Wow! Thank you for linking us as something we need. I’m so glad to be a seeded watermelon story teller. Yay! I also avoid AI and only use it occasionally to help me find a title for something if I am struggling. But, otherwise, I don’t even edit with it. I love how you got it to explain why it doesn’t work for nuanced and messy human storytelling.
I feel the sticky on my elbows. The drip that slides down my forearms. But I also feel the sweetness that is dripping down my chin and not falling to the ground by flowing onto my neck. I'm looking for a napkin to dab the juice but maybe it is best to just let the sticky be. To let it be known that I really, really love watermelon, real watermelon, with seeds. (PS - I have one on the counter right now).
Thank you for sharing your AI conversation, how its application, is in a sense, to be devoid of confrontation and emotion.
Thanks, Amanda. I’m with you. One of the perks of living in an area where food security is taken seriously is that we have an abundance of juicy, seeded watermelons.
Yes, I miss seeded watermelon too! Your description is perfect. Also, when I saw watermelon seeds packaged for sale in the so-called "ethnic foods" section of the supermarket, I realized that other cultures consider the seeds good food in themselves. I wonder if they are as high in protein as pumpkin seeds are.
I miss seeded watermelon just like I miss the sound of Eastern Whip-poor-wills calling as night was falling. Now the Connecticut farm is a sub-division.
I hear you. I'm sorry to hear this. There are ways to make urban places more hospitable to wildlife. Homegrown National Park comes to mind: https://homegrownnationalpark.org/
I found myself thinking yes! yes! as I read your article and its rich watermelon metaphor. Extreme consumer capitalism peddles comfort, ease, and convenience as happiness snake oil. But we're all starving for unadulterated experiences that challenge our senses, heart, and mind. Indeed, if we keep consuming pre-digested ChatGPT and Google life instructions, we will suffer the death of our souls.
I grew up in Florida where a Saturday at the beach meant driving through watermelon country, fields of it. Highway 27 was a state road at that time, not a superhighway. And you always got behind a watermelon truck. And they were full of watermelon, so they were heavy on the wheels. We didn't mind going slow because we imagined eating all that watermelon. And they dripped.
I just remembered one more thing about watermelon trucks. The children of the farmworkers who loaded the watermelons jumped on top of the melons to go help unload them. It goes without saying that these children were black, and it goes without saying that every child, the white ones riding in the car behind, and the black ones in the truck in front, knew that the black children draped casually across the watermelons, were the superior beings.
Days of summer when only seed watermelons were available. Sweet, deep red; ate in half moon slices and spit out the seeds for the chipmunks to eat. We were told if you swallow the seeds a melon will grow in your stomach. Never happened. I ate everything. Watermelon pickles from the rind were delicious along next to hot dogs, or hamburgers. It was not until years later in a Smart and Final store I found dried salted watermelon seed next to pumpkins and sunflowers. People have been eating them for years. Why spit hem out.? What would AI say about this?
Thanks for giving our collaboration - Lay it on the Line - a mention, Amanda. We aim to generate new work under this banner each month through 2025. Excited to see where it goes.
Your post has me slavering for watermelon... perhaps I'll seek some out later in the year when they might be available here in the UK. A great analogy!
Yes, indeed AI is here.. it has various appropriate applications as well as an infinite number of abuses... such as.. Real writing which radiates a certain element that is never contained in an AI article on a similar topic... in art, literature, music, all creative endeavors it is the difference maker.. The human touch.. the natural elan.. that creation which reveals the Inner..
I’m in the midst of an experiment so I can write about Ai. What I’m finding, though, is that software designed to detect plagiarism and Ai flags non-Ai content. Even well-regarded software used by UK academic institutions.
(I posted something about this on Notes this morning in response to a piece by Lily Dunn.)
Thank you for your kind words re our collective Lay it on the Line, here’s to all of us who fly the flag to keep it real.
I so appreciate the both-and orientation. AI isn't going away, so I'm interested in exploring how we can live with it more intentionally and ethically. Your post does just that, thank you.
Well this left w a proper watermelon craving.... And equally a craving for real human connections and stories... Beautiful writing thank you 🍉
Thank you!
Wow! Thank you for linking us as something we need. I’m so glad to be a seeded watermelon story teller. Yay! I also avoid AI and only use it occasionally to help me find a title for something if I am struggling. But, otherwise, I don’t even edit with it. I love how you got it to explain why it doesn’t work for nuanced and messy human storytelling.
You're welcome 😊🍉🙏
I feel the sticky on my elbows. The drip that slides down my forearms. But I also feel the sweetness that is dripping down my chin and not falling to the ground by flowing onto my neck. I'm looking for a napkin to dab the juice but maybe it is best to just let the sticky be. To let it be known that I really, really love watermelon, real watermelon, with seeds. (PS - I have one on the counter right now).
Thank you for sharing your AI conversation, how its application, is in a sense, to be devoid of confrontation and emotion.
Jealous! I've got to find one very soon.
Thanks, Amanda. I’m with you. One of the perks of living in an area where food security is taken seriously is that we have an abundance of juicy, seeded watermelons.
Jealous 🍉
Yes, I miss seeded watermelon too! Your description is perfect. Also, when I saw watermelon seeds packaged for sale in the so-called "ethnic foods" section of the supermarket, I realized that other cultures consider the seeds good food in themselves. I wonder if they are as high in protein as pumpkin seeds are.
Excellent point around their food value. Thanks for reading. 😊🙏
I miss seeded watermelon just like I miss the sound of Eastern Whip-poor-wills calling as night was falling. Now the Connecticut farm is a sub-division.
I hear you. I'm sorry to hear this. There are ways to make urban places more hospitable to wildlife. Homegrown National Park comes to mind: https://homegrownnationalpark.org/
I found myself thinking yes! yes! as I read your article and its rich watermelon metaphor. Extreme consumer capitalism peddles comfort, ease, and convenience as happiness snake oil. But we're all starving for unadulterated experiences that challenge our senses, heart, and mind. Indeed, if we keep consuming pre-digested ChatGPT and Google life instructions, we will suffer the death of our souls.
Well said!
I grew up in Florida where a Saturday at the beach meant driving through watermelon country, fields of it. Highway 27 was a state road at that time, not a superhighway. And you always got behind a watermelon truck. And they were full of watermelon, so they were heavy on the wheels. We didn't mind going slow because we imagined eating all that watermelon. And they dripped.
I can see that truck in my mind right now
I just remembered one more thing about watermelon trucks. The children of the farmworkers who loaded the watermelons jumped on top of the melons to go help unload them. It goes without saying that these children were black, and it goes without saying that every child, the white ones riding in the car behind, and the black ones in the truck in front, knew that the black children draped casually across the watermelons, were the superior beings.
Days of summer when only seed watermelons were available. Sweet, deep red; ate in half moon slices and spit out the seeds for the chipmunks to eat. We were told if you swallow the seeds a melon will grow in your stomach. Never happened. I ate everything. Watermelon pickles from the rind were delicious along next to hot dogs, or hamburgers. It was not until years later in a Smart and Final store I found dried salted watermelon seed next to pumpkins and sunflowers. People have been eating them for years. Why spit hem out.? What would AI say about this?
I don't know what AI would say, but I love what you say : )
Thanks for giving our collaboration - Lay it on the Line - a mention, Amanda. We aim to generate new work under this banner each month through 2025. Excited to see where it goes.
Your post has me slavering for watermelon... perhaps I'll seek some out later in the year when they might be available here in the UK. A great analogy!
Thanks for the seeds and fruits of outrage.
I hope this is a good thing : )
Yes, indeed AI is here.. it has various appropriate applications as well as an infinite number of abuses... such as.. Real writing which radiates a certain element that is never contained in an AI article on a similar topic... in art, literature, music, all creative endeavors it is the difference maker.. The human touch.. the natural elan.. that creation which reveals the Inner..
...
yessss
Great piece, Amanda, thank you.
I’m in the midst of an experiment so I can write about Ai. What I’m finding, though, is that software designed to detect plagiarism and Ai flags non-Ai content. Even well-regarded software used by UK academic institutions.
(I posted something about this on Notes this morning in response to a piece by Lily Dunn.)
Thank you for your kind words re our collective Lay it on the Line, here’s to all of us who fly the flag to keep it real.
Yes, keep it real.
Writing from the heart is brave work.
Perhaps the detectors will get better, as AI gets better.
Thanks for subscribing too. I’m looking forward to exploring your Earth Hope.
I so appreciate the both-and orientation. AI isn't going away, so I'm interested in exploring how we can live with it more intentionally and ethically. Your post does just that, thank you.
Thank you🙏
Yes, I hope we can preserve human creativity while allowing innovation to benefit all lives.
So beautiful, best thing I've read on Substack this month and equally beautiful recommendations.
I love this! So beautifully put.