Yesterday, I checked my little 10 Commandments book on Amazon to see if I have any new reviews. I have no new reviews. But there is something new.
Above all the reviews I’ve gotten so far, there’s a new AI-generated summary that says:
“Customers find the book a great read with great bits of advice. They also appreciate the names of the great bits.”
Huh? Names of the great bits?
I’m guessing that’s the AI-generated summary of the following human-generated review, which contains the word “names” several times:
“Short and very pertinent. Loaded with the names of hugely successful giants of the copywriting world and the titles of their successful books. I read the book on Kindle and highlighted many great bits of advice and the names of the great writers sharing advice. If you write ad copy for a living or hope to do so, buy this book.”
Now, this is not one of those “Haha stupid AI, it will never be as smart as us great apes” emails.
I’ve gone on record three years ago, before ChatGPT really broke, saying I think AI will in fact be able to replace any and all human work, including supposedly creative work.
I still stand by that. If AI is not quite there yet today, like with the above review summary, then it will get there tomorrow, or the day after.
That said:
My awkward AI summary above actually makes an insightful point. Humans do appreciate the names of the great bits.
Specifically, we appreciate the names of great bits known as other humans.
I’ve noticed I get turned off when I realize something is AI-generated. Not because it’s inferior in quality. Often it’s not — often it’s actually better. But I still get turned off, simply because I realize it’s AI-generated.
Really, this isn’t anything new.
I haven’t been to many standup comedy shows. But I have heard they are typically set up in a 1-2-3 order:
Number 1 comic is unknown and often terrible. Number 2 comic is unknown but really good, on the way up. Number 3 comic is nationally famous and has been so for a few years.
Objectively speaking, the no. 2 comic will often deliver the best, tightest, funniest set.
But it’s the no. 3 comic who will draw the biggest laughs, simply because people have come to see him, because he’s the headliner, because he’s got the name they know. The quality of the content is actually secondary or tertiary.
While there are still humans, and while there is still work for us to do, there’s a lesson to be drawn from that.
And now, related to that lesson, here’s my offer to you:
For a while now, I’ve been thinking about creating some kind of a workshop or program to help people build up their status, their authority, their name. How to do this is a personal interest of mine. And maybe I can help you do it, quickly and thoroughly.
I haven’t yet decided whether to organize this workshop or program, or how it would look. But if you’re interested, just hit reply and tell me so.
I won’t have anything to pitch you — not yet at least. But I want to hear from you, and I want to talk to you, and see if I can help. So if you’re interested, hit reply and let’s talk.