Not me welling up over the personification of words.
“Even when you were tasked with the impossible—describing a mother’s love, the intestinal evisceration of heartbreak, the smell after a summer rain—you managed to succeed solely because of the life a human being had injected into you. Even when you existed as a messy series of ink marks on a piece of processed tree or a smattering of pixels on a glowing screen, there was an invisible but very real energy that you carried and transmitted.”
You've called the word into service of expressing something I have been feeling so strongly and didn't know how to express. You've made an eloquent argument while also being an example of words infused with humanity—an elevated, conscious, and sentient use of language. I felt the sacredness of language breathing through the spaces between these characters on the page. I'm so very grateful that the word chose you to represent its plight, pain, and heartbreak with such transparency and skill. Thank you Alex.
Alex, put simply, this is the most engaging, inventive, clever and eye-opening examination I've ever read about AI – on Substack or *anywhere*. Would it be melodramatic to call this essay a tour de force? No, it would not. And in a perfect world, this would go viral. I sure as hell hope it does.
Clever & creative conceptually to personify words. This is unquestionably my favorite piece of your writing! You captured the heart and essence of the distastefulness of AI, the lack of humanity and connection. Kudos!!!
What a stunner this piece is, man. It's unlike anything I've read—and is the perfect rebuttal to AI, both tribute to and clarion call for human connection. It's exactly the kind of thing AI could never write, so deep-hearted and connected, full of meaning, wonder, and love. One of my favorite pieces by you yet, which is a very high bar, indeed.
Dude, love how this turned out. Excellent work. There’s this cool Genesis vibe in the early descriptions that I couldn’t help but think of the beginning of John and the emphasis on the “Word”. Admittedly, I’m not very religious but have taken enough CCD classes to know the purpose of the capitalization. That you didn’t do that here made the whole concept and treatment of the word inclusive (in the purest sense) and respectfully agnostic such that the word (purposefully lowercase) is available and important to all humans. I dig that. Great example of saying a lot without saying it at all.
Thanks man, and thanks again for your feedback. Really interesting catch there — I hadn't thought about it through a religious lens, and that's a fascinating one. Quite perceptive
What a gift of a reminder to come back to the humanity of language: the way that we articulate, fumble, or otherwise express our way toward - and from - connection.
This is fresh, timeless, and relevant, Alex. Such a delight to read, so thoughtfully, heartfully executed.
Alex, way to personify the whole enchilada - the message of your essay.
The words you weave into sentences, and sentences you fashion into paragraphs, and how the paragraphs reflect your insights is masterful and deepens throughout.
I’m in awe. A beautiful and necessary contribution to us readers and to the world.
I watched the movie “Little Women” the other day and it reminded me of how far these words have come to be able to be expressed by so many. I’m grateful for my words though still a bit fearful of the future of words and what meaning they’ll have.
Not me welling up over the personification of words.
“Even when you were tasked with the impossible—describing a mother’s love, the intestinal evisceration of heartbreak, the smell after a summer rain—you managed to succeed solely because of the life a human being had injected into you. Even when you existed as a messy series of ink marks on a piece of processed tree or a smattering of pixels on a glowing screen, there was an invisible but very real energy that you carried and transmitted.”
So beautiful. One that sticks with ya, great job.
Appreciate you Claire. Means a lot.
You've called the word into service of expressing something I have been feeling so strongly and didn't know how to express. You've made an eloquent argument while also being an example of words infused with humanity—an elevated, conscious, and sentient use of language. I felt the sacredness of language breathing through the spaces between these characters on the page. I'm so very grateful that the word chose you to represent its plight, pain, and heartbreak with such transparency and skill. Thank you Alex.
What Larry said! Thank you, my friend.
Rick, your feedback has the same depth found in Alex's essay. Nailed it!
Alex, put simply, this is the most engaging, inventive, clever and eye-opening examination I've ever read about AI – on Substack or *anywhere*. Would it be melodramatic to call this essay a tour de force? No, it would not. And in a perfect world, this would go viral. I sure as hell hope it does.
Thanks so much Larry. Really kind of you to say.
Clever & creative conceptually to personify words. This is unquestionably my favorite piece of your writing! You captured the heart and essence of the distastefulness of AI, the lack of humanity and connection. Kudos!!!
Thanks Mom :)
What a stunner this piece is, man. It's unlike anything I've read—and is the perfect rebuttal to AI, both tribute to and clarion call for human connection. It's exactly the kind of thing AI could never write, so deep-hearted and connected, full of meaning, wonder, and love. One of my favorite pieces by you yet, which is a very high bar, indeed.
Thanks brother. Appreciate all your help on this one.
This is a remarkable piece, capturing the thoughts and fears many have about AI, and at the same time, extolling the virtue and humanity of the word.
Thanks PM!
Alex, exceptional. Such a creative piece. Love your work as always.
Thanks Grace :)
Wow the audacity to be as good of a writer as you are!!
Haha you are too kind!
You, my friend, are very good with words. Fitting they seem to sit right at home with you, following on command.
Thanks brother, means a lot.
Dude, love how this turned out. Excellent work. There’s this cool Genesis vibe in the early descriptions that I couldn’t help but think of the beginning of John and the emphasis on the “Word”. Admittedly, I’m not very religious but have taken enough CCD classes to know the purpose of the capitalization. That you didn’t do that here made the whole concept and treatment of the word inclusive (in the purest sense) and respectfully agnostic such that the word (purposefully lowercase) is available and important to all humans. I dig that. Great example of saying a lot without saying it at all.
Thanks man, and thanks again for your feedback. Really interesting catch there — I hadn't thought about it through a religious lens, and that's a fascinating one. Quite perceptive
Beautifully written. Great trance and rhythm to the reading experience :)
Thanks man!
Thank you ! Really hit home.
If words were to name of their dearest comrades, you'd be one of them. Beautiful handshake con palabras Alex.
Muchas gracias Amber!
What a gift of a reminder to come back to the humanity of language: the way that we articulate, fumble, or otherwise express our way toward - and from - connection.
This is fresh, timeless, and relevant, Alex. Such a delight to read, so thoughtfully, heartfully executed.
Thanks so much for the kind [word]s, Sean!
Alex, way to personify the whole enchilada - the message of your essay.
The words you weave into sentences, and sentences you fashion into paragraphs, and how the paragraphs reflect your insights is masterful and deepens throughout.
I’m in awe. A beautiful and necessary contribution to us readers and to the world.
Appreciate you James. Very kind of you to say.
Geez, I reread my note to you and saw my typo - “who” instead of “whole”. Sorry about that!
Yes. Connection. That truly is what we want.
I watched the movie “Little Women” the other day and it reminded me of how far these words have come to be able to be expressed by so many. I’m grateful for my words though still a bit fearful of the future of words and what meaning they’ll have.
I admittedly have not read or seen Little Women - worth the watch?
I’d say so! Gives a glimpse into writing as a woman back then. Getting edits at the publishing house in person sounds brutal!