Great and depressing article, I’m generally an AI hating grouch so thanks for this informed perspective., writing is enshittified like everything else not because of AI but corporate profits
I made a great living writing for magazines until around 2009 when a combination of the recession and the Internet made it all go away. Websites paid so poorly that I had to write constantly to scratch out minimum wage. Now AI has made things even tougher. I'm glad I'm retired and don't have to worry about "selling" any more
Very intelligent and thoughtful piece that does so well exactly what a good pitch should—telling us that what we want to hear about AI isn’t quite what we should be listening for. My heart aches for Noah and all of the journalists out there who have been decimated by this industry—and are now being crushed by the weight of AI. But I also mourn for the readers who have no concept of what a quality freelance ecosystem can produce.
Great piece which raises interesting questions (maybe for future articles!): Authenticity in art - can it be defined? Should we even bother? AI - why do some of us hate it so much? And what is our best strategy for arguing against it? (I'm partial to the unsustainable-energy-usage argument, but am open to other suggestions)
Back when I was getting paid to write in the 1990s, I made $2,500/mo. for writing two 1,500-2,400-word long features and two 800-word reviews—and that was enough for me to pay rent on the small office I rented from my best friend's Mom, eat out three nights a week, and help my wife with household expenses.
Now? I'd be lucky to get $100 for the same piece I used to get $800 for.
Great and depressing article, I’m generally an AI hating grouch so thanks for this informed perspective., writing is enshittified like everything else not because of AI but corporate profits
I made a great living writing for magazines until around 2009 when a combination of the recession and the Internet made it all go away. Websites paid so poorly that I had to write constantly to scratch out minimum wage. Now AI has made things even tougher. I'm glad I'm retired and don't have to worry about "selling" any more
Yes, this is really depressing.
AI to me represents a complete aversion to critical thinking. Same for MAGA subculture. Same for military subcultures everywhere.
I subscribe to Noah for his daily injection of critical thinking.
I recognize I am a junkie and remain in denial of my need for Group treatment.
Reading Noah’s columns is our group therapy.
I feel like I'm not really licensed for that...
Very intelligent and thoughtful piece that does so well exactly what a good pitch should—telling us that what we want to hear about AI isn’t quite what we should be listening for. My heart aches for Noah and all of the journalists out there who have been decimated by this industry—and are now being crushed by the weight of AI. But I also mourn for the readers who have no concept of what a quality freelance ecosystem can produce.
Great piece which raises interesting questions (maybe for future articles!): Authenticity in art - can it be defined? Should we even bother? AI - why do some of us hate it so much? And what is our best strategy for arguing against it? (I'm partial to the unsustainable-energy-usage argument, but am open to other suggestions)
I've written about some of this!
https://www.everythingishorrible.net/p/robots-are-going-to-eat-your-art
Man,that's bleak. Thank you for the human perspective.
Back when I was getting paid to write in the 1990s, I made $2,500/mo. for writing two 1,500-2,400-word long features and two 800-word reviews—and that was enough for me to pay rent on the small office I rented from my best friend's Mom, eat out three nights a week, and help my wife with household expenses.
Now? I'd be lucky to get $100 for the same piece I used to get $800 for.
Exactly.