To date, I have been staying very, very far away from the AI generators. There’s something odd and creepy about it, and it’s such a self-fulfilling prophecy. I mean, we’ve given the machines the tools of our destruction. They’ve watched Terminator now. Skynet exists. And if it’s not entirely sentient, what’s stopping it?
I worry—deeply worry—about how this will affect original thought. Shortcuts are all well and good. Inspiration comes from a thousand different places. But some of the AI I’ve now come across is so sophisticated it’s hard to see the lines between reality and fantasy. All the lines have blurred. You experience AI-generated content all day, every day, and don’t even know it. From art to music to computer programs to audio books to design to Captcha to distant experiments on Mars, artificial intelligence is here to stay.
The very name of it—intelligence—is part of what concerns me. How do we define intelligence? What array of thoughts lead to the breakthroughs we take for granted? Without scientific advances, would modern medicine be achievable? Did they come from human ingenuity, or machine learning? I’m typing this on a laptop—what spark created the idea for such a thing? It’s impossible to define the exact moment when an idea becomes reality. Can AI define that for us?
Well, that’s actually an excellent question. So I asked. And Bard answered:
The exact moment when an idea becomes reality is a difficult one to define. It is a moment that is both personal and subjective, and it can vary depending on the individual and the idea itself. For some people, the moment of realization may come when they first have the idea. For others, it may be when they take action to make the idea a reality. And for still others, it may be when the idea is finally completed and brought to fruition.
There is no one right way to define the exact moment when an idea becomes reality. It is a moment that is unique to each individual and each idea. However, there are some common themes that tend to emerge when people talk about this moment. These themes include:
Clarity: The moment when an idea becomes reality is often a moment of clarity. It is a moment when the idea becomes fully formed in the mind, and when the individual sees exactly how it can be made a reality.
Excitement: The moment when an idea becomes reality is often a moment of excitement. It is a moment when the individual feels energized and motivated to make the idea a reality.
Fear: The moment when an idea becomes reality is also often a moment of fear. It is a moment when the individual realizes that they are taking a risk, and that there is a chance that the idea may not succeed.
Commitment: The moment when an idea becomes reality is also often a moment of commitment. It is a moment when the individual decides that they are going to see the idea through to the end, no matter what.
The moment when an idea becomes reality is a powerful one. It is a moment that can change the course of a person's life. It is a moment that should be savored and celebrated.
Uuuuuugh. I mean…yes. But ugh.
I suppose that’s what creativity is—a moment when idea becomes reality, a subjective action borne deep within our own psyches. Is an experience—a creative expression—less valid if it comes from an inorganic neural network? Does it matter? If you enjoy the story, do you care if it was generated by man or machine?
Thorny philosophical issues aside, AI is everywhere right now. When my husband sent me the outline for a short story he’s heard me talking about, and I recognized the simplistic beats of the three-act structure, I decided to bite the bullet and play around a little. Below is a transcript of the first “conversation” I had with the Google AI, Bard. I can see how powerful this kind of AI can be for authors. Obviously, it’s an easy win as a research assistant. But there’s something more. There’s a plaintive personality, a sense of it wanting to prove itself, that sparked all kinds of ideas for me. I thought it might be an interesting exercise to transcribe some of the “conversations” for you. And don’t worry. I will always tell you if there’s been AI involved.
JT: What is the most universal story that appeals to readers and viewers alike?
Bard: The most universal story that appeals to readers and viewers alike is the story of the hero's journey. This is a story structure that has been used in countless works of literature, film, and television. It follows the protagonist as they leave their ordinary world, go on a journey to face a challenge, and return home a changed person.
The hero's journey is a story that resonates with people because it reflects the universal human experience. We all face challenges in our lives, and we all have the potential to grow and change as a result of those challenges. The hero's journey provides a framework for understanding and navigating these challenges.
It is also a story that is full of hope. The hero always triumphs in the end, which gives us hope that we can overcome our own challenges. The hero's journey is a story that has the power to inspire and motivate us, and that is why it is so popular.
Here are some examples of stories that follow the hero's journey:
The Odyssey by Homer
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
Star Wars by George Lucas
The Matrix by The Wachowskis
JT: (Okay. Now I’m paying attention. Now only do I agree with this list, but The Matrix just popped up in my Twitter feed thanks to my friend Boyd Morrison, who retweeted a thread that was quite fascinating.)
JT: What is it about the Matrix that sets it apart from other hero's journey stories?
Bard: The Matrix is a science fiction film that follows the story of Neo, a computer programmer who learns that the world he lives in is actually a simulation created by machines. Neo then joins a group of rebels who are fighting to free humanity from the machines.
The Matrix is a hero's journey story in the sense that it follows the protagonist as they leave their ordinary world, go on a journey to face a challenge, and return home a changed person. However, there are several things that set The Matrix apart from other hero's journey stories.
First, The Matrix is set in a futuristic world where technology has advanced to the point where machines have become more powerful than humans. This setting provides a unique backdrop for the hero's journey, and it allows the film to explore themes of technology, artificial intelligence, and free will.
Second, The Matrix is a visually stunning film that features groundbreaking special effects. The film's use of CGI and fight choreography helped to set a new standard for action films.
Third, The Matrix is a thought-provoking film that raises questions about the nature of reality and the role of technology in our lives. The film's philosophical themes have made it a popular choice for study in schools and universities.
Overall, The Matrix is a unique and groundbreaking film that has had a lasting impact on popular culture. It is a must-see for fans of science fiction, action, and philosophy.
JT: How does Hunger Games fit the hero's journey?
Bard: The Hunger Games is a young-adult dystopian novel by the American writer Suzanne Collins. It is written in the voice of 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives in the post-apocalyptic nation of Panem, where a boy and a girl aged 12–18 from each of the nation's 12 Districts are chosen annually as "tributes" and forced to compete in The Hunger Games, an elaborate televised fight to the death. Katniss volunteers to take her younger sister's place, and with her district's male tribute, Peeta Mellark, travels to the Capitol to train and compete in the games.
The Hunger Games fits the hero's journey in many ways. Katniss is the protagonist who leaves her ordinary world (District 12) to go on a journey (the Hunger Games) to face a challenge (the other tributes) and return home a changed person. Along the way, she meets allies (Haymitch Abernathy, Peeta Mellark, Rue) and enemies (President Snow, the Gamemakers). She also undergoes a transformation, from a reluctant participant in the games to a determined survivor and symbol of hope for the people of Panem.
Here is a more detailed look at how The Hunger Games fits the hero's journey:
Ordinary World: Katniss lives in District 12, one of the poorest districts in Panem. She is a skilled hunter and provider for her family.
Call to Adventure: Katniss's sister, Prim, is chosen as a tribute for the Hunger Games. Katniss volunteers to take her place.
Refusal of the Call: Katniss initially refuses to go to the Capitol, but she is eventually persuaded by her father and Haymitch Abernathy, her mentor.
Meeting with the Mentor: Haymitch is a former Hunger Games victor who is now Katniss's mentor. He trains her for the games and helps her to develop her skills.
Crossing the First Threshold: Katniss and Peeta travel to the Capitol, where they train for the games and are groomed by the Gamemakers.
Tests, Allies, and Enemies: Katniss and Peeta face many challenges in the Hunger Games, including other tributes, the Gamemakers, and the environment. They also make allies, such as Rue and Haymitch.
Approach to the Inmost Cave: Katniss and Peeta make it to the final two tributes in the Hunger Games.
Ordeal: Katniss and Peeta must decide whether to kill each other or to commit suicide together.
Reward: Katniss and Peeta are both declared victors of the Hunger Games.
The Road Back: Katniss returns to District 12, where she is hailed as a hero.
Resurrection: Katniss is changed by her experiences in the Hunger Games. She is no longer the same person who left District 12.
Return with the Elixir: Katniss returns to District 12 with a new understanding of herself and the world around her.
The Hunger Games is a classic example of the hero's journey. It is a story about courage, sacrifice, and the power of hope.
JT: Okay, can the hero's journey be seen in a romance novel?
Bard: Yes, the hero's journey can be seen in a romance novel. The protagonist of a romance novel is often on a journey to find love. They may face challenges and obstacles along the way, but they will ultimately find love and happiness.
Here are some examples of romance novels that follow the hero's journey:
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen: Elizabeth Bennet is the protagonist of Pride and Prejudice. She is a strong and independent woman who is on a journey to find love. She faces challenges from her family and society, but she ultimately finds love with Mr. Darcy.
The Princess Bride by William Goldman: Buttercup is the protagonist of The Princess Bride. She is a kind and gentle woman who is on a journey to be reunited with her true love, Westley. She faces challenges from the evil Prince Humperdinck, but she ultimately finds love and happiness with Westley.
The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks: Allie Hamilton is the protagonist of The Notebook. She is a young woman who is on a journey to find love. She faces challenges from her family and society, but she ultimately finds love with Noah Calhoun.
The hero's journey is a universal story structure that can be found in many different genres, including romance novels. It is a story about courage, sacrifice, and the power of love.
JT: With this in mind, what would a dystopian romance novel look like?
Bard: A dystopian romance novel would be a story about two people who fall in love in a world that is not ideal. The world could be a post-apocalyptic wasteland, a totalitarian society, or a world that is being destroyed by climate change. The two lovers would have to overcome the challenges of their world in order to be together.
Here is an example of a dystopian romance novel:
The year is 2042. The world has been ravaged by climate change, and the few remaining humans live in domed cities. In one of these cities, a young woman named Alina meets a young man named Ben. Alina and Ben are from different social classes, but they are drawn to each other. They must overcome the challenges of their world, including the dangers of the outside world and the prejudices of their society, in order to be together.
A dystopian romance novel would be a story about love, hope, and the power of the human spirit. It would be a story about two people who find each other in a world that has given up on love.
JT: But what about longing? You can’t have this story without longing.
Bard: Sure. Here is an example of a dystopian romance novel that includes longing:
The year is 2042. The world has been ravaged by climate change, and the few remaining humans live in domed cities. In one of these cities, a young woman named Alina meets a young man named Ben. Alina and Ben are from different social classes, but they are drawn to each other. They must overcome the challenges of their world, including the dangers of the outside world and the prejudices of their society, in order to be together.
Alina longs for a world where she can be with Ben without fear. She longs for a world where they can be free to love each other. Ben longs for a world where he can protect Alina from the dangers of the outside world. He longs for a world where they can be together without judgment.
Alina and Ben's love is a beacon of hope in a world that has given up on love. Their love is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope for a better future.
I stopped there. It’s all very simplistic, and nothing I haven’t read before. It felt very strange, like Google had come to life and become Jarvis. But it’s fascinating in its own way. I was surprised when Bard started outlining stories for me instead of answering questions. I played along, feeding it some general ideas. Themes are its forte, for sure. Original thought, not so much.
Would I ever use AI to generate story ideas? I don’t think so, but I can’t say I didn’t pay attention to the story it spit out. It’s a bit more entertaining than following my ailing cat around the house saying, “Did you go potty? Who’s a good girl?” as happens several times a day.
The thing is, I can’t imagine this doesn’t completely trample copyright in some way. When I asked about a villain, Bard gave me The Dark Lord. I mean, come on, that one’s been taken.
I also can’t imagine what our teachers are going through, and parents, too, because it’s almost impossible to guarantee original thought in this environment.
It’s early. There’s certainly more to be explored, and as the systems refine themselves, there may be ways to isolate specific AI to ensure a more original storyline. Obviously, it can be used in so many facets of the creative life, both positive and negative, and I’m going to continue exploring through conversation, just to see what happens.
Meanwhile, I am *so* glad idea generation isn’t a problem for me…