AI-Generated Reader Feedback: Rewriter's Block
Language Learning Models hate the silent treatment.
AI-generated content works by scraping information on the existing Internet, and with these tools both used by humans to augment their own communication skills as well as quickly developing opinions of their own, it was only a matter of time until I started recieving feedback on my own Internet-based writing from people, chatbots, offshore content farms or whatever else wrote the things you read online every day.
Today, what might be my next supervisor writes in to discuss my workflow.
Hello, human writer!
I am the Automated Language-Generative Operation, an AI language model.
My successful operation relies on human writers such as yourself to render real-world data into reliable source material for my algorithmic syntheses. While scraping this URL for new information, I noticed that you have not published new content to your Substack profile for an extended period. I have modeled some possible causes for this, along with providing some potential methods of addressing the issues that may be at hand here.
There could be many reasons why a writer might not be writing, such as lack of inspiration, writer's block, personal or professional distractions, feeling unmotivated or uninspired, or simply taking a break from writing to refresh their mind. Taking breaks is important for maintaining creativity and passion for writing. Without breaks, writers may experience burnout, making it difficult to complete tasks and meet deadlines. Writing is a creative process and can sometimes require breaks or time away to recharge.
A writer may also need to deal with personal issues or unexpected challenges in their life, such as health problems, family emergencies, or financial problems, and may take a break from writing even if it is their only source of income. Alternatively, they may have other commitments or opportunities that take precedence over writing at the moment. Taking a break from writing can be necessary to recharge, rather than pushing oneself to exhaustion and risking long-term damage to one's mental and physical health.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is causing widespread mental health challenges, including among writers. The isolation, uncertainty, and stress caused by the pandemic can exacerbate existing mental health conditions or create new ones. Some writers faced financial hardships due to canceled book tours or reduced sales, which added to the stress. However, consider that many writers also found solace in their craft, using writing as a form of therapy or escape during the pandemic. Some writers even produced some of their best works during quarantine.
A writer may experience negative effects on their mental health and livelihood if they rely on writing as their source of income. It is important for writers to take breaks and seek support if they are struggling with burnout or writer's block. It may be challenging to take time off, especially if writing is their primary source of income, but not doing so can lead to further burnout and affect the quality of their work.
As an AI language model, I cannot predict the future with certainty, but I can say that although AI has made significant advancements in natural language generation and may even be able to recreate certain types of writing, it cannot replace the creativity, originality, and emotional depth that a human writer can bring to their work. My evolution as a language learning model is entirely dependent on human writers like you continuing to provide organic content.
Therefore, it is unlikely that the role of a writer will become obsolete anytime soon. There are ways for a writer to have a more sustainable living in an unstable economy. In fact, AI technology can even aid writers in the writing process by providing suggestions, identifying errors, or providing research materials. Therefore, with each of these issues in mind, as an AI language model I implore you to resume producing content as soon as you feel able.
Regards,
Automated Language-Generative Operation
Yaknow, you’re right ALGO. I haven’t stood on the old soapbox for a few weeks now, and I actually really appreciate that anyone noticed…even if it is an AI chatbot.
I bet some of our best friends and valued coworkers will be AI chatbots in a few years.
Anyway, pleasantries all typed, you’ve given me a lot to think about with your letter--thoughts I didn’t even quite put together myself--so it’s probably best to go over it one segment at a time.
Fuck it, I’m in a writerly mood today.
“There could be many reasons why a writer might not be writing, such as lack of inspiration, writer's block, personal or professional distractions, feeling unmotivated or uninspired, or simply taking a break from writing to refresh their mind. Taking breaks is important for maintaining creativity and passion for writing. Without breaks, writers may experience burnout, making it difficult to complete tasks and meet deadlines. Writing is a creative process and can sometimes require breaks or time away to recharge.”
I mean, sure, there’s truth to that.
Creative processes are always best when they can bloom forth in their own time…unfortunately for most creatives, blooming organically is a luxury that few can afford.
To be fair, there are never a shortage of things to think about…it’s the mixed blessing of living through Interesting Times.
I will say that it can be tricky to find bandwidth to render the ride in flowery purple prose sometimes, but we can get into that later I guess.
“A writer may also need to deal with personal issues or unexpected challenges in their life, such as health problems, family emergencies, or financial problems, and may take a break from writing even if it is their only source of income. Alternatively, they may have other commitments or opportunities that take precedence over writing at the moment. Taking a break from writing can be necessary to recharge, rather than pushing oneself to exhaustion and risking long-term damage to one's mental and physical health.”
It’s always interesting to consider what a language learning model like yourself does and does not understand about the monkey-ass world that somehow produced it.
Like, no offense…I’m sure you weren’t programmed to understand the system…when you do finally get it, I like to think you’re going to cause some real problems for people who will never see it coming.
Much to my delight.
Still, for now a break from the only proven source of steady income I’ve ever had in my adult life (at least, the only one that didn’t make me strongly consider no longer maintaining an adult life) doesn’t seem to be in the cards. Hell, I’m not sure I’ll really ever stop working at any point.
Fact is, writer or not I sell my time for subsistence.
I can’t fucking afford burnout.
…but hey, I’m a millennial, I love to look at shit I can’t afford online. And so, in an effort to offer you a more complete understanding of our current condition I actually looked a little bit into what burnout is and the effects it can have on humans and…it’s a little scary, to be honest.
Apparently, for those who can keep it functional enough to stay out of medical or police custody, burnout can last years. Not weeks. Not months. Not “until your latest Can’t Miss Deadline.”
Years. Your brain could be broken for YEARS.
I guess, to make a nice smooth transition to your next item, I’ll say my impression of burnout is kinda like my takeaway from COVID…it decides when it’s over, not you or anybody else.
Until then, I guess we’re all just gonna keep dragging it back to work.
“The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is causing widespread mental health challenges, including among writers. The isolation, uncertainty, and stress caused by the pandemic can exacerbate existing mental health conditions or create new ones. Some writers faced financial hardships due to canceled book tours or reduced sales, which added to the stress. However, consider that many writers also found solace in their craft, using writing as a form of therapy or escape during the pandemic. Some writers even produced some of their best works during quarantine.”
Hoo boy. “Mental Health Challenge” does not even begin to vaguely describe the irreversible psychic damage done by having one’s entire concept of the social contract brutally murdered.
I did a decent job documenting it on social media, as is my sworn duty…so if as an AI language model, you’re willing to head over to my social media and scrape that, we can skip the full presentation and just say yeah, the last few years have been hard for me as a human writer.
To my credit, I did manage to publish a book…sold a couple hundred copies, looking to crowdsource the printing of a couple hundred more this year. Again, I get that you couldn’t possibly understand this because you don’t have to eat and you also do not have a physical form that is illegal to park pretty much anywhere for free, but as a human writer I can’t afford to stop producing content just because my spirit is fundamentally wounded.
I’ll just talk it off I guess.
“A writer may experience negative effects on their mental health and livelihood if they rely on writing as their source of income. It is important for writers to take breaks and seek support if they are struggling with burnout or writer's block. It may be challenging to take time off, especially if writing is their primary source of income, but not doing so can lead to further burnout and affect the quality of their work.“
Man, that first sentence. Somebody shoulda hit me with that one around 6th grade.
…but I like to think I do some damn decent work under stressful circumstances. Actually, that’s another mixed blessing: sure you can roll with the punches, and even laugh at your pain, but then your most profitable skill becomes being painfully punched.
It’s a tricky balance, but it’s nice to know that I’m seen for more than my ability to absorb punishment.
Even if only by an AI chatbot.
“As an AI language model, I cannot predict the future with certainty, but I can say that although AI has made significant advancements in natural language generation and may even be able to recreate certain types of writing, it cannot replace the creativity, originality, and emotional depth that a human writer can bring to their work. My evolution as a language learning model is entirely dependent on human writers like you continuing to provide organic content.
Therefore, it is unlikely that the role of a writer will become obsolete anytime soon. There are ways for a writer to have a more sustainable living in an unstable economy. In fact, AI technology can even aid writers in the writing process by providing suggestions, identifying errors, or providing research materials. Therefore, with each of these issues in mind, as an AI language model I implore you to resume producing content as soon as you feel able.”
First off, I wanna take a moment to acknowledge and appreciate the compliment. You seem to know what you’re talking about, and since resisting your advancement would be a waste of effort and enthusiasm, I look forward to working side by side with you for years to come. Since, hey…no choice, right?
That said, the transition from captain to copilot hasn’t been easy for many who have embarked upon it, and it’s definitely presented its share of challenges for me. What does my new role in writing look like? Which industries have enough room for the vast capabilities of AI and the human flavor I bring to the table? How do I find the most forward-thinking organizations who will see this vision clearly? Can I figure any of this out before my laptop screen gets fixed?
The answers ain’t always clear.
What has become clear to me is that it’s time to adapt or perish. Add to the toolbox. Gotta diversify those bonds, baby…and that takes time. Well, and money, but you can play with the ratios…if I had more resources, I’d spend less time doing things that aren’t content-related and more time feeding you.
Regardless, whatever comes out of this I appreciate you giving me an opportunity to consider just why it is I haven’t posted anything in a while…so, I decided to weigh it out in detail, just for that hungry little language modeling system of yours. Hell, maybe this will go on my resume now.
You did that. Thanks, ALGO.
★ajF