This & That: January 31, 2023

Is AI coming for my writing?

Hello, readers!

In the last few weeks I’ve had the chance to play around with a couple AI programs that are making waves both inside the tech industry and in broader culture as well. And ya know what? They are really impressive.

Between Dall-E 2 (image generator) and ChatGPT (text generator), artists and writers of all kinds are sweating a bit, or, at the least, wondering how to stay relevant and unique in an AI world.

I have just a few thoughts on that below, as well as our household’s favorite reads of January, plus a few great links to share.

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Something I’m Thinking About: Is AI Coming for My Writing?

This image was created on Dall-E 2, with the prompt: “robot sitting at a desk typing out a novel on a computer digital art.”

Artificial intelligence has officially entered the national conversation. From NY Times profiles, to Atlantic think pieces, to CBS Sunday Morning features, so-called “generative” programs like Dall-E 2 and ChatGPT are getting a lot of press.

The gist is simple: you input some sort of prompt and the program spits out an idea of what you’re looking for. The image above is an example. Below is what I got from ChatGPT with the prompt “write a glowing book review of lonesome dove by larry mcmurtry”:

Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry is a true masterpiece of American literature. The novel tells the story of two former Texas Rangers, Gus and Call, as they embark on a cattle drive from Texas to Montana. The characters are richly drawn and the story is both epic and intimate, capturing the spirit of the American West in all its complexity. McMurtry's writing is both poetic and gritty, and he creates a sense of place that is both nostalgic and timeless. This is a novel that will stay with you long after you've finished reading it. It's a must-read for anyone who loves great literature or the American West.

Pretty darn good, isn’t it? That seems like something I would write, honestly. It’s impressive and a bit scary at the same time.

All of this inevitably leads to existential questions about work, art, and the robot apocalypse.

I don’t think AI is coming for me just yet, but it will probably change my writing. In light of the above review, I’m actually inspired to become a better, less cliched writer. This is not rich prose that the program spit out, but closer to a formulaic combination of buzzy, bookish words.

Unique and high-quality writing will stand out all the more in an AI world. If ChatGPT can give me some ideas, though, or a good outline, I’ll happily welcome it. As I explore these tools even more, I’m certain I’ll have more thoughts. One thing is for sure: this stuff is not going away and will inevitably change how many of us work and create. It’ll be better to understand it than outright shun it.

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The Anderberg Family’s Favorite Books of January

The opening pages of the graphic adaptation of A Wrinkle in Time.

At the end of each month, I peruse my reading spreadsheet and highlight my favorite fiction and non-fiction read from the previous ~4 weeks. Figured I’d start sharing those picks with y’all, as well as get the rest of the household involved too.

• Jeremy — I read some great books this month, but Fonda Lee’s Jade War was probably my favorite novel and Chris Herring’s Blood in the Garden was definitely my favorite non-fiction title.

• Jane — Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng. I also really enjoyed this one; it’s stuck with both of us.

• Graham (7 years old) — A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle. We read the graphic novel adaptation by Hope Larson and loved it. Five stars from both of us.

• Willa (almost 5 years old) — She says that all the books were her favorite this month. What she requested most often was Fancy Nancy: Nancy and the Nice List.

• Bo (2 years old) — Whichever book he can rip apart is his favorite. 😂

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Miscellany

Break Point, on Netflix, is a fantastic, bingeable tennis documentary series that goes well beyond just sports. It paired perfectly with watching the Australian Open. I loved this essay about Antarctic travel that’s about much more than just Antarctica. Co-written by creative power couple Roxane Gay and Debbie Millman, this is what travel writing should always be. I’m a sucker for anything by Cal Newport, so I really enjoyed this wide-ranging, in-depth interview that’s mostly about the idea of “slow productivity.” Need a quick and easy-to-learn card game for the little people in your life? Sleeping Queens has been a hit in our household and it’s fun (enough) for adults to play too. If you’re looking for a killer homemade brownie recipe, this one from Epicurious is my go-to and it’s Jane’s favorite thing that I make. I often just use a square baker instead of a cast iron.

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Thanks so much for the time and attention — I deeply appreciate it.

-Jeremy