Random Thought

It was pretty weird to get more and more confirmation about how harmful ChatGPT can be for the environment. And let me say that as a tool for ASSISTANCE and not a replacement for the doing of figuring something out or researching, it’s been really helpful for me where social media has lost the plot. Everything doesn’t need to be monetized but living in a capitalism whirlwind that makes living an expense, I get it. But it’s nothing like being online since the beginning and watching both more people and more bullshit and more bots flood the space to really make ChatGPT seem like a good option. Questions get answered at least with AI. And I think that will be the thing that keep it alive unless WE, actual people using the internet, choose to do so differently. I’m not saying stop charging for your expertise and know-how. By all means, continue in that way. But what I am saying is that if community has to come with a cover charge, then people will continue to run to any version they can access for cheaper or for free – even at the expense of environmental and other things necessary for life…
Yes, this is a candle burning at both ends and smouldering in the middle. Yes, this is a culmination of a bunch of different problems, all with solutions mind you, that need to be and can be solved all at the same time. But that is clearly not what is happening, what is being attempted, or given half a damn about. That’s unfortunate.
But until people start people-ing again and offering at least starter level help and encouragement and support where those in need can continue on in their journey of whatever, I don’t think any of the tools we come up with – harmful or otherwise – will ever find their way to disuse, even if it means some of us have to suffer for it.
We are the solution to our problems and each others’.
And I won’t be a hypocrite – I can’t draw or afford to commission an artist for a super short thing I want to write and add a character visual to, so I asked ChatGPT to do it. It’s already done but I am debating sharing it. So I get how hard it can and will be to look at something that is so easily accessible and wildly helpful (for the most part) differently.
So okay, fine…let the tool assist you, but do not let it think for you, do everything for you, or essentially replace you – because whatever you can do, is needed.
D. Ondria
4/29/25