This Website's Stance on AI
Anyone who knows me knows my vehement moral opposition to generative AI. That shouldn't be a hot take at this point, but there's a widespread response which has sprung up out of unfortunate necessity that implicates all creatives as a target of suspicion. I write this manifesto to dispel any and all ambiguity in regards to my position and to solidify my allyship with human creativity on the indie web (and in general).
Let it be known hereon that ROBGARAGE has never, and will never, intentionally use generative AI in any capacity whatsoever.
In addition, I (the webmaster) hold the following stances about AI and creativity...
AI art is otiose and meritless. (Except as a metacommentary on those qualities.)
If you really have something to say, you'll put in the effort to say it yourself.
A terrible work made by a human is worth infinitely more than a "good" "work" "made" by an algorithm.
All art, writing, and code on my website was made with love by human hands.
While I do my very best to vet the authenticity of any images and resources that I use here, I'm only human and mistakes will be made. Please contact me ASAP if you notice I've accidentally used something AI generated so I can take it down immediately. I do not and will never endorse generative AI, and I wish to keep it far away from my creative endeavors.
If you are someone who passionately uses and defends generative AI, respectfully, my website is not for you. I urge you to educate yourself on its harms and allow yourself the pleasure of making something yourself. There's nothing to lose and everything to gain.
I strongly believe everyone is an artist -- regardless of race, gender, age, disability, or skill -- and that includes you, my friend! So go pick up a pencil and make something, even if it's just scribbles. I know it's hard. Art taps into the most primordial part of our souls, and that level of vulnerability with yourself can be terrifying. But trust me, if I've learned anything in my almost two decades of actively creating, it's that it's worth it and more to take the plunge. I believe in you. You've got this.
And if you're someone in the same boat as me, if you're surrounded in your daily life by people shilling AI, praising its convenience, how ChatGPT generated their daughter's birthday party invitation and isn't that just so cool, trying to get you to use it while the planet gets hotter and dumber and multibillionaires have their hands on the thermostat, if you're someone who feels as alone as I do right now, but who continues on in spite of it all... thank you. It can feel like you're the only sane person left on Earth, but I promise there's plenty of us. At risk of sounding corny, we're all in this together. Human creativity will prevail like it has for the past 3.9 billion years. Let's keep making stuff.