The Process is the Point
More on AI and Creativity and the Connection between Storytelling, Italian Handbags, and Fine Dining
I was in a goal making session with other professionals last week, when one participant wrote in the chat that her goal was to publish a book. To accomplish that she would use AI tools for composition and to understand what the book would be about. But it would be about something BIG and IMPORTANT.
The writer in me cringed.
To me, the process of creating a story or even a non-fiction book is the whole point. In a previous post about AI, I asked why I would want to give up something I enjoy to a computer program? It is possible the person who made this comment doesn’t love writing as much as I do. I don’t want to be too critical, because maybe she was in a hurry. Or desperately trying to make money to support her family. Or maybe she loves exploring the possibilities of ChatGPT.
That same afternoon, as I was reading Dear Writer: Pep Talks and Practical Advice for the Creative Life by Maggie Smith, I came to a passage that, although it had nothing to do with AI, described my feelings well:
“With any creative practice—writing, sculpting, composing music—the process is the point. Not a means to an end. We have to love making things more than we love having made them.”
For me writing is a craft. Like making a fine Italian handbag. Or creating an exquisite meal.
My job as a writer is to provide a high degree of craftsmanship. Making money is not the primary goal, but it can be a nice side effect.
People still buy Italian handbags and pay enormous sums for fine dining.
Hopefully, I will continue to make a little money writing books the old fashioned way. Even if they are not BIG and IMPORTANT.
Why exercise when you can get a computer to play a video of someone else exercising? Because doing it yourself strengthens you.
I like reading and writing. I am not going to outsource those activities to AI.
That’s a great argument, and it applies everywhere really. People will use AI for boring tasks and it will hopefully reduce bureaucracy.
Watched 2001 a Space Odyssey and 2010 The Year we Made Contact recently and it portrays AI beautifully.