Using AI to Write

 Using AI to Write A Blog Post

AI generated image of our future

There has been so much hype about CHAT GPT and other AI lately; that a future of AI means an end to writing! And end to creativity! And end to what makes us human!

Is it true?

I've taken on the task of testing out a few AI systems. Nothing too in depth. You know, kicking the wheels, lifting the hood, just to get an idea of how good they really are at writing.

Perplexity AI

I've fiddled around with this AI, attempting different prompts and questions. Asking it to write me a blog post, asking it to write me a scene in a story, asking it to write me a cold call email for a big charity donation.

I was surprised at how well Perplexity wrote the email. It sounded professional, well thought out, persuasive, and ready to copy and paste.

The other requests - make up a scene in a story, and write me a blog post - were utter crap.

The request for a blog post gave me a few bullet point ideas and a very weak introductory blurb. I do have to say the ideas were decent, and Perplexity does give you links to the sites it used for research. So, I can't complain too much. It gave me a solid foundation for a blog post, but I would have to do a bit of research to flesh it out. It was far away from an easy cut and paste. I thought AI was supposed to eliminate all the work? 

The creative writing request was a pile of dog shit! I asked it to write a short scene where my character finds a hidden panel in the wall. Behind the panel is a safe. I asked for excitement and suspense. What I got back was two paragraphs full of repetitive, short sentences, and cliche lines ... "her heartbeat quickened", that kind of thing. The writing felt exactly like an AI wrote it. If I were actually trying to use this to help me write an actual short story or novel, I would have used maybe one sentence...and that's a stretch.  

Rytr.me

It's pronounced 'writer'. With a name like that you'd think this AI bot would be the new Hemingway of the digital revolution. 

It's not, but does an okay job of 'creative' writing. A similar prompt of 'write me a scene...' gave me a readable, yet still cliche filled, page of prose. However, it still felt very stiff and robotic. There was actually some dialogue, which sounded vaguely human. But the chatter had little character or personality, however, it wasn't that far off something I might write in a first draft.

Where Rytr did shine was when I asked it to write me a blog post.

First Rytr came up with a few ideas / topics I might want to add. From there I could 'expand' the ideas I wanted and Rytr took on the time consuming job of writing a little blurb. This non-fiction type of writing was great. It flowed nicely, the facts were there, and even the casual tone (which I asked for) rang true. Much, much better than the 'creative writing'.

 

So if AI is the future of writing, then us humans can feel pretty confident that we will still have plenty of job security in the areas of writing, especially writing anything creative. Non-creative writing will be made much easier if you treat AI like a tool to do the foundation work, and you just come along afterwards and add the finishing touches.

Easy To Kill by Agatha Christie

 Easy To Kill

Easy to Kill Agatha Christie - 1974 Cover

- Agatha Christie - 

Agatha Christie is a name that is synonymous with mystery and intrigue. She is one of the most famous authors of all time, and her books have been read by millions of people around the world. I've read a good dozen or so and really enjoyed each one. My latest, and one of her lesser-known works is "Easy to Kill." If you're new to Agatha Christie's work, "Easy to Kill" is a great place to start. It's a quick read that will introduce you to her unique style of mystery writing. And if you're already a fan of Christie's work, "Easy to Kill" is a must-read.

To me it this book was a classic Christie mystery, which usually entails:

• A seemingly perfect crime is introduced and investigated.
• The wrongly accused suspect is at the center of the investigation.
• The bungling of dim-witted police is a common theme.
• The detective has greater powers of observation and a superior mind.
• The startling and unexpected denouement, in which the detective reveals how the identity of the culprit was ascertained.

The 'detective' in this book is not a Poirot or Miss Marple, but the retired police officer Fitzwilliam is one sharp tool (not much of a personality though).

The plot is well-crafted, and the characters are interesting and engaging. It starts right from the beginning with a quote from an old lady, "It's very easy to kill - so long as no one suspects you. And you see, the person in question is just the last person anyone would suspect." That got me engaged and wondering who seems innocent.

The story is full of twists and turns, and the ending is satisfying with the the last person you would suspect. It was a bit of a surprise to me. I guess I got a bit fooled by all the red herrings. With this book, Christie created one of her creepiest, most disturbing villains, proving that revenge is a frightening dish best served cold.

Mystery book meme

It's amazing to me that Christie books are still so good to read, considering this one was written in the 1930s. I read A Murder is Announced a little while ago, and loved that book too. Check out my review and thoughts on how Christie is still relevant almost 100 years later.

The other amazing thing about Christie books is that I often find them for cheap, cheap, cheap prices. My local thrift store sells these books for only 50 cents. And Easy To Kill, I found at a 'fill-a-box-for-$5' sale. I'm sure I only paid a quarter for it.

Exploring the Timeless Appeal of Vintage Sci-Fi: Why Should You Read Old Science Fiction?

The Enduring Charm of Vintage Sci-Fi

Spectrum Sci Fi Short Stories

In a world filled with technology developing faster than the average person can keep up, and futuristic advancements, like AI, there is something undeniably captivating about the enduring charm of vintage science fiction. From the golden age of science fiction to the iconic works that have shaped our perception of the genre, vintage sci-fi continues to captivate readers like me and transport us back to imaginative worlds beyond our wildest dreams. 

I just finished a publication of short stories. I'm not sure if it was a magazine or a regular quarterly publication of some sort, called Spectrum. It was from the late 60s, and was filled with some of the best of the era. Including authors like Fred Pohl and Robert Heinlein.

There was a story about a future where robots are so efficient that our job as humans is to consume, consume, consume. An fun look at what it would mean to be 'poor' in that kind of society. The lower class have to consume more than the 'rich'. 

There was also a time travel story by Heinlein that was a fun read. A man cycles through time over and over again, creating a self fulfilling future for himself. It's hard to explain, but a very good read. 

I love finding old sci fi books like this. They are so fun to read, and sometimes a little out of date (especially when computers of the future are still the size of rooms). After reading a book or collection like this I often find myself thinking...

What is it that makes vintage sci-fi so fun to read?

The influence of vintage science fiction on modern culture and technology cannot be overstated. From the pages of classic novels to the movie screens, the classic stories have shaped our perceptions of the future and inspired advancements in various fields. 

Vintage sci-fi literature such as H.G. Wells' "The Time Machine" or Isaac Asimov's "I Robot" introduced us to futuristic concepts like time travel and artificial intelligence long before they became a reality. These visionary authors not only entertained readers but also sparked curiosity and innovation among scientists and engineers.

Moreover, the impact of vintage sci-fi is evident in today's popular culture. Iconic films like "Blade Runner" and "Star Wars" have not only captivated huge audiences with their thrilling narratives but have also influenced fashion trends, design aesthetics, and even technological developments. The sleek designs of spaceships or the futuristic gadgets depicted in these films have inspired real-world inventions. And perhaps over time a space ship shaped like the Enterprise.

In addition to shaping popular culture, vintage sci-fi has had a profound impact on technological advancements. Concepts explored in these works often push boundaries and challenge existing scientific theories. From Jules Verne's submarine in "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" to Arthur C. Clarke's vision of satellite communication in "2001: A Space Odyssey," these ideas have paved the way for real-world innovations that were once deemed impossible.

Science fiction literature has always been a powerful medium for exploring timeless themes and providing social commentary. Vintage sci-fi works in particular have left a lasting impact on readers by delving into societal issues and presenting thought-provoking narratives.

One of the key aspects of vintage sci-fi is its ability to create dystopian societies that reflect the fears and concerns of their respective eras. Ray Bradbury, Orwell, Atwood are masters of this. These works often serve as cautionary tales, warning us about the potential consequences of unchecked technological advancements or oppressive political systems.

Moreover, vintage sci-fi authors were not just storytellers; they were also keen observers of human nature and the complexities of society. Through their imaginative worlds and futuristic technology, they were able to shed light on contemporary issues such as racism, class inequality, environmental degradation, and the dangers of authoritarianism. 'The Dispossessed' by Ursula Le Guin is a great example that I just finished reading.

By exploring these themes through a futuristic lens, vintage sci-fi works continue to resonate with readers across generations. They not only entertain us with their captivating stories but also force us to reflect on our own society and consider the implications of our actions.

In an ever-changing world where new technologies emerge and societal challenges persist, it is worth revisiting these timeless themes in vintage sci-fi works. They remind us that despite the passage of time, human nature remains constant and that literature can serve as a powerful tool for understanding ourselves and shaping our future.

In conclusion, embracing the treasures of vintage sci-fi can provide readers with a truly unique and captivating reading experience. By delving into the works of classic science fiction authors, we can transport ourselves to imaginative worlds filled with futuristic technologies, alien civilizations, and thought-provoking concepts.

Vintage sci-fi literature offers a glimpse into the past and allows us to appreciate the visionary ideas that were ahead of their time. It allows us to explore themes such as artificial intelligence, space exploration, time travel, and dystopian societies - concepts that continue to shape our present understanding of science and technology.

Moreover, reading vintage sci-fi can be a nostalgic journey for those who grew up with these books or were influenced by them in their formative years. It provides an opportunity to revisit beloved stories and characters while also discovering hidden gems that may have been overlooked.

By embracing vintage sci-fi literature, we not only gain access to a rich literary heritage but also open ourselves up to new perspectives and ideas. These timeless tales serve as a reminder of the power of imagination and the boundless possibilities that lie within the realm of science fiction.

So let us embark on this journey through time and space, immersing ourselves in the wonders of vintage sci-fi for an unparalleled reading experience that transcends generations.

*This blog post was produced with the help of that futuristic technology A.I. I used the website Rytr, which does a wonderful job of actually writing some decent prose. You need to tweak it, but overall, not bad. It lacks voice of course. This does not sound like anything I would write. But, it's very legible, easy to read, and has some good ideas and facts. It deserves a decent grade.