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Writer's pictureMark J. Keenan

Where did that button go?



During 2022 and 2023 I wrote consistently on here, adding my random content in a structured manner, and issuing newsletters every month. This year I have written only two posts and issued two newsletters. It isn't because I am in a creative rut. If anything, I seem to be making more and more 'stuff'. And my mind hasn't slowed down either. I still think about a lot of things. In fact, many people, ncluding me at times, would say I wonder a little too much.


So, why am I sharing less?


It's intentional, at least partly. As I wrote in February, in A Long Time Between Drinks, I have been avoiding social media because I have felt overwhelmed and I know that generally it does little good for me. I also wanted to turn inwards for a while, to check that I am creating for me and not for the me that I want others to see. And I needed time, and space, to work on my longer form project.


While I was away, some things changed in the software where I write this. The button I use to add this text had disappeared and it took me a good ten minutes to find a way to start writing. And then, when I finally did, I was asked if I wanted to use artificial intelligence to help me write it.


No thanks, I thought. First of all, I could have used your help ten minutes ago. Plus, I prefer actual intelligence, whenever I can muster it, and regular ignorance when I can't. Funny, but then I started wondering, as I do, what has made me respond this way. Some fear was there. And anxiety. But apart from a passing knowledge of machine learning from four decades ago, and watching reruns of Terminator 2, it seemed like both of those mostly came from a lack of knowledge.


This week, after being prompted by a long time friend, who is older and far wiser than me, I am actively broadening my education. I have decided that, since I intend to stick around for some time yet, that I should try to understand what A.I. is, outside of reading and watching dystopian fiction, and also learn what it isn't and what it can and cannot do, starting here. So far, it's fascinating. And I have quite a lot, everything except where that button moved to and whether A.I. can help me find it.

 

I wondered what the so-called AI in this software might suggest I write here. So I asked it and this is what it wrote:

"I was curious about the AI feature in this software and decided to ask it for suggestions on what to write here. This is the response it provided."

 





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