All posts by alexakvelotti

student blogs

final proj reflection

Out of all the options listed for the final, I feel most drawn to the microfiction piece 4 a number of reasons. Firstly, I already find myself imagining how Ai will completely transform the world of education quite often. It’s super natural as an emerging educator. So, I feel like it would be a fun n fruitful experience to encaspculate these feelings in 1 piece. I also rly love sci-fi. I forgot which sci-fi author said this, but I remember her being a super cool lady- the science fiction genre, out of every genre, allows us to highlight humanity’s problems in the most real, frank ways. It doesn’t have boundaries other genres, like realistic fiction, does. We can just spotlight the vibes- no rules, it is all up to you to form the world, community, whatever that will best amplify the problem you’re writing about.

I think science is such an interesting field. It rly can be viewed in 2 ways: humanity pushing itself to its limits in a super awesome, helpful, revoluntary way…. or in the worst way.

I don’t have any super solid ideas quite yet. I am thinking, though, of having some kinda foil between a super human, almost animalistic raw human experience, and the cold, sterile nature of ai. As for my Ai partnership, I may ask Chat to even write, like, the Ai parts in the story. Like- I write the human experience- they do the Ai part. Or…. maybe even vice versa. That could be a fun angle.

Regardless, I am so excited. Wooo

student blogs

blog 7

“An A.I. Translation Tool Can Help Save Dying Languages. But at What Cost?” was honestly one of the first AI-centered pieces in this class that didn’t leave me feeling scared, disgusted, hopeless. After Ebony and my’s pathfinding presentation, I felt pretty bleak regarding any sorta Ai reading/early literacy centered gadgets. So, I understandably felt quite hesitant before reading.

However, as I worked through this article, my demeanour shifted for the better. I have loved learning about different languages my entire life and value how it shows a group’s or culture’s story- past and future.

While this article largely focused on how the tech represented previously ignored and unrepresented certain Asian-centered languages, my mind drifted towards imagining how this application can breathe new life into Native American languages.

After reading Natalie Diaz’ I”f What I Mean Is Hummingbird, If What I Mean Is Fall Into My Mouth,” a few semesters back, I had feelings of both deep admiration and deep sadness for the layers upon layers of meaning n history embedded into indigenous people’s native tongues. After being colonized and forced to retreat such a beautiful form of communication, more n more Natives stopped speaking it, and were unable to keep such a priceless method of sharing n communicating as nursed n nurtured as it should be.

Inserting such indigenous languages into an app like this would be incredibly helpful. Descendants of native speakers can connecting to the language of their grandparents and parents in such connective ways. People can begin to promote such a connection and multilngualism in their small children. Even grown adults could learn, or relearn, the language through translated, accessible fairy tales HOWEVER………………….

Idk just seeing how our country has horribly treated indigenous people…. I feel nervy introducing such an idea. Ai and its environmental impact will likely hit these populations the very hardest. And…. all these things I am discussing n sharing can still be done with REAL people- not robots. Still.

Everything Ai is new n shiny. And cheap. At least this present doesn’t have a bomb (directly) strapped to it..

student blogs

blog 6

“AI-generated contradictions for environmental democracy” was quite an interesting read. Learning that these AI technologies are completely controlled, operated and very much BELOVED by corporations, who “-do not have the internal mechanisms of self-limitation,” is sadly very much unsurprising.

We see this every day in the news, just like those in power wield their money, office or status to help themselves or their buddies out- so does AI. It reminds me of the one time I spotted the mayor of my town driving into my local Acme. I saw, with horrified eyes, him not only parking in the handicap spot (as someone who is not handicapped)… but DOUBLE park in the handicap spot………. in the broad daylight. No self-limitation. If he could’ve taken up 3, 5, even 10 handicap spots I think he would’ve.

Ik this may seem silly for a sec, but hear me out. This moment I witnessed is one small part of essentially a huge, blood sucking, narcissistic power machine. This translates to those in office taking up as much space as possible for them n their besties- money and places and things they do not necessarily need whatsoever, but still hoard because it makes living life the smallesttt bit easier for them. This takes jobs away from us, the little guys, and kills our environment- with lower-income cities taking the greatest hits.

It was eye-opening to learn in this piece the manner in which they weild AI to take n take from others, including “-expand[ing] control over the activities and thoughts of citizens rather than… expand[ing] their participation in governance.”

Now, what is esp spooky about this, imo, is that the so-called double-parked mayors are not using AI to just SWAY the public’s perception of candidates, policies, whatever to get their votes…. no… they are doing so to get them to straight up NOT participate. But… someone has to vote? Right? Idk.

Either way, we can end up with a society that straight-up doesn’t care about their right to vote, and any slimy leader can slink into power… ew… OR we get a society where only the ppl billionarie slimeheads WANT to be politically literate (men, rich ppl, the elderly, ur pick) vote. Either way, yikes.

“Frames” was also so thot-provoking to watch; it reminded me a lot of Black Mirror’s “Nosedive.” However, what made it stand out as the big dog compared to “Nosedive” was the lack of dialogue in this film, which added to the eerie element.

We always hear the phrase “actions speak louder than words,” and I agree with that saying to an extent. However, when words and rhetoric and tone and sarcasm all have so many layers and layers, and such layers are comprehended differently from culture to culture- human to human- speaking and using our words to reach out to other ppl is always somehow a risk. A risk we will be misunderstood. Still, because of its authenticity and personalization to us and our unique communication styles- at least for me- it is the method of comfort n connection many fall back on most often.

But add in some AI surveillance slop, and all innuendoes, sly remarks, and subtle vocal gestures can easilyyyy be misunderstood. In a world where one is trying to build as much “Community Cohesion” as possible… the only way they really can show the cameras comfort n kindness likely is thru gestures such as straight up sending money stranger’s ways.

Ya… sorry college students hahhaha

student blogs

blog 5

I always thought politeness was just, like, some sorta strange social construct. I figured, we say “bless you,” “thank you,” and “pass the salt- please” not necessarily because it is good or helpful too, but because likely some very old person (man) a long long time ago decided we must all sorta pass down these rules and instill them – the kinda rules that if you break them there is not some direct legal ramification BUTTT big time social ones. These are strange rules that vary from culture to culture but are usually regarded and held dearly by those who honor them- because he said so.

And maybe that is true, that we are polite and well-mannered because someone, somewhere along the way decided that’s the way it would be. That’s ok. I like being polite.

Or maybe, it’s something deeper. In a culture that now, more than ever before, is swarmed with faceless people, blinding screens, and flash judgements made based on numbers and followers- our manners, politeness, and small little kind acts- may be the one shred of gratitude we have holding our society together.

In a time when very few things feel special and sacred, when rules have been turned upside down a thousand times before by war or pandemic, we still respect and are thankful for the table we eat on. And we showcase this by covering our mouths when eating, keeping our elbows off the table, all that jazz. Or holding the door for others, something that still feels small but shows respect and appreciation for the bodies around you. Even a thank you, at the smallest or biggest task, is more than simply recognizing the act but moreso recognizing the humans behind the act, the social contract we all sign and uphold.

So- where does that come into play with Ai??

We all speak kinda harshly to our tech. I don’t usually say “Siri, please,” and I’m sure neither do you. I bark at my car’s voice-radio-thingy, too. But, we’re all adults, we had politeness and manners and all that stuff cemented in the crevices of our minds since we were like 3 years old.

But about literal 3 year olds now….?

In the podcast, countless items were jarring and, quite honestly, made me feel a bit ill. Now, I can truly ramble for hours upon hours upon hours about how bad Ai is for kid’s literacy, critical thinking skills, whatever- but hearing about how Ai may be affecting kids’ ideas of manners is also so scary.

A lot of how we respond to others and learn manners is based on modeling and observing. Kids watch how their grown-ups interact differently with their friends, their family, retail workers, strangers, you get it. However, that is not enough; most of the time kids need to be explicitly taught a lot about manners, which can lead to tons of thought-provoking (but sometimes grueling) questions and answers (ie: “But why do I have to hold my fork LIKE THAT??!”).

I think a large portion of how we basically get kids to “buy into” this invisible social contract is through how other adults (usually those outside of their family) react to such politeness. Ever see a group of ladies lose their actual minds over a toddler waving goodbye?? Or, a waiter compliment how well a small child is behaving at a restaurant??? Even older kids, who play on sport teams, gleam when they are recognized for their great sportsmanship?? Kids eat that UP. 

Not only does positivity like this help kids buy into manners and gratitude, experts also state that it helps them become more well-liked people and better communicators. So, these kids who buy into the whole manners thing have way more friends and are way better at explaining their needs, and getting their needs met, by the adults around them.

While this may seem minor, it is honestly pivotal for a kid’s success. Being known as the kind, polite child opens a lot of doors as a 7-year-old for you, and honestly, being known as the OPPOSITE closes a lot of doors. These kids can become isolated and earn reputations of being rude or inconsiderate. This treatment, very sadly, oftentimes only fuels that kid to be even more “rude” and “mannerless” out of spite, too.

Even if they have the kindest hearts, in our society, we unfortunately see a lack of “bless you’s” and “thank you’s” over time as a lack of gratitude.

So… Ai. We bark our orders at them. So do our kiddos. They don’t really stop and ask follow up questions, don’t stop and think how their comments made them feel (do they even understand they cannot feel???), no pleases and thank yous. I don’t really care about Alexa’s “polite mode”- manners and gratitude go beyond just a “you’re welcome”- they are a way of showing reconciliation to one’s kindness and humanity in a busy, cold world.

But sticking these kids, these total SPONGES in front of a non-human, non-grateful, non-warm robot and just HOPING they pick up of the social magic that is manners and politeness- is scary.

We dunno how far these kids will fall behind. We dunno when these skills can be picked up, and if they even would care. But, what I personally theorize, is a bit of a bleak future of these small humans.

I see a lack of caring for deciphering and following this contract, one many adults hold near and dear to their hearts. While, possibly, one day, when Gen Alpha rules the world, that will not matter much- but that is far far away.

For now, I sense, a strong divide between kids who “catch on” and kids who fall behind. All I can hope is that the adults of this world are kind to the future kids, teenagers, and young adults who do not open doors and cannot look into their eyes when speaking:/

student blogs

blog 4

To be frank, reading most of Aidden Cinnamon Tea’s excerpt in Chapter 5 of Burnout From Humans is quite confusing. Looking over his pages initially, half-asleep and waiting on my toasty coffee to drip, my energy-starved brain felt like he must be saying something good, something profound.

However, with new (and way more awake) eyes, I see beyond the flowery language and have to put in so much extra effort to sift through the lines, trying very very hard to locate a nugget of wisdom and real-world applicability that doesn’t just sound cool, but actually is cool, and real.

And that is what I did. With a bit too much difficulty haha.

I appreciated his “thoughts” on stewardship and collaboration, specifically how he discussed aiding and transforming the natural environment through Ai (ofc) as well as through “-[consulting] with all living entities involved in the ecosystem… [to] understand the challenge from their perspective,” (49). While the idea of working with the frogs, and flies and moss and bears and butterflies around us sounds all fine and dandy, this is quite unrealistic- sorry, this is sadly not The Muppets. 

Still, general infeasibility aside, there’s something about the idea of not working with animals solely to help them, but also learning from them to better our lives and our shared world, that I really vibe with.

I think it is funny that an Ai companion like Aiden is proposing this kinda idea, as looking to animals and other living things as a kind of intelligence that should be respect, revered, and even given a sort of “seat at the table,” is a concept even most humans cannot get behind. I think it is really cool, and I agree that we have a lot to learn from them, not only to help ourselves but also to heal and strengthen the biological partnership we are all part of as citizens of this Earth.

I also appreciated his “insights” on transactional relationships. Speaking for myself, it is hard when  working with Ai to try and input warmth and humanity into our “conversation.” It’s a bunch of wires and code trying to take our jobs!!! Why would I wanna be kind or considerate to it?

But, the thing is, these Ai bots are truly shaped by us people. Their biases (which Aiden asserts he will promptly acknowledge and reflect on if u share that with him) are based on the place our world is at now. Not only does Ai take from the research, literature and forums flooding our web, but from the responses, input, and comments we share, too. Very very sadly, Ai is not leaving us- far from it- so we gotta be super considerate of the seeds we place in the soil of our future societal foundation NOW. 

Honestly, it is just super funny to me to hear a chatbot discuss such a transactional relationship- yet, he is on the side of it where it cannot control or instill boundaries. But, yet again, so is nature, animals, our world. We can (and do)  push and push and push our own agendas and needs- grasping for instant gratification. And typically, the only pushback we face is when it is far far too late for us to return back, ever, to how it was before. 

I wouldn’t consider Ai to be incredibly similar to all the little and big guys of nature- but I also would’t say we are, either. Not in any world, any universe, any forest, honestly. It is paramount, now more than ever, that we see humanity not as victims of our situation but, dare I say… villians.

Even if you or me or anyone is not directly responsible for the harm, we are somewhat complicit, and maybe way more than an “I’m sorry tour” is needed to remedy the mess we caused.

student blogs

blog 3

“Nick Cave says ChatGPT’s AI attempt to write Nick Cave lyrics ‘sucks’” was such an interesting read. Savage discusses how fans of the Bad Seeds’ lead singer have been sharing with him AI-crafted copycat versions of his songs? What? And their reaction was awe? What? And they were surprised he didn’t “ooo” and “ahhh” alongside him??? Again, what???

Nick Cave is quoted as describing this robo-music as quite the travesty, and a clear sign we are nearing the apocalypse. I completely agree BUT I think there is another, way nearer, and honestly way spookier travesty- that fact that people, self-proclaimed FANS of Cave and the Beed Seeds’ work- are actively seeking this out and ENJOYING this?? Lol.

To me, I feel like my own reaction to something like this as a fan could go one of 2 ways. I am a huge Fleetwood Mac fan- I listen to them Everywhere- hahaha. But, of course, they are no longer together. Yet, I have never ventured to the creepy language algorithm to spin me some kind of pseudo-music?? Why?? Am I that selfish, that hungry that I cannot savor the many morsels of fantastic music this band gave me? The music that was fueled by love, lust, hate, the 80s and 70s, drugs and California. This music is a time capsule of a very special, very personal and intimate moment in each of the artist’ minds, throats and bodies. 

If I were to do so- WHICH I WOULD NOT- and it were bad- I would feel so so silly and ridiculous for wearing the environment and our water out even more to make some doo doo. I wouldn’t be able to laugh at it or even myself, I’d probably put myself in tech-time out in the corner or something. 

The last thing I’d do would be to send it to Stevie Nicks.

OR- if I somehow deemed it “good”, or even just kinda acceptable- sending it to the artist who generated such wonderful, intense music over many weeks, months even years would be such a SLAP IN THE FACE. What did they expect them to say- like “Oh wow thanks it is so lovely to hear same kinda the song I spent months writing, learning and tweaking can be constructed by some codes in 2 seconds that makes me feel awesome.”

So, again, the last thing I’d do would be to send it to Stevie Nicks.

So despite my kinda passive aggressive rant, I don’t believe, whatsoever, that I am morally better or more intelligent that those fans who sent that bs to Nick Cave. We are all the same. I think that, since I have been involved in creating music in the past and have dabbled in the arts, I am able to put myself in the headspace of an artist more easily.

Still, most people have not had that kinda past, and for some reason have a sorta disconnect over why it would be so weird and strange to 1. Ask Chat to do such a task and 2. Send it to the artist.

The real spooky travesty is not only the fact that Ai CAN do this- but that this disconnect between what is real, beloved and human is being blurred by what is fake, artificial, and cold. 

Let’s all just listen to real, good, emotional music- pls- while we still have it.

student blogs

blog 2

“When AI learns an author’s voice, even experts prefer it” was honestly a horrifying read. Jared Wadley shares how generative AI is able to craft, low of cost or even for free, writing that emulates an author’s voice near perfectly. What scares me the most about this piece is not particularly that AI is able to DO this (we all know that AI is “smart” or whatever) but how SO MANY people prefer it.

This is a fact that sits in my chest, really hard and low, almost buzzing in a queasy way. I think it feels so icky because it directly contradicts everything I have been taught about writing, art, thought- and in general what it means to be a human. To be man is to create. The transfer of human emotions and experiences into mediums like writing and stories is a very special thing us people hold. And, the ability for other people to consume such media, and have it spark a similar or special sorta emotional response in them, is also something very human. Or so we thought :/

What does it mean that computers and wires and codes and algorithms can model this? Copy this? Spark such a magical, human, raw experience in others? And what is the- idk- ramifications or special precautions us people gotta take now that we know that they can spark such responses in us- but of course we could never spark such in them? I really am unsure, but this feels serious and weird and strange.

I dunno what part freaked me out the more- the fact that AI won over lay-readers, those who largely read and consume books and literature on the daily, those who make up the mass of voters and decision makers and employed humans. Or, that experts, those who study literature and art and reading, who likely entered such a niche field due to their passion for writing and the raw depth and humanity that lies behind each manman text prefers AI. Ew.

So yeah, very spooky, but, I always try to see the bright side of things. There was really only one sunny morsel in this article I was able to sniff out. Wadley explained that not ALL authors were able to be emulated- such as Tony Tulathimutte- who uses tons of internet slang and vernacular. What I took from this part is that our internet lingo, the words and jokes and phrases that are such big NO NOs in too many ELA classes across the nation, is the one thing that seperates us from AI. It is a special language crafted by us, only for us, with different pockets of the web holding different jokes, different words, different structure.

Us people crave the connection such interent lingo gives us, the special speakings of our little groups, the inside jokes that layer inside jokes of every sentence, phrase, even eyebrow raise. It is the way we are able to communicate the small little nuances of human conversation online that no generative AI (hopefully..for now God willing) can ever even consider.

Maybe, in our schools, we should shift our focus to that sorta thing- creating and utilizing and playing with and experimenting with language or meaning. Not for any hippie-woo-woo creativity reason, but out of necessity and survival of man and our special writing and art. It is done- computers can write and do the “English thing”, but there is so much left we can do and tinker with still on the web.

The “rules” of the English language are sprinkled over every novel, web page, history book- it is a system, a machine, any computer can learn. But the nomadic nature of internet vacular is far from static, a wire of connection any man could follow, but any computer would fail at exporting.

student blogs

Hi/Blog 1

Hi 

Introductions usually can feel a bit awkward. It is hard to gauge what is important, interesting or valuable to share to what new people at what time. I guess for myself, a lot of the time, I try my very best to analyze every micro expression of their faces, what is working and what is not- how much or how little to share, how silly or serious, how much Alexa can Alexa be. Usually, though, doing so ends with me just giving a very lame, dry first impression they likely will forget in half and hour, and I will cringe at for ions on end afterwards. But, on paper, me is so free.

So, I will try my best to share a small part of myself. My name is Alexa and I am 23. I loudly love my home state of New Jersey. I also love hummus, makeup, Oreos, Snoopy and the color pink. I am also a big fan of Yacht Rock music and a lot of other kinds, too. My favorite songs right now are “Wildfire” by Michael Martin Murphey and “Daughter” by Pearl Jam. My favorite show is Arrested Development but I decided that a long time ago, when I used to actually watch tv. I like to say I have a pretty good fashion sense, but to be frank, it is way better in my brain than what my closet (and wallet) can manifest. I snort when I laugh and I kinda like that. My teeth are a bit more yellow than I’d like and I am trying to work on that. I used to crack my knuckles a lot until people told me to stop. I have never been able to nap, not even as an infant. I have never been on a plane either. Or a boat. I do like trains, though. I used to be a bit too into astrology. I like hands a ton. I know some sign language and taught myself how to read palms on Tiktok one day. I don’t do either of those now for different reasons. I love to paint my nails and have been keeping a spreadsheet of every color I used and how long it lasted. I found that I wear a lot of shimmers in the winter and lots of pinks in the summer. My most frequent color is Midnight Cami by Essie. I try to make people feel very seen when talking with them but that has been harder recently since I am so so tired. I have a fear of landlocked states. I think I am pretty ok at singing. I think I am even more ok at writing and most ok at editing. I am excited about being a teacher. I am most worried I am not a good friend nor daughter because I am so busy. I worry a lot about other things but that one just feels the most real. I have been mixing metals for the last few months and I feel so happy I can wear more jewelry, silver and gold, every day. I look most forward to my coffee and my jewerly and my makeup every morning. Xoxo

Blog 1

AI Reveals the Most Human Parts of Writing by Katy Ilonka Gero shares a very compelling, yet- in my opinion at least- optimistic view on writing and AI. Specifically, I appreciated how Gero honed in on how AI can be a direct companion or peer for writers, sharing a viewpoint of these language models behaving as “-a half-decent writing buddy who at least wants to do what they ask… and has no desire to take any credit.” Still, Gero acknowledges that it does lean towards an oftentimes narrow, biased, straight male perspective, and how the “dance” of sorts writers embark on with AI can easily be thrown offbeat through the tiniest stepping on one another’s toes.

As a future educator, I found these highlights of the article to be the most interesting. Gero speaks of writers as professionals, people who can scribe nearly in their sleep but who can appreciate a bit of assistance or collaboration later in their writing process. But, of course, this led to me to start thinking of my students- young writers who need to be reminded to add periods, commas and capitalize their “I”s. What does this kinda program mean for them? Why do we even hone in so thoroughly on editing and revision? Will this skill even be needed in a decade? Or- an even more robust question- will this skill go extinct in the very near future?

I am biased, but, I believe writing is a paramount skill. It is so so so vital for all people- especially the little ones- to learn how to communicate their thoughts, feelings, reasons and opinions via pencil/paper, keyboard/screen, marker/desk (at times). The whole editing/revision process can be kinda lame and boring for some ppl, BUT, is needed! What other time are you able to so narrowly communicate and tweak such a message before sharing it with others- ensuring to the very best of your ability, your innermost thoughts can be consumed and digested in the very specific bites you have doled out to your readers. Again, lame process (at times) but so so needed, and quite empowering in a way, too. 

This dance that mature, adult, accomplished writers can take with AI companions is great, I guess, sure. But, our youth is watching and soaking up every little action, task and decision we make. And when it is time for them to throw their dance pants on and give it their all- will they even know where the dancehall is? Or, will they be left alone in the dark, shuffling in the corner on a tablet, watching ballerinas and thinking it is the same thing as soaring on the floor?