Whoa, Vol. 2: Conversations on AI x Creativity

DP: Dude, I love Theo Von. He is my single biggest inspiration for interviews. My friend, Brie Wolfson showed me that in the world of cooking, the most high-end chefs at 11 Madison or French Laundry, after the day is done, they’ll like to have Cheetos or something. Like the bell curve meme of high and low. And I think it’s really nice when you have... See more

DP: Writing now has to be really, really good to stand out. People got really upset last December when I tweeted that AI’s writing is already better than the majority of Write of Passage students would be with a day’s worth of work. It made a lot of people upset, but I think it’s true. AI’s writing is great with a good prompt, which is why people... See more

AD: What advice would you give to people, new graduates, people mid-career, who want to write and are afraid or worried about AI?

DP: Yeah, super simple. This is gonna be terse, because I think it’s just clear. Pay for the best models, use them every day, and hold yourself to a standard where using them makes your work better rather than worse.... See more

AD: What I find really interesting is that you bring up beauty & craftsmanship in contrast to the AI stuff. Talk me through that and why you’re obsessed with it.

DP: Well, just look around. The things that we’re making aren’t nearly as beautiful now as they were 150 years ago. When I talk about beauty, I’m not talking about the Paris Opera House.... See more

AD: I want to talk about your decision to stop Write of Passage. You tweeted that AI played a role in that. Talk me through that decision.

DP: AI is part of a bigger story which is that the internet is in a new era. Write of Passage was based on a simple idea: write consistently, get a following on social media, build an email newsletter, and your... See more

I use AI every day. I would be so sad if I didn’t have it. I’ve probably prompted it 12 times today and it’s 1:25 in the afternoon. It’s my right hand. I talk to o3 more than I talk to any individual human being. That’s crazy.

I talk to o3 more than I talk to any individual human being. That’s crazy.

And if it went away today, I’d be devastated. And... See more