Eight years ago Becky bought that shower curtain for my bathroom. I like it still and haven’t grown tired of it. Shades of blue on a white background. The design is of flowers, various styles. The dark and light shades of blue match the bathroom walls and rugs. When I stare at the curtain, I never ask if it were created by a machine, although mechanics contributed to its mass production. I do wonder about the person who designed it. How did she or he come up with the design repeated throughout the whole?
With all the hype about AI, I think of its meaning and impact. It’s artificial, and AI permits us to depend on something other than our own intellect. Although I’m speaking without research, I assume there is someone’s (or several someones’) intellect behind the program. But I don’t personally like its intrusion into my creative life. When I write I want it to be my work, my thoughts and words coming together to make a point. I know that what I produce can’t compare to the refined skills of other writers, but it’s the best I can do. However, I improve my craft by reading and learning from others.
When I think of creation, I first remember and give honor to the Creator––God, the mastermind of all that’s been made––for His glory and our pleasure. Just think of how the elements of earth combine to make this the correct environment to sustain life. Look at the photo above on the right: a human and an animal, that little girl and the pinguin who makes her giggle. On earth they and we have the right chemical combination to form oxygen for breathing, and we even have the force of gravity to keep us upright. God designed it all for our good.
Where does that leave my thoughts? I first praise God, the Creator of the universe and all that’s in it. Then I give thanks for all those who use their God-given creativity to design and produce something as practical as a shower curtain. Each of us is a little creator, given the joy and privilege of cooperating with God in His creation.
Ann Coker 