I Asked AI for an Image. It Gave Me an Ethical Dilemma Instead.

So what do you think of AI-generated images?

That’s one of the available options now on Substack. A few weeks ago, I noticed it and decided to try it when I was having a hard time finding a photo I liked for a newsletter. (It’s this one, if you care to take a look.)

The next week, I generated an image for this post.

Problem is, I have very mixed feelings about the ethics of using those images. Substack is not at all transparent about where they’re being created, what that particular AI was trained on, and whether real living, breathing, human artists are being harmed in the process.

I know I’m pretty sensitive to AI ripping off writers, but illustrators? It’s just not my knowledge base.

Here’s an image I just generated by typing “artist painting at easel while computer mimics her work.” Note the image on the right is showing on a monitor while, over her left shoulder, you see the same painted image.

Is this image created ethically? I don’t know.

So what do you think? Should I use AI-generated images in this newsletter? I mean, this is all about how I’m writing fiction — a creative writing endeavor — as an older person, and I know how much time, effort, brainpower, and creativity goes into that. I don’t want some AI being trained on my hard work. I’m sure artists feel the same way.

So let me know — please hit YES or NO on the poll below.

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What I’m Reading

A Baffling Murder at the Midsummer Ball by TE Kinsey

This is the second book in the Dizzy Heights series, and I’m really enjoying it.

In this story, the Dizzy Heights jazz band is invited to play for a swanky ball at a posh manor house in the country. That night, after they’re done playing, a big storm moves in and they’re stranded there, along with some rather odd family members and guests.

So how did the head of the family, John Bliverton, end up dead, shot in fact, inside a locked room?

Ellie, Skins, and Dunn team up with the sanest of the family members, Veronica, to figure out whodunnit, and why. It’s a jazzed-up version of a standard locked-room mystery.

Murder in an Irish Garden by Carlene O’Connor

Kilbane is about to host its annual Top Garden Competition, and the competition is anything but peaceful. It’s also getting on Siobhan’s last nerve as she’s studying for her Detective Sargent exams with some unhelpful “help” from her husband.

When one of the competitors is found dead, killed and then installed as part of the competition’s garden display, though, all her personal feelings have to be put aside for the time being. Which is much easier said than done.

As if that weren’t enough, there are just too blooming many suspects. Plus, they have no idea where the murder took place. Add to that the local reporter trying to make a name for herself and perennially getting people going wild, and it may be the most baffling case Siobhan has ever been involved with.

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Notable Quotes

Sometimes I choose my Notable Quotes because I love the language. Sometimes, like today, I choose these quotes because each, in its own unique way, sets us up in the beginning for a surprise twist.

The world seemed brighter as I walked down the road the next morning to open the shop. Birds chirping in the trees, the sun warm on my back, I felt like skipping instead of my usual fast-paced stroll. Too many princess movies growing up, I guess. As long as I didn’t start chatting up the birds, I’d be okay.

- Mission to Murder by Lynn Cahoon

Ah, there’s nothing like an idyllic spring morning. As long as I don’t start showing cracks in my mental health!

Meanwhile Sir Hubert’s question was such a difficult one to answer. Truthfully, that was. And with the police, of course, it was so very important to be exact. “I’ve always been inclined to do them,” she confessed. “Though very seldom. And I’ve never approved. You see, I feel, as I’ve always tried to impress upon my pupils, that one should only draw precisely what one sees. Or as near as one can, that is. Imaginative work should only be for the highly trained. Or, of course, again, for the very gifted. And in either of these cases, naturally, the rules shouldn’t apply. And, recognizing this tendency toward extravagance in myself, I’ve always tried to suppress it. Though I’m bound to admit that it does seem to have been getting worse since I’ve been standing on my head.”

- Miss Seeton Draws the Line by Heron Carvic

I love the Miss Seeton books, but only the original ones written by Heron Carvic. Other authors took over the series and it’s just not the same. This quote is typical — Miss Seeton tries so hard to be absolutely accurate — especially when dealing with the police! — that she makes little sense at all. Then, the final sentence, about standing on her head, well, how can you not LOL? I can’t. (If you don’t know Miss Seeton, I should tell you that the head-standing is because she took up yoga at an advanced age to help deal with the pain in her knees.)

Only one ripple mars the smooth surface of my content. Is it concern for my little son, so far from his mother’s tender care? No, dear reader, it is not. The thought that several thousands of miles separate me from Ramses inspires a sense of profound peace such as I have not known for years. I wonder that it never before occurred to me to take a holiday from Ramses.

-The Curse of the Pharoahs by Elizabeth Peters

As a mother of five, I can definitely relate to this!

Buy Me a Chai

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Or, if you’d like to support me without upgrading to a paid subscription, you can Buy Me a Chai right now. Thanks!

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Wise Words

Much to my chagrin, I have no word puzzle for you this week. Why not? I didn’t happen to come across a quote worthy of becoming one, at least not since my readers have proven they’re not easy to mislead when it comes to word choice. . .

So instead I’m giving you this:

If I’d known right up front that so many dead bodies would be involved, I’d have vetoed the chocolate pizza.

- Death by Chocolate Chip Cupcake by Sarah Graves

How’s that for a doozy of an opening line?

Do you have a favorite opening line you’d like to share? Put it in the Comments below.