of work.
Hey Jesse - you are raising great questions in this essay and some of the other writing you've done recently on the subject of AI and writing. For me, it gets down to the basic question of why write at all unless the act of writing is giving you a deeper more intense experience of why you are alive. Meaning making, reflection, story telling - these are actually sacred practices that can lead to real transformation - but not if someone or something else is doing the heavy lifting.
It turns out that the toil, the labor, the struggle to carry the weight of our thoughts and experiences and make the effort to wrest understanding from them is required for the full effect on us as human beings. Milan Kundera wrote an entire allegorical novel on the subject, "The Unbearable Lightness of Being." It's themes of weight, substance, and meaning take place during a time of political and cultural repression. It is also a love story. It would be meaningless if it had been written by AI instead of a Czech writer who lived through the Prague Spring of 1968 and the subsequent Soviet invasion.
I like your return to an organic process of expression. I don't like the logo - or perhaps it would be fair to say - it's a good, honest step in the right direction but it still lacks the grace and intelligence of your work. Just my opinion. I appreciate being on the journey with you.
Marko- There really is no meaning if AI is doing it for us. Or, I suppose, the meaning is shallow compared to if we were doing it ourselves. I think we’re on the same wavelength in this regard.
And thanks for the logo feedback. I’ll admit it may be a work in progress, an iterative process with myself that will likely evolve.
You’re the man. Really enjoyed this piece and couldn’t agree more with your take. Our souls, stories, and experiences are ours. Articulating them as writers while continuing to pursue the passions we write about will be the opportunity to stay differentiated. If not, we can continue pursuing the analog regardless!
For sure, Kyle. Those passions are are gold and I see the pull of AI diminishing that. AI may be good for SEO and clickbait, but to further our conversations about the human experience, we need real thought and reflection. Without it, our brains will lose this ability, leaving us where?
Fun Fact: human writing has always been an endangered activity. Most people prefer to take in words through their ears more than their eyes (audio books outsell the print versions). Just watch the audio/visual content on Substack overwhelm the text essays 'cause ... popular! Most writers write because they are people who wanna write. Many try to make a living at it, and the vast majority fail. Many give up, and the "real"writers write on while earning their daily bread by other means. I don't think "AI" writing will change that background reality all that much. I may be wrong.
Great points. It raises the question I think of often when someone tells me they "read" a book, but really listened to it. Is the author's meaning acquired by the listener?
Should we all start writing as if it's going to be listened to? That would certainly change the content of the writing. Should we eliminate the middleman and only record our thoughts/conversations?
I can't help but think there will be a distinguishing line between "audio" books and "written" books, with the latter getting less exposure and money, but perhaps providing a richer experience.
I have a Canva account, I tried to use it - once. I wonder, if instead of drafting an essay, revising said essay, contemplating if what was intended in that essay is actually conveyed ... if I could get that eight hours back from writing, what would I then do?
Best Logo I’ve seen in quite some time. It in some way forced me to look at it for more than a moment.
Thanks, Eddie 👍🏻
Can’t tell you how much I appreciate this. The irony’s not lost on me—having just made the case for AI in the classroom in a recent essay, I could’ve just as easily written the counterpoint. I told someone this week: there’s a moment in my day when I can feel the pull away from technology in my bones… and yet, I’m more tethered to a device than ever. You nailed this one. Beautifully said and designed, Jesse.
And Happy Father's Day.
Thank you, Erin. It's an exciting time with all this technology. I, too, am constantly struggling with devices. AI seems a little different because it's so powerful in its ability to create things (like headlines) that capture our attention. Some may say we should give in; it's creating what we "want"; scrollable news that's entertaining (and addictive).
For the time being, I'm still resisting the urge to let AI create for me. When I scroll, I feel the opposite of how I feel when I read writing that nourishes, inspires, and makes me think.
I love the new logo. Authentic.
I wish I believed that AI will be a net plus. Since most AI investments are to achieve advancements in surveillance, #1 by far and #2 marketing, with all other goals far behind, I don't see where it will help us.
To me its analog is "green energy"--an excuse for business as usual and exponential growth in energy consumption. Jevon's paradox virtually assures us that any "efficiencies" AI finds will be offset by greater consumption.
Sigh.
I tend to agree with much of what you say here, including Jevon’s. However, I’m hopeful the tedium of certain scientific analyses will lead to motivation to utilize AI/quantum capabilities to speed up that type of work.
Thanks, John.
Nice conceit, nicely executed.
Thank you, Deborah.
Hey Jesse - you are raising great questions in this essay and some of the other writing you've done recently on the subject of AI and writing. For me, it gets down to the basic question of why write at all unless the act of writing is giving you a deeper more intense experience of why you are alive. Meaning making, reflection, story telling - these are actually sacred practices that can lead to real transformation - but not if someone or something else is doing the heavy lifting.
It turns out that the toil, the labor, the struggle to carry the weight of our thoughts and experiences and make the effort to wrest understanding from them is required for the full effect on us as human beings. Milan Kundera wrote an entire allegorical novel on the subject, "The Unbearable Lightness of Being." It's themes of weight, substance, and meaning take place during a time of political and cultural repression. It is also a love story. It would be meaningless if it had been written by AI instead of a Czech writer who lived through the Prague Spring of 1968 and the subsequent Soviet invasion.
I like your return to an organic process of expression. I don't like the logo - or perhaps it would be fair to say - it's a good, honest step in the right direction but it still lacks the grace and intelligence of your work. Just my opinion. I appreciate being on the journey with you.
Marko- There really is no meaning if AI is doing it for us. Or, I suppose, the meaning is shallow compared to if we were doing it ourselves. I think we’re on the same wavelength in this regard.
And thanks for the logo feedback. I’ll admit it may be a work in progress, an iterative process with myself that will likely evolve.
You’re the man. Really enjoyed this piece and couldn’t agree more with your take. Our souls, stories, and experiences are ours. Articulating them as writers while continuing to pursue the passions we write about will be the opportunity to stay differentiated. If not, we can continue pursuing the analog regardless!
For sure, Kyle. Those passions are are gold and I see the pull of AI diminishing that. AI may be good for SEO and clickbait, but to further our conversations about the human experience, we need real thought and reflection. Without it, our brains will lose this ability, leaving us where?
Digitized humanity
Authentic logo AND writing, Jesse. 👏
Fun Fact: human writing has always been an endangered activity. Most people prefer to take in words through their ears more than their eyes (audio books outsell the print versions). Just watch the audio/visual content on Substack overwhelm the text essays 'cause ... popular! Most writers write because they are people who wanna write. Many try to make a living at it, and the vast majority fail. Many give up, and the "real"writers write on while earning their daily bread by other means. I don't think "AI" writing will change that background reality all that much. I may be wrong.
Great points. It raises the question I think of often when someone tells me they "read" a book, but really listened to it. Is the author's meaning acquired by the listener?
Should we all start writing as if it's going to be listened to? That would certainly change the content of the writing. Should we eliminate the middleman and only record our thoughts/conversations?
I can't help but think there will be a distinguishing line between "audio" books and "written" books, with the latter getting less exposure and money, but perhaps providing a richer experience.
Agreed.
Love it! Love the logo, the story, and the drive! Thanks Jesse.
Thank you, Dan!
Love the new logo and the story behind it. I love the sound of the rain in the video, too.
I appreciate that, Amanda. I’m glad you picked up on the rain 😊
I'm so into this, Jesse.
Yes! Thanks, Lou.
Good stuff, Jesse. I’m always glad to imagine you up in the mountains across Lake Champlain doing your thing in situ.
Thanks, man. Yes, ditto to you.
I have a Canva account, I tried to use it - once. I wonder, if instead of drafting an essay, revising said essay, contemplating if what was intended in that essay is actually conveyed ... if I could get that eight hours back from writing, what would I then do?
I think about that all the time, Stacy.
Great post, and love the logo, not sure why folk unsubscribed....just keep being creative!