This piece was helpful and supportive even thought I am no longer an academic and write abojt body-centered life awareness. I wonder if, at 73, it is worth it to continue working to get my message out there. I am inspired to continue for just a bit longer. Thank you.
What a wonderful and an extremely timely article. You've articulated your ideas deftly and with an expert level of articulation. Thank you for sharing and picking this idea apart.
I too, hope that we can fight chaos with art--that we can slowly start to see that the danger that AI poses isn't that it replaces us, our jobs, or our things that we create--but that it replaces some people's ability to think for themselves and therefore become mechanical men, moving through their lives without questioning the status quo. That would be a seriously dangerous world to live in. And when ChatGPT is continued to be allowed at institutions and schools--we encourage this gradual replacement. Why do your homework--when all you have to do is plug it into ChatGPT? Well, the point is so that YOU can figure out right from wrong. So that YOU understand that the tempest (Shakespeare) is a warning, that Fahrenheit 451 is a warning, DADOES, etc... all warnings. Should we be awake enough to see them.
I think there's a distinction between artists who still make their own art, even in the age of AI, because they feel that urge to make something, they live for the process; and the other people who make 'art' for commercial reasons, and the commercial success is their raison d'etre. The second category might not see why they should make it themselves if with AI it's so much easier...
This is an inspiring and motivating essay, in its responsiveness to the realities of our time and in your courageous charge to respond to chaos with creativity. It's worthwhile to me to have read it, stepped away for some work around the house and a hard workout, and then come back to read it again with a clearer mind. I'll read it again as well, because the message is so important and hopeful against the ongoing despair in our world.
Earlier this month, I read Albert Camus' essay 'Create Dangerously', and this piece complements Camus' ideas so well for our times. He ended that essay with these words:
"We may hope ... for smaller flames, a moment of respite, a pause that will allow us to dream again. But perhaps there is no peace for an artist other than the peace found in the heat of combat. “Every wall is a door,” Emerson rightly said. Do not seek the door, or the way out anywhere but in the wall that surrounds us. On the contrary, let us seek respite wherever it exists, that is, in the very heart of the battle. For in my opinion, and this is where I will conclude, *that* is where respite can be found. It is said that great ideas come to the world on the wings of a dove. And so, perhaps, if we listen closely, amid the din of empires and nations, we might hear the faint sound of beating wings, the sweet stirrings of life and hope. Some will say that such hope is carried by a nation, others by a person. But I believe quite the reverse: hope is awakened, given life, sustained, by the millions of individuals whose deeds and actions, every day, break down borders and refute the worst moments in history, to allow the truth — which is always in danger — to shine brightly, even if only fleetingly, the truth, which every individual builds for us all, created out of suffering and joy."
Of course Camus wrote this in the context of the middle 20th century, so he would have never foreseen AI as such a grave threat to human creativity and originality, but that is where we find ourselves now, and why the message in your essay is so important.
Thank you for this. 🥰 as writers and artists I feel our job is to imagine a better future so that someone can build it. Imagination and creative thinking and allowing our thoughts to grow on the page is so important. And there is no shortcut.
Every once in a while I stumble upon articles written by you, since I read your love letter to the Stabi in Berlin. I haven't been there in a while, but I would still call it my home. Whenever I am somewhere new I try to check out the libraries. Last year I cycled across North America and I have spent some considerable time in public libraries in South Pasadena, Highland Park LA, and in the Vancouver Public Library in Grandview-Woodland. This Stabi article of yours came back to my mind, because I think it links to this plea for making your art very well. Libraries are an incubator of art and antifascism, of connections that I doubt will ever be made possible with anything related to, and coming out of working with AI. Anyone who Says AI, has already be taken in/has already fallen for it (says Dietmar Dath). As much as libraries the interconnectedness between art, emotions, and "practical politics" within your article here is also a very good example for what so called AI will (most likely) never be able to do. Anyhow, I just wanted to say I had goosebumps reading your article. :-)
Bjorn, thank you so much for this incredibly kind note, and I love your way of thinking about libraries. As much as I appreciate all the ways we can connect online, I suspect actual physical spaces are going to become even more essential moving forward. (Partly because, I point out with some measure of cynicism, some social media are full of bots at this point.)
Yes to all of this, especially “the ability to concentrate, think for themselves, and be surprised in the power of their own creation.” Also, thank you for the delight and insight you bring to your writing for the TLS and the podcast series on close reading of medieval texts! As an English medieval lit grad (from decades ago), I relish every episode/post!
I’ve enjoyed your and Mary’s podcasts on medieval humor, and attendant women issues
I was a Fulbright grad student at the FU Berlin, before coming back to the states for a PhD. I envy you your academic positions in Germany! Keep the faith!
Some thoughts along the way reading this: 1) AI is a compound misnomer; 2) when reading advanced mathematics books, the ones where the author's love is felt are better; 3) good mistakes are hard to make, and priceless--kiss them goodby with AI.
This piece was helpful and supportive even thought I am no longer an academic and write abojt body-centered life awareness. I wonder if, at 73, it is worth it to continue working to get my message out there. I am inspired to continue for just a bit longer. Thank you.
I think anything that makes us wiser, more aware, and more fully in touch with ourselves is deeply valuable these days.
What a wonderful and an extremely timely article. You've articulated your ideas deftly and with an expert level of articulation. Thank you for sharing and picking this idea apart.
I too, hope that we can fight chaos with art--that we can slowly start to see that the danger that AI poses isn't that it replaces us, our jobs, or our things that we create--but that it replaces some people's ability to think for themselves and therefore become mechanical men, moving through their lives without questioning the status quo. That would be a seriously dangerous world to live in. And when ChatGPT is continued to be allowed at institutions and schools--we encourage this gradual replacement. Why do your homework--when all you have to do is plug it into ChatGPT? Well, the point is so that YOU can figure out right from wrong. So that YOU understand that the tempest (Shakespeare) is a warning, that Fahrenheit 451 is a warning, DADOES, etc... all warnings. Should we be awake enough to see them.
Thank you for writing. It was wonderful to read.
I loved this so much
Thanks so much for this. I needed to hear this message this morning.
I think there's a distinction between artists who still make their own art, even in the age of AI, because they feel that urge to make something, they live for the process; and the other people who make 'art' for commercial reasons, and the commercial success is their raison d'etre. The second category might not see why they should make it themselves if with AI it's so much easier...
This is an inspiring and motivating essay, in its responsiveness to the realities of our time and in your courageous charge to respond to chaos with creativity. It's worthwhile to me to have read it, stepped away for some work around the house and a hard workout, and then come back to read it again with a clearer mind. I'll read it again as well, because the message is so important and hopeful against the ongoing despair in our world.
Earlier this month, I read Albert Camus' essay 'Create Dangerously', and this piece complements Camus' ideas so well for our times. He ended that essay with these words:
"We may hope ... for smaller flames, a moment of respite, a pause that will allow us to dream again. But perhaps there is no peace for an artist other than the peace found in the heat of combat. “Every wall is a door,” Emerson rightly said. Do not seek the door, or the way out anywhere but in the wall that surrounds us. On the contrary, let us seek respite wherever it exists, that is, in the very heart of the battle. For in my opinion, and this is where I will conclude, *that* is where respite can be found. It is said that great ideas come to the world on the wings of a dove. And so, perhaps, if we listen closely, amid the din of empires and nations, we might hear the faint sound of beating wings, the sweet stirrings of life and hope. Some will say that such hope is carried by a nation, others by a person. But I believe quite the reverse: hope is awakened, given life, sustained, by the millions of individuals whose deeds and actions, every day, break down borders and refute the worst moments in history, to allow the truth — which is always in danger — to shine brightly, even if only fleetingly, the truth, which every individual builds for us all, created out of suffering and joy."
Maria Popova wrote beautifully on this Camus essay as well: https://www.themarginalian.org/2018/05/02/albert-camus-create-dangerously/
Of course Camus wrote this in the context of the middle 20th century, so he would have never foreseen AI as such a grave threat to human creativity and originality, but that is where we find ourselves now, and why the message in your essay is so important.
Thank you for putting this out into the world!
Thank you for this. 🥰 as writers and artists I feel our job is to imagine a better future so that someone can build it. Imagination and creative thinking and allowing our thoughts to grow on the page is so important. And there is no shortcut.
Every once in a while I stumble upon articles written by you, since I read your love letter to the Stabi in Berlin. I haven't been there in a while, but I would still call it my home. Whenever I am somewhere new I try to check out the libraries. Last year I cycled across North America and I have spent some considerable time in public libraries in South Pasadena, Highland Park LA, and in the Vancouver Public Library in Grandview-Woodland. This Stabi article of yours came back to my mind, because I think it links to this plea for making your art very well. Libraries are an incubator of art and antifascism, of connections that I doubt will ever be made possible with anything related to, and coming out of working with AI. Anyone who Says AI, has already be taken in/has already fallen for it (says Dietmar Dath). As much as libraries the interconnectedness between art, emotions, and "practical politics" within your article here is also a very good example for what so called AI will (most likely) never be able to do. Anyhow, I just wanted to say I had goosebumps reading your article. :-)
Bjorn, thank you so much for this incredibly kind note, and I love your way of thinking about libraries. As much as I appreciate all the ways we can connect online, I suspect actual physical spaces are going to become even more essential moving forward. (Partly because, I point out with some measure of cynicism, some social media are full of bots at this point.)
Yes to all of this, especially “the ability to concentrate, think for themselves, and be surprised in the power of their own creation.” Also, thank you for the delight and insight you bring to your writing for the TLS and the podcast series on close reading of medieval texts! As an English medieval lit grad (from decades ago), I relish every episode/post!
What a terribly kind and generous message, thank you so much! It means a lot to me.
gorgeous article! thanks so much for writing this, Irina!!
Thank you, Patricia!
This is beautiful, thank you for sharing.
Yep awesome, but most people don't understand the need to fight
I’ve enjoyed your and Mary’s podcasts on medieval humor, and attendant women issues
I was a Fulbright grad student at the FU Berlin, before coming back to the states for a PhD. I envy you your academic positions in Germany! Keep the faith!
Steve Schuyler in New England
Some thoughts along the way reading this: 1) AI is a compound misnomer; 2) when reading advanced mathematics books, the ones where the author's love is felt are better; 3) good mistakes are hard to make, and priceless--kiss them goodby with AI.
PS I miss you and Mary
I am so happy when I see mistakes in writing nowadays.... (And I will pass your note on to M)
I loved this. I always smile when my students say it's a bad time to make art... (It's always a bad time! So it's almost always a good time too!)
Hooray!