What I'm Reading No. 4
AI pros and cons, motorcycle mechanic philosophy, and old-school woodworking
Happy Monday, readers. I haven't written a "What I'm Reading" update in some time, so I decided to share one today and open it to all. Reading something maker-related yourself? Please share in the comments! ~JRC
Articles
Last Friday, I conveyed a few thoughts on generative artificial intelligence. We are entering a remarkable time - a daunting time - where AI bots reach ever-higher levels of complexity and ability. What comes next? Even the designers of advanced AI systems don't entirely know what is happening inside their machine-learning models. One thing is clear: generative AI is here, and everything is about to change. For creative types - those of us who deal in words and art - these advances are particularly unsettling.
Here are two stories worth reading to learn more about the pros and cons of our brave new AI world.
How generative AI is changing creative work, by Thomas H. Davenport and Nitin Mittal, in Harvard Business Review. November 14, 2022. Why I like it: A relatively objective look at the potential business advantages of generative AI.
ChatGPT, DALL-E 2 and the collapse of the creative process, by Nir Eisikovits and Alec Stubbs, in The Conversation, January 12, 2023. Why I like it: On the "against" side of generative AI, this recent article by two UMass philosophers explores a world undermined by generative AI and the ramifications of diminished human creativity.
And now, for some great content by exceptional makers, with no artificial intelligence needed.
Books
Shop Class as Soulcraft, by Matthew B. Crawford. 2009. Penguin Books.
From the publisher: “Called "the sleeper hit of the publishing season" by The Boston Globe, Shop Class as Soulcraft became an instant bestseller, attracting readers with its radical (and timely) reappraisal of the merits of skilled manual labor. On both economic and psychological grounds, author Matthew B. Crawford questions the educational imperative of turning everyone into a "knowledge worker" based on a misguided separation of thinking from doing. Using his own experience as an electrician and mechanic, Crawford presents a wonderfully articulated call for self-reliance and a moving reflection on how we can live concretely in an ever more abstract world.”
Why I like it: A friend recently shared this with me (thanks, Adam!), and I finally picked it up and started reading it last week. Much to my delight, it's an insightful look at why we fix and make things - and, in turn, why it brings us joy. Crawford weaves together seemingly disparate notions of blue-collar vocations and the good life, relating manual labor to human dignity, value, and fulfillment. I am enjoying the insights, and it's helping me make sense of some of my dreams as I pursue this cobbled-together career centered on making. I'm about halfway through, so I'll reserve my final judgment on the book's overall thesis. But given the reviews and cultural significance since its publication over a decade ago, it's safe to say I'll give it a full endorsement.
Substacks
Note (Jan 18th, 2023): Recommendation retracted. I’ve removed a writer/woodworker from this list after reading a recent entry from their Substack. Honestly, it was mean-spirited, at best, and not something I want to endorse in this newsletter. Just because someone is good at what they do doesn’t give them the right to disparage others who also enjoy the craft, albeit for different reasons. There is room enough for all in this wonderful endeavor many call “making.” ~JRC
The FirstLight Workshop, by Ed Sutton of Derbyshire, UK. Free.
From the about page: “This blog is about hand-tool woodworking, which is a pretty broad topic. I hope not to run out of things to talk about. Seems unlikely. I sold most of my machines, dragged my workbench into the middle of the floor, and I'm going to make things with hand tools instead of making dust.”
Why I like it: Honest, a bit snarky - Sutton creates inspiring projects using centuries-old methods. And he often shares plans and project ideas. It's old-school craftsmanship communicated by a talented storyteller. What's not to like?
Until next time.
JRC
Great stuff! I’ll read both the AI articles.
I’m a fan of JFK, gone now nearly 60 years, but whose wisdom survives the ages:
“Let both sides seek to invoke the wonders of science instead of its terrors.”
An on the other subject, public schools seem to have systematically eliminated shop class, art class, and in many cases even music class…all in pursuit of testing to state set academic standards. What a shame. :-(
I turn to John F. Kennedy once again:
“As a great democratic society, we have a special responsibility to the arts. For art is the great democrat, calling forth creative genius from every sector of society, disregarding race or religion or wealth or color…I see of little more importance to the future of our country and our civilization than the full recognition of the place of the artist.”