Invasive

A few months ago, our forsythia bush was shouting its exuberance in my backyard. Its generous yellow blossoms delighted me. But truth be told: once the blossoms faded, I hardly noticed it. The shrub disappeared until a few days ago when it stopped me in my tracks and I gasped.

The forsythia was subsumed by green growth that was not friendly. I recognized the viney fingers at the very top reaching for something beyond the bush’s height. Years ago, this same plant - Asian bittersweet - had strangled a towering pine tree not far from where the forsythia stood. Or was trying to stand. The weight of the aptly named vine bore down on the slender branches. Asian bittersweet was devouring our forsythia bush.

Perhaps in a similar way, our jobs, our intelligence, our privacy, and so much good writing is being devoured by AI. A text-meme on Substack announced that AI companies are now buying up millions of old books to scan - and then destroy. I haven’t found the will to fact-check it, but this likelihood pierces my heart. Yeah. Tears sprout again as I write and imagine AI machines devouring books and all that other data too.

Why is all of this information being collected? What’s the goal here?* (See note below)

I was a late-comer to Substack. Although I’ve been writing weekly essays for years, I only switched to Substack less than a year ago. I was excited to finally bring my voice to a place that celebrates writers. A real writer’s space.

But when I read that Substack had implemented the Pangram AI detection feature, I didn’t know what to think. For the record: I don’t hold a hard line on AI use. I appreciate it in a variety of ways but I do NOT and will NOT write my essays with AI (although I sometimes use it for editing.)

Is it possible for Substack to be subsumed by AI?

How can we trust AI companies will protect our privacy - and our intellectual property - when they use people’s personal information to make money?* (See note below)

I tucked my pants into my socks, grabbed my clippers and set out to free the forsythia bush. I started cutting and pulling with vengeance but then paused long and hard. I could not tell what was what. The bittersweet bark has tiny pock marks that look so similar to that of forsythia bark.

What the heck? Even the leaves were surprisingly similar. It wasn’t until I noticed the forsythia’s opposite-branching that I could resume my offense with confidence and discernment.

The invasive vine had penetrated and twisted itself throughout my large forsythia bush. Its hyper-exuberant growth was dense - especially near the top where it had created its own structure to grow on. It’s greedy fingers stretched into the air above my head.

Does it make sense to have a moratorium on data centers so we can slow the process?* (can you guess who asked this question to whom - and what the incriminating response was?)

When I hauled away the small mountain of vine, one thing was certain: my work was not done. Years ago, I was blithely naive when I thought the 100-foot white pine tree was in a symbiotic relationship with that vine. I was deep in cult-brain then and was… well… distracted. The vine killed that tree and a hard-working arborist was paid well to take it down safely. We then removed as much of the remaining vine as we could. But clearly, we missed some.

I can’t find a good reason why the forsythia’s plight wasn’t obvious to me sooner, but now, I will be watching.

I have also drafted and sent my letter to Substack, requesting the ability to opt-out of their Pangram program. I’m grateful for JHong’s measured approach to AI’s invasion on Substack. My recent experience of having my bank account hacked has made me much more attentive to my data and my actions. Am I safe? Hell no.

But if I don’t do anything, our forsythia bush will meet a tragic end. Is there some careful cutting you want to do to protect your voice?

On the north side of the bush, just beyond the vine’s reach, stands a cluster of sturdy forsythia shoots. 🌱

NOTE:

*These questions are direct quotes from Bernie vs Claude. If you missed this video, I can’t think of a better way to spend 9 minutes. You will be with Bernie Sanders, contemplating questions that just might have the greatest impact of all on our future. Let me know what you think!

If you have been impacted by authoritarianism in other, more direct ways, consider if now is a good time for you to explore your voice in a new way. There’s room in upcoming Writing to Reckon classes (but not next week, because I will be at the beach…) Friday mornings at 10 am EST.

When I return from my vacation, I have an exciting announcement to share.

Until then, be well. And protect your voice and your data.

Writing to Reckon Class