I posed the question ‘What are the Top 5 issues in the literary community?’ on socials and received quite a bit of thoughtful feedback. I’m going to share ideas that were discussed hoping to expand the conversation. #1 – AI You might have guessed AI was going to be in the Top 5. Writers are worried. We know from past new technologies that this is normative; however, the threat from AI somehow feels different. Down the road, there is a sense AI may eclipse humans in writing ability (in some capacities). What will change for The Arts? My prediction is that we’re going to have to focus on what makes each artform distinctly human. For visual art, this will be a little more straight-forward with a focus on tactile artforms and increased interest in work that has previously been called “outsider”.
# 2 is what concerns me most. since October 7, it feels as if everyone has an opinion and has taken a side, whether or not they have information to back what they are saying. When major newspapers called the terrorists "militants" I knew we were in trouble. I have a poem in a print journal that arrived last week, one in which I have had poems in since I began writing. The front and back cover are inflammatory.. Everyone is heartbroken about this war. But political posturing only serves to divide us more, and flame the fires of antisemitism, which apparently is always simmering just beneath the surface. A venue where I am to read this week has posted memes that consider inflammatory and antisemitic. I think memes on social media are a problem--people can post things thinking ther are funny or smart, when in fact, they are neither.
I read this the other day but this is my first chance to respond. I loved this bit particularly:
Introverts are put in the position of feeling like they must be public-facing in some capacity (such as social media). This isn’t for everyone—and yet many find themselves pushed into these uncomfortable spaces for fear of being left out of the conversation or their work not receiving the attention it deserves.
I’m just back on social media, really because I have a book coming out next year. Everyone tells me I must do it, etc. I do like Substack. I’m on BlueSky. I’m baffled by hashtags. I’m trying to figure out what works and what doesn’t.
On AI, I had a client tell me that someone suggested she put her book through ChatGP to check for redundancies. I told her that’s my job, as an editor helping you put your book together. I find AI unnerving.
This is great, Mark! I agree with so much of what you wrote. On a very personal level, I feel you add some “kinship” to my writing life. And when you came to the part about introverts I swooned. IT IS SO DIFFICULT for an introvert to need to constantly be “out” in readings, zooms, and the half zillion social media outlets. Thank you for recognizing the large and the small of this life.
# 2 is what concerns me most. since October 7, it feels as if everyone has an opinion and has taken a side, whether or not they have information to back what they are saying. When major newspapers called the terrorists "militants" I knew we were in trouble. I have a poem in a print journal that arrived last week, one in which I have had poems in since I began writing. The front and back cover are inflammatory.. Everyone is heartbroken about this war. But political posturing only serves to divide us more, and flame the fires of antisemitism, which apparently is always simmering just beneath the surface. A venue where I am to read this week has posted memes that consider inflammatory and antisemitic. I think memes on social media are a problem--people can post things thinking ther are funny or smart, when in fact, they are neither.
I read this the other day but this is my first chance to respond. I loved this bit particularly:
Introverts are put in the position of feeling like they must be public-facing in some capacity (such as social media). This isn’t for everyone—and yet many find themselves pushed into these uncomfortable spaces for fear of being left out of the conversation or their work not receiving the attention it deserves.
I’m just back on social media, really because I have a book coming out next year. Everyone tells me I must do it, etc. I do like Substack. I’m on BlueSky. I’m baffled by hashtags. I’m trying to figure out what works and what doesn’t.
On AI, I had a client tell me that someone suggested she put her book through ChatGP to check for redundancies. I told her that’s my job, as an editor helping you put your book together. I find AI unnerving.
This is great, Mark! I agree with so much of what you wrote. On a very personal level, I feel you add some “kinship” to my writing life. And when you came to the part about introverts I swooned. IT IS SO DIFFICULT for an introvert to need to constantly be “out” in readings, zooms, and the half zillion social media outlets. Thank you for recognizing the large and the small of this life.
Interesting results. (I must have missed sightings of the question.)