AI and the loss of certainty

AI and the loss of certainty

Bear with me: I’m about to tie mathematical logic to artificial intelligence. (I promise, no actual mathematical knowledge will be required.) In 1931 the brilliant mathematician Kurt Gödel pointed the apparatus of mathematics at itself. He was able to prove that in any mathematical system powerful enough to do simple arithmetic, there would always be…

Why AI won’t make copy editors obsolete

Why AI won’t make copy editors obsolete

I do developmental editing. That means I edit text for everything from meaning and connotation to rhetorical consistency to subject-verb agreement. Obviously (he wrote arrogantly) that requires judgment, and cannot be replaced by a machine. But what about copy editors (or as they are known in the UK, subeditors)? Copy editors check text for spelling…

Treat AI as a slide rule, not a calculator

Treat AI as a slide rule, not a calculator

This is my father’s slide rule. For those unfamiliar with this vintage computing instrument, a slide rule was how scientists, engineers, and technicians did mathematical calculations for much of the twentieth century. You’d carefully align the sliding middle portion with outer frame and read the result off the scales, using the cursor (which was a…

Humans with skills; AI’s manifest destiny; robotic Melania: Newsletter 28 May 2025
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Humans with skills; AI’s manifest destiny; robotic Melania: Newsletter 28 May 2025

Newsletter 96. Value at the intersection of humanity and excellence. Plus, ludicrous justifications for AI copyright theft, billionaire boosting big beautiful bill, three people to follow and three books to read. The value of humans with skills Career success comes from two qualities. Skills. And humanity. Everyone knows that having skills — like writing ability…

Artificial wisdom; fake reading list; Congress’s librarian sacked: Newsletter 21 May 2025
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Artificial wisdom; fake reading list; Congress’s librarian sacked: Newsletter 21 May 2025

Newsletter 95. How AI could extend the productive careers of millions. Plus recommended fake books to read, nonfiction writing tips from fiction, three people to follow and three books to read. AI: Aging intelligence I’ve gotten pretty used to the way my brain works. Based on decades of historical evidence it’s quick, retains almost everything,…

How fast will AI replace the Web for decision-making? And what does that mean for authors?
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How fast will AI replace the Web for decision-making? And what does that mean for authors?

How do people find answers to questions? For decades, the standard paradigm for decision-making revolved around web sites, links, search (and SEO), content marketing, and social sharing. Whether the question was “How can prepare for a job interview” or “What’s the right organizational strategy for a transnational company?” the answer started with a web search….