Section 1.1: The Viewpoint of James Bellerjeau

My favorite pastime on Medium, aside from applauding my grandson's writings, is to critique James Bellerjeau's articles. Though he’s often correct, as someone with a modest background in social media marketing, I can typically pinpoint his missteps, even in his accurate assertions.

James has recently penned an article that critiques the role of AI in writing. (Note that I’ve borrowed his title and subtitle for emphasis.) Essentially, he claims that Medium is indifferent to authorship as long as the quality of the content is maintained. He concludes that writers face a grim future dominated by AI-generated material. In a moment of frustration, James even launched a Substack newsletter.

In summary, James seems overly concerned.

Indeed, there is an overwhelming influx of AI-generated accounts and stories flooding Medium and beyond. These AI-driven entities exploit growth-hacking strategies and tools like ChatGPT, potentially undermining human authors. But should this truly matter?

If financial gain is your primary motivation on Medium, you’re likely misplacing your focus. James himself highlighted that the average article on Medium earns only a few cents. The true indicator of a writer's progress is the engagement they receive from their audience, not monetary compensation.

This brings us to a vital point: AI-generated content lacks the authenticity of genuine engagement. AI bots don’t leave meaningful comments; they produce uninspired responses.

Why are you writing?

AI-generated content isn’t a curse; it can be viewed as an opportunity. It prompts a return to the core reason for writing. If your motivation is financial, reconsider your approach. Yes, James is correct; those who utilize AI may soon dominate the financial landscape here, albeit with little profit.

If you write out of passion, why let AI-generated content diminish your love for the craft?

Is your goal to connect with others? If so, you’re in the right environment. Medium allows you to encounter remarkable individuals—people you might never meet in person, thus avoiding the nuances of their personalities. On Medium, you can easily choose to engage with or bypass their content. In real life, you’d be stuck for hours listening to every detail of their experiences.

If you’re here to read, why should it matter if AI contributed to the narrative as long as it resonates with you? Are you concerned about authenticity? Let’s be honest—did you truly believe that human authors were entirely candid in their memoirs?

Regardless, this situation is temporary.

As AI evolves, it will surpass human intelligence. Post-singularity, we may find that using tools like ChatGPT for subpar writing becomes forbidden. If we’re fortunate, we’ll be permitted to use these tools to refine our work and enhance our writing skills.

Consider the world of chess: no one watches matches between computers, as their strategies are beyond human comprehension. However, players do utilize computers to analyze their games and improve their skills.

So instead of fearing AI, focus on honing your craft, building friendships with fellow writers, and subscribing to James’ Substack for more insights.