Will AI Replace the Personal Narrative Writer?
the idea of robots impersonating my voice creeps me out
Content note: The day after writing this intro about how great this week has been, the week took a turn. Good friends lost their baby at 8 1/2 months1. It was stillborn, and our community is devastated. Some of you reading this are in that community, and I see you. Some of you have experienced the loss of a child, and I see you.
I don’t know how to breathe or do my job or rewrite a silly newsletter to reflect the shards of glass I feel in my chest right now. So I’m leaving it. I’m leaving this stupid, cheerful, exuberant Monday version of Jen Zug Writes because my God…. will I ever feel this way again?
Hi, it’s me. I’m riding on the high of many good things today — it’s been a great week! The weather in Seattle has been phenomenal, so we’ve emerged from our damp, dark caves to expose our pasty white moon skin to that giant orb in the sky. We know the joy of the sun’s kiss is only temporary, that June will likely bring back overcast fifty-five degree days. But for now we live like we’re on Spring Break and don’t have a job.
Another highlight of the week is the investment I made in my writing craft. I’m in the middle of a four-week writer’s workshop with Substacker Julie Hester that has been delightful and inspiring and has given me a whole new toolbox for approaching my work. In all my life as a writer wannabe I somehow missed reading the user’s manual all the other writers received — including you, probably. But I’m catching up. Turns out I love writing in company with others, and now is the right time for me to be writing for the soul.
I also had fun listening to Anne Lamott talk about “everything {she knows} about writing, which also happens to be everything {she knows} about life” during her annual writer’s workshop through Book Passage in Corte Madera, California. Most of what she covered was from her book from a million years ago, Bird By Bird, which I re-read in December. It never gets old, though. I may make a point to re-read this one annually.
Which brings me to a moment of gratitude and an ask.
I’m grateful to have paid for both of these workshops with money I earned from writing on Substack! It feels good to invest in myself from money I’ve earned while hustling stories on the side. Everything I earn here deposits directly into my savings account, where I’m holding it for expenses related to writing, editing, and self-publishing my first book.
Since August, I’ve grossed around $500! However big or small that is in your world, it’s $500 more than what I’ve ever earned from writing what I wanted to write, and I couldn’t be more proud. I don’t ask this often, so here it goes… Please consider supporting my work with a paid subscription:
Prefer to contribute a one-time donation? Hit me up on Venmo!
Another way to support my work is to share Jen Zug Writes with a friend via email, on the socials, or to Substack’s Notes:
***(This email got a little long. If it gets truncated at the end, you can read it online HERE.)***
Will AI Replace the Personal Narrative Writer?
Like many of you, I’ve been thinking about AI and ChatGPT-4 and how it will impact our work as writers and artists. It’s actually something Bryan and I talk about together frequently – we’re nerdy like that. Bryan pays attention to patterns and seems to know where in the world we’re going.
And I’m not the only one who knows this about him – a friend once introduced him to a group by saying, “This is my friend, Bryan. He’s from the future.”
When I met Bryan in 2000, he had one of the first digital cameras ever sold – it was the size of a square Kleenex box and took horrible photos compared to today. A few years later he bought some video gear and started recording events here in Seattle. “Have you heard about this thing called YouTube?” he’d say. “I think it’s gonna be big! Can I record your event and put it online?”
Thanks to Bryan, Ignite Seattle has hundreds of videos dating back 15 years to the first event, and now we have amazing time capsule videos like this one about “the third screen” from 2008:
When the internet made a shift from written content to video, he started a production studio. I wrote and produced animated videos, and another crew produced videos for events and Kickstarter campaigns. As live streaming was emerging but not widely used, we flew to the Sundance Film Festival, stuck an iPhone 8 on a monopod, and interviewed celebrities.2
All this to say, when Bryan wants to talk about the emergence of AI, I pay attention.
I’ve given in to the fact that AI will eventually be able to write a fundraising email, grant proposal, or article about the five best ways to relieve arthritic pain, so my current day job may be in jeopardy. But what about me? Or my voice? What about my stories on Substack or the memoir I’m writing? How will these deeply personal projects be impacted?
I told Bryan what I wanted to write about today and asked him what he thought. Here’s what he said (it’s the answer we all want to believe):
of the Never Retire Substack is thinking about this, too. In a recent newsletter he broached the subject of creating content vs creating community, and even if AI can replicate creativity and opinions… wouldn’t that be considered fiction?3 Even so, in the context of income longevity, he says we have to pay attention to where this is going, because:AI can’t replace you. It’s like the organic produce in our garden – you have a connection to the soil, to the seeds, and to the watering. Things that are not organic don’t connect with people. Organic is a signal through the noise. No matter how much it looks organic, it doesn’t have history, or feel pain, or experience joy. It’s a made thing, with no connection between a Maker and Creation.
If you’re going to work in retirement, there’s a good chance you’re going to write or create some other form of content. It’s more important than ever to do it in an area where human touch matters and isn’t going away.
The possibility of robots impersonating my voice is what creeps me out, so I performed an experiment. I asked ChatGPT-4 this question:
Please write a heartfelt 300 word essay about your mom in the style of Jen Zug.
My mom is an incredible person. She has been my guiding light and source of strength throughout my life. Her unwavering love and support have helped shape me into the person I am today.
Growing up, my mom always put her family first. She worked tirelessly to provide for us, and her sacrifices did not go unnoticed. She never complained or asked for anything in return, and her selflessness inspired me to always strive to be a better person.
My mom is also the most compassionate person I know. She has a heart of gold and will go out of her way to help anyone in need. Her kindness and generosity have touched the lives of so many people, and I feel lucky to have her as my mom.
One of my favorite things about my mom is her sense of humor. She always knows how to make me laugh, even on my darkest days. Her quick wit and infectious laugh are contagious, and I cherish every moment I get to spend with her.
As I’ve grown older, I’ve come to appreciate my mom even more. She has faced many challenges in her life, but she has always handled them with grace and dignity. Her strength and resilience inspire me to never give up, no matter what life throws my way.
To my mom: thank you for being my rock, my confidant, and my best friend. I love you more than words could ever express, and I am grateful for every moment we’ve shared together. You are a true blessing in my life, and I am so lucky to have you as my mom.
I’m relieved that this sounds nothing like me. It’s completely generic and is only 274 words. I can’t even use this as a springboard from which to add my own flare!
This seems like good news for now - it hasn’t figured out how to write like me (yet). But then I got to wondering: if it’s pulling information on Jen Zug’s style of writing from the internet (is that how it works??), there isn’t much out there that I’ve written publicly. So I adjusted the question to be in the voice of someone with more content out in the world:
Please write a heartfelt 300 word essay about your mom in the style of Tina Fey.
To truly capture the essence of my mother, one must first appreciate the intricate tapestry of quirks, humor, and love that she weaves into our lives. If my mom were a television character, she'd be the perfect blend of Liz Lemon from "30 Rock" and Mrs. Incredible from "The Incredibles". A crime-fighting, sandwich-loving, multitasking superhero who sometimes gets caught in a whirlwind of absurdity. Picture a woman who can quote "Golden Girls" while speed-walking through Target, and you've got a pretty good idea of who she is.
My mom's sense of humor is a combination of self-deprecation and observational comedy. I can't tell you how many times I've watched her make light of her own misfortunes to put a smile on our faces. She's the type of person who, after accidentally burning dinner, would regale us with a riveting tale of "The Great Kitchen Fire of '23". And let's not forget her penchant for impersonating people in a way that would make even the most stoic audience chuckle. My mom has mastered the art of turning life's lemons into comedic gold.
But don't be fooled by her fun-loving exterior; my mom is a pillar of strength and resilience. She's endured hardships and heartache with a grace that only a true superhero could muster. The way she navigates life's obstacles is like watching a finely choreographed dance – a series of complicated steps executed with poise and determination. She's taught me that it's okay to stumble, but it's essential to keep moving forward.
Mom's also a ninja at the fine art of multitasking. She can simultaneously fix a leaky faucet, cook a three-course meal, and help with algebra homework, all while remaining impeccably dressed. I'm convinced that she has a secret cloning machine hidden somewhere in the house, because there's no other explanation for her ability to be in six places at once.
Her love knows no bounds, and it's evident in everything she does. She's the person who'll drive you to the airport at 3 AM, even if it means missing her favorite TV show. She'll make you chicken soup when you're sick and be the first to crack a joke when you're feeling blue.
In a world filled with chaos and uncertainty, my mom is a beacon of hope and laughter. She's shown me that life doesn't always have to be serious, and that the best way to navigate its ups and downs is with a sense of humor and unyielding determination. For that, I am eternally grateful.
418 words.
Okay, this was a little more concerning. Immediately I noticed the connection to Liz Lemon and her love of sandwiches, and the heartfelt humorous tone. I don’t know anything about her mom to judge the accuracy of information, but I can certainly hear Fey’s voice in this and can imagine her reading it out loud. In my opinion, it definitely captured the style of Tina Fey.
So yes, I’m concerned that AI could replace the personal narrative writer. But I’m hopeful that we *gestures at the world* won’t want it to. I’m hopeful that people are craving authentic voices and experiences. I’m hoping stories that make us laugh, then cry, then clutch our pearls will be a trend from the early aughts that we return to. 🤞
Until next time,
Jen
Your Turn
Have you ever earned money from a side hustle or passion project? Or maybe you remember getting paid from your first job? I recently came across an old paystub from the 90s when I was making $350 a pay period.
Are you tired of talking about ChatGPT? Are you obsessed with it? Have concerns? Feeling meh? Do tell.
Why is everything so hard and sad right now. Is it just me?
News + Notes 🌼
The Garden Is Full of Life Lessons (Mar 2023) - My six month ‘stackiversary and the practice of starting something without knowing how it will end.
Next Steps for Bryan’s Cancer Treatment (two days ago) - I posted an update regarding the chemotherapy schedule, drugs used, and possible side effects.
My friend Giyen wrote about Heather Armstrong in a way that’s helped me process my feelings around her death and what her life opened up for writers like us. I started a blog in 2006 because Dooce did it first. Thank you,
, this was special.
🌼
Bryan and I watched the Eurovision finals, and oh my God, the whole thing was vibing like the opening ceremony of The Hunger Games with Graham Norton as the Stanley Tucci character. Is it always like this? My only context for Eurovision is the movie with Will Farrell, but honestly, the real thing is not that far off.
🌼
The ongoing AI conversation reminds me of a 30 Rock episode where Jack Donaghy discovers his voice was sold to an online pronunciation dictionary. Alec Baldwin, who played Jack, recently posted a tweet thread to Instagram about the use of actors’ voice and image in AI generated content.
Corrected after publishing to 8 1/2 months, not weeks.
Fixed a typo: Our friends lost their baby at 8 1/2 months, not weeks.
💔💔💔💕