Maryam M.-C.May 2, 2023
Annalee Newitz 🍜
Support the WGA strike! This is one of the first strikes (that I know of) to focus on preventing companies from replacing writers with algorithms. Seems like something that newspaper guilds will grapple with soon too. https://www.wgacontract2023.org/strike-hub
Strike Hub

Writers are facing the most comprehensive assault on compensation and working conditions that they have seen in a generation. Find out why writers are calling the WGA an existential fight for the future of the profession and get links to all things strike-related here.

May 2, 2023 at 5:49pmWeb
Show threadTansy Hoskins 🍉 🍉May 2, 2023
@annaleen did you see this that launched today? Can put you in touch with the organisers.
https://artisticinquiry.org/ai-open-letter
AI Open Letter — CAIR

 Restrict AI Illustration from Publishing: An Open Letter Published May 2, 2023 ︎Add your signature Since the earliest days of...

Show threadChema Hernández GilMay 2, 2023
Communications Workers of America CWA 9404 member here. I work for a union and I like to think my job is safe, but I also know that most of my work involves writing emails, letters, memos, reports, text messages, etc. I have no doubt that someone, at some point, will have the bright idea to try to do it algorithmically.
Show threadMorten BayMay 2, 2023

@annaleen It's pretty wild to think that both the 2007 and 2023 strikes are reactions to technology advances in the industry (online content/streaming in 2007, algos now).

We need to think deeper about our relationship with technology as humans overall, I think. Currently, we are dealing with all challenges piecemeal instead of being guided by ethical visions of where we should go.

Show threadVoronMay 2, 2023
@annaleen @xerophile I recall, 🤔 blue collar folks striking because automation was eliminating their jobs. I don’t think some want to be reminded of how those workers were responded to
Show threadTom LevensonMay 3, 2023
@annaleen As a (on hiatus) member of WGAE, I totes endorse this message.
Show threadGarrett WollmanMay 3, 2023
@annaleen It's been a thing in the news industry for a while already (with lower quality Mad Libs implementations generating "stories" about school sports based on the box score). With staffing already decimated for the desks that would have produced that content in the past I'm not sure there's anyone left to take action, and the big chains have already cut and centralized a great deal of newspaper content. Scriptwriters are in a much better negotiating position.
Show threadbelikekramerMay 3, 2023
@annaleen
Show threadJanelle ShaneMay 3, 2023
@annaleen what gets me is how deeply crappy the algorithmic content is. It’s like the companies want to replace strawberry jam with red-flavored corn syrup. Bad for writers AND readers
Show threadAndrew Benedict-NelsonMay 3, 2023
@janellecshane @annaleen the problem is that even after all this time, many publishers don’t have deep convictions about what kind of value they actually provide. So they’ll go chasing after shiny objects thinking they are going to become business models. I have some empathy for their situation but the consequences are painful.
Show threadmsgbiMay 3, 2023
@annaleen @charles_ex