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Nobel laureate Olga Tokarczuk used AI while writing her latest novel

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Re: Nobel laureate Olga Tokarczuk used AI while writing her latest novel

#21
I am starting to think that most of the stuff that gets awards at the Novel ( or Oscars ) level is at best mediocre. By comparison, I wouldn't have a problem telling people to read Sapkowski in original the same way I would argue that the best way to read Pratchett or Adams is in original. That is how good it is ( and translations for either are not bad at all ). Otoh, maybe her creations are not intended for a person like me.

Anyway, I somehow doubt the denial from her as sincere. Not that it changes much.

Re: Nobel laureate Olga Tokarczuk used AI while writing her latest novel

#22
post #3

This is personal opinion anecdata, but I'm noticing the following. It's only the mediocres that rail against AI; actual geniuses are like "hey, another tool. Cool."

You haven't noticed this, you just want it to be true because it makes you feel good.

Re: Nobel laureate Olga Tokarczuk used AI while writing her latest novel

#23

Kinda interesting that more boomers embrace AI than zoomers.

Not that surprising, it's the generation that for the most part told their children that art was a dead end and a waste of time because there's no money in it. If you start off seeing art through that lens why would you care whether it's made by a person or a computer?

Re: Nobel laureate Olga Tokarczuk used AI while writing her latest novel

#24

I am starting to think that most of the stuff that gets awards at the Novel ( or Oscars ) level is at best mediocre. By comparison, I wouldn't have a problem telling people to read Sapkowski in original the same way I would argue that the best way to read Pratchett or Adams is in original. That is how good it is ( and translations for either are not bad at all ). Otoh, maybe her creations are not intended for a perso…

Oh, you doubt her? Say more. Why do you doubt her? Because of her long history of using AI to generate her previous work? Which of those did you like least?

Re: Nobel laureate Olga Tokarczuk used AI while writing her latest novel

#25
post #3

This is personal opinion anecdata, but I'm noticing the following. It's only the mediocres that rail against AI; actual geniuses are like "hey, another tool. Cool."

If you use an AI to generate all your work, then are you the genius or is the AI?

If you use a power saw to cut the boards to build your house, did you really build your own house?

Re: Nobel laureate Olga Tokarczuk used AI while writing her latest novel

#26

Kinda interesting that more boomers embrace AI than zoomers.

Not that surprising, it's the generation that for the most part told their children that art was a dead end and a waste of time because there's no money in it. If you start off seeing art through that lens why would you care whether it's made by a person or a computer?

Wait, so I'm clear, the idea here is that Olga Tokarczuk uses AI because she's boomer that believes art is a dead end and a waste of time?

Re: Nobel laureate Olga Tokarczuk used AI while writing her latest novel

#27
The winner of the the Caribbean category of the 2026 Commonwealth Short Story Prize has been accused of using AI. (I think I also read somewhere that one of the judges was accused of using AI to judge the stories but can't find a source for that)

https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/...

Re: Nobel laureate Olga Tokarczuk used AI while writing her latest novel

#28
post #24

I am starting to think that most of the stuff that gets awards at the Novel ( or Oscars ) level is at best mediocre. By comparison, I wouldn't have a problem telling people to read Sapkowski in original the same way I would argue that the best way to read Pratchett or Adams is in original. That is how good it is ( and translations for either are not bad at all ). Otoh, maybe her creations are not intended for a perso…

Oh, you doubt her? Say more. Why do you doubt her? Because of her long history of using AI to generate her previous work? Which of those did you like least?

[flagged]

Re: Nobel laureate Olga Tokarczuk used AI while writing her latest novel

#29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you use an AI to generate all your work, then are you the genius or is the AI?

If you use a power saw to cut the boards to build your house, did you really build your own house?

If the power saw also drew up the blueprints of the house and chose its design elements, then I'd say the power saw built the house.

The difference that makes AI more than just a tool is that it comes up with creative ideas, or at least plagiarizes them very well.

Re: Nobel laureate Olga Tokarczuk used AI while writing her latest novel

#30

Kinda interesting that more boomers embrace AI than zoomers.

On the contrary, Zoomers* embrace AI, just don't want others embracing AI.

Same as people used to surreptitiously Google with their phone held below the table at a dinner conversation, to then participate with an answer. The ones who Google with the phone on the table are the type who would say they embrace AI, the ones Googling under the table would say they do not.

* "by and large" — of course not all, plenty organophiles remain among the digital natives

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