November 14ths

 

It's always interesting to let artificial intelligence or an LLM find the patterns in your writing. I think for the most part it's accurate. I didn't like how it over-analyzed my ideas about documentary photography. All photos can be made into documents that support some kind of relational context. A banal photo of an intersection can be evidence of some kind. 

I also didn't care for the assessment of music of the 60s not being about celebrity--after all that's when more people were become rock stars--but music was still the focus.

I said:

"I realized that there are three main things that have influenced me, and they were all from TV—except one. My first writings were inspired by the PBS series “Upstairs Downstairs”, and the first reality TV show “An American Family”. My interest in architecture was inspired by sitcom sets, such as the split-level Brady Bunch house and the sunken living room on the Dick Van Dyke show. The only thing that wasn’t was music. Music in the 60s and 70s was not yet a visual phenomenon, although it was influenced by art and fashion. It was always more about the music. While there were many films about bands, TV conveniently brought celebrity into the picture."

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What's most interesting is the process of embedding that it uses. It's finding things that I would not have realized just from the way the text is tokenized. It's also interesting in the sense that it's making all writing more generic. The analysis of my writing, using the same TTS voices on another set of writings from someone else, will sound similar. These two robots are talking about myriad things, and they're always seeming to be very interested in what they're discussing. This isn't human intelligence, but it's finding an intelligence that was never experienced before. (Interesting made-up word at 20:24 "Simplifitation"--which is probably the result of the embedding process running on individual syllables].

It's incredibly useful to a writer to hear your work analyzed and discussed within just a few minutes. It hasn't gotten to the point where I don't want to write and find the world uninteresting because AI has somehow taken away my interests. In fact, it's making me more interested in things because I know that I can run it through AI to find patterns that I wouldn't have seen, which can then be folded back into my writing. 

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A blog post generated from the transcript--so soulless and generic, not to mention treating a diary entry in 2005 as if it were an actual news source. It doesn't know the difference because it's all just fungible text: People in 2025 don't download their favorite scenes, but they make Shorts about them, which is somewhat the same thing. They're not watching them, they're sharing them:

On November 14th, we dive deep into 20 years of transformation shaping our culture. This post explores themes of attention, AI's rise, and the quest for balance between freedom and safety as we look back and forward.


The Transition from Books to Bytes


In 2005, Amazon took a groundbreaking leap by selling sections of books, predicting a shift in how we consume content. Instead of investing in full tomes, readers could purchase individual chapters, a concept that revolutionized access to information. Fast forward to today, and we see the same trend in media consumption, where consumers now desire to download snippets of their favorite movies instead of full-length features. This gradual shift represents a significant cultural transformation, one that mirrors our dwindling attention spans. With the rise of platforms like TikTok, short-form videos have exploded, invoking instant emotion but also leading to anxiety and burnout. This reflects a deeper issue: our need for quick emotional hits is never truly satisfied, leaving us hungry for more.


The Consequences of Fragmented Consumption


As we indulge in fragmented content, our ability to cultivate relevance wanes. This digital age can feel like a double-edged sword; while we have incredible access to information, the pressure to stay updated can create stress. Our digital communication increasingly prioritizes aesthetics, often at the cost of downtime and nuanced exchanges. Think about texting: a well-placed emoji might convey what we feel, but it falls short on specificity, resulting in miscommunication and frustration. When we condense complex ideas into brief messages, we risk understanding falling by the wayside, leading to cognitive exhaustion. Our generation’s challenge lies in navigating this landscape without losing sight of meaningful connections.


Mindful Creation: The Art of Photography


Walter Murch once eloquently stated that photography should enhance mindfulness [Did he?], and this principle remains pivotal today. Instead of simply capturing every moment, we should focus on key experiences to create mental archives. By employing a storyboard-like approach, photographers can elevate their storytelling, offering depth rather than just a collection of images. This evolution speaks to our broader desire for intentionality in an age rife with distractions. The challenge lies in how we engage with art and creative output. By emphasizing intention, we can transform our artistic expressions from scattered fragments into cohesive narratives that resonate more profoundly.


The Rise of VR and AR: Reshaping Media Consumption


Technology continues to reshape our media experiences, with virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) at the forefront. Predictions suggest that traditional viewing experiences will become obsolete, replaced by immersive environments that allow for calorie-free virtual dinners, for instance. This shift doesn’t simply offer novelty; it reflects a larger cultural desire for pleasure without consequence. Yet, as we gravitate towards subscription models and personalized experiences, we risk losing cultural cohesion. The collective experience of gathering around a TV is fading, locking meaningful critiques behind paywalls, and creating pockets of comfort that leave larger issues unaddressed. Amid the chaos of the external world, consumers seek solace in polished, nostalgic media, creating a dissonance between comfort and reality.


AI and the Future of Creativity


As we move towards 2024, the integration of AI tools in creative processes is becoming more pronounced. While these tools promise efficiency, they often frustrate users with poor experiences and the incessant pressure of microtransactions. Interestingly, despite AI's ability to generate content rapidly, creators now find themselves curating rather than producing. They face a deluge of near-perfect drafts that necessitate careful selection of truly valuable material. The challenge also lies in distinguishing between AI-generated creativity and human artistry; the latter remains organic and laden with emotional nuance. The 'ship of Theseus' experiment starkly contrasts AI’s static outputs with human music's dynamic nature. As artists incorporate personal touches into AI-generated works, we witness the evolution of creativity itself.


Cultural Narratives & Resistance to Control


Cultural trauma has profound implications on how societies respond to governmental mandates. Historical narratives of personal freedoms often clash with contemporary political actions aimed at ensuring safety. This juxtaposition can lead to a heightened sense of resistance among individuals who feel their personal autonomy is threatened. The exploration of these cultural narratives opens up vital conversations about our definitions of freedom and safety, especially in a digitized world that reshapes our realities. As we navigate this complex web of historical context and present challenges, it becomes clear that our cultural discussions need to address the emotional legacies we carry forward.


The Digital Shift: Creativity Meets Reality


The digital landscape has fundamentally altered our engagement with reality and creativity. As we adapt to these changes, we must confront a growing desire for comfort over complex, challenging ideas. The balance between collective safety and individual liberty becomes increasingly delicate, shaped by how we understand our historical freedoms. Amid this turbulence, the importance of harnessing digital tools effectively has never been more crucial. By embracing an intentional approach to our interactions and creative outputs, we can foster authentic connections while navigating the complexities of modern culture.


Conclusion:


As we reflect on the cultural shifts over the past two decades, it's vital to understand how technology and societal changes have impacted our interactions and understanding of creativity. Moving forward, mindfulness and intentional engagement must guide our actions in adapting to an ever-evolving cultural landscape.