Author: sabi

This week we talked a lot about copyright and Artificial intelligence. I particularly thought a lot about the question raised about AI ‘working’ without human involvement being granted copyright protection. Since human thought processes are the source of creativity and uniqueness, copyright protection is generally granted to works generated by humans in many legal systems. But because of developments in AI and machine learning, AI systems are now able to produce content on their own that is creatively or uniquely original.

The question of whether AI-generated works should be credited to the AI or its creators or if they belong in the public domain is up for disagreement.  Some contend that removing copyright protection from content produced by AI could discourage investment in and innovation within AI technology, hence reducing their capacity to produce unique and valuable content. 

However, on the other hand, opponents of assigning copyright to works produced by artificial intelligence argue that creativity is naturally human and that copyright is essentially a human notion. Giving AI the ability to own copyrights could lead to discussions about accountability, ownership, and the ethical implications of giving non-human creatures the power to create. I loved the discussion this question raised. I would definitely look more into it, never yet have I found a question without having any contradictions.

Other than that we have a number of assignments due next week, the main one is an essay which I am (ironically) doing on AI topic, the mini assignment and two weekly posts. I’ll be focusing mostly on the essay as it was mentioned as an essential here, but I already have an idea for the remix (the mini assignment four) which will be a video (and sort of a meme and books combination) I’ll see how it would look like and probably brainstorm some other ideas to.

This week one of my classmates was making a presentation about writing, called “Make Your Writing Your Own” (as far as I can remember). And she shared a lot of excellent tips. I took a creative writing class once a couple of years back, not offered by SFU, just an online course I found through a website like ‘Coursera’. And one of the two points that really caught my attention from this in-class presentation is ‘write what you would want to read’.

Seeing yourself in the reader’s shoes as a writer provides a valuable framework for creating information that has an effect on your audience. Think of the characteristics that capture you in a review: sincerity, engaging stories, in-depth research, and a strong feeling of passion. Incorporate your own sincere responses and thoughts into your writing, just as you would as a reader looking for real and reliable evaluations. Examine reviews that grab your attention and apply those aspects to your own writing: clear language, a range of viewpoints, and a mix of emotions that draw readers in from the first word. To accommodate a wide range of reader tastes, aim for usefulness and various genres. It is similar to making investments because it is usually a first suggestion – investing in the companies which products you use yourself.

Moving on to a second point which is to keep your ‘notebooks’ nearby. And this is kind of similar to journaling. Whether it’s a physical notebook, a digital notepad, or a voice recorder, having a tool on hand to quickly ‘pen’ down thoughts, concepts, or inspirations is so important. Ideas habitually appear at unexpected moments—while reading, walking, or even during conversations. By writing them down right away you are making sure that they won’t be lost or forgotten, who knows you might need those for later. Applying this method creates a supply of raw material, enabling authors to use their imagination and transform temporary concepts into fully formed, influential works. 

I use this concept in particular not only in journaling but also while writing book reviews. Sometimes a thought about the book may hit you while reading the other, which could be an interesting point to unravel while writing a review, so it’s important to capture them at the moment.

I recently explored a variety of sites in search of new ideas to improve the appearance of my website. I wasn’t planning on redoing everything, however, I was thinking about adding some interesting details that may capture readers’ attention. 

One of the best sites I came across was “Goodreads.” I was drawn to this website for a few different reasons. Its user-friendly interface and easy-to-use style caught my attention right away. And am almost certain that some of you should be familiar with it, because it is quite popular. This little site community was established for readers to discover, evaluate, and connect over their favourite books thanks to the simplicity of the site.

The way the social components were seamlessly included was something I really liked. Goodreads’ integration of people’s reviews, suggestions, and discussions into its design creates a welcoming environment and motivates people to interact. It’s evidence of the ability of a thoughtfully created interface to build an engaging community. I thought about adding this part to my further posts, however, I do already have a comment section, and I also sometimes address readers for their comments or suggestions. 

I might add though that “Goodreads” is a highly professional website (in my opinion), good for inspiration but not as a comparison as their interface is more advanced. The way they’ve made personalization a priority letting users create book shelves, monitor their reading progress, and get customized recommendations adds a personalized touch that improves the user experience as a whole. This raised my interest in this website as well, but I believe you need more knowledge in order to create something similar to this, so for now, I’ll just stick with making the audience engage with my reviews and each other.

I have decided to incorporate another medium into my blog which is TikTok. I don’t know why I haven’t started with it earlier, honestly. Because TikTok is a place where I myself watch book-related content (booktok). It’s easy, it’s fast and you can find any source of info there. Not just your next read but something more detailed like a favourite chapter of a creator, possible novelas, or similar reads; new book drops are also being announced on Booktok. People engage in all sorts of ways there and I decided if I consume this content might as well create it. However, what I do is mostly edit fantasy and dystopian novels while on my website I have all sorts of genres. I believe that if people are looking for information on the website they are looking for more ‘serious’ suggestions, and a variety of them. Even when we take Instagram, mine is full of psychological, development, and historical books, while my TikTok FYP (for you page) compared to that seems more ‘childish’. I know algorithms do their job based on my research agenda, however, I do look for similar things on both platforms. So this was a very interesting finding of mine. 

So far I have been trying to post every day as I really want my content to hit as many Fyp pages as possible. The first video was a success, but the others however made me feel a little demotivated. I experiment a lot in order to find out what works best for me. For example, one time (I think it was Wednesday) I posted one video at around 10:50 am and another one at 11:05 am, the first one had only 5 likes and one hundred fewer views than the second one which had over 60 likes, and they are only 10-15 mins apart. By doing so I try to figure out the best time to post to keep myself consistent and to make people anticipate what will be happening. In terms of content though, aside from the edits that I had mentioned, I’m still figuring out what people might like more. The most favourite video on my page is the meme video so maybe people like humoristic edits more. I also noticed that readers (myself included) love it when their favourite characters from different universes get interconnected so I’m thinking about making some content based on that. Especially with the characters not only by one author but combining different ones. 

Let’s Help Your Inner Genius 🙂

Greetings to you fellow Avengers! Tony Stark here but you obviously already know who I am. I am the host of this post here with some life-changing hacks to master the art of reading without burning out. Just like how I optimize Stark tech, it’s time to optimize your reading experience. Let’s dive in:

1. Suit Up with the Right Environment:

You need the right reading environment just like Iron Man needs the right suit. Establish a focused environment where there are no outside distractions, just you and the universe of your choice.

2. J.A.R.V.I.S. – Time Management:

Let’s talk about time management, a skill even J.A.R.V.I.S. would appreciate. Dedicate a specific time for reading, but make it realistic. It’s not about how many hours you read, it’s about the quality of your focus. J.A.R.V.I.S. doesn’t waste time, and neither should you.

3. StarkSpectacles – Your Visual Savior:

StarkSpectacles aren’t just a remarkable styling piece, they’re a reading game changer. Protect your eyes from screen tiredness with blue light-blocking lenses. These smart glasses enhance your reading experience, ease eye pain, and sharpen your focus. Think of it as a visual upgrade for your genius mind.

4. Note-Taking System:

I don’t just build suits, I build systems. Develop your own note-taking system. You can colour-code your insights, use stickers, and put in a dash of Stark-style humor. Your notes should be an extension of your thoughts, accessible for later review and sharing with your peers.

5. Stark Industries Book Club:

Even geniuses need a team. Establish your (Stark Industries) Book Club – a gathering of minds hungry for knowledge. Engage in discussions, share recommendations, and let this energy of diverse perspectives spice up your reading journey. Remember, collaboration is the ultimate power move.

Reading is a journey, not a sprint. Stay genius, my friends, and happy reading! 

– Tony Stark, out. #GeniusReads #BillionaireGeniusPhilanthropist