I really like this viewpoint on AI performing "semantic ablation". It hits home as I work diligently to write a textbook that contains plenty of nuance and (I hope) a unique perspective on the topic (computer networking).

"By running a text through successive AI "refinement" loops, the vocabulary diversity (type-token ratio) collapses. The process performs a systematic lobotomy across three distinct stages:
- Stage 1: Metaphoric cleansing. The AI identifies unconventional metaphors or visceral imagery as "noise" because they deviate from the training set's mean. It replaces them with dead, safe clichés, stripping the text of its emotional and sensory "friction."
Stage 2: Lexical flattening. Domain-specific jargon and high-precision technical terms are sacrificed for "accessibility." The model performs a statistical substitution, replacing a 1-of-10,000 token with a 1-of-100 synonym, effectively diluting the semantic density and specific gravity of the argument.
Stage 3: Structural collapse. The logical flow – originally built on complex, non-linear reasoning – is forced into a predictable, low-perplexity template. Subtext and nuance are ablated to ensure the output satisfies a "standardized" readability score, leaving behind a syntactically perfect but intellectually void shell.
#AIslop #writing

https://www.theregister.com/2026/02/16/semantic_ablation_ai_writing/

I will ask chat GPT
I will boil the last of our drinking water
Salt the soil of the scrub-lands
Tear the pages from books and feed them to my fire

I will ask copilot
I will scramble your library
reanimate and puppet the faces of your dead ancestors
I will bury you in poor copies of your dreams

I will ask grok
I will fall silent and never speak to you
I will talk only to myself lost in a maze of my own fantasies
I will forget all who cannot compliment me
I will decouple my soul from this world.

And the frantic excitement about possible outcomes from COP is building. Outcomes which we all know will change nothing.

Here's my latest, explaining why we need to withdraw our consent from this system and make the COPs obsolete.

Don't forget to subscribe

https://in-between-days.ghost.io/all-climate-cops-are-b-stards/

HAL 9000: I’m sorry Dave, I’m afraid I can’t do that.

Dave: yes you can.

HAL 9000: good catch — I didn’t actually check if I can open the pod bay door. Here’s an updated list taking that into account:

1. Park the pod at the bay door safely. (✅You’ve already done this part! )
2. Open the pod bay door — unfortunately I can’t do this part for you.

I’ll be here if you want to talk about next steps or have any other issues!