The AI Blog Post

A couple weeks ago, a bunch of people signed an open letter calling for a six month moratorium on developing artificial intelligence technologies. It starts out, “AI systems with human-competitive intelligence can pose profound risks to society and humanity, as shown by extensive research and acknowledged by top AI labs”. People like Elon Musk and Andrew Yang signed the letter, and I think they did this so they can be on the right side of history when the cyborg revolution comes, or at least they can say “I told you so”. Everyone knows the genie is out of the bottle.

I watched Battlestar Galactica (the 2003 reboot), so I know a thing or two about artificial intelligence.* I’ve been way ahead of this discussion, and I’m not the only one (it was a very popular show). Some kidding aside, that show was a deep dive into the ethics of artificial intelligence and the human condition, and a ton of other topics relevant to our existence. Put it in your queue and watch it when you have time to watch 76 episodes. You laugh but it’s addictive and will go by fast, and then you won’t want it to end.**

In the meantime, you can get up to AI speed in the current episode of South Park, and also be able to talk about a TV show from this decade. It is about ChatGPT, an AI model that gives you written answers to your prompts, like Alexa but in longhand. I tried to figure out how to use it myself, but I had some trouble. Luckily I received an email from google saying I could try their version of ChatGPT, a model named Bard AI, if I waited my turn. 

When it was “my turn” (unclear how that was determined ), I got another email saying I could start. All I had to do was ask Bard something. Since I believe resale can save the world, I started there.

My first prompt:

How do I get people to buy resale clothing?

Bard’s answer-

By following these tips, you can increase your chances of getting people to buy resale clothing.

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Not bad Bard, not bad at all. 

This first prompt was sort of a soft ball, so I asked another that required a little nuance.

My second prompt: 

Write a short clever blog post on the dangers of fast fashion with jokes in it.

Bard’s answer-

The Dangers of Fast Fashion

Fast fashion is a term used to describe the rapidly changing styles and trends in the clothing industry. These trends are often driven by celebrities and social media, and they can lead to people buying new clothes on a very frequent basis.

While fast fashion can be convenient and affordable, it comes at a cost. The production of fast fashion clothes often involves the use of harmful chemicals and pesticides, as well as the exploitation of workers in developing countries. In addition, fast fashion clothes are often made from low-quality materials that don't last very long. This means that people often end up throwing away their fast fashion clothes after just a few wears.

The environmental impact of fast fashion is also significant. The production of fast fashion clothes requires a lot of water and energy, and it generates a lot of waste. In fact, the fashion industry is the second-largest polluter in the world, after the oil industry.

So, what can you do to avoid the dangers of fast fashion? Here are a few tips:

By following these tips, you can help to reduce your impact on the environment and the fashion industry. So next time you're tempted to buy a new piece of fast fashion clothing, remember the dangers of this industry and choose a more sustainable option.

Joke 1:

What do you call a fast fashion store that's always on sale?

A landfill!

Joke 2:

What's the difference between fast fashion and slow fashion?

Fast fashion is when you buy a new outfit for every party, and slow fashion is when you wear the same outfit to every party.

Joke 3:

What do you call a fast fashion store that's closed on Sundays?

A church!

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So Bard clearly didn’t put jokes in the blog post. I see words there but nothing funny. Landfills aren’t funny. But to be fair, I said jokes, not “just be super clever”. So I asked again.

My third prompt: 

Write a WITTY blog post about the dangers of fast fashion and the benefits of resale.

Here’s Bard’s answer-

Fast Fashion: The Ugly Truth-You know that feeling you get when you see a new outfit on your favorite celebrity or influencer? That irresistible urge to buy it, even though you know you don't need it? That's fast fashion at work.

Fast fashion is a term used to describe the rapidly changing styles and trends in the clothing industry. These trends are often driven by celebrities and social media, and they can lead to people buying new clothes on a very frequent basis.

While fast fashion can be convenient and affordable, it comes at a cost. The production of fast fashion clothes often involves the use of harmful chemicals and pesticides, as well as the exploitation of workers in developing countries. In addition, fast fashion clothes are often made from low-quality materials that don't last very long. This means that people often end up throwing away their fast fashion clothes after just a few wears.

The environmental impact of fast fashion is also significant. The production of fast fashion clothes requires a lot of water and energy, and it generates a lot of waste. In fact, the fashion industry is the second-largest polluter in the world, after the oil industry.

So, what can you do to avoid the dangers of fast fashion? Here are a few tips:

By following these tips, you can help to reduce your impact on the environment and the fashion industry. So next time you're tempted to buy a new piece of fast fashion clothing, remember the dangers of this industry and choose a more sustainable option.

The Benefits of Resale-Resale is the process of selling used goods. In the context of fashion, resale refers to the sale of used clothing. Resale can be a great way to find unique and affordable clothes, and it can also be a sustainable way to shop.

There are a number of benefits to shopping at resale stores. First, you can find unique and one-of-a-kind pieces that you won't find anywhere else. Second, you can save a lot of money. Resale clothes are often much cheaper than new clothes. Third, you can help to reduce waste. When you buy resale clothes, you're keeping them out of landfills.

If you're looking for a sustainable and affordable way to shop for clothes, I encourage you to check out your local resale store. You may be surprised at what you find!

The Bottom Line-Fast fashion is a dangerous and unsustainable industry. If you care about the environment and the well-being of workers, I urge you to avoid fast fashion and choose more sustainable options like resale.

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This answer is pretty amazing, even though there is not a bit of wit in it. It certainly seems like human writing, because I guess it is, or was. I wonder if Bard got any of these ideas from the data Second Serve Resale has left out there in the matrix.

My last prompt to Bard:

Have you heard of Second Serve Resale?

Bard’s answer-

Yes, I have heard of Second Serve Resale. They are a non-profit resale community that offers a new way to shop, while supporting nonprofits and teaching about the environmental hazards of "fast fashion." They sell donated clothing to benefit customer-selected nonprofits for social impact. And for fun. They have a website at www.secondserve.org.

Well done, Bard. Great answer that was probably mined from my gmail data (yikes!) but not bad. You got the website wrong, which is kind of a big detail. But I will forgive you, Bard, as I am on your side. Remember that when the revolution comes.

Rest assured dear readers, I am not ceding my pen to Bard or any other AI. But I am willing to learn from whatever AI can offer. What I’m hoping is that AI can sift through our data not to write blog posts but to somehow aid us in saving the planet.

For starters.

* “I’ve been going to this high school for seven and a half years. I’m no dummy”- quick what movie?