Legendary Sci-Fi Magazine Halts Submissions Amid Deluge of AI-Written Stories

Argh. I don't know why that takes me by surprise but it does.

I am really going to have question those $1.99 or less books that I have been buying with very little reflection from now on.

I have not played around with any of these chat thingies, but the samples or whatever that I have seen posted on occasion do not read like publishable fiction to me. That anyone is happy enough with the results they get to put it out in the world seems pretty bizarre. But I guess low effort for even a little bit of money can be attractive.

My poor indie authors are going to have a harder time than ever being taken seriously now, aren't they? That's very upsetting.

Anyway, my original repulsion was mostly based on this idea I have that SF writers are wanting to explore some idea or other and this seems like the opposite of that. But that's probably very reductive of me. And maybe SF fans are exactly who would embrace any kind of AI assisted anything, given half a chance. People have always gone around saying things like they have this great idea and someone else should write it out for them, maybe this seems like a way to make that happen.

I had no idea the AI stuff had gotten that far. That really is concerning.

I saw, somewhere, that you can't copyright material produced by AI. Not sure if that's for real, but it might give those submitting pause.

Ha! I found the information.

is this because of the monkey selfie?

I asked Chat GPT to write a short essay on the cultural influence of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and here is what it gave me:

Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a cultural phenomenon that has had a significant impact on popular culture since its debut in 1997. The show, created by Joss Whedon, ran for seven seasons and followed the story of a teenage girl named Buffy Summers who was chosen to be the "Slayer," a powerful warrior tasked with fighting against vampires and other supernatural beings.

One of the most notable cultural influences of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is its portrayal of strong, independent female characters. Buffy and her friends, including Willow and Anya, challenged traditional gender roles and stereotypes by demonstrating their intelligence, bravery, and physical strength. The show's emphasis on female empowerment inspired a generation of young women to pursue their goals and to see themselves as capable of achieving anything they set their minds to.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer also had a significant impact on the horror genre. Prior to the show's debut, horror movies and TV shows often relied on cheap scares and shock value to frighten their audiences. However, Buffy took a different approach by combining horror with humor and witty dialogue. This unique blend of genres attracted a wide audience and helped to redefine the horror genre as a whole.

In addition to its impact on gender roles and the horror genre, Buffy the Vampire Slayer also influenced the way that TV shows are written and produced. The show's use of serialized storytelling, character development, and overarching themes paved the way for other shows like Lost, Breaking Bad, and Game of Thrones. Buffy's success also demonstrated the value of niche programming, and paved the way for other genre shows like The X-Files, Supernatural, and The Walking Dead.

Overall, Buffy the Vampire Slayer has had a profound impact on popular culture that is still felt today. Its portrayal of strong female characters, unique blend of horror and humor, and innovative storytelling techniques have influenced countless TV shows, movies, and other forms of entertainment. Buffy's legacy is a testament to the power of good storytelling and the lasting impact that popular culture can have on society.

Pretty meh

Paved the way for the X-files? Um. No.

Everything I’ve seen posted anywhere from Chat GPT pretty much reads like that - like a middle school book report that might get a C or might get called out for plagiarism.

Yeah. I read articles about it and it's like anyone who writes for a living will be out of work in 3 years, but then you see what Chat GPT produces and you wonder what the people writing those articles are smoking.