AI forgot the part where Evelyn and Professor Dupont consummate their newfound love in that remote village in the mountains, surrounded by water, to which they voyaged.
I'm laughing so hard right now- not because I like AI - hate it. But this read so much like some of my students' work. I teach a variety of college writing classes, from introduction to college composition, to exploratory, to professional. I'm not sure why some of my students who are English majors take professional writing, but invariably I end up reading book proposals. They are often just like your AI example. I really only focus on the market analysis and the letter so they can at least do that part. It is painful. I do what I can.
All that twisting and stumbling made me worry that Evelyn was going to break her ankle. Her twist of fate/feet should land her in the hospital, not in Pakistan.
You look great in that selfie! For many years, any number of the non-paid contributors to Forbes have been bad writers. This seems to be a new low, however. As a former copyeditor, I understand typos but still wince when I read that someone was "unphased" instead of unfazed by something. Congratulations on making Jeopardy, that's the big time for sure!
When I was a magazine editor, if I read copy like that, it would make me cry. Because you can't fix it. And what do you say to the writer? I might've wished, then, it was a bot! xo
Watched that Jeopardy show. Loved that Tess was on it.
So much lazy writing assaults my eyeballs regularly. Spaces fill up with nothing more than strings of texts. I have to decipher the autocomplete garbage to make any sense of a paragraph. I used to blame it on the loss of proofreaders. Now it makes me sad. I have always loved newspapers. Too often I see writing replaced by “content.”
Love ❤️ the selfie. Happy Birthday. Thank you for the newsletter.
Most of these comments are focused on the AI writing, but as a cultural heritage professional, I’m more interested in the antiquities trade and the repatriation of stolen heritage. It’s a very hot topic these days. But aside from the many cliches, I have a hard time believing, as you point out, that Monsieur Dupont would ever admit to dealing in stolen antiquities. Can’t wait to read the actual book which, I have no doubt, will be a significant improvement on the AI version. Still, it would make us all laugh if you started Chapter 1 with “Once upon a time”!
Jeez!!! I catch this stuff too. As a writer it's unbearable to read this crap. And by the way, you are one of the finest (along with J.L. Burke) "literary" mystery fiction writers out there.
OMG! I laughed out loud. I read an article the other day that was so similar and almost unintelligible that it took me a minute to decide that the article couldn’t possibly have been written by a person. Either that or the author was vastly uneducated. I have noticed lately that there are more than a few tv newscasters who should go back to school because they don’t know how to either pronounce words correctly or speak proper English. ( My pet peeve). You look fabulous! No makeup, good grief! What ever you are doing, keep it up.
There is a new language emerging and it dismays us but we cannot halt it.
I posted one version to Valerie. (See above).
This is the hip hop rap version my friend gave to her English class. This form of writing “got” their attention while the other version would not have been read.
—-
Yo, listen up, all you scribblers,
I got a bone to pick,
If you mess with
grammar, spelling, or punctuation,
you'll feel my wrath, real quick.
In this word game,
where mediocrity runs wild,
I'm the critic,
ready to expose your style.
Spelling, you dimwits,
get it right or face the heat,
No more messed up words,
no more half-hearted beats.
Grab a dictionary, open your eyes,
and learn the rules,
Or I'll come at you, tearing up your writing tools.
AI forgot the part where Evelyn and Professor Dupont consummate their newfound love in that remote village in the mountains, surrounded by water, to which they voyaged.
I'm laughing so hard right now- not because I like AI - hate it. But this read so much like some of my students' work. I teach a variety of college writing classes, from introduction to college composition, to exploratory, to professional. I'm not sure why some of my students who are English majors take professional writing, but invariably I end up reading book proposals. They are often just like your AI example. I really only focus on the market analysis and the letter so they can at least do that part. It is painful. I do what I can.
It's just weird to me because the writing part is the best part, even when it's horrible. I can't imagine handing it off to a computer program.
I agree. My whole pedagogy is about writing into knowing, so AI completely defeats that purpose.
All that twisting and stumbling made me worry that Evelyn was going to break her ankle. Her twist of fate/feet should land her in the hospital, not in Pakistan.
She should have turned her ankle on a twist of fate.
You look great in that selfie! For many years, any number of the non-paid contributors to Forbes have been bad writers. This seems to be a new low, however. As a former copyeditor, I understand typos but still wince when I read that someone was "unphased" instead of unfazed by something. Congratulations on making Jeopardy, that's the big time for sure!
When I was a magazine editor, if I read copy like that, it would make me cry. Because you can't fix it. And what do you say to the writer? I might've wished, then, it was a bot! xo
We'll know the bots are taking over when they can sulk like a flesh-and-blood writer.
How do we know *they* don’t?
Listen up, you pitiful scribblers, I've got a bone to pick,
If you dare to butcher your grammar, spelling, or punctuation, you'll feel my wrath, real quick.
In this chaotic realm of words, where mediocrity runs amok,
I'll be the merciless tyrant, ready to expose your literary schlock.
Spelling, you lazy imbeciles, get it right or face the consequences,
No more butchered words, no more half-assed pretenses.
Grab a dictionary, open your eyes, and learn the damn rules,
Or I'll come at you like a relentless vulture, feasting on your writing tools.
Grammar, you clueless dolts, it's time to shape up or ship out,
No more sloppy sentences, no more linguistic doubt.
Subject and verb, they better tango in perfect harmony,
Or I'll unleash a verbal assault that'll leave you begging for mercy.
And punctuation, you sorry excuses for writers, pay attention,
No more misplaced commas, no more careless suspension.
Periods, commas, question marks, they wield the power,
Use them right, or I'll rain down on you like a merciless shower.
So listen up, you wretched bunch, heed my warning,
Master your grammar, spelling, and punctuation, or face a scorning.
I'll be watching, like a relentless hawk, ready to strike,
And if you dare to falter again, your writing dreams will take a hike.
Kudos to you but I was so proud to know that Jeopardy answer! Please, please keep writing.
It’s appalling. No cliche left unexplored.
Watched that Jeopardy show. Loved that Tess was on it.
So much lazy writing assaults my eyeballs regularly. Spaces fill up with nothing more than strings of texts. I have to decipher the autocomplete garbage to make any sense of a paragraph. I used to blame it on the loss of proofreaders. Now it makes me sad. I have always loved newspapers. Too often I see writing replaced by “content.”
Love ❤️ the selfie. Happy Birthday. Thank you for the newsletter.
Most of these comments are focused on the AI writing, but as a cultural heritage professional, I’m more interested in the antiquities trade and the repatriation of stolen heritage. It’s a very hot topic these days. But aside from the many cliches, I have a hard time believing, as you point out, that Monsieur Dupont would ever admit to dealing in stolen antiquities. Can’t wait to read the actual book which, I have no doubt, will be a significant improvement on the AI version. Still, it would make us all laugh if you started Chapter 1 with “Once upon a time”!
Monsieur Dupont is a scuzzbucket for knowing the statue was so important to the villagers and doing nothing about it.
Fab post-birthday selfie!
You don’t visit dusty, smelly old shops very often do you?!? LOL
Add several misspellings and you have a typical news story.
Your selfie is glorious, you gorgeous woman!
Love Devon Smith’s robot wedding.
The docents at AVAM have done such a deep dive on the robots, there is so much conflicting info about them -- much of it from Devon Smith!
Jeez!!! I catch this stuff too. As a writer it's unbearable to read this crap. And by the way, you are one of the finest (along with J.L. Burke) "literary" mystery fiction writers out there.
Happy Mardi Gras!
OMG! I laughed out loud. I read an article the other day that was so similar and almost unintelligible that it took me a minute to decide that the article couldn’t possibly have been written by a person. Either that or the author was vastly uneducated. I have noticed lately that there are more than a few tv newscasters who should go back to school because they don’t know how to either pronounce words correctly or speak proper English. ( My pet peeve). You look fabulous! No makeup, good grief! What ever you are doing, keep it up.
There is a new language emerging and it dismays us but we cannot halt it.
I posted one version to Valerie. (See above).
This is the hip hop rap version my friend gave to her English class. This form of writing “got” their attention while the other version would not have been read.
—-
Yo, listen up, all you scribblers,
I got a bone to pick,
If you mess with
grammar, spelling, or punctuation,
you'll feel my wrath, real quick.
In this word game,
where mediocrity runs wild,
I'm the critic,
ready to expose your style.
Spelling, you dimwits,
get it right or face the heat,
No more messed up words,
no more half-hearted beats.
Grab a dictionary, open your eyes,
and learn the rules,
Or I'll come at you, tearing up your writing tools.
Grammar, you fools,
it's time to level up,
No more sloppy sentences,
no more messing up.
Subject and verb,
they gotta flow in perfect sync,
Or I'll drop rhymes that'll make you shrink.
Punctuation, you writers,
pay attention to the signs,
No more misplaced commas, no more weak lines.
Periods, commas, question marks,
they hold the power,
Use them right or I'll make it rain,
like a thunder shower.
So listen up, all you strugglers,
heed my call,
Master your craft or face the fall.
I'm watching like a hawk,
ready to attack,
If you stumble again,
your writing dreams will crack.
I've noticed it in a lot of the entertainment magazines. They unnecessarily repeat and summarize like an elementary school kid would. Dead giveaway.
One article I read yesterday sounded like it was straight from wikipedia.
And, sometimes, it's utter nonsense. Thankfully, I'm just reading free subscriptions.
One author I read and quite enjoy says he writes in the style of a 10th grader. He sells truckloads of books.
I love your wee robot. Looks like a Gerald.