Chris Trottier
If people are going to censor em-dashes—something that’s objectively unharmful—then online spaces really do have a problem with freedom of expression.

An em-dash may seem inconsequential.

But its perceived inconsequence is precisely why it should be defended.

If the humble em-dash can’t be defended, what will happen when more consequential freedom of expression needs defending?
Jun 15 at 7:45pmWeb
Show threadavuko5d ago

@atomicpoet

This is the “if you write correctly we’ll assume you’re a machine”, aka “let’s punish ND people for the AI shitshow we created” discussion, right?

Show threadChris Trottier5d ago

@avuko I guess that’s what it is because, actually, I’m autistic.

Ironically, I sometimes use AI to communicate in a more neurotypical way. That is, when I feel discussions are getting intense, and I need a way to adjust tone in order to calm people down.

Show threadavuko5d ago

@atomicpoet I hadn’t considered using it that way. Sounds like a plan.

My only use to date is simplifying texts, as English isn’t my native language.

Show threadChris Trottier5d ago

@avuko Yes, I meant “more neurotypical way”. Good catch.

Anyway, if you want to know how I use LLMs to adjust tone, it’s quite simple.

First, I ask ChatGPT to interpret the text and ascertain the tone to confirm whether or not someone is hostile, angry, annoyed, etc.

Thereafter, I tell it to change the tone of my response to be more friendly, kind, and conciliatory.

Strangely enough, I started doing this when I sent someone a response via email that said, “okay”. Which resulted in that person cutting off all communication permanently with me.

Show threadPuck Rickenbacker5d ago
@atomicpoet
Anyone nit picking at minor details over the use of language isn't worth the effort. It always irked me when people natter at the little things, unless they are teaching the use of language in a school setting, they should take a chill pill. Literally. Use em-dashes as you will.
Show threadĸurth5d ago
@atomicpoet I’ll stand for the correct apostrophe ’