Enviably good writing, Jill ... maybe not envy, though I wish I could string together words like these. The thinking, perhaps, the way it feels like both a gentle and a fierce conversation. The stillness, coupled with an urgency as you seek answers, maybe, or the next question. Informed, and informing ... provoked, and provocative. This is what we were given words for. I fritter mine away on made-up stories but I sometimes wish I had these sort of words too ... that's what I mean by enviable. Thank you. B
Listening, listening listening to your voice this Monday morning. Thank you for your analytical insight that makes my head throb.
at our Peace meeting last night. Someone used AI to come up with the right slogan for our vigil. It was some thing like united in mourning and grief, to end the occupation.& ceasefire.
It’s like writing a leaflet by committee, a little bit of everything, making some sense but no heart.
I’ll be taking a short walk to the museum soon. I’ll try to notice every dead lantern fly, but mostly I just keep putting 1 foot in front of the other to get to my destination.
My favorite part was the abseiling spider 😌 Also this must be the third time I’ve brought this up in internet conversations but your mention of Life Streamifn made me think of the short story by Ted Chiang called “The Truth of Fact, The Truth of Feeling” about a future where written communication is replaced by visual stimuli and constant personal footage, and the way that changes a father-daughter understand of their relationship.
Loved it. To me it seems like people creating and implementing AI technology are probably the least well equipped humans to understand the implications. And, I would argue that given social and governmental structures, everyone not in control of the tech is utterly powerless. Cheers!
There's so much here I want to reply to! First, thanks for the shoutout. It took me a bit of digging, but I found the link to the poem you're talking about that I posted on Notes:
Regarding AI, something I heard Rory Sutherland (a UK advertising rockstar) say about AI is that one problem it has is that all data-driven systems can only look at what has happened in the past. They will always be taken unaware by the novel events. I've been thinking about that quite a bit.
I think I linked to the right one?! Lmk if not and I’ll change. Re: AI being taken unaware by novel events, this is super interesting. It begs a few more questions: how novel are any events? And, in the face of a truly novel event, how would we respond (and would it be any better than an AI)? Super interesting to think about. Thanks for this great comment Jason 🙏
I think I just misread your footnote, thinking it was asking for a link to the Note with the poem 🤦
In terms of AI, I think the way businesses use data in general is flawed. It's almost all quantitative. There's not enough qualitative analysis. We need creative people to make sure we're asking the right questions from the data and to see if we're even collecting the right data. Now, you have me thinking I need to write a whole post about this and how data and AI relate to creativity.
Every time I read your work, it inspires me to reach deeper into what is possible for me to do with my own work.
I loved the immediacy of this, it felt really up close. And there was something of early 19th century essay about it somehow. Charles Lamb at the sushi bar?
Listening to this piece this morning as I walked my ancient little dog in the dark I had a strange feeling of recognition -- like this beautiful, meandering stream of thought could have streamed from my head and not someone on the other side of the ocean whom I've never met.
I feel all the things you write about, Jill, in varying ratios every day -- empty nest, disdain for the day job, fascination and mistrust in AI, and threaded through it all, nature which is the one thing that keeps me sane. I wish more people read their work. It's lovely.
Hey Ben - I see you too. Thank you for listening, and for pouring into the meandering dream-stream too. Really appreciate the share, and hope you had a lovely walk with the little ancient.... let's meander on. 🤝
Your post taught me something about butterflies, a new word (abseil) and more importantly the pleasure of reading your writing. Thank you!
Thank you for reading and enjoying, David! 🙏🤝
Enviably good writing, Jill ... maybe not envy, though I wish I could string together words like these. The thinking, perhaps, the way it feels like both a gentle and a fierce conversation. The stillness, coupled with an urgency as you seek answers, maybe, or the next question. Informed, and informing ... provoked, and provocative. This is what we were given words for. I fritter mine away on made-up stories but I sometimes wish I had these sort of words too ... that's what I mean by enviable. Thank you. B
Oh Barrie 🤝 what lovely words you have too. Thank you for using them the way you do, and for this generous comment ❤️🙏
Too kind! And very encouraging, thank you
A truly breathtaking post, Jill. Thank you for such a thought-provoking start to my Tuesday. Awesome writing. 🦋
You’re awesome Rebecca. Thank you for reading and enjoying 🙏
Listening, listening listening to your voice this Monday morning. Thank you for your analytical insight that makes my head throb.
at our Peace meeting last night. Someone used AI to come up with the right slogan for our vigil. It was some thing like united in mourning and grief, to end the occupation.& ceasefire.
It’s like writing a leaflet by committee, a little bit of everything, making some sense but no heart.
I’ll be taking a short walk to the museum soon. I’ll try to notice every dead lantern fly, but mostly I just keep putting 1 foot in front of the other to get to my destination.
figuring that out is the hard part!!
Nice dap
My favorite part was the abseiling spider 😌 Also this must be the third time I’ve brought this up in internet conversations but your mention of Life Streamifn made me think of the short story by Ted Chiang called “The Truth of Fact, The Truth of Feeling” about a future where written communication is replaced by visual stimuli and constant personal footage, and the way that changes a father-daughter understand of their relationship.
That sounds like a brilliant story, I’ll have to check it out. Thanks for reading, and for the thoughtful comment Anne x
Understanding*
Loved it. To me it seems like people creating and implementing AI technology are probably the least well equipped humans to understand the implications. And, I would argue that given social and governmental structures, everyone not in control of the tech is utterly powerless. Cheers!
You are not wrong, unfortunately. On that cheery note - cheers mate 🍻
🍻🔥😅
There's so much here I want to reply to! First, thanks for the shoutout. It took me a bit of digging, but I found the link to the poem you're talking about that I posted on Notes:
https://substack.com/@lifelitter/note/c-41932694?utm_source=activity_item
Regarding AI, something I heard Rory Sutherland (a UK advertising rockstar) say about AI is that one problem it has is that all data-driven systems can only look at what has happened in the past. They will always be taken unaware by the novel events. I've been thinking about that quite a bit.
Another great post!
I think I linked to the right one?! Lmk if not and I’ll change. Re: AI being taken unaware by novel events, this is super interesting. It begs a few more questions: how novel are any events? And, in the face of a truly novel event, how would we respond (and would it be any better than an AI)? Super interesting to think about. Thanks for this great comment Jason 🙏
I think I just misread your footnote, thinking it was asking for a link to the Note with the poem 🤦
In terms of AI, I think the way businesses use data in general is flawed. It's almost all quantitative. There's not enough qualitative analysis. We need creative people to make sure we're asking the right questions from the data and to see if we're even collecting the right data. Now, you have me thinking I need to write a whole post about this and how data and AI relate to creativity.
Every time I read your work, it inspires me to reach deeper into what is possible for me to do with my own work.
Awesome! I’d like to read that, please write it 🙏
Reminds me of a walk I took last year, and picked a bag full of blackberries (but it was early Sept, so that's OK ;)
“I've had eight years on this planet,” he said, “and I'm still not used to seeing clouds from below.” My heart skipped a beat when I read that. 🤪
Mine too, when he said it 🫠 my little weirdo 😁🥰
I loved the immediacy of this, it felt really up close. And there was something of early 19th century essay about it somehow. Charles Lamb at the sushi bar?
Such generous praise, Jeffrey 🙏 totally unwarranted but I'm so glad you enjoyed.
Listening to this piece this morning as I walked my ancient little dog in the dark I had a strange feeling of recognition -- like this beautiful, meandering stream of thought could have streamed from my head and not someone on the other side of the ocean whom I've never met.
I feel all the things you write about, Jill, in varying ratios every day -- empty nest, disdain for the day job, fascination and mistrust in AI, and threaded through it all, nature which is the one thing that keeps me sane. I wish more people read their work. It's lovely.
Hey Ben - I see you too. Thank you for listening, and for pouring into the meandering dream-stream too. Really appreciate the share, and hope you had a lovely walk with the little ancient.... let's meander on. 🤝
I think you (& I) used to be able to fly, too. Your son asks wonderful questions ❤️
Yes we did (and he does. I keep a running list, this is just one of the latest) ❤️
Walk on Jill!
Another brilliant piece of work. You’re so inspiring and talented 💕
You! ❤️☺️🙏
These thoughts on our beauty and brevity are lovely. Thank you.
Your 3rd footnote: was it possibly from deathandbirds.com?