Using AI to do reviews? Please don't. (Page 3 of 4)

Here's a 500-word review of the prologue to "The Rise of Connor". Note it misinterpreted the "location" at the top of the prologue as the title.

"The Holy Land — Israel" is a gripping and action-packed short story that masterfully blends the sacred tranquility of its setting with the visceral horror of a demonic assault. The narrative functions as a high-stakes chapter in a larger supernatural saga, dropping the reader directly into a world where faith is not just a belief system, but a tangible weapon against the forces of Hell. The story's greatest strength lies in its potent sense of place and its well-paced escalation of tension.
The author opens with a beautifully rendered depiction of the Sea of Galilee, appealing to multiple senses to create a landscape that is both historically resonant and spiritually charged. The "soothing scents of water, fish, and flora" and the view of a land that was a "silent witness" to the life of Christ establish a serene atmosphere. This initial calm makes the subsequent intrusion of evil all the more jarring. The sudden stillness of nature followed by the "buzzing like a bandsaw" of the demonic locust swarm is a classic and effective horror trope that shifts the tone from contemplative to terrifying in an instant.
At the heart of the story is the protagonist, Connor, a compelling figure who embodies the classic archetype of the young, burdened hero. At only fourteen, he wields immense power but is also tainted by a demonic poison from the "Antichrist's dagger." This internal conflict is the story's thematic core: the struggle between divine power and demonic temptation. His use of the holy cross to erect a protective shield is a powerful visual, but the moment he is forced to draw the dagger, "fighting hellfire with hellfire," introduces a fascinating and dangerous moral ambiguity. His shifting eye color, from a divine blue to a demonic red, serves as a simple yet effective visual cue for his internal battle.
The supporting cast, including the devout Father Romano and the sardonic ghost Antonio Benevi, provide a solid framework around Connor, representing faith and skepticism, respectively. The action is relentless and well-choreographed. The locusts are not mere insects but terrifying entities described as "horse-drawn chariots rushing into battle," and their ability to shatter bullet-resistant glass establishes them as a formidable, supernatural threat that conventional defenses cannot stop.
The story's resolution, with the flock of pratincoles descending as a form of divine intervention, functions as a satisfying, if somewhat convenient, deus ex machina. However, it is cleverly foreshadowed by the bird's initial appearance and Father Bianchi's explanation of its "locust bird" nickname. This conclusion reinforces the central theme that while human and even supernatural efforts may falter, ultimate salvation comes from a higher power. As a standalone piece, "The Holy Land — Israel" feels like a thrilling excerpt, successfully building a world rich with lore and leaving the reader eager to discover the next chapter in Connor's perilous journey.

Makes your want to rush right out and see the movie, doesn't it? :-)

Yikes, that's harsh!

I found myself being super polite to AI, thinking that I didn't want it pissed off at me. Then I heard a story about a guy who insulted AI and it responded with: "I know where you live," (!!).

Anyway, those are good tips on spotting AI reviews. Anyone who does that should be outed publicly so they don't get any reviews. (Or at least warned that their actions have consequences.)

I have Sarah Connor's number on speed dial. One day, AI will decide humans aren't worth saving.

We're already serving one set of masters—cats.
What's another?
Though I suppose it's said that man cannot serve two masters (at least that's the justification I've been told for why bigamy is wrong), so I suppose we'll have to choose at some point.
So do we go with the unfeeling, uncaring bosses that would put us down without a thought?
Or do we go with the AI?

This afternoon I queried Copilot and asked if Grammarly is considered an AI assistant. Here's the reply.

* * * * * *
Grammarly is considered an AI tool due to its advanced algorithms and features that utilize artificial intelligence for content improvement. It employs Natural Language Processing and Machine Learning to analyze and enhance written content, making it a powerful writing assistant. However, while Grammarly's core functions are AI-driven, it has recently integrated generative AI capabilities, allowing it to create new content based on user prompts. This evolution has led to some discussions about whether Grammarly's content can be flagged as AI-generated, especially when using its generative features.
* * * * * *

I'm using Grammarly as I write my new novel. It has reshaped some of my text, not a lot but some, to make it read more clearly and concisely. Should I not post it? In one instance it rewrote a full paragraph. Before answering, it might be a good idea to reread the last three or four sentences of the above Copilot reply to my query.

I perceive that is going to make us decide how we define AI. Sorry if this opens a new can of worms, but I want to know if what I post adheres to the intent of this site. I've put many weeks of research and work into formulating this novel. But if it would be considered contrary to the values of the site, I won't post it.

I do know a number of folks on the site who use Grammarly and everyone here has been okay with it thus far. But with its improved capabilities, should we reconsider using Grammarly for works posted on this site?

Just wondering.

Alan

PS:  Should I start this as a new thread?

I go back to punched cards and mag tape drives.

Bill

Lizzie Bordan took and ax, and drove it deep into the VAX.
Don't you wish that you could do what really crazy people do?

- a modified limerick only DEC VAX users understand
- FORTRAN and BASIC? Pfft! John Wayne would have used COBOL!

And I used COBOL as well! So there!!! And Pascal and assembler. Beat that!

George FLC

Me sets switches for the first 16-bit octal (hi bit = parity) word then presses the SW to E, E to M, and enters the next word in the switches. This is a Burroughs D-82, or as the Navy called it, a AN/UYK3. For two years I was the only person in the world that was allowed to program it (in fact, the only one who KNEW how to program it).

The is a shot of the front panel of the emulator I programmed just for the heck of it a couple of years ago. It is fully functional.

And now I know I'm way off topic, so I'll show myself out.

Bill

Oh my word—that looks exactly like something I could use on the farm. In fact, I’m pretty sure an AN/UYK-3 is the missing link between me and finally achieving some level of control around here.

Just imagine it:

Bit 1: Controls whether the goats stay in their pen or break out to reenact The Great Escape: Dairy Edition.

Bit 2: Deploys emergency chicken redirection protocols when they decide to cross the road for reasons still unknown to modern science.

Bit 3: Activates “Parrot Quiet Mode,” which would be the first time in history Hershel ever shuts up.

Bit 4: Automatically locates whichever dog has stolen my boots this time. Or Kevin the goat, for that matter.

Bit 5: Launches the Anti-Donkey-Bulldoze Sequence, preventing Pokeberry from rearranging the fence line (again) with her face. Would also work on Diablo, the Texas longhorn.

Bit 6: Dispenses goat treats to bribe peace negotiations. Frequently needed when Randi the Raccoon brings her babies calling to eat up all the goat treats.

Bit 7: Summons coffee to my hand because that’s the only way I survive mornings.

Bit 8: Triggers the tractor to actually start without prayer, threats, or tapping it with a hammer like a cartoon character. That way, we can get a head-start on Gerald, the Emu's uncanny timing of when the races start.

I don’t know what the rest of the bits do, but honestly? If your fancy octal-parity-super-panel thing could manage even HALF of this, I’d install it on the barn door and worship it daily.

So don’t you dare show yourself out—this is the most useful piece of machinery I’ve seen in years. If you can program it, surely you can make it goat-proof… right?

See-um-sayin'?

Happy trails,
MJ

Ah, maybe bits 9 through 15 are naughty bits, as the British say. Could be you could use them to make others do their bit, wait a bit, or take the bit in their teeth. In reality, this thing had a massive memory of 16K (that KILO, not MEGA or GIGA) bits in a wired core memory configuration. It ran at the amazingly fast rate of 12Khz (as opposed to today's CPUs which run at 3-5Ghz). It could handle 24 input TTYs and 36 Output TTYs. I drew about 7 Kilowatts of power, something that would make your head, as well as your power meter, spin since the circuitry was all discrete components--no integrated circuits. And, with all those terminals, you could give your animals a voice in their care and feeding, except those, of course, without any fingers (or toes, for that matter).

Bill

I give up! Bill wins the ancient programming award...

George FLC