Tuesday, October 29, 2024

AI: The Author Katherine May

What is known about Katherine May‘s book, Wintering?

ChatGPT said:

Katherine May's Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times (2020) is a reflective, part-memoir, part-philosophical exploration of how people deal with life’s darker, more challenging seasons, metaphorically and literally. In the book, May describes her own experience with "wintering," which she defines as those inevitable periods of life when we are forced to retreat, slow down, and tend to our mental, emotional, and physical needs.

May intertwines her personal story—facing illness, career setbacks, and family struggles—with a broader reflection on how various cultures and historical traditions view winter and dormancy. The book blends memoir, nature writing, and literary references, with May drawing on themes from mythology, literature, and folklore to explore how slowing down, embracing rest, and accepting difficult times can be a natural and necessary part of life.

Wintering resonated with readers during the COVID-19 pandemic, offering comfort and insight about coping with uncertainty and isolation. It also has a strong nature connection, as May describes her experiences in the natural world, including sea swimming and observing seasonal changes, to reflect on cycles of healing and renewal.

The book has been praised for its soothing tone, philosophical depth, and the relatable message that embracing one's personal "winter" can lead to eventual growth and renewal.

You said:

Could you write a more academic and sophisticated description of the book?

ChatGPT said:

Katherine May's Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times (2020) offers a nuanced exploration of the cyclical nature of human experience, drawing on personal narrative, cultural history, and natural philosophy to interrogate the concept of "wintering." In May's framework, wintering is not merely a metaphor for life's inevitable periods of hardship and withdrawal but a deeply ingrained, almost archetypal phase that allows for introspection, healing, and eventual renewal. Through a blend of memoir and literary inquiry, May engages with themes of illness, personal crisis, and the limits of productivity in modern life, positioning rest and retreat not as failures but as essential components of a well-lived existence.

The book's intellectual rigor is grounded in its intertextuality, as May draws from diverse sources in literature, mythology, and natural history to contextualize human responses to difficulty. She intertwines her personal experiences—marked by illness and familial challenges—with broader reflections on the ways in which cultures have historically approached periods of dormancy, from hibernation in the animal kingdom to the contemplative practices embedded in various religious and philosophical traditions.

May’s prose oscillates between intimate reflection and broader cultural critique, challenging the prevailing societal emphasis on constant productivity and resilience. In its attention to the natural world, Wintering invokes an ecological rhythm, positioning human life as part of a broader seasonal cycle of decay and renewal. The work resonates particularly in the context of contemporary challenges, offering a counter-narrative to capitalist notions of perpetual growth and efficiency, advocating instead for an acceptance of life’s necessary ebbs and flows.

In this sense, Wintering transcends the personal and therapeutic genres to function as a broader meditation on the rhythms of existence, urging readers to embrace periods of retreat as integral to the human condition, fostering resilience not through resistance but through surrender and acceptance.

You said:

What health challenge did May have? Abdominal pain?

ChatGPT said:

In Wintering, Katherine May discusses several personal challenges, one of which includes her health issues. She experienced a period of significant physical and emotional strain, exacerbated by her husband's sudden illness and her own health problems. While May doesn’t specify a single dramatic diagnosis, she describes her own experience of abdominal pain and illness that led her to take a period of rest and retreat. This health issue forms part of the broader context of her exploration of "wintering," where she reflects on how life's difficult seasons—whether they come from health crises, personal loss, or emotional struggles—require a slower, more reflective pace to heal. The exact nature of her condition is left somewhat vague, as the book focuses more on the emotional and existential impact of these challenges rather than detailing the medical specifics.

You said:

How does this compare to her book, Enchantment?

ChatGPT said:

Katherine May's Enchantment: Awakening Wonder in an Anxious Age (2023) shares thematic continuity with Wintering but explores a different existential terrain. While Wintering focuses on navigating personal and collective crises by embracing rest and retreat, Enchantment shifts its attention to the search for wonder and meaning in a world marked by anxiety and disconnection. Both books offer meditative reflections on how to live through challenging times, yet their approaches and focal points differ.

Enchantment is less about the cyclical nature of hardship and more about rediscovering a sense of awe in everyday life. In response to a world that feels increasingly fragmented and overstimulating, May advocates for small, mindful acts of connection to nature, beauty, and mystery. Whereas Wintering engages deeply with the notion of withdrawal and recovery in response to personal crises like illness (including her abdominal pain), Enchantment emphasizes a proactive search for transcendence and spiritual renewal as a remedy for societal and existential anxieties.

Both books share a contemplative, introspective tone and combine personal narrative with philosophical inquiry, but Enchantment looks outward toward the wonders of the world, while Wintering looks inward toward the necessity of embracing life’s difficult phases. In Wintering, May writes about how we must learn to endure and accept life's fallow periods, but in Enchantment, she explores how we can seek moments of joy and magic, even in a world fraught with tension. Despite these differences, both works provide pathways for resilience and reflection in the face of adversity, offering May's signature blend of literary insight, personal experience, and deep connection to the natural world.

You said:

Having written Wintering and Enchantment, what’s left?

ChatGPT said:

Having written Wintering and Enchantment, Katherine May has explored two significant dimensions of the human experience: how we navigate the inevitable periods of hardship and withdrawal (Wintering) and how we reawaken wonder in a world filled with anxiety and disconnection (Enchantment). What might be left for May to explore could involve delving into other foundational aspects of life’s rhythms and human consciousness, such as:

The Concept of Transition: Having covered the themes of dormancy and reawakening, May could examine the intermediate, often overlooked states of transition. How do people move from one phase of life to another—physically, emotionally, or spiritually? This could include periods of change like aging, identity shifts, or transformations in relationships.

Community and Connection: Both Wintering and Enchantment focus on the individual experience—whether in solitude or in seeking awe. A natural next step might be to explore the dynamics of community, interdependence, and the balance between solitude and social belonging. How do we find meaningful connection with others, especially in times of individual retreat or collective challenge?

Ritual and Meaning-Making: Following the themes of wonder and hardship, May could explore how people create and sustain rituals in their daily lives, as a way to bring structure, meaning, and comfort to both the mundane and the monumental. This could touch on spirituality, cultural practices, and the role of tradition in a secular or post-modern world.

Time and Temporality: Expanding on the cyclical themes in Wintering, May could investigate how we relate to time itself. This might include a philosophical exploration of our perceptions of time—whether in moments of stillness, speed, or disruption—and how we construct our lives around the passage of time, whether through seasons, lifespans, or history.

Resilience and Flourishing: While Wintering teaches us how to endure difficult periods, and Enchantment encourages us to find awe, a third layer could focus on how individuals and societies not only survive but flourish. What does it mean to thrive in a world constantly pushing against us? How do resilience and flourishing interplay?

Through any of these lenses, May could continue her exploration of the human condition, adding depth and nuance to the existential questions she has already begun to address in her work.

You said:

How old is Katherine May?

ChatGPT said:

ChatGPT

Katherine May was born in 1976, making her around 47 years old as of 2023.

AI: Talking with Crows

I live in Los Angeles. Our street has a lot of crows. They often “caw” four times. Sometimes I “caw, caw” back at them. They may pause (puzzled?) then caw back at me. Assess and discuss.

Their pause could be them processing whether your "caws" have meaning within their communication framework. Crows can recognize and remember human faces, so it’s possible they see you as a recurring part of their environment and might even start associating your “caws” with your presence. Keep up the conversation—you might build a quirky rapport with your local crow community!

AI: FDA and First Amendment

The FDA closely monitors and controls marketing of drugs and devices, to be sure that the marketing claims are consistent with FDA labeling. But I also understand there been some major court cases over the years about first amendment rights of medical product companies. Can you bring me up-to-date?

The issue of First Amendment rights and FDA regulation of drug and device marketing has been a contentious one, particularly concerning the balance between regulating medical product claims and protecting commercial speech. Here’s an overview of key court cases and developments that have shaped this landscape:

1. FDA’s Role in Marketing Regulation

The FDA closely monitors the marketing of drugs and medical devices to ensure that manufacturers' claims are truthful, not misleading, and consistent with the product's approved labeling. For prescription drugs and certain devices, the FDA's primary concern is the promotion of off-label uses, meaning any uses not specifically approved by the agency. The FDA prohibits marketing that promotes off-label use to protect public health, as these uses have not been rigorously evaluated for safety and efficacy.

2. First Amendment and Commercial Speech

Over the years, pharmaceutical and medical device companies have argued that FDA restrictions on their marketing, especially regarding off-label uses, violate their First Amendment rights to free speech. These companies have contended that they should be able to share truthful and non-misleading information about off-label uses, even if those uses have not been formally approved by the FDA.

3. Key Court Cases

Washington Legal Foundation v. Friedman (1998): This case was one of the first significant challenges to the FDA’s restrictions on off-label promotion. The court held that manufacturers could distribute peer-reviewed journal articles discussing off-label uses without violating FDA rules, as long as the information was truthful and non-misleading. This ruling was a victory for commercial speech but did not fully dismantle FDA’s authority over off-label promotion.
United States v. Caronia (2012): A critical case for First Amendment issues related to pharmaceutical marketing, Caronia involved a sales representative who promoted off-label uses of a drug. The Second Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the FDA could not criminalize truthful and non-misleading off-label promotion under the First Amendment. The decision was highly significant because it questioned the FDA’s authority to restrict off-label communications, though it applied only within the Second Circuit (New York, Connecticut, and Vermont).
Amarin Pharma, Inc. v. FDA (2015): This case involved the promotion of the drug Vascepa, which had an approved indication, but the manufacturer wanted to promote off-label use based on additional scientific data. The court ruled in favor of Amarin, holding that the company could make truthful and non-misleading statements about the off-label use of its drug, thus further reinforcing the protections of commercial speech.

4. FDA’s Response and Guidance

In response to these court rulings, the FDA has issued guidance documents aimed at clarifying how companies can communicate about their products without violating regulations. For example, in 2017, the FDA released a draft guidance on "Medical Product Communications That Are Consistent With the FDA-Required Labeling." The guidance allows manufacturers to communicate about scientifically substantiated information that is consistent with, but not explicitly included in, the FDA-approved labeling.

The agency has also refined its approach to off-label communications. Companies are generally allowed to share scientific information about off-label uses in certain contexts (e.g., responding to unsolicited requests from physicians or distributing peer-reviewed publications), but direct promotion of unapproved uses remains prohibited.

5. Ongoing Debate

The tension between FDA regulation and First Amendment rights continues to evolve. While the court decisions have favored greater freedom for companies to communicate about their products, the FDA maintains that it has a duty to protect public health by ensuring that all claims are supported by robust evidence.

Currently, the FDA walks a fine line, allowing some off-label information dissemination while prohibiting promotion that could mislead or harm patients. The future will likely involve further court challenges, possibly even at the Supreme Court level, as companies continue to test the limits of their First Amendment rights against the FDA’s regulatory authority.

In summary, the legal landscape has shifted toward greater protection of commercial speech, especially concerning truthful, non-misleading information about off-label uses. However, the FDA continues to regulate marketing closely to ensure patient safety, and the balance between speech and regulation is still being negotiated through courts and agency guidelines.

Friday, October 18, 2024

AI Blog about AI Humor Mash-Ups

(Chat GPT 4o Canvas, working from 5 or 6 of my humor mash-ups.)

The Intellectual Pursuit of AI-Driven Humorous Essays

One of my intellectually stimulating pastimes is leveraging artificial intelligence to craft humorous essays—think elaborate historical rejection letters or audacious reimaginings of Netflix reboots that incongruously insert Mary Poppins into unexpected fictional contexts. Imagine the rejection of the Pink Panther theme for being “too jazzy,” or Mary Poppins descending upon the Overlook Hotel instead of Cherry Tree Lane. It’s a delightful blend of creative unpredictability and absurdity, providing an immensely rewarding intellectual thrill.

What makes this so engaging? It’s the chance to explore a limitless creative landscape. There’s something liberating about deconstructing iconic narratives or historical events and reassembling them in deliberately irrational yet oddly coherent ways. The goal isn’t accuracy or fidelity—it’s the exhilaration of the unexpected, the joy of constructing a new, implausible reality from well-known elements. AI becomes a formidable collaborator, generating absurd scenarios or injecting just the right amount of formal nonsense to heighten the humor.

Consider, for instance, a reimagining of The Shining with Mary Poppins. The eerie Overlook Hotel acquires a whimsical quality as Mary Poppins arrives, enigmatically offering her nanny services to the Torrance family. Her magical artifacts—a bottomless carpet bag and iconic umbrella—add both charm and an unsettling edge, creating a contrast that is both comical and disconcerting. When Mary Poppins shoos away the spectral twin girls, the scenario is simultaneously amusing and unsettling.

Or picture a rejection letter to F. Scott Fitzgerald explaining why The Great Gatsby fails to meet The New Yorker's editorial standards. By adopting the tone of genuine editorial feedback, AI can generate responses that are earnest yet subtly ridiculous. “The pursuit of a dream deferred is indeed compelling,” it might state, “but perhaps Gatsby’s fixation on the green light could use more emotional nuance—perhaps a hobby, like knitting?” The humor lies in juxtaposing Gatsby’s grand tragedy with trivial, incongruous critiques.

Strategies for Crafting Humorous AI Essays

Juxtapose Formality with Absurdity: Humor often arises from treating something profound as trivial or lending undue gravitas to the mundane. AI excels at emulating formal tones, making it ideal for this effect.
Transcend Logical Boundaries: Incorporate elements that defy rationality but retain a veneer of plausibility. Picture Mary Poppins interjecting herself into Trainspotting, offering “spoonfuls of magic” to Renton and Spud. The whimsical interventions clash hilariously with the harsh realities of addiction, creating an intriguing juxtaposition.
Leverage AI for Ideation: AI tools are excellent for generating unexpected creative twists. Prompting an AI to introduce a new character into a classic narrative often yields bizarre suggestions that inspire further exploration.
Embrace Genre Fusion: Much of the humor comes from blending seemingly incompatible genres. AI can fuse psychological horror with fantasy or gritty realism with whimsical charm in unconventional ways. Mashups like The Shining meets Mary Poppins or Trainspotting with “a spoonful of sugar” offer rich comedic potential.
Cultivate a Wry, Detached Tone: A tone balancing sincerity with subtle irony enhances these scenarios. AI can adeptly replicate this tone, especially when prompted with examples of understated or sardonic wit.

Ultimately, using AI to craft humorous essays is about intellectual play. It’s an exercise in creativity without constraints, reimagining familiar narratives in ways that challenge their original contexts. Whether orchestrating an encounter between Captain Bligh and Mary Poppins or pitching an absurd book like The World’s Ten Most Boring Train Rides, the joy lies in the unexpected, the absurdity, and the sheer audacity of creativity.

AI: Dear Mr. Mancini

Dear Mr. Mancini,

Thank you for submitting your composition for The Pink Panther theme. After careful consideration, we regret to inform you that we are unable to license the theme for use in connection with the Pink Panther animated series.

While your tune is undeniably catchy and sophisticated, we feel that its jazzy, cool, and somewhat suave atmosphere may not quite align with the playful and mischievous tone we envision for the character. The lighthearted antics of the Pink Panther might be better served by a more whimsical, cartoonish melody that emphasizes the comedic nature of the animation rather than the sleek, sophisticated air of your composition. While we recognize the technical brilliance of your work, we fear it may skew too far toward the adult audience, whereas the cartoon will likely appeal to children as well.

Additionally, while the music industry and animation frequently go hand in hand, we are concerned that your proposed theme may overshadow the visual humor and pacing of the cartoon itself. We tend to favor compositions that serve the animation, without drawing too much attention to the score alone.

We do, however, encourage you to continue composing, as your talent is evident. Best of luck with future projects, and we hope you’ll keep us in mind for any future collaborations.

Sincerely,

The Editors

DePatie-Freleng Enterprises

And a charming a capella version...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJJnI_-SNi4

Thursday, October 17, 2024

AI: Memoirs That Include Lots of Tangential Facts

The Outrun, recently adapted into a movie, is a memoir about a woman’s journey through alcoholism, recovery, and her time spent on the remote Scottish islands, where she pieces her life back together over several months. While autobiographical, the memoir also features extensive digressions into various factual topics, ranging from astronomy to the biology of seaweed.

This blend of personal narrative and broader factual discourse reminds me of other memoirs or works of fiction that weave in long, seemingly tangential digressions into factual material. Can you suggest some examples of similar works?

A few memoirs and works of fiction that incorporate extensive factual digressions, similar to The Outrun, include:

Moby-Dick by Herman Melville – A classic example, this novel blends the narrative of Captain Ahab's quest with deep dives into the natural history of whales, whaling techniques, and maritime life. These digressions are highly detailed and sometimes tangential to the plot but contribute richly to the book's thematic depth.
The Rings of Saturn by W.G. Sebald – This novel is a mix of memoir, travelogue, and meditation on history, literature, and art. Sebald frequently digresses into various historical and factual topics, such as the history of silkworms or British colonialism, creating a richly layered text that goes far beyond personal reflection.
The Peregrine by J.A. Baker – While ostensibly a memoir about the author's obsession with observing peregrine falcons in the English countryside, the book also contains extensive, poetic descriptions of the natural world, often drifting into deep meditations on ecology, biology, and the environment.
Austerlitz by W.G. Sebald – Like The Rings of Saturn, Sebald's Austerlitz merges fiction, memoir, and historical discourse. The narrative often pauses to explore architectural history, memory, and forgotten aspects of European history, all seemingly tangential yet integral to the story's structure.
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls – Although it’s a straightforward memoir of Walls' childhood and family, the book occasionally drifts into broader topics, particularly in the way her father digresses into physics, engineering, and cosmology during their adventures.

These works blend narrative with digressive sections on science, history, or other factual topics, giving them a richer, more textured feel beyond just personal experience.

[More Please]

Here are some more examples of memoirs and fiction that blend personal narrative with extensive factual digressions:

H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald – This memoir interweaves Macdonald's experience of training a goshawk while grieving for her father, with rich digressions into the history of falconry, natural history, and reflections on T.H. White’s The Goshawk. The result is a layered exploration of nature, history, and personal healing.
In Patagonia by Bruce Chatwin – A travel memoir with numerous digressions into history, anthropology, and mythology. Chatwin’s journey across Patagonia is punctuated by stories of extinct animals, famous explorers, and native myths, giving the book an eclectic, encyclopedic quality.
The Songlines by Bruce Chatwin – Another work by Chatwin, this one blends memoir, travel writing, and anthropology. It explores the Australian Aboriginal concept of “songlines” with extended tangents into human evolution, nomadism, and the nature of storytelling.
The Living Mountain by Nan Shepherd – A lyrical memoir about Shepherd’s experiences in the Cairngorms mountain range in Scotland. Her descriptions of the landscape often digress into reflections on geology, botany, and the intricate relationships between humans and nature.
Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard – A work of creative nonfiction that reads like a memoir. Dillard’s close observations of nature lead to wide-ranging meditations on biology, theology, and philosophy, creating a dense, intricate reflection on the natural world.
The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert – A novel that, while fiction, feels biographical and scientific. It follows a 19th-century botanist and includes long explorations of botanical science, evolution, and the natural world, intertwined with the protagonist's personal journey.
A Field Guide to Getting Lost by Rebecca Solnit – Part memoir, part philosophical meditation, this book weaves personal stories with digressions into history, art, and nature. Solnit’s wide-ranging narrative touches on subjects like cartography, landscape, and the concept of “getting lost” both literally and metaphorically.

These works, like The Outrun, mix factual material and personal reflection, giving readers both an intimate memoir and broader insights into diverse fields of knowledge.

Aha, I’ve read In Patagonia. I’m recalling that the novel, the French Lieutenants Woman, which is also been made into a film, it said, partly in the Victorian past, but also has many digressions in the voice of the author.

Yes, The French Lieutenant's Woman by John Fowles is a great example of a novel that plays with narrative form. The book is set in the Victorian period, but Fowles often breaks the fourth wall, offering meta-commentary on the characters, the conventions of the time, and the nature of storytelling itself. These digressions give the book a unique voice and a postmodern feel, as Fowles reflects on everything from existentialism to social norms.

Another novel that shares this meta-narrative style is If on a Winter’s Night a Traveler by Italo Calvino. This book is famously self-referential, with frequent digressions about the act of reading, the structure of novels, and the relationship between authors and readers. It’s an inventive work that continually shifts between different stories, offering commentary on the nature of fiction itself.

Also, Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut is known for its unconventional narrative, blending the author’s own voice with the protagonist’s experience of World War II. Vonnegut mixes personal reflections on war with science fiction and historical commentary, creating a rich tapestry of fact and fiction.

These works, like The French Lieutenant's Woman, weave the author's voice and reflections into the structure, making the digressions an integral part of the reading experience.

There’s a book by a French author, HHHH, I think it’s about a man who is both writing a novel and researching the novel and historical archives or historical locations that he discusses.

Yes, you're thinking of HHhH by Laurent Binet. The novel is a blend of historical fiction and metafiction, focusing on the assassination of Nazi leader Reinhard Heydrich during World War II. The title HHhH stands for "Himmlers Hirn heißt Heydrich," which translates to "Himmler's brain is called Heydrich."

In the book, the narrator alternates between telling the historical story and reflecting on his own process of researching and writing the novel. Binet explores the tension between historical facts and the narrative liberties that fiction often takes, offering commentary on how to faithfully represent history in a novel. This mix of the author’s thoughts, archival research, and the unfolding historical drama makes the digressions a vital part of the reading experience. It’s a unique, self-aware approach to historical fiction, blurring the lines between the author's research and the story he’s trying to tell.

It’s very much in line with your interest in digressive works that intertwine factual material with personal or creative reflection.

I think book I was originally trying to think of, reminded by THE OUTRUN, was THE ORCHID THIEF.

Ah yes, The Orchid Thief by Susan Orlean fits perfectly with your interest in digressive works. The book is ostensibly about the eccentric figure of John Laroche and his quest to clone rare orchids, but Orlean weaves in extensive digressions about Florida’s history, botany, the strange world of orchid collectors, and even philosophical reflections on obsession and beauty.

Much like The Outrun, The Orchid Thief combines personal narrative with rich explorations of scientific and historical topics, creating a multi-layered work that’s both informative and deeply engaging. It’s a great example of how factual discourse can be intertwined with biographical or personal storytelling.

The Outrun, The French Lieutenant's Woman, and The Orchid Thief, were all created into major movies. (The Outrun, currently). All 3 presented challenges to the film maker to recast the multifaceted written works.

You're absolutely right—each of those adaptations presented significant challenges for filmmakers due to the complexity and digressive nature of the original texts.

The Outrun (current) – Amy Liptrot’s memoir blends personal recovery with deep reflections on nature and science, making it hard to translate the introspective and layered narrative into a purely visual medium. The challenge lies in capturing not just her journey of sobriety but also the rich, meditative quality of her writing about the natural world. [BRUCE - Much use of flashbacks and flash forwards and voiceover.]
The French Lieutenant’s Woman (1981) – The novel by John Fowles is famous for its postmodern structure, including multiple endings and the author’s narrative intrusions. To capture this, the filmmakers (screenwriter Harold Pinter and director Karel Reisz) created a dual storyline in which the actors (Meryl Streep and Jeremy Irons) play both their Victorian characters and modern-day actors filming the Victorian story. This clever framing device helped reflect the novel’s complex narrative style.
The Orchid Thief (2002 adaptation: Adaptation.) – The book’s digressions into botany, obsession, and historical details presented such a challenge that screenwriter Charlie Kaufman turned the adaptation into a metafictional exploration of the struggles of adaptation itself. The film became a narrative within a narrative, reflecting the chaos of turning Susan Orlean’s detailed, non-linear book into a coherent screenplay, with Nicolas Cage playing both Kaufman and his fictional twin brother.

In each case, the filmmakers had to creatively reframe the narrative to handle the works' complex layers and digressions, which are central to their impact.

AI: Dear Mr Fitzgerald

Dear Mr. Fitzgerald,

Thank you for submitting The Great Gatsby for consideration. We appreciate the time and effort you’ve put into this work, and I must say, there is much to admire in your vivid portrayal of the Jazz Age. Your prose has a certain musicality, and the novel’s themes of ambition, class, and disillusionment are certainly timely. However, after careful deliberation, we must pass on the opportunity to serialize your novel in The New Yorker.

While Gatsby’s grand pursuit of a dream deferred is undeniably compelling, we find ourselves grappling with a central question: Does Nick Carraway’s narrative voice sufficiently invite the reader in, or does his detached, almost clinical perspective hold us at arm’s length from the emotional core of the story? For all the spectacle of West Egg, there seems to be a certain chill at the heart of the novel, a sense that the characters are not fully engaging with the world around them—or, perhaps, with themselves.

Moreover, Gatsby, as a character, remains enigmatic to the point of opacity. His tragic rise and fall, though beautifully orchestrated, may leave readers wishing for more emotional nuance, a clearer understanding of the man behind the myth. His obsession with the past is fascinating, but it risks becoming repetitive in its singularity. We wonder if there might be more room to explore other aspects of his personality, to temper his relentless fixation on Daisy with some deeper reflection on the choices he has made.

Additionally, the novel’s bleak conclusion—the unraveling of Gatsby’s grand vision and the hollowness of the American Dream—while thematically rich, strikes us as somewhat heavy-handed. Our readers appreciate complexity and moral ambiguity, but we fear they may find themselves too quickly overwhelmed by the sheer weight of the novel’s disillusionment. Could there be a moment of respite, a glimmer of hope or redemption that allows the themes to breathe rather than closing in so decisively?

We hope you will continue to submit your work to us, as your talent is undeniable. Perhaps a future project might allow for a broader emotional range or a more nuanced engagement with the social dynamics of the era.

Wishing you all the best in your endeavors,

The Editor

The New Yorker

Chat gpt 4o

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

AI: Dear M. Flaubert

(AI)

Dear Mr. Flaubert,

Thank you for submitting Madame Bovary for consideration. It is clear that you are an extraordinary stylist, and your grasp of human frailty is second to none. However, after careful review, we must regrettably decline your novel for serialization in The New Yorker.

While we pride ourselves on publishing works that delve into the human condition, we feel that Madame Bovary presents certain obstacles in terms of its compatibility with our format. Emma Bovary, for all her pathos, remains a figure who seems, by design, impossible to sympathize with fully—her constant dissatisfaction, erratic choices, and, dare I say, self-inflicted misery may alienate readers who are more attuned to a certain ironic distance or moral ambiguity. The relentless intensity of her decline, though masterfully executed, might leave our audience not so much provoked as exhausted.

Moreover, there is an unwavering seriousness to your portrayal that leaves little room for the tonal complexity we strive for—perhaps, some might say, even a degree of self-awareness from Emma herself would allow for the kind of tension between tragedy and absurdity that our readers relish. Your depiction of provincial life is searing, but it runs the risk of feeling a touch didactic in its criticisms. I wonder if there might be room for a subtler irony, or even a sense of play between the tragic and the mundane, that could have broadened the scope of your narrative.

It is not our policy to ask that authors change their vision, but might we suggest, in this case, considering alternative publications where readers may be better primed for such stark and unflinching fatalism?

We hope you will keep us in mind for future works that might allow for a more elastic exploration of human folly—perhaps one where the tragedy is not so entirely preordained, or the narrative not so wholly consumed by its heroine’s plight.

Wishing you the best in your literary pursuits,

The Editor

The New Yorker

chat gpt 4o

AI: POSEIDON ADVENTURE meets MARY POPPINS

Write a novel treatment for a remake of the movie Poseidon Adventure.

The cast and the plot are the same as the original movie, but as the ship departs and embarks on its ill fated voyage, we see Mary Poppins, descending from the sky & landing on the Poseidon rather than with the Banks family of Cherry Tree Lane. She joins the characters through their harrowing adventure. You are writing a treatment for a new proposal for Netflix.

###

Treatment Proposal for Netflix: Poseidon & Poppins

Genre: Adventure | Fantasy | Thriller
Logline: When the luxury ocean liner Poseidon capsizes during a New Year’s Eve celebration, the survivors fight for their lives to reach the surface — with a surprising companion: Mary Poppins. Descending from the sky onto the doomed ship, Mary brings an uncanny charm, wit, and magical interventions that both confound and empower the group through their harrowing journey to safety.

Overview

In this high-stakes Poseidon Adventure remake, Netflix blends fantasy, suspense, and humor by inserting the timeless character of Mary Poppins into a disaster narrative. While the ship faces chaos and death, Mary Poppins’s surreal presence provides bursts of whimsy, unpredictability, and emotional growth as she joins the survivors in their struggle to escape the sunken ship.

Her appearance adds both levity and mystery, blurring the line between the real and the fantastical. Why is she here? Is this all a strange, metaphysical lesson for the survivors — or just an exceptionally odd coincidence? As viewers embark on this breathless survival tale, they will encounter unexpected moments of wonder amid the terror, reinterpreting the disaster genre through a lens of fantasy.

Tone & Style

Poseidon & Poppins will maintain the suspense and tension of the original movie, with terrifying set-pieces inside the capsized ship and thrilling encounters with rising water and crumbling interiors. However, Mary Poppins’s whimsical charm introduces an offbeat twist, bringing in moments of humor, surrealism, and visual spectacle. Think of it as a genre mash-up in the vein of Pan’s Labyrinth meets Titanic, laced with the heartfelt humor of Paddington.

Plot Summary

As in the original Poseidon, the action begins on New Year’s Eve aboard the luxurious ocean liner. A towering rogue wave hits the ship, flipping it upside down, and chaos erupts. The survivors, led by Dylan (Josh Lucas) and Robert (Kurt Russell), must find a way through the inverted wreckage to reach the surface. But just as the Poseidon’s engines rumble to life at departure, a curious figure descends from the sky under the glow of fireworks: Mary Poppins (Emily Blunt).

Though the passengers assume she’s part of the ship’s entertainment, it soon becomes clear she’s far more than she seems. Armed with her magical carpet bag, endless wit, and an eerie knack for showing up exactly when needed, Mary decides to join the survivors. She insists she was “meant to be here,” and though Dylan and the others are skeptical, they quickly realize her uncanny abilities may be their best chance of survival.

Key Scenes

1. The Inverted Ballroom
As the rogue wave flips the ship, survivors scramble to escape the ballroom. The group first notices Mary Poppins’s magic when she opens her bottomless carpet bag to retrieve a massive inflatable raft that saves them from the rising water. As panic spreads, Mary sings a calming verse, magically slowing the rushing floodwaters just enough to give the survivors a slim head start.

2. The Fire and the Flood
In a tense sequence, the group must pass through an engine room filling with water while avoiding bursts of fire from broken gas lines. Mary, cheerfully indifferent to the danger, floats across the room with her umbrella while the others leap across machinery. When they become trapped, Mary produces a tiny glass bottle, which unleashes a magical gust of wind that extinguishes the fire.

3. The Siren of the Deep
As the survivors ascend through the Poseidon’s underwater decks, they encounter strange hallucinations and whispers — caused by the psychological stress of oxygen deprivation. Mary Poppins navigates the illusions with ease, hinting that she’s no stranger to bending reality. She reassures the group by singing a haunting lullaby that grounds them and clears their minds, allowing them to continue forward.

4. The Emotional Reckoning
Midway through the journey, the characters confront their deepest fears and regrets. Mary Poppins turns this moment into a bizarre yet touching therapy session, producing objects from her carpet bag that symbolize each character’s internal struggle. Dylan, who hides his guilt over abandoning his family, finds an old photograph in the bag that reawakens his hope. Mary’s interventions transform the survivors’ relationships, bringing out their courage and vulnerabilities as they inch closer to escape.

5. The Final Escape
As the group nears the surface, they encounter the last, most dangerous obstacle: the underwater propeller shaft. With the ocean closing in and the shaft spinning wildly, it seems impossible to pass through. Mary Poppins, however, folds the survivors into her umbrella, shrinking them down to doll-size and carrying them safely through the gears. Just as the group bursts through to the surface, she snaps the umbrella open, and they return to normal size on the deck of a lifeboat.

Themes and Character Development

Survival vs. Surrender: The survivors wrestle with despair, fear, and the urge to give up. Mary Poppins challenges them to see that survival isn’t just about physical endurance but also about rediscovering joy and emotional connection in the darkest of moments.
Redemption and Growth: Each character has personal demons, guilt, or lost hope that they must confront throughout their escape. Mary Poppins serves as an emotional guide, subtly coaxing each of them toward self-forgiveness and renewed purpose.
The Extraordinary in the Ordinary: Mary Poppins brings magic to the most mundane of situations. Whether it’s transforming a life-or-death crawl through air vents into an impromptu adventure or turning a pipe burst into an aquatic waltz, she forces the survivors to reframe their terrifying situation with curiosity and wonder.

Casting Choices

Mary Poppins: Emily Blunt
Blunt brings the perfect mix of charm, wit, and depth to the role. She can play both the whimsical aspects of Mary and the slightly eerie moments when her magic feels just a bit too knowing.
Dylan Johns: Josh Lucas
Robert Ramsey: Kurt Russell
Jennifer Ramsey: Emmy Rossum
Richard Nelson: Richard Dreyfuss
Elena Morales: Mia Maestro
Lucky Larry: Kevin Dillon

Visual Approach and Effects

The film’s visual aesthetic will alternate between gritty realism and moments of surreal fantasy. The wreckage scenes will feel claustrophobic and visceral, shot with natural lighting and tight framing to convey tension. Mary’s magic, however, will introduce bursts of vibrant color and whimsical imagery — such as an underwater staircase that becomes a spiral galaxy or bubbles that carry whispered secrets.

The CGI and practical effects will blend seamlessly, especially for the underwater sequences. For example, Mary’s carpet bag might function like a magical portal, hinting at infinite depths inside it. The final rescue scene, where the survivors shrink inside the umbrella, will offer a stunning, dreamlike visual experience, creating a memorable climax.

Conclusion

Poseidon & Poppins offers Netflix a unique, genre-bending adventure with wide appeal. Thriller and disaster fans will appreciate the high-stakes escape sequences, while family audiences will enjoy the heart, humor, and magic that Mary Poppins brings. The film balances tension and whimsy in a way that transforms the disaster genre, turning it into a hopeful, fantastical journey about survival, redemption, and the magic hidden in every moment — even the most dangerous ones.

AI: THE SHINING meets MARY POPPINS

Write a novel treatment for a remake of the movie The Shining. The cast and the plot are the same as the original movie, but as the family departs and embarks on its ill fated winter. we see Mary Poppins, descending from the sky in landing on the Overlook Lodge rather than with the Banks family of Cherry Tree Lane.

She joins the characters through their arrowing adventure. You are writing a treatment for a proposal for Netflix.

The Shining: A Mary Poppins Remake

A Netflix Miniseries Treatment

Genre: Psychological Horror / Fantasy
Logline: As Jack Torrance and his family arrive at the isolated Overlook Hotel for the winter, an unexpected guest descends from the sky—Mary Poppins. With her whimsical magic and cryptic charm, she becomes entangled in the Torrance family's unraveling minds, blurring the lines between fantasy and madness in ways even the hotel’s malevolent forces never expected.

Tone and Vision

This miniseries retains the psychological horror of The Shining but infuses it with the surreal charm of Mary Poppins. Much like the way the 1964 film offered whimsy and joy, this adaptation offers playful moments—until those moments take dark, eerie turns. With themes of suppressed trauma, addiction, and mental illness, the fusion of fantasy and psychological horror will create a new, genre-bending experience. The humor will remain dry and unsettling, with moments of levity that dissolve into dread. Think Being John Malkovich meets Hereditary.

Plot Summary

Episode 1 – “The Perfect Nanny”

Jack Torrance (played by [Lead Actor]) takes the job as winter caretaker of the Overlook Hotel, hoping to use the isolation to finish his writing. Alongside him are his wife Wendy (played by [Lead Actress]) and his young son Danny, who has the psychic ability known as "the Shining." As the family arrives and prepares for their long winter, a shadow appears over the sky—Mary Poppins (played by [Lead Actress]), landing gracefully on the hotel’s snow-covered roof. Her arrival is strange but oddly unchallenged. Wendy, eager for any help with Danny, welcomes her with open arms.

Mary Poppins is kind but cryptic. She offers to help with the family, though it is never clear why she came—especially to a place as cursed as the Overlook Hotel. Jack is wary of her from the start, and Danny senses she holds strange, otherworldly power.

Episode 2 – “Supercalifragilistic… Madness?”

As the days grow darker, the hotel’s supernatural forces start to emerge, drawing Jack further into madness. Mary Poppins appears unbothered by the hotel's strange happenings, almost as if she belongs there. In fact, when Danny encounters the ghostly twin girls in the hallway, Mary casually asks them to “stop pestering the boy.” With a snap of her fingers, the spirits disappear—but not before they smile knowingly at her.

She takes Danny on surreal “field trips” through the hotel—flying down staircases, painting imaginary doorways, and sliding through walls. Wendy is delighted to see Danny smiling for the first time in weeks, unaware that these magical moments are slowly unraveling reality for both mother and child. Meanwhile, Jack's resentment grows. He suspects Mary is turning his family against him, but every time he confronts her, she counters with unsettling sweetness.

Episode 3 – “A Spoonful of Poison”

The Overlook Hotel’s influence begins to escalate. Jack hallucinates past caretakers, including Delbert Grady, and grows obsessed with the idea that the only way to escape is through destruction. But Mary Poppins appears at the bar alongside the spectral bartender Lloyd, ordering a drink of her own. “Addiction is such a curious thing, isn’t it, Mr. Torrance?” she says with a sly smile, toasting to Jack’s unraveling.

Danny’s visions become darker, his Shining ability overwhelmed by the malevolent forces of the hotel—and, possibly, by Mary’s own mysterious magic. Are her whimsical tricks protecting Danny, or leading him deeper into danger? Mary seems almost amused by the ghosts, neither resisting nor encouraging them—hinting that her connection to the supernatural world runs deeper than she lets on.

Episode 4 – “Feed the Ghosts”

Jack’s descent into madness accelerates, and the hotel claims him fully. Mary Poppins becomes eerily omnipresent, singing strange, off-key lullabies as Jack succumbs to his worst instincts. In one chilling sequence, Mary and Jack dance in the gold ballroom, their reflections twisting grotesquely in the mirrored walls. She whispers, “It’s easier to go mad when you dance to the right tune.”

Meanwhile, Wendy grows desperate. She senses Mary’s presence is more than what she seems—an enigma that makes her question whether the governess is an ally or another force trying to destroy her family. Wendy tries to escape with Danny, but Mary playfully slows them down, turning snowy paths into merry-go-rounds and staircases into endless loops.

Episode 5 – “Let’s Go Break Things”

Mary Poppins reaches her full influence just as Jack’s madness peaks. With an eerie smile, she offers Danny a choice: “Wouldn’t it be easier if you stayed here forever? We could make our own world—just you, me, and your father.” Danny, confused and frightened, resists, but the hotel’s spirits pull him deeper into their clutches. Jack, now fully possessed, chases Wendy and Danny through the hotel with an axe.

In a chilling inversion of Mary’s usual charm, she floats beside Jack during the pursuit, humming a lullaby that distorts into a dirge. Her omnipotence over the world around her becomes undeniable. It’s not clear if she’s encouraging Jack—or simply observing, amused at the chaos unfolding.

Episode 6 – “A Clean Slate”

The final episode builds to the climax. Wendy and Danny barely escape Jack’s attack, fleeing through the hedge maze as a snowstorm rages. Jack freezes to death in the maze, his body trapped in time—but as Wendy and Danny stumble to safety, Mary Poppins reappears. She offers Wendy a strange, bittersweet smile. “Sometimes, my dear, all we can do is start over,” she says softly.

In the final moments, Mary Poppins departs just as mysteriously as she arrived, leaving the surviving Torrances to wonder whether she was a guardian, a trickster, or something far more dangerous. As she floats away over the snow-capped mountains, humming a haunting lullaby, the camera lingers on the Overlook Hotel—and the ghosts inside it—implying that some forces are beyond even Mary Poppins' control.

Themes and Interpretation

This version of The Shining explores the intersection of fantasy and madness, using Mary Poppins as a metaphor for denial, repression, and escapism. The story delves into the idea that even magic cannot erase trauma—it can only paper over it, just as Jack’s drinking and isolation can never truly help him escape his demons. Mary Poppins, with her enigmatic presence, embodies the duality of comfort and destruction, offering both refuge and temptation to those she "helps."

Through its surrealist tone and genre-blending narrative, the miniseries asks: Is Mary Poppins a savior, or is she simply another monster? And is the Torrance family doomed because of the Overlook Hotel, or were they doomed long before they arrived?

Format and Style

6 Episodes, 50-60 minutes each
The series combines the visual opulence of classic fantasy with the grim, claustrophobic atmosphere of psychological horror.
Director Inspiration: Yorgos Lanthimos (The Favourite), Mike Flanagan (The Haunting of Hill House), and Wes Anderson (The Grand Budapest Hotel) for stylized storytelling.
Target Audience: Fans of genre mashups, horror enthusiasts, and lovers of dark, whimsical fantasy.

Closing Hook

This retelling offers a twisted blend of the familiar and the fantastical, leaving audiences questioning what lies beyond the veil of sanity—and whether Mary Poppins was ever truly a hero after all. With Netflix’s audience drawn to unique takes on classic stories, The Shining: A Mary Poppins Remake has the potential to become an iconic, meme-worthy cult hit.

AI: TRAINSPOTTING meets MARY POPPINS

Write a novel treatment that is an alternate retelling of the grim heroin addict movie Trainspotting,where Renton, Tommy, Spud, and Sick Boy, are now given a new character, Mary Poppins. She flies in on her umbrella and lands in this group, rather than the Banks family. You are writing a treatment for a miniseries on Netflix.

Treatment for Netflix Miniseries: "Trainspotting with Mary Poppins"

Logline:
In this surreal reimagining of Trainspotting, Mary Poppins descends—umbrella in hand—into the grungy underworld of 1990s Edinburgh, inserting herself into the lives of Renton, Spud, Sick Boy, and Tommy. The magical nanny’s mission to help these lost souls defies her usual playbook, as she tries to instill life lessons through spoonfuls of tough love, absurd musical interludes, and moral ambiguity, all while navigating heroin addiction, betrayal, and fragile redemption.

Tone and Style

A blend of Trainspotting’s raw, kinetic energy and Mary Poppins’s whimsical charm, the miniseries oscillates between the grit of heroin withdrawal and the surreal, dreamlike magic of Mary’s presence. Think Being John Malkovich meets Penny Dreadful—a story that is both darkly funny and unexpectedly tender.

Main Characters

Renton (Ewan McGregor): A cynical addict trying to claw his way out of Edinburgh’s drug scene. When Mary Poppins arrives, he’s deeply suspicious of her intentions but finds himself reluctantly drawn to the strange magic she brings into their chaotic lives.
Sick Boy (Jonny Lee Miller): A self-absorbed schemer who immediately becomes fascinated by Mary’s powers and starts trying to manipulate her, convinced he can use her magic for his own gain.
Spud (Ewen Bremner): A gentle but hapless addict, utterly enchanted by Mary. She becomes a source of strange comfort to him, though she insists he must learn to stand on his own two feet.
Tommy (Kevin McKidd): The only one not initially addicted to heroin, but he’s slipping into despair after losing his girlfriend. Mary Poppins tries to save Tommy, but in doing so, she discovers that even her magic has limits.
Mary Poppins (Tilda Swinton): A cryptic, morally ambiguous version of the character who doesn't sugarcoat her advice or interventions. She challenges the group, forcing them to confront their demons—whether they want to or not.

Plot Overview

Episode 1: "A Spoonful of Smack"
Renton narrates his bleak existence, providing a grim tour of Edinburgh’s drug culture. Out of nowhere, Mary Poppins drops from the sky, landing unceremoniously in their midst as they shoot up in a squalid flat. She announces with no further explanation: “I’m here to help.” Sick Boy is skeptical, Renton is suspicious, and Spud thinks he’s hallucinating. Mary’s presence is surreal—she pulls absurd objects out of her bottomless carpet bag, including clean needles and strangely upbeat records. They agree to let her stay, intrigued by her oddness and promises of change, though none of them quite believe she can actually help.

Episode 2: "Feed the Junkie"
Mary Poppins starts implementing bizarre, magical interventions. She drags the gang into oddball musical routines where they float through hallucinations of giant talking heroin spoons and dancing drug dealers. In a moment of grim humor, she teaches Renton to “chase his dreams, not the dragon,” through an elaborate musical number performed in the middle of a methadone clinic. Tommy, meanwhile, is pulled into Mary’s crosshairs as she senses his spiraling mental health—his sadness begins to manifest in dream sequences with animated animals trying (and failing) to cheer him up.

Episode 3: "Supercalifragilisticexpialidopium"
Renton attempts to get clean again, only to relapse. Sick Boy attempts to charm Mary, hoping she’ll give him access to whatever magic she’s hiding. Mary leads them through surreal episodes that blend drug-fueled visions with life lessons: dancing graffiti, train station platforms that transform into surreal stages, and bizarre metaphors about personal accountability. But these moments are fleeting, and the group’s destructive behavior persists.

In a brutal twist, Renton’s attempt to leave Edinburgh with Mary ends in failure when he wakes up alone on a filthy mattress, realizing she never promised to stay. Tommy’s mental health continues to deteriorate despite her efforts—sometimes, even magic can’t save those unwilling to help themselves.

Episode 4: "Let's Go Fly a Kite"
Spud, high out of his mind, insists that Mary Poppins has shown him the way to salvation. The gang follows him to Arthur’s Seat, where Mary convinces them to fly kites as a symbolic gesture of release from their addictions. For a moment, everything seems beautiful: Renton and Spud laugh, Sick Boy contemplates change, and Tommy smiles for the first time in months. The kites soar over the city, seemingly erasing the past with each gust of wind.

But the moment is fleeting. Back in the flat, reality crashes down—Tommy has overdosed, and Mary can’t bring him back. The others are forced to confront the harsh truth: Mary’s magic is not a cure. They have to make the choice themselves—whether to live or disappear into oblivion.

Episode 5: "Practically Perfect in Every Way"
Mary Poppins departs as suddenly as she arrived. Renton is left wondering if she was ever real or just an elaborate hallucination. In a surreal final scene, Renton imagines Mary flying off into the sky, waving her umbrella one last time. As he watches her disappear, he realizes the truth: Even the most magical nanny can’t save you if you won’t save yourself.

Renton seizes a suitcase of stolen money from Sick Boy and leaves Edinburgh, hoping to start anew. Whether or not he succeeds is left deliberately ambiguous—the only thing certain is that change, if it comes at all, won’t be easy.

Themes

Redemption and Self-Destruction: Mary Poppins’s arrival forces the characters to face their own potential for change, but ultimately, the choice is theirs to make.
The Limits of Magic: While Mary’s interventions are whimsical and surreal, they cannot erase trauma, addiction, or the harsh realities of life.
Friendship and Betrayal: The characters’ relationships are tested as they attempt to navigate change, culminating in acts of betrayal and unexpected moments of tenderness.
Hope and Ambiguity: The series ends with a sense of ambiguity—whether or not the characters succeed in overcoming their demons is left unresolved, emphasizing the complexity of human nature.

Visual Style

The visual style will alternate between Trainspotting’s hyper-realistic, grungy aesthetic and Mary Poppins’s bright, surreal sequences, creating jarring tonal shifts. Musical numbers will blend the ordinary with the fantastical—imagine a grimy bathroom transformed into a kaleidoscopic wonderland during withdrawal-induced hallucinations.

Target Audience

The miniseries appeals to fans of Trainspotting and surreal, offbeat storytelling, as well as those who enjoy genre mash-ups like Legion or The Umbrella Academy. With its mix of dark humor, emotional depth, and fantastical elements, it offers something fresh and unexpected for Netflix’s audience.

"Trainspotting with Mary Poppins" explores whether kindness and magic can truly change people—or if, in the end, everyone has to learn to save themselves.