Writing, as with any craft, is a practice

soul-expression and the art of hand-made in the era of AI

February 16, 2025

We are in a new era of art

The conversation quickly went from sharing what I was up to—writing, editing, working in the garden…to listening. This happens frequently seeing how I’m more of a listener than a talker. I digest things slowly. I like to observe. Thankfully I find that this pairs well with writing, as it allows me the time and space to think, organize, put everything down and then, inevitably, clean up the mess. It’s a process, like how making beef stew is a process.

Because of the nature of my work and the recent (really not that recent) craze of OpenAI he began to rattle off how I, as someone who writes, should take advantage of its power and capabilities. Are you using them? There’s so much you can do? I mean, how are you even working now? People won’t need you? Can’t you funnel your ideas and projects into this and do your work? It’ll be so much easier? Did he ask if I found my work hard in the first place? No. I let the people won’t need you comment go. I knew it wasn’t personal. Even though it all feels so personal.

We know each other well yet run in different friend circles, but still, the hubris. He, on the other hand, was fascinated, intrigued, and an avid generative AI user. He popped out his phone to show me a few of the digital ‘art’ pieces he was creating. Artistic rights and licensing, questionable.

I wasn’t put off by the nature or tone of the questions. They were valid and honest. It is a phenomenon I am keeping an eye on. I too am intrigued, not frightened, yet. My concern is, if someone enjoys doing something, why rob them of the act. For me writing is not a mystery nor a hassle. Playing the piano is. This is the beauty of diversity and taste, skill and craft. It’s different for all of us. I happen to like the process of writing. I find it a meaningful practice. Something I can personally experience, feel, fudge, and return to again and again. Like learning, it’s a fervent act that never really stops. I’m also not terribly interested in supporting a technological infrastructure that mines a preexisting bedrock of content that artists have already produced, that uses high exorbitant amounts of water and energy to cool more and more acres of servers (which would be better off as parks, housing, or simply undeveloped land), or depends on a corrupt labor network. How deep or far upstream are we willing to investigate to curb blind consumption?

Maybe I’m being totally naive but I don’t think my work will vanish. What I know from probably spending 3 hours the other day on a chat thread for my damn internet service is that I prefer talking to someone. I find it extremely valuable. Yes, a real human in contrast with an AI generated Customer Service bot. The miscommunication loop was infuriating. I may have to unwillingly log in a month from now for another unsatisfying parasocial attempt at communication.

As much as we are led to believe that we are saving time and resources via these tools, it’s a myth. We are simply consuming. At the end of the day it’s a gamble. The ability to feel the heart and soul within something, even ourselves, is put on the line. Is the sacrifice we make equal to the accommodations we allow? To share with others either through words, music, food, dance, design, the list does on…for it’s whatever moves you, originates out of reflection, spaciousness, perspective, self-expression. I had to take a breath after the whole ordeal. Slowly returning to the task at hand—refilling my 2 ounce glass bottle with liquid trace minerals.

We need words, hand made anything, human error, the capacity to think and reflect—we need soul. Like any creator who has a trade or skill, I don’t see it dissolving into the ethers of irrelevance. I don’t use these tools. I’m not interested because I actually like the process. I enjoy the work. I enjoy the friction. There is a tangible satisfaction in seeing its evolution. I experiment, I play, and over time I become faster and more efficient. It’s a practice and process—one that I appreciate and acknowledge. It’s the same reason why I’m drawn to cooking and gardening. It’s hands-on, tactile, experimental, and takes time which is something I actually embrace and appreciate. One has to participate, pay attention, and respond. It is as engaging as it is satisfying. It’s never exactly the same but a distinct snapshot of presence.

AI technology, regardless of how it streamlines, catalogs, remembers, and transcribes is still void of personal, unique self-expression. It is a powerful tool, and its growth is surging, yet it shouldn't replace self-awareness, soulful connection, and that feeling after dancing our heart out. In this era of processed foods, nootropic powders, and conveyor belts, the ‘packaging’ of packaged anything is more deified than what is encased. So I understand the confusion when substance is what we seek.

The struggle is already imminent. Production is indeed mechanized. The car I drive, the computer I’m starting at, even the olive oil I pour into my skillet are the products of logistical mechanization. From farming to fulfillment centers, and clearly to the words that we read, as my friend encouraged me to consider, need not be something to toil over. To a large extent machines are indeed absorbing the work and have for some time. Yet the irony is that, we’re not talking about what humans are going to do with all this new found free time. It was never the point. The model is work. more. consume. more. It’s radical to stop! To produce and create for oneself. To ultimately inquire and think for oneself, to access the soul.

Artistic expression is a soul craft, and though we have OpenAI and the spark within, it needn't be binary. It’s far too complex and worth constant exploration. Björk is a woman who eloquently straddles these two realms, yet remains devoted to the magic of lyric, voice, song, and nature.

“I try to not be directed by technology, I want craft to be…you know, the soul comes first. The craft is to assist the soul so that it may express itself.” An except from her most recent interview with Zane Lowe.

Yours, Erin

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