#bobbly

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https://theattainer.com/the-rise-of-chatgpt-and-ai-in-writing/

The rise of ChatGPT (and AI) in writing

ChatGPT is here.

It’s not going away.

And it seems to be evolving in a 5-step linear progression, as follows:

​>> Step 1: It writes! We’re in this stage today.

Namely, ChatGPT can write as well as some human writers.

For copywriting, ChatGPT can write at C-level, often B-level, and at times… well, not quite A-level but pretty darn close.

​>> Step 2: The Illusion of intelligence.

​When ChatGPT writes or answers your query, the letters appear on the screen one after the other, as if someone on the other end is typing.

Mimics the appearance of a human writing, but there is no human intelligence creating the sentences. At least not yet.

​>> Step 3: A tool used by human operators.​

Robot surgeons actually don’t perform surgery yet.

Rather, robot surgery is done by human doctors aided by robot technology.

​Similarly, human operators are using “prompts” — questions and statements to guide ChatGPT in the writing.

Unbelievably to me, “prompt engineer” has become a real job paying in many cases six-figures.

N.B. That there are “prompt engineers” could be the beginning of the end of western civilization as we know it.

​>> Step 4: At some point, ChatGPT won’t need prompt engineers.

AI will generate truly good writing, as the user wants it, all on its own.

​>> Step 5: Sentience — the point at which ChatGPT, other AI software, and systems powered by AI software become self-aware.

​And at that point, willfully comes up with and implements its own ideas, plans, and activities, regardless of what the humans who created the AI want or think.

Science fiction writer Vernon Vinge and futurist Ray Kurzweil calls the birth of true artificial intelligence the “singularity.”

As to when the singularity will be born, no one knows for certain. It could be in the next few minutes. Or next year. Or next century.

What worries me is here’s what that may look like:​

​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOxE8EEBwjQ​

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Robert W. Bly is a freelance copywriter and marketing consultant with 3 decades of experience in business-to-business, high-tech, and direct marketing. He is the first AXIOMS EXPERT at Kallisti Publishing Inc.

ChatGPT is here. It’s not going away. And it seems to be evolving in a 5-step linear progression, as follows: ​>> Step 1: It writes! We’re in this stage today. Namely, ChatGPT can write as well as some human writers. For copywriting, ChatGPT can write at C-level, often B-level, and at times… well, not quite A-level but pretty darn close. ​>> Step 2: The Illusion of intelligence. ​When ChatGPT…

ChatGPT is here. It’s not going away. And it seems to be evolving in a 5-step linear progression, as follows: ​>> Step 1: It writes! We’re in this stage today. Namely, ChatGPT can write as well as some human writers. For copywriting, ChatGPT can write at C-level, often B-level, and at times… well, not quite A-level but pretty darn close. ​>> Step 2: The Illusion of intelligence. ​When ChatGPT…

Two important writing principles which some people are not aware of are “information density” and “selectivity.” Information density refers to the number of points, facts, and amount of data presented per page of copy. Selectivity means it’s important to know what to leave out, not just what to include in your document. When information density is too high, it can make text difficult to plow…

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https://theattainer.com/when-did-thinking-become-an-outdated-notion/

When did “thinking” become an outdated notion?

Where does this ChatGPT go from here?

Here’s yet another concern I have about ChatGPT for writers.​

The best summation of what makes for great writing comes from Mark Ford:​

“Great writing is one big idea, clearly expressed, with proof.”

Well, my fear is this: To get better at thinking and writing, you have to think and write constantly.

This idea of “use it or lose it” is true with many things. For instance, say you go to the gym to build muscle. If you then stop working out, you will eventually lose much of what you had gained.

It is the same with thinking and writing. Unless you practice these activities daily, you will lose much of your “writing muscles.”

Ipso facto, it logically follows that if we offload too much of the writing process to AI, we will lose our edge — and become crappier writers.

Here’s what I fear . . .

Now, if writing is peripheral to what you do, and not your core business, then that’s not such a major concern.

On the other hand, if writing is the main of what you do, why would you, instead of keeping your writing muscles strong, weaken them by relying on the “mental crutch” of ChatGPT?

My fear is this: that over-reliance on AI will increasingly cause our ability to think, write, communicate, and create to decline geometrically — if not exponentially.

That being said, I for one am going to keep thinking and writing using my human brain power.

And I urge you to do the same.

That way, if my fears are warranted, then when the masses become illiterate morons – -you and I will tower as intellectual giants.

You still come out ahead

Even if I am wrong, you and I still come out ahead, for 3 reasons.

First, as we age, keeping your mind active and engaged can help stave off cognitive decline.

Second, we will be of greater value — to our employers, those we care most about, and the world at large.

Third, without constantly thinking, learning, absorbing new information, making decisions, and solving problems, our minds atrophy. And we become bored to distraction. And also boring to others.

The bottom line: ChatGPT doesn’t care whether I become a senile old duffer. But I do.

And so I will resist giving up the pleasures and challenges of thinking for myself till my dying breath.

How about you?

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Robert W. Bly is a freelance copywriter and marketing consultant with 3 decades of experience in business-to-business, high-tech, and direct marketing. He is the first AXIOMS EXPERT at Kallisti Publishing Inc.

Where does this ChatGPT go from here? Here’s yet another concern I have about ChatGPT for writers.​ The best summation of what makes for great writing comes from Mark Ford:​ “Great writing is one big idea, clearly expressed, with proof.” Well, my fear is this: To get better at thinking and writing, you have to think and write constantly. This idea of “use it or lose it” is true with…