hello, humans

Human in the Post-Human World is where Amy Letter (that’s me) contributes ideas towards building a heart-thumping human future — in a world where some of our “tools” undermine our humanity.

I am a writer and artist and a professor of creative writing at a private university in the middle of the US. I teach AI in Fiction, which I often write about here, and seminars in Conversation, Adaptation, and various genres of creative writing, especially fiction. I have been writing and teaching for just about a quarter of a century now, so most of my early writing is printed on dead trees, and most of my human contact — for decades — has been with people in their late teens and early twenties.

I love technology and its benefits, and I think as humans we define ourselves with our tools; but I resist tech-tyranny, and I resent the idea that “it’s inevitable” so we must just “accept it.”

Our innovations should benefit humankind as a whole, not just make a few guys rich. We all have the right to say “no.” If our innovations drink our water, steal our jobs, pollute our food, and warm our planet, we should seriously reconsider whether we need or want them, or if they’re worth the price.

Humans should decide what humanity will be — all of us, not just a few powerful dudes running computational empires.

And I believe the power for change lies with every single one of us: it starts with awareness; it actuates with generosity; and it does not suffer fools.

To resist with reason, we need clarity: I look for the big picture by examining fiction and philosophy and more. Since July 2020 I’ve been writing here on Substack about life and language, and over that time I have woven through many interests: AI and behaviorism are recurring themes.

My students keep me honest, and they inspire me. I love seeing the world thru their eyes. I hope you enjoy reading about it thru mine.

published intermittently

I have a day job, a family, pets, plants, and livestock; I don’t write to a schedule, I write when I have something to say.

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In fact, if you like my writing, you’ll probably think I don’t send them enough.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

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