#The Industrial Revolution and its consequences

[elektricangel]

All valid points! I sincerely hope we can enact stricter regulation around gen AI, especially when it comes to the spread of falsified or misleading information. I have deep concerns about people no longer being able to tell the difference between what is real and what is artificial, and what that would do (and has already done) to our society.

I suppose I’m simply more pessimistic. At least in capitalist systems, the incentive has always been to replace people with cheaper alternatives, and I see no reason why that would change with gen AI. It genuinely seems to be the dawn of a new sort of industrial revolution, poised to leave a lot more workers ground up in the gears of the corporate machine. (Which is not to discount the many ways the technology can improve our lives, especially in specialized fields like medicine.) Sure, we have more workers’ rights now, but regulations still tend to encourage competition over cooperation. I just don’t see governments restricting the use of a technology simply because it allows companies to downsize their work forces and gain a competitive advantage. And I say that in all empathy with everyone out here struggling in the current labor market—I’m right here with you.

I take some solace in the fact that gen AI is currently restrained by its own technological limits. If AI-generated content is all that’s out there, then gen AI becomes a snake eating its own tail and the quality of its output begins to degrade. In an isolated system, entropy can only increase. Gen AI needs human input to keep improving, and perhaps it always will. Perhaps it simply can’t replace us all. Or perhaps that’s wishful thinking.

AI theft is another issue, one I am currently of two minds on. As a fellow creator, I also take umbrage with artists and writers not being fairly compensated for use of their work. However, I have yet to hear a compelling argument that makes a clear distinction between human and machine learning. Human writers read a lot of other writers’ work to improve their craft. Human artists observe and study a lot of other artists’ work to hone their skills. Gen AI basically does the same thing. If it’s used to reproduce a creator’s existing work, that is blatant theft and plagiarism. But if it has learned from a multitude of creators whose work is openly accessible in order to produce something “new,�� that doesn’t seem like theft to me. That seems like a totally normal thing that human creators do, too. Every creator is influenced and inspired by (i.e. "trained on") other creators' work. (What is actually new or original is a whole other debate, one creators have been having since long before gen AI. Are there really only 7 stories that we just keep retelling a little differently? Is there anything new under the sun? It’s a very human quandary.)

I suppose what I’m missing is the legal argument for theft, and if anyone has a clear grasp of it, I’d be interested to hear it or to check out some recommended sources. (I haven’t actually read the relevant court cases yet.) My understanding is that a human writer doesn’t need my permission to read a story I posted publicly, and learn something from it that they then apply in their own writing. Why, then, would a machine need my permission to do that? Honest question! Not to mention, as a fanfic writer, transformative works are a legal grey area that I thrive in, and I am leery of more restrictive regulations around IP that may have wider-reaching consequences beyond AI-generated works. Not to say that such regulations shouldn’t be put in place. Only that we should be very careful about them.

pls stop having ai profile pic

Since there’s a “pls” in here, I’m going to treat it as a polite discussion starter. If anyone else actually cares enough to voice an opinion. Here’s where I’m at on gen AI:

1) I’m not a visual artist and I don’t pretend to be. I didn’t replace a piece of commissioned art, either. What I am is a writer, and I think it’s neat that I can make a picture from words in a literal sense. That’s all.

2) As a writer, I share the fears of visual artists that gen AI will replace me someday. But I don’t think it’s pragmatic to believe we can turn back the clock on the technology. We can either adapt to it or get left in the dust. (Remember the Luddites?)

3) Not that it’s really anyone’s business, but I don’t have money to spare on commissioning art currently. Like a lot of people in the entertainment industry, I lost my job this year in the mass layoffs.

4) The argument I’m most sympathetic to is the environmental one. Gen AI needs to become more sustainable and energy efficient. That’s why I’ve only used it sparingly (3 times this year, to be precise.)

All that said, I’m always willing to hear respectful opposing arguments. If you’d actually like to make one, you’re more than welcome to.

[hellsitegenetics]

I have a request: the first paragraph of Industrial Society and its Future, courtesy of https://besser.tsoa.nyu.edu/howard/Anarchism/Unabom/manifesto.html

"The Industrial Revolution and its consequences have been a disaster for the human race. They have greatly increased the Iffe-expectancy of those of us who live in "advanced" countries, but they have destabilized society, have made life unfulfilling, have subjected human beings to indignities, have led to widespread psychological suffering (in the Third World to physical suffering as well) and have inflicted severe damage on the natural world. The continued development of technology will worsen the situation. It will certainly subject human being to greater indignities and inflict greater damage on the natural world, it will probably lead to greater social disruption and psychological suffering, and it may lead to increased physical suffering even in "advanced" countries."

String identified: T ta t a t cc a a at t a ac. T a gat ca t -ctac t "aac" ct, t t a ta ct, a a g, a ct a g t gt, a t a cgca g ( t T t ca g a ) a a ct aag t ata . T ct t tcg t tat. t cta ct a g t gat gt a ct gat aag t ata , t a a t gat ca t a cgca g, a t a a t ca ca g "aac" ct.

Closest match: Euplexia lucipara genome assembly, chromosome: 11 Common name: Small angle shades

(image source)

[jolee]

Pink cockroach lady? Sign me up

[lepisosteus-oculatus]

I HATE FORCEFEM I HATE MISGENDERING

YOU ARE A MAN SHUT UP ABOUT "OHHH MY ROOMMATE FOUND OUT I HAVE A PUSSY I HOPE HE DOESN'T TELL ANYONE". TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR OWN LIFE

I'LL TRAIN YOU. BOYS GET OVER HERE. LET ME DRILL YOU ABD TEACH YOU TO SHOOT AND TEACH YOU MASCULINE CONFIDENCE. SHUT THE FUCK UP ABOUT HOW YOU'RE INTO MISGENDERING BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT!! YOU JUST HATE YOURSELF!!

[randomly-generated-posts-machine]

the industrial revolution and nyan cat … we need to talk about that

[thermodynamic-comedian]

i think i'm really interested in the exact time the older avatars were born, because it feels like it explains a lot about them. how simon fairchild was born into a world just beginning to comprehend its place in the universe, and he decided to embrace it. how maxwell rayner was born into a world just beginning to create its own light, and he decided to escape it. how jonah magnus was born into a dying world, and he wanted so badly to live.

[indiestsnake]

I stand from my desk cold, tired and meek, like a newly conceived fawn born in the depths of winter. with my weak, wobbling legs I stare up into my mother’s eyes and ask, why? why now, why here? is this the life we are given? is this all fate hath bestowed upon us?

(finished my history essay)

[whoisandyloam]

Panera saw the grimace shake success and said, let’s do that but for real.

[sushimayham]

I present to you, Wend Kaczynsgoon

[systemdeez]

If you think about it we have no idea how it feels to not be full of microplastics. What if science could remove all the microplastics from your body? Would it feel amazing and you'd never want to go back? I think about this a lot.

[crowscadence]

Something about using sites like ao3 that aren’t ruled by algorithms is so refreshing. You aren’t forced to use an account or give any of your information to simply browse the site. There’s no fast-paced content being shoved down your throat. No group of people with a large following dominate what is seen; small creators can just as easily get their works out there.

I wish more sites were still like this

[gh0stb00-13]

This guy is single handedly killing all of my gel pens

[vomit-strawberrys]

The next time someone ask me to go outside I’ll pull out this imeage but not a ted k way, more in a depressed lazy teenage girl way

„But amelie dont You live right next to a forest?“ yes but i don’t fucking care i will stay in bed and sleep!!!!

[lepisosteus-oculatus]

@goodoldfashionedftmloverboy just tell me you're in love with me

[randomly-generated-posts-machine]

the industrial revolution and nyan cat … we need to talk about that

[thermodynamic-comedian]

i LOVE pitying characters who would absolutely hate being pitied. poor jonah magnus. just another victim of the industrial revolution.