Long Wired essay linked to essays generated by ChatGPT. Judging by the similarity in style of writing and the excessive length of writing, I guessed both pieces of writing had AI help. One was acknowledged and showcased as an example and the other was not. Both pieces appear collaborative so the writer's voice and tone is not completely drowned. The essays were mediocre and it was surprising to learn that they were included in some best essay anthology - as a shining example of AI parlor tricks played on literature and writing, maybe there is a case for that. On the merits of writing alone, not so much.
Reading about the mother who does not like the children's book options in the store and wants to write her own adventure story - I can relate to that. My mother was a prolific maker of such stories when I was a child. They were all made up on the fly and held my attention. Sometimes I remembered the plot points at a level of detail she could not replicate in her second telling of the story. I found this deeply frustrating but it never occurred to me back then that the stories were being instantly manufactured.
When it came my turn to tell stories to J, I found myself doing what my mother did but I went for short and punchy plot lines where all was said and done in under ten minutes. J was always one for brevity unlike me at her age - I liked the plot twists and turns, no detail was too small. Different kid, different approach - mothers adapt to what is needed to get the little person to fall asleep. I am not sure how I feel about outsourcing such a delightful job to an AI.
It is a moment of spontaneous bonding, a chance to tell a story about complex things in a way that makes sense to a child. At other times it could be an escape into a wonderland with the child being their age with them. I am glad I got to do all of that myself - flawed and imperfect as my productions might have been.
Comments