Life, Writing, Weirdness

You’ll probably have noticed Generative AI showing up everywhere recently. It’s probably most prominent producing some generally horrendous artwork on social media usually for a human to say either “look how creative I am” or “let me bash you over the head with my poorly thought-out view on a subject”.

But it’s everywhere. Schools are trying to regulate its use by students (do not trust it with Math beyond very simple arithmetic). Companies use it for chatbots to replace frontline customer service online. Bad actors use it to procreate misinformation on a variety of subjects on a huge scale. I’ve read about folks who use it to generate a basic syllabus, invoices, standard forms for their small business. Small magazines are finding their slush piles filled with submissions that are obviously not written by sapient beings.

I’ve been experimenting a bit with Generative AI lately for some specific uses that are designed to save me time. It seems to be very good at some things. The longer I’m in a science program, the more I have to do things like programming in Python or building reports in Latex. I find it some value in Generative AI for both of these. Simple Python code: things I can write in, say, 15-30 minutes that it can produce a tighter version of in a few seconds. In some cases, I’ve used it to reproduce things I’ve already written, but that it can reproduce faster than it will take me to navigate the file path where it’s stored. Similarly, I can give it a big chunk of Latex code and ask it for a cleaner version, getting something much tighter back that will compile faster (and I compile regularly while I’m writing Latex Code, probably on the order of every couple of minutes, more often when I’m entering complex formula). For more conceptual information, AI needs to be interrogated (and I mean that how it sounds) to get what you’re really looking for out of it.

But the ads I see that say, “write and sell a book in hours using generative AI” are, as various Looney Tunes characters used to say, to laugh. I’m a writer, mostly of fiction, so I’ve been curious what it might produce. Picking a few semi-random prompts, I set the slide bar to “More Creative” and asked it for “heartbreakingly beautiful” descriptions.

Yes, with my fingers to the keyboard, it would take me a few minutes to produce 250-ish words describing each one of these things where the AI synthesized something in a few seconds. I’d like to think my own effort would be readable rather than the painful prose I got from Chat GPT, and my writing style would suggest I’d consider it a ridiculous amount of wordage to spend on describing one thing when you’ve got an actual story to tell. (I’ll also note that non-fiction attempts didn’t go much better, but I haven’t tried anything technical yet.)

A lesson may be that faster isn’t necessarily better. Another may be that AI can’t write. Granting that I’m not using some ultra-computationally intense service run on a supercomputer somewhere.

But I think the actual lesson is that Generative AI is a partial misnomer. While the computer software producing what I asked for is Generating something and is certainly Artificial, it is in no way Intelligence. And I’m not even talking about something that can pass the Turing Test. Someday, if it is actually possible, which I’m beginning to doubt, when we have AI that actually qualifies as an Intelligence (and I would lobby for Artificial Sapience as better nomenclature), they may be interested in creating art of some kind. Whether it will speak to humans in any way is a totally different question. Why would an Artificial Sapience be interested in storytelling in the same ways humans are? Those future beings will create new and different things, crafted to speak to them not us.

And rather than the travesty of prose produced by the Generative AI of today, it will be a wondrous thing to behold even if I don’t understand it.

Be well, everyone.

What Chat GPT 4 considers heartbreakingly beautiful descriptions. The instruction was “Please write a heartbreakingly beautiful description for {prompt}.” Note the presence of the phrase “heartbreakingly beautiful” in the last sentence of each of the five outputs, just in case I’d forgotten what I asked for. And yet people apparently try to pass AI generated fiction off as their own creation.

“A horse”

In the quiet of the meadow, under the vast expanse of the twilight sky, stands a creature of profound grace. A horse, its coat as glossy as a raven’s wing, catches the last of the sun’s rays, casting an ethereal glow that seems almost otherworldly.

Its eyes, deep and knowing, hold stories untold, a wisdom gained from years of silent observation. They are the windows to a soul that has known both the thrill of galloping with the wind and the peace of a tranquil dawn.

The horse’s muscles ripple beneath its sleek coat, each movement a testament to a wild and untamed strength. Yet, there is a gentleness to this creature, a tender heart that beats rhythmically, echoing the music of life itself.

Its mane, a cascade of midnight silk, dances in the breeze, each strand catching the light, creating a spectacle of shimmering beauty. The horse raises its head, nostrils flaring, as if drinking in the essence of the world around it.

In its presence, one can’t help but feel a sense of heartbreaking beauty. A creature so majestic, so full of life, embodying a spirit both fierce and kind. It stands as a testament to nature’s artistry, a living, breathing masterpiece that captivates the heart and stirs the soul.

In the silence of the meadow, under the watchful gaze of the stars, the horse remains, a beautiful enigma that whispers of the untold mysteries of life. It is a sight to behold, a moment to treasure, a heartbreakingly beautiful vision of serenity and strength.

“A hippocampus” (which is in my head due to a story I’m plotting)

In the depths of the azure sea, where sunlight dances on the ocean floor, resides a creature of captivating beauty – the Hippocampus. A creature of myth and legend, it is a symbol of the enchanting mysteries that lie beneath the waves.

Its body, a harmonious blend of horse and fish, is a testament to nature’s whimsical creativity. The front part of the creature resembles a horse, with a head held high in regal dignity. Its eyes, as deep as the ocean itself, hold a wisdom that speaks of ancient secrets and tales untold.

Its mane, unlike that of a terrestrial horse, is a cascade of iridescent bubbles, shimmering in the ethereal underwater light. Each bubble captures a fragment of the rainbow, creating a spectacle of mesmerizing beauty.

The latter part of the Hippocampus, a powerful, coiling fish tail, glistens with scales that mirror the hues of the sea – from the emerald green of shallow waters to the profound blue of the deep. With each graceful undulation, it propels the creature through its underwater realm with an elegance that leaves one in awe.

The sight of the Hippocampus, gliding through the crystal-clear water, its body reflecting the spectral colors of the sea, is a vision of heartbreaking beauty. It is a reminder of the magic that exists in our world, hidden in its remote corners, waiting to be discovered.

In the silent serenity of the ocean, the Hippocampus continues its solitary dance, a ballet of grace and beauty. It is a sight that tugs at the heartstrings, a poignant blend of majesty and mystery, strength and serenity. A heartbreakingly beautiful enigma of the sea.

“A woman in her 40s”

In the heart of the city, amidst the hustle and bustle, there is a woman in her 40s who stands as a beacon of strength and grace. Her eyes, a deep shade of brown, hold a world of wisdom and experience that only comes with the passage of time.

Her hair, a cascade of soft waves, is touched with strands of silver, each one a testament to a life well-lived. Her laughter, rich and infectious, rings out, a melody that speaks of joy and resilience.

She carries herself with an elegance that is both natural and captivating. Her movements, though simple, are filled with purpose and determination. Each step she takes, each gesture she makes, speaks of a journey marked by challenges faced and victories won.

Her hands, though marked by the passage of time, are strong and capable. They have comforted the sorrowful, healed the wounded, and held the hands of those she loves. They are the hands of a woman who has embraced life in all its complexity.

Her heart, perhaps, is her most striking feature. It is a heart that has known love and loss, joy and sorrow. It is a heart that has been broken, only to heal stronger. It is a heart that loves deeply, cares profoundly, and gives generously.

In her presence, one can’t help but feel a sense of admiration. Here is a woman who has journeyed through four decades of life, embracing each moment with courage and grace. She is a testament to the beauty of resilience, the power of perseverance, and the strength of the human spirit.

In the grand tapestry of life, she is a thread of gold, adding richness and depth to the picture. She is a woman in her 40s, beautiful and strong, living a life that is a testament to the power of resilience and the strength of the human spirit. She is, in every sense, a woman of substance. A heartbreakingly beautiful portrait of strength, resilience, and grace.

“A car”

In the quiet of the twilight, under the soft glow of the setting sun, there stands a symbol of human ingenuity – a car. Its sleek form, a harmony of curves and lines, reflects the last rays of the day, casting a glow that seems to breathe life into its metallic frame.

Its body, painted in hues that mirror the sky, is a testament to the artistry of design. Each contour, each curve, each line, meticulously crafted, speaks of a journey from a mere concept to a tangible reality.

The headlights, like two bright eyes, hold a steady gaze, ready to pierce through the veil of the night, illuminating the path ahead. They are the guiding stars in the journey of life, a beacon in the darkest of nights.

The engine, the heart of this magnificent beast, beats with a rhythm that is both powerful and steady. Each purr, each roar, is a symphony of mechanical precision, a testament to the marvels of engineering.

Inside, it is a world of comfort. Seats, upholstered in the finest material, offer a warm embrace. The dashboard, a constellation of dials and screens, provides a sense of control, a feeling of being at the helm of a mighty vessel.

Yet, beyond its physical attributes, the car is more than just a machine. It is a companion in life’s many journeys. It is a witness to stories untold, to the silent conversations, to the laughter and the tears. It is a bearer of memories, of moments frozen in time.

In its presence, one can’t help but feel a sense of awe. Here is a creation of human hands, a testament to our capacity for innovation and design. It is a heartbreakingly beautiful blend of art and technology, a symbol of progress, a beacon of hope. It is, in every sense, a marvel on wheels.

“A sunset”

As the day draws to a close, the sky becomes a canvas, and nature picks up her brush. The sun, once a radiant orb in the sky, now descends, painting the horizon with hues of orange and red. This is a sunset, a heartbreakingly beautiful spectacle that marks the end of the day.

The sun, like a glowing ember, sinks lower and lower, its brilliant light dimming, casting long shadows that dance in the fading daylight. The clouds, once mere wisps in the sky, are now ablaze with color, their edges glowing with the fiery radiance of the setting sun.

The world seems to hold its breath as the sun touches the horizon, a moment of perfect harmony, a moment where time seems to stand still. The air is filled with a warm, golden light, casting everything in a soft, ethereal glow.

The trees, their leaves rustling in the gentle breeze, are silhouetted against the vibrant sky, their forms dark and mysterious against the riot of colors. The birds, on their way back to their nests, add to the beauty of the scene, their silhouettes moving gracefully against the backdrop of the setting sun.

As the sun dips below the horizon, it leaves behind a sky painted with shades of pink and purple, the colors gradually deepening as night approaches. One by one, stars begin to twinkle in the sky, their faint light a stark contrast to the vibrant spectacle of just a few moments ago.

A sunset is more than just the end of the day. It is a reminder of the cyclical nature of life, a symbol of endings and beginnings. It is a moment of reflection, a time to look back on the day that was, and to look forward to the night that will be. It is, in every sense, a heartbreakingly beautiful sight to behold.