SUNDAY SCROLL: And the literary award goes to...Chat GPT?
Something new to read, watch, look at, listen to and do to #bemorehuman
Good Sunday to you. There were no ‘Thursday Thoughts’ this week due to a combination of extended CNY celebrations on Monday and Tuesday, my first gig in nearly 20 years on Wednesday and the launch of my first full cast audio drama on Thursday (more on that below). Anyway, I hope you’re having a great weekend and I shall think extra hard before next Thursday.
Read this…
Rie Qudan was recently awarded one of Japan’s most prestigious literary honours, the Akutagawa Prize, for her new novel ‘The Tokyo Tower of Sympathy’. So taken with it were the jury that one member was moved to announce: “The work is flawless and it’s difficult to find any faults”, which made it all the more awkward when the author casually mentioned in her acceptance that she had used Chat GPT to write a chunk of it. So, was she wrong, were they wrong, or is this simply what artists have always done? Read this brilliant analysis by literary editor of The Spectator, Sam Leith: ChatGPT will kill off the Romantic genius.
Watch this…
Michael Spicer is one of my favourite online comedians famous for his ‘Room Next Door’ series in which he poses as a fake PR consultant for famous people in need of crisis comms. However, his new series features video essays on media, content and technology and this one struck a chord with me, particularly the line: “I’m Pavlov’s dog, but without the bell. I don’t need the bell anymore, I’m beyond the bell. My hand reaches out voluntarily in anticipation of a bell, which I know deep down will never ring.” If that rings a bell with you then you should watch this:
Look at this…
There is only a week left to check out an exhibition entitled, ‘Proof Of Personhood: Identity and Authenticity in the Face of Artificial Intelligence’ at Singapore Art Museum in Tanjong Pagar Distripark, which poses the question, ‘What does it mean to be human in the face of new technology?’. I can’t think of anything more relevant to me or to this moment so will be heading down there on Wednesday afternoon if anyone would like to join me and grab a drink and a chat afterwards? Entry is free for Singaporeans and PRs.
Listen to this…
Ok, it’s finally out, my first full cast audio drama with immersive sound design, that I co-wrote, co-produced, co-directed and co-star in with Tammy Learn, my partner in Pretty Neat Productions. This has been a labour of love and we really think it is world class so please check it out - it’s like a movie for your ears 🎧
Do this…
I’d like to know a little bit more about how and where you like to get your content and test out Substack’s new polling app so, do this?
Cheers, Nx