Standing Out Amongst Internet Slop
How to Separate Yourself From the Machines
It's fascinating to see how written language has changed in our LLM world.
What used to be innocuous stylistic choices have transformed into harsh commentary on your work ethic.
The best example is the em dash. I used to think it was an interesting way to spice up my writing. But now, I (along with many others) refuse to use it. It is the quintessential red flag that indicates AI-generated copy.
While that's the brightest signal, there are others that are becoming more well-known. They include:
- 3-5 bullet points below a 1-3 sentence paragraph.
- Sentences where certain "important" words are in bold
- Arguments structured like: "It's not X, it's Y."
- Large horizontal lines separating distinct sections of a memo or lengthy document.
Right now, it's somewhat easy to identify bodies of text that were generated by AI. The more you look, the more evident the signs. Having said this, I'm assuming that this is going to get significantly more difficult. As the models get better, they'll better understand which "AI red flags" to ignore.
In many respects, we're on our way. Right now, AI-generated copy is probably better than at least a majority of writers. And because of this, the Internet is already getting inundated with text and video slop that generates clicks and views. Even if the telltale signs of AI-generated content are there, people (and robots) are consuming it.
With all of that said, how do we stand out? I think the best way to approach this is to avoid the competition.
It's certainly not a novel idea, but it's worth repeating: we need to embrace our humanity. Arguably, the personal is more important than the professional.
Granted, context is key here. There's a difference between writing a lengthy work memo and a blog post on your personal website. However, I really think it's important to lean into our unique traits, even if we're self-conscious about them.
It's something I've struggled with in the past (I'm trying to get better!). But what used to be a "should-do" has turned into a "must-do." Sharing genuine experiences we have as humans is something that won't go out of style.
The game has permanently changed. For the rest of our careers, the vast majority of us are going to be competing with machines.
As a baseline, we need to recognize this fact. But beyond that, we must escape the bloodiest competitive waters and double down on a different game. Recognizing where our edges are and heavily investing in those edges can shift the odds in our favor.
It's something I often think about. Arguably, it's something I should have been thinking about even earlier. But like the well-known Chinese proverb says, the best time to plant a tree was 30 years ago. The second-best time is today.
Prompt of the Week
Most of the prompts that I've suggested here focus on self-improvement. While that's an interesting way to use LLMs, you can also be playful with them. I found the following prompt to be a fun thought exercise. The answer I got was Michael Corleone (I'm not sure if this is good or bad!).
"If I were an existing character from films, cartoons, or mythology, what would I look like, how would I act, and what would my role be?"