It’s bizarre just how meta this is: here we have generative AI, a tool that most users don’t really understand. Input a command, and it will output magic. And then, on top of that, there are detection tools that we equally don't understand — yet we treat their output just the same: as fact. As instruction.

It freaks me out that we’re trusting systems that claim that parts of the US Constitution were written by AI. It’s interesting to look for burstiness and perplexity as a guideline, but in a world of diverse writing, there is one common human writing style.

This newsletter issue is all about authenticity. I wonder how we will show “humanness” in the future. “AI-free” will be the new “GMO-free.” Equally divisive, equally confusing, and equally abused by those who gain from the division and confusion.

Towards the end of this essay, Bevan points out something I have long since felt deep inside me: if people would collectively put down their phones for just a minute, the act of mindlessly taking selfies, recording every single part of your day, and staring at the mindless scroll-by of our media feeds would be an incredibly vulgar and asocial act. But out of fear of being called a Luddite, we just keep wasting opportunities to truly interact for the perceived safety of our devices and the digital lifelines they represent.

This is particularly mind-boggling as I am building an audience online.

Again, in the words of Riverside (you'll have to read the article to get this reference): “Who’s behind the mask? How much of yourself is left in you?” And where does this self truly shine? In an always-online state? Or, maybe, after putting down the phone?