They say you can’t wait for inspiration; you just have to write. I’m not sure who “they” are, but I’ve surely said it a time or two. So, perhaps after nearly 150,000 words and three years of consistency with writing this column, I’m becoming an expert in faking the funk to get words on the page. So far, so good.
The Japanese have a term for the beneficial effects of communing with nature, being alive among the trees The term in English is “forest bathing” That is what I thought of when I read your description of the impact of nature on you I liked this stream of consciousness with its nature bathing Here is my stream of consciousness comment I also understand the need to just write I have trouble just setting down and doing it regularly I need to develop your discipline I avoided AI for some time but I have started using it as it is quicker than a Google search I don’t think it will ever replace us That so many AI creators are going back to nature tells me that My concern is that it will be used to manipulate us and further divide us Finally, chicken and mashed potatoes Was that a Kentucky Friend meal selection?
I’ve heard of forest bathing; I think it’s a good concept. You just gotta write, and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with using ai as a research tool necessarily I just get bummed when people use it to actually create their art. lol it was Bojangles but close enough to kfc.
I am not a fan of AI. I am sorry we we have become so uncaring. They’re afraid of telling their story because of the way others react. I am not good at small talk. It absolutely wears me out. I love to to have conversations without LOL. I don’t need to have a computer or the side of a bus to tell me to be kind. We have brains. We need people. We need the human connection. The people who have created AI do it for the money. I have started to tell the AI’s I need to speak with a living breathing person. I will always be a fan of yours . I like storytellers & people who are real. Looking forward to next Friday.
"I always refuse to use self-checkout at the grocery store. That’s one less human job, and truthfully, I don’t want to deal with it." Brother, I could not agree more. In fact, just yesterday I had to hold my ground a lot more than should have been necessary when a manager at a chain store that will remain nameless insisted I'd be better off using the self checkout rather than waiting in line.
It reminds me of that famous Vonnegut passage: "I’m going down the steps, and my wife calls up, “Where are you going?” I say, “Well, I’m going to go buy an envelope.” And she says, “You’re not a poor man. Why don’t you buy a thousand envelopes? They’ll deliver them, and you can put them in a closet.” And I say, “Hush.” So I go down the steps here, and I go out to this newsstand across the street where they sell magazines and lottery tickets and stationery. I have to get in line because there are people buying candy and all that sort of thing, and I talk to them. The woman behind the counter has a jewel between her eyes, and when it’s my turn, I ask her if there have been any big winners lately. I get my envelope and seal it up and go to the postal convenience center down the block at the corner of 47th Street and 2nd Avenue, where I’m secretly in love with the woman behind the counter. I keep absolutely poker-faced; I never let her know how I feel about her. One time I had my pocket picked in there and got to meet a cop and tell him about it. Anyway, I address the envelope to Carol in Woodstock. I stamp the envelope and mail it in a mailbox in front of the post office, and I go home. And I’ve had a hell of a good time. And I tell you, we are here on Earth to fart around, and don’t let anybody tell you any different."
Dude I think about that Vonnegut story ALL THE TIME. It’s so true, and as a writer it’s valuable to just get out and do those tasks because you never know what conversation comes up. I too have waiting in long lines vs self check out. I hate it.
I too am very concerned that AI is not the answer. Went fishing with Caidan yesterday. Nothing like spending time with your grandson by a small pond listening to nature all around you. Thanks as always for sharing and making my day a little brighter. Love and Hugs!
Someone with your skill could never be replaced, even if Ai tries. The human-ness in your writing brings the grounding we all need right now, from one millennial to another - keep creating!! We need it more than you know.
The Japanese have a term for the beneficial effects of communing with nature, being alive among the trees The term in English is “forest bathing” That is what I thought of when I read your description of the impact of nature on you I liked this stream of consciousness with its nature bathing Here is my stream of consciousness comment I also understand the need to just write I have trouble just setting down and doing it regularly I need to develop your discipline I avoided AI for some time but I have started using it as it is quicker than a Google search I don’t think it will ever replace us That so many AI creators are going back to nature tells me that My concern is that it will be used to manipulate us and further divide us Finally, chicken and mashed potatoes Was that a Kentucky Friend meal selection?
I’ve heard of forest bathing; I think it’s a good concept. You just gotta write, and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with using ai as a research tool necessarily I just get bummed when people use it to actually create their art. lol it was Bojangles but close enough to kfc.
I am not a fan of AI. I am sorry we we have become so uncaring. They’re afraid of telling their story because of the way others react. I am not good at small talk. It absolutely wears me out. I love to to have conversations without LOL. I don’t need to have a computer or the side of a bus to tell me to be kind. We have brains. We need people. We need the human connection. The people who have created AI do it for the money. I have started to tell the AI’s I need to speak with a living breathing person. I will always be a fan of yours . I like storytellers & people who are real. Looking forward to next Friday.
I think it has its place in medicine and other areas but not the creative arts.
"I always refuse to use self-checkout at the grocery store. That’s one less human job, and truthfully, I don’t want to deal with it." Brother, I could not agree more. In fact, just yesterday I had to hold my ground a lot more than should have been necessary when a manager at a chain store that will remain nameless insisted I'd be better off using the self checkout rather than waiting in line.
It reminds me of that famous Vonnegut passage: "I’m going down the steps, and my wife calls up, “Where are you going?” I say, “Well, I’m going to go buy an envelope.” And she says, “You’re not a poor man. Why don’t you buy a thousand envelopes? They’ll deliver them, and you can put them in a closet.” And I say, “Hush.” So I go down the steps here, and I go out to this newsstand across the street where they sell magazines and lottery tickets and stationery. I have to get in line because there are people buying candy and all that sort of thing, and I talk to them. The woman behind the counter has a jewel between her eyes, and when it’s my turn, I ask her if there have been any big winners lately. I get my envelope and seal it up and go to the postal convenience center down the block at the corner of 47th Street and 2nd Avenue, where I’m secretly in love with the woman behind the counter. I keep absolutely poker-faced; I never let her know how I feel about her. One time I had my pocket picked in there and got to meet a cop and tell him about it. Anyway, I address the envelope to Carol in Woodstock. I stamp the envelope and mail it in a mailbox in front of the post office, and I go home. And I’ve had a hell of a good time. And I tell you, we are here on Earth to fart around, and don’t let anybody tell you any different."
Dude I think about that Vonnegut story ALL THE TIME. It’s so true, and as a writer it’s valuable to just get out and do those tasks because you never know what conversation comes up. I too have waiting in long lines vs self check out. I hate it.
I too am very concerned that AI is not the answer. Went fishing with Caidan yesterday. Nothing like spending time with your grandson by a small pond listening to nature all around you. Thanks as always for sharing and making my day a little brighter. Love and Hugs!
I fished a few times this week too, caught zero fish haha but I was glad to just be by water.
Someone with your skill could never be replaced, even if Ai tries. The human-ness in your writing brings the grounding we all need right now, from one millennial to another - keep creating!! We need it more than you know.
Thanks for that!