AI, when it comes down to it, is like saccharin. It accomplishes the same effect as sugar but different, less personal with the palate. There is no heart in it. We are flawed and that’s what makes us real. I love this advice giving us permission to be human. Sometimes we need that permission.
Love this post and I agree! And thanks for the shoutout--that was the poem I wrote in grad school and as a young mom and was so afraid for my daughter, so my anxiety produced a lot of mishearings! If anyone wants to read "How Killer Blue Irises Spread" you can do so here: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2007/08/how-killer-blue-irises-spread/306040/ (Oh and what they said on NPR-- "How killer FLU viruses spread..." I thank my poor hearing for the best lines in my poems.
Thank you, Maggie for all you do and looking forward to your next poetry book! (2026, I believe!) xo
As a relatively new poem writer, one of the things that keeps me writing is the discovery and understanding of myself- what I am thinking and feeling almost on an unconscious level. Thank you for the reminder to be real and human.
Hi Maggie, great to read your thoughts here. I must admit to feeling a bit wistful to hear you were in Chicago and literally a few blocks away...I too live in Ravenswood...a few blocks from the home of the Carl Sandberg...and just a few more from Storystudio. It sounds like a very stimulating experience! Hope you hit some of the areas fine and funky coffee shops/ breweries and got a glimpse or two of Lake Michigan!
My readers know me for my mistakes. My husband said the other day, “Do you use spelling and grammar check in your documents?” I said, “Yes, but when I transfer the document, I change things before I publish it.” 🙃
Love this Maggie! I believe most of us appreciate sensing the human in all we experience: writing, art, and business strategy sessions. Here's hoping more companies also understand that AI might make us more efficient, but it can't replace the people who bring the authenticity that truly impacts us.
AI, when it comes down to it, is like saccharin. It accomplishes the same effect as sugar but different, less personal with the palate. There is no heart in it. We are flawed and that’s what makes us real. I love this advice giving us permission to be human. Sometimes we need that permission.
Love this post and I agree! And thanks for the shoutout--that was the poem I wrote in grad school and as a young mom and was so afraid for my daughter, so my anxiety produced a lot of mishearings! If anyone wants to read "How Killer Blue Irises Spread" you can do so here: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2007/08/how-killer-blue-irises-spread/306040/ (Oh and what they said on NPR-- "How killer FLU viruses spread..." I thank my poor hearing for the best lines in my poems.
Thank you, Maggie for all you do and looking forward to your next poetry book! (2026, I believe!) xo
I adore you and your poems, Kel! ❤️🙏
I think it is helpful to keep in mind that AI is a tool and that tools cannot do our thinking and feeling for us.
As a relatively new poem writer, one of the things that keeps me writing is the discovery and understanding of myself- what I am thinking and feeling almost on an unconscious level. Thank you for the reminder to be real and human.
Thank you for being a champion of authenticity when so many others are fostering (demanding?) a climate of absolutism and perfection.
Hi Maggie, great to read your thoughts here. I must admit to feeling a bit wistful to hear you were in Chicago and literally a few blocks away...I too live in Ravenswood...a few blocks from the home of the Carl Sandberg...and just a few more from Storystudio. It sounds like a very stimulating experience! Hope you hit some of the areas fine and funky coffee shops/ breweries and got a glimpse or two of Lake Michigan!
Ah we were so close! I really enjoyed wandering around Foursided. Could have spent hours there.
Yes! Hope you got some fun Chicago or other stickers to adorn your surfaces!
My readers know me for my mistakes. My husband said the other day, “Do you use spelling and grammar check in your documents?” I said, “Yes, but when I transfer the document, I change things before I publish it.” 🙃
Love this Maggie! I believe most of us appreciate sensing the human in all we experience: writing, art, and business strategy sessions. Here's hoping more companies also understand that AI might make us more efficient, but it can't replace the people who bring the authenticity that truly impacts us.
I love this.
Love this Maggie. There is no closeness in perfection. xo
Love to you, Kate.