This also applies to writing, which is why I’ve decided not to pursue creative writing as a career. Though, that does make me think. Doesn’t making art for money ruin the whole point of art, that being self-expression? And are people really wrong for wanting to buy AI art, especially when it’s cheaper and easier? Did professional document copiers get angry when the printing press was invented? What about candle makers when the lightbulb was mass produced? I don’t know if it’s as simple as “corporations are poisoning the art industry.” It’s only a threat to artists if people buy it over them.

Yep, AI art and AI writing fall under the same umbrella. [quote]Though, that does make me think. Doesn’t making art for money ruin the whole point of art, that being self-expression?[/quote] When it's a human arist? Not at all! Art takes time, money, and resources. When an artist asks you for some money to support their art, they're asking you to help them have the time, money, and resources to make art more. When I try to sell someone my book, I'm not undermining its creativity, I'm asking them for the resources required to print it, because otherwise I wouldn't have a way to send it to them. Furthermore, if I could make a full living wage off of my book, then I could theoretically put a full 8 hours a day into writing, and give you more books in a shorter span of time. [quote]And are people really wrong for wanting to buy AI art, especially when it’s cheaper and easier? Did professional document copiers get angry when the printing press was invented? What about candle makers when the lightbulb was mass produced?[/quote] Yes, they are. If they're ignorant or unaware of the effects AI art is having on the industry, I could probably give them a pass, but if they [i]do[/i] know how awful things are going for artists because of AI, and still support it anyway, then I will be very cross with them. Most artists get their start doing commissions, but now the common man doesn't have a reason to hire an artist for a commission, because they can just do things the easy way. And there's a bit of a difference between replacing a mindless labor job with a machine, and replacing art, I think. it's.. Well, a mindless labor job vs art. I don't think I really need to explain that, do I? [quote]I don’t know if it’s as simple as “corporations are poisoning the art industry.” It’s only a threat to artists if people buy it over them.[/quote] That's just it, though, they are. The common person doesn't really understand the problem, and it's only those who actually study the subject that realize there's an issue. But the thing is, a lot of people don't think of it any deeper than "Oh, cool way to get art. Neat.". By supporting AI art, we're supporting giving away the deepest and most sincere part of human expression to a corporate machine, with no soul, no feeling, and no stories. Just mindless generation to steal money from an already struggling community. Built upon a vast array of their stolen work, no less.

between this and the avatar post in starting to think giant slayer is trying to start an argument [spoiler]when is the sequel to the heart of the world coming out[/spoiler]

Perhaps. I like debates, though. [spoiler]Don’t know for sure yet. I’m about halfway through writing Chapter 9. Assuming it winds up being the same length as the first book, that puts me at about 1/3rd of the way through the first draft. The first draft is only part of the process, though, and after that I have a lot of editing & whatnot to do. That part’s totally outside my control. I think you’ll like it, though! It’s going pretty well so far![/spoiler]

nice! good luck with publishing & editing, once you get there

Thanks! I’m glad you’re looking forward to it!

odd question out of context, but what's your name again (looking for heart of the world on my Amazon account )

Michael Tillotson. :)

I was thinking Matthew lol. no wonder I couldn't find it. at least I remembered your last name started with a T edit: I don't know how many people this worked for but I got it because you posted about it on offtopic

Haha, yeah, there’s no Heart of the World by Matthew T as far as I know! :p I now you & Salmon read it, and I know that Coffee picked it up, but I think he only read the first couple chapters before Emily annoyed him enough to stop. If anyone else has read it they haven’t told me yet, though I do remember someone getting a copy for Christmas, which is pretty fun to think about. My book got given as a Christmas present! Fun! Oh, by the by, do you remember Zach? He only showed up in two chapters, but he has a much bigger presence in the sequel. He was probably my favorite side character, and I’m glad he gets some time in the spotlight! :D

I'm jot very good at remembering books I haven't read recently, so I'm going to have to reread before starting the sequel