I agree what you said about AI--and not just for food writing. I have a translator friend who fears it will decimate her profession. I'm a medical writer (by day), & many of my colleagues also share this fear.
As you said, AI has its uses. But I believe it can never replace the human touch --with our quirky sprinkles of individuality & authenticity. When we're not authentic, we may as well be AI.
Wholeheartedly agree - AI should never replace anything creative. And nothing feels more satisfying than talking to yourself and your community, rather than "asking" ChatGPT. Right there with you!
I loved wagon wheel pasta when I was little! Le rotelle. And I lived in the Netherlands too. Did I already know that about you? I lived in Tilburg briefly to study Dutch, and then I moved to Amsterdam again to study, but for university. I was there for just under a year in total, I think.. in 2006. Which year were you there, and where?
oh my gosh, we really do have so much in common! I was in the NL circa 2002, so a smidge before, in the grand scheme of things. In Well, in Limburg : ) I look forward to returning one day! Do you also have fond memories of frites, fried croquettes and so much kaas?? : )
(And falafel - again, young vegetarian at the time - aha)
Yes to all of this- I think about this often lately too! While there are definitely uses for AI, it doesn't have experiences, personality, or taste buds necessary for good food writing.
Spot on, Jess- like all tools, there’s a way to use them, and there’s way not to. I might ruffle some feathers, but Chat GPT is like sousvide for writers. Yes, it’s convenient, deciphers through the complexities, and allows everyone to turn out ‘professional-ish’ results, but should everyone use it? Not for everything, probably??
If everyone used these technological advancements, surely some of human controls would be lost. Without that curiosity to create, how would we continue to evolve? Just like with anything new, it will get over used, and there will be grounded purists resisting to go along with the cool kids..
And eventually, there will be a middle ground to use it in a healthy, structured way. In order to get there, each individual has to define their boundary of how much tech/AI/etc they want in their lives and where they don’t want them to be in. I write this on my cellphone, squinting at the small screen, and correct my misspelling on my own, since I get in heated arguments with autocorrect, haha! I am not tech savvy, and not willing to relinquish control to something so fun and defining as creating/sharing. I will just have technology tell me about the weather, and have video chats with loved ones in other parts of the world be enough. If I don’t know something, I could always humbly ask someone I trust on the matter too.
When it comes to anything I create, I know I have flaws; Same goes for grammar errors in my writing or slicing up chives that aren’t so even- At least people will know that I did that, and not some machine. Most importantly, I WILL KNOW that I created them, and I can stand behind it. I will take full responsibility, and allow myself to gain wisdom from the imperfect life experiences.
Aki - this is its own essay/substack post! Can I share it? The metaphors, the insight, the observations on tech vs. personal vs. culinary - gah! Thank you for writing this!!! (Sorry it took me so long to read and acknowledge it - human life stuff going on here!) <3
I agree what you said about AI--and not just for food writing. I have a translator friend who fears it will decimate her profession. I'm a medical writer (by day), & many of my colleagues also share this fear.
As you said, AI has its uses. But I believe it can never replace the human touch --with our quirky sprinkles of individuality & authenticity. When we're not authentic, we may as well be AI.
thank you for saying this and echoing my concerns and our human passion!! <3
love your little notebook writing!
aw, thanks!
what breed of cat are you thinking of getting?
stray/shelter/Vietnamese : )
Wholeheartedly agree - AI should never replace anything creative. And nothing feels more satisfying than talking to yourself and your community, rather than "asking" ChatGPT. Right there with you!
two beautiful statements!!!! thank you, arielle!!!
I loved wagon wheel pasta when I was little! Le rotelle. And I lived in the Netherlands too. Did I already know that about you? I lived in Tilburg briefly to study Dutch, and then I moved to Amsterdam again to study, but for university. I was there for just under a year in total, I think.. in 2006. Which year were you there, and where?
oh my gosh, we really do have so much in common! I was in the NL circa 2002, so a smidge before, in the grand scheme of things. In Well, in Limburg : ) I look forward to returning one day! Do you also have fond memories of frites, fried croquettes and so much kaas?? : )
(And falafel - again, young vegetarian at the time - aha)
Yes to all of this- I think about this often lately too! While there are definitely uses for AI, it doesn't have experiences, personality, or taste buds necessary for good food writing.
I’ve found it helpful to confirm facts on occasion (checking the validity of its sources, of course!). Just another version of Googling.
thank you for saying this, Kerry! I would honestly appreciate in any way it's been resourceful/helpful for you, too.
It certainly does not have tastebuds!!!!
I’m a notebook person too! And I write a lot of ideas on scrap paper because when those ideas come, I gotta write them down asap!
I adore that you're a notebook person, Betty - and it does NOT surprise me! <3<3<3<3
Spot on, Jess- like all tools, there’s a way to use them, and there’s way not to. I might ruffle some feathers, but Chat GPT is like sousvide for writers. Yes, it’s convenient, deciphers through the complexities, and allows everyone to turn out ‘professional-ish’ results, but should everyone use it? Not for everything, probably??
If everyone used these technological advancements, surely some of human controls would be lost. Without that curiosity to create, how would we continue to evolve? Just like with anything new, it will get over used, and there will be grounded purists resisting to go along with the cool kids..
And eventually, there will be a middle ground to use it in a healthy, structured way. In order to get there, each individual has to define their boundary of how much tech/AI/etc they want in their lives and where they don’t want them to be in. I write this on my cellphone, squinting at the small screen, and correct my misspelling on my own, since I get in heated arguments with autocorrect, haha! I am not tech savvy, and not willing to relinquish control to something so fun and defining as creating/sharing. I will just have technology tell me about the weather, and have video chats with loved ones in other parts of the world be enough. If I don’t know something, I could always humbly ask someone I trust on the matter too.
When it comes to anything I create, I know I have flaws; Same goes for grammar errors in my writing or slicing up chives that aren’t so even- At least people will know that I did that, and not some machine. Most importantly, I WILL KNOW that I created them, and I can stand behind it. I will take full responsibility, and allow myself to gain wisdom from the imperfect life experiences.
Aki - this is its own essay/substack post! Can I share it? The metaphors, the insight, the observations on tech vs. personal vs. culinary - gah! Thank you for writing this!!! (Sorry it took me so long to read and acknowledge it - human life stuff going on here!) <3
Right on, sure-!
I will - it was tremendous! <3
Terrific!
thanks, Jenn!!!!