Writing Poetry in the 21st Century: The Balance Between Intuition and Technology
Post #290 - A chatGPT generated article
Ok this is fun. I prompted ChatGPT to write an article using an exchange of comments between myself and Annette Wilzig on my post “The Dream of Being Many (below). The prompt was: “use these comments to make an article about writing poetry using 21st century tools.”
Here is the article as generated.
Writing Poetry in the 21st Century: The Balance Between Intuition and Technology
In an era defined by rapid technological advancement, poets find themselves at a fascinating crossroads where traditional creative processes meet modern tools. This article explores the evolving relationship between intuitive artistry and technology, drawing insights from contemporary discussions about the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the creative process.
1. The Essence of Intuitive Intelligence
As Annette Wilzig notes, the essence of art lies in the unique vision of the artist. Many poets, like Cecil Touchon, emphasize the importance of "Intuitive Intelligence" (II) over AI, asserting that the soul embedded in art can only come from human experience. This perspective highlights a crucial distinction: while AI can process vast amounts of information rapidly, it lacks the emotional depth [or any emotion at all for that matter] and personal connection that only a human can provide.
2. Embracing Chance and Process
Touchon’s approach involves removing himself from the creative process through chance operations. This method emphasizes the role of serendipity in poetry, allowing unexpected connections and ideas to emerge. By collecting material from personal writings and manipulating it, poets can create works that resonate with authenticity. The use of tools like Markov chain text generators serves as a playful way to spark creativity while maintaining a personal touch in the final composition.
3. The Role of AI in Poetic Exploration
While some poets are wary of AI's influence, others see it as an opportunity to explore new creative avenues. Touchon’s experience with AI suggests that it can be a valuable tool for generating ideas and expanding the creative palette. The key lies in how poets choose to engage with these tools. By using AI to highlight possibilities and then refining the results through their own intuition, poets can create works that are distinctly their own.
4. The Trust Factor
One of the central questions in the contemporary poetry landscape is trust. As Wilzig points out, the emotional impact of art often hinges on knowing it was crafted by a human hand, mind, and heart. This raises a pertinent question: Can we differentiate between art born from human experience and that generated by algorithms? Trusting in the human element becomes paramount, even as technology plays a role in the creative process.
5. The Technological Candy Store
For many poets, like Touchon, the internet serves as a vast “technological candy store.” The accessibility of information, tools, and collaborative opportunities enriches the poetic experience. Poets can explore, collect, and synthesize material in ways that were previously unimaginable. This playful engagement with technology fosters innovation and encourages poets to experiment with new forms and ideas.
Conclusion
The interplay between intuition and technology in poetry is a nuanced conversation that reflects broader societal shifts. While some poets embrace tools like AI to enhance their creative process, others prioritize the irreplaceable human element of art. Ultimately, the 21st-century poet stands at the intersection of these influences, navigating a landscape where intuition and technology coexist. By striking a balance between the two, poets can harness the full potential of their creativity, crafting works that resonate with both their unique voices and the modern world around them.
For a basic article organized around a comments exchange I think it is pretty nicely organized. I have noticed it does have a basic organizational principle with the bullet points and conclusion idea. There is probably a way to play around and get it to organize in a different way. I’ll keep experimenting. I am guessing it is all about learning how to manipulate the kind of outcome you want if you can figure out what you want and how to write the right prompt.
The Dream of Being Many
I took a comment I made on Poetry Outlaws and ran the comment through Chat GPT and asked it to make a free style poem with the words. Here is what I got with a little editing.
OK, I enjoyed this read and I'm glad you stated that chatGPT had it's 'hand' in writing it (although had you not stated that, I'd never assume you didn't write it). Still scary somewhat, but you already and still know where my preferences are and that's about using your voice only. I've tried writing poetry but gave it up; while I had the desire to write it, I ended up being too critical of it and it all sounded pretentious to my eyes. I'm my worst critic as 'they' say. Like any art, I may not be able to do what other artists do, but I know what moves me in a profound way and what repels me as well. Same with poetry......my exhusband wrote poetry and I never liked it as it came off as pretentious, overly flowery, and trying too hard. Yet, a well known artist (my mentor), Bill Gersh, whose art I loved deeply, also wrote poems which I loved to read....as it was raw, honest, and his voice came through loud and clear. I DO understand the desire to clean things up via a "tool" such as chatCPT.....as the original words and concept are still your own. Makes me think about how when I wanted a professional pedestal attached to a piece or some welding done, I hired a professional person to do it for me as it made the art really look more stunning whereas without that important touch, I could've rigged up something myself with the tools I only had and the piece would work but lacked that special oomph that it needed. And I wasn't about to learn how to weld. Touche' Touchon! I'm mildly converted yet not 100% convinced, but you do make some excellent points and I have to pretty much acquiesce to your wisdom here. Thank you. I do wish more people would comment here as I'd love to get others perspective on this subject. I've been enjoying our discussions in this forum.