When I was a kid, there was an animated flick I saw a lot about ‘John Henry, the Steel Driving Man,” based on a song of the same title.
In it, Henry competes with a new steel-driving machine to show that humans can do the job faster and better. Yes, Henry barely beats the machine, but his effort kills him.
Man, I cried watching that, and it haunted me to this day.
Even when we beat them, the machines win, it seems.
And now, here’s a cover story about the race between people and machines again, as Artificial Intelligence has become both a savior and enemy to arts communities. It’s a story as old as technology. People lamented the invention of the automobile because it would put blacksmiths out of business; some hated the cotton gin in 1793 because it made slavery more profitable.
As you will read in writer DNA’s cover story, Luddites fought against the weaving machines that replaced human efforts.
So, where does that leave us now?
Our cover story covers both sides: artists who hate AI and artists who praise it.
One of the most egregious parts of it is how self-righteous haters came down on a restaurant owner who used AI to help design her logo. Is that really the field you want to die on?
We make no judgment in the article, giving readers information to let them make their own decisions. I can say that the one time Good Times made an AI cover, no workers were put out of their business.
Our artist, Gustavo Bellman, who to me is as brilliant a designer as I’ve ever seen, worked on the cover, just as if he’d drawn it. He did the current cover, too. And as for the Salty Otter AI logo, the restaurant owner, who is also an artist, did the prompts and patches that made her AI logo so lovable. Yet, it unleashed a backlash of protest, something Santa Cruzans should put on their resumes. We are masters of protest here.
But would we protest the fact that AI can aggregate millions of medical diagnoses to help find cures for people’s suffering?
On the flip side, the fact that AI companies are building giant plants and stealing water without permits or permission of neighbors to cool them is detestable. It would take politicians who aren’t bought off by industry to put some controls on them, but what we are seeing is mostly discouraging.
It’s a big question that isn’t going away any more than we are going back to horse and buggies.
What’s the solution? Maybe you can tell us at ed****@*****ys.com
On other fronts: can the Catalyst be saved? That’s a question we deal with in our news section, as well as why the Rio del Mar walkway is still blocked by homeowners, even though the courts have said it’s a public thoroughfare.
In the arts department, we’ve got a play you will love and a musical disk by local artists, not machines.
Have a great week and thanks for reading.
Brad Kava | Editor
PHOTO CONTEST
NATIONAL TREASURES I took this May 12 of two Bald Eagles at Schwan Park. The one on the right is a young one, about 4-years-old. On the left is a fully mature eagle. They were pulling vegetation from the lake. Not sure why. Photograph by Bob von Elgg, Strumb Design
GOOD IDEA
Folks behind the Santa Cruz Veterans Center are planning a fundraiser. The organization is launching a Dueling Pianos Fundraiser on June 7, featuring Stein House Dueling Pianos. With your support, they will be able to expand the capacity to serve by upgrading critical infrastructure, improving the safety and accessibility of multiple floors (including the Memorial Patio) and funding the direct day-to-day operations that allow them to continue serving those who served.
There will be two events, one at 2pm and one at 7pm. Each will feature the high-energy and crowd-pleasing entertainment of Stein House Dueling Pianos and a raffle!
GOOD WORK
The Santa Cruz County Youth Resource Bank (YRB) hosted its annual “Investing in Our Children” fundraising event last month at Bargeto Winery raising $40,000 to help kids in need. Thanks to the generosity of supporters, the YRB will be able to aid an additional 200 local youth and their families this year. The all-volunteer org provides emergency funds and essential items to vulnerable, at-risk youth whose needs fall through the cracks of traditional support systems. Their services and assistance includes funding and items such as backpacks, school supplies, clothing, and sports equipment, support for housing instability, job readiness tools, and basic household items.To learn more youthresourcebank.org
