HUMAN Content for HUMAN Readers

Are you really reading my work?

Truly...?

Be honest.

And if you are, are you actually leaving comments or are you copying and pasting my work into AI and asking for it to generate a comment for you?

A week or so ago, I read a story about how AI is not only being used to write but also to read. To summarize and to give feedback on articles etc. The rise of human laziness is clearly alive and well. I didn't even realize that was a thing people did.

As someone who thoroughly enjoys reading and writing, I can't even fathom copy and pasting and having a fake "brain" read things and tell me how to feel about them.

I commented on that particular story that a new fear had been unlocked with the idea of people doing that. Are we that lazy as a society? That even what is meant to be enjoyable has become something we have machines do for us? That's a shame.

I thought, surely that isn't happening here on Vocal. But is it?

Lately, I've been noticing an influx of comments that look eerily similar. I don't want to put these particular people on blast, but I will say that multiple people have commented things using almost identical wording with a few add-ons.

Out of curiosity, I copied that particular piece of work I wrote and pasted it into an AI platform. My second time using AI on purpose and hopefully my last. I asked for feedback and for it to generate a short comment I could post. Make it as human and as thoughtful as possible. I wish I could say I was shocked with what it generated for me. It was so similar to the comments left on my piece. That is a damn shame.

I'm sorry if I come off as hateful, (I'm actually not. If you're new here- I'm not very nice when it comes to things that piss me off. Nice to meet you) but if you aren't here because you genuinely love to read and write... why are you here? There are many other platforms to do things on. Vocal is for writers and readers. To me Vocal has always been a place for writers to share things. To write. Sometimes, it's flawed and to be honest, I've enjoyed the typo pieces immensely more because at least I know they're written by real people.

I was criticized pretty harshly on my first book, Spooky Little Things due to grammatical errors and a whole typo (embarrassing). I thought about correcting it. I've been toying with that thought for a few weeks now and finally decided I'm going to leave the book as it is. Flaws and all. Because it's human. If people critique it, oh well. Let them. I made some mistakes... I'll own them.

In fact, here's the shameless plug if you'd like to buy it or read it for free on Kindle Unlimited.

Even if I risk losing comments and reads, I have to say this... I make human content for human consumption. If you are moved by something I write, tell me. Good or bad. Even if you think you sound stupid. I'm not here to judge you based on how great of a writer you are. I'm not here for a hallmark card to be left in my comments. Saying anything at all with your own human words is a gift.

But if you are going to leave me an AI generated comment. Don't. I don't want it... and yes, I can tell.

I can also tell when your work is AI generated. (I feel like most of us can). I will not be subscribing to those who have fully generated AI content. I know some people use it to generate images and I'm not referring to that (though I do find it vastly more enjoyable to see human created images) but if you're completely generating every piece of content you post on here. Why even be here? I don't understand. If writing isn't a burning passion you have... if words aren't aching to burst through your skin and out onto a notebook... why are you here? Why are you parading as a writer? If you want to be one, be one. Don't have a machine do the work for you. I promise you; genuine writings are so much more gratifying.

If that isn't enough to convince you to actually write for yourself, how about the idea of losing something you need to actually survive.

Water.

It's a finite resource and the use and rise of AI is depleting it quickly.

Writing just one email using chatGPT is equivalent to using 1 bottle of water. Imagine how much water it's taking to type up a story on Vocal or generate an image this ridiculous:

And don't even get me started on how much water a single video can take.

If you think "Oh, it's not that bad."

It's worse than you think.

A singular data center can average 550,000 gallons of water per day for cooling. That's equivalent to what 4,200 people would use per day on average... and it doesn't use just any water. Its depleting freshwater resources. this is increasing water scarcity and drought at a rate faster than ever before in history.

The global demand of AI may require up to 6.6 BILLION cubic meters of water in 2027. That's more than the annual water withdrawal of half of the UK.

Data centers are also using an insane amount of energy, which is affecting every person who pays an electric bill in the U.S. You can thank the use of AI for that higher electric bill. If you use it, you're responsible for those rising costs. When electric companies invest in new equipment, they pass those costs onto the consumers.

Furthermore, using AI is stealing from everyone. It steals art from artists without consent to train their systems. This particularly affects small artists who rely on commission.

"But I MADE this picture! I used a prompt!"

That is the equivalent of using up old garbage juice from the bottom of a trash can at your favorite restaurant and claiming you're a chef.

How can you slow the effects of generative AI use?

Simple.

Stop fucking using it.

Support your local artists. Make your own art. Invest in a camera and take your own photos. Draw. Paint. Sing. Learn to play an instrument. Buy a cookbook. Teach yourself to cook. Learn to do makeup. Read books. Leave genuine comments written by YOU and YOU alone.

Spread the word.

You're AI generated content is stealing water from vulnerable animals who rely on humans to not be pieces of crap towards our environment. Do better.