Editor’s note:
This humour article draws many parallels to the invention of photography. In the early 1840’s when photography was starting to be adopted, many ‘artists’ had issues with photography being an ‘art form’ or a mechanical copying of reality.
One painter of the time was quoted as saying, “photography has freed us from the tyranny of the portrait”
The roaring debate about AI storms around us and needs some respite with the
introduction of some humor created by nothing less than AI itself. This prompted me to
ask AI to create a parody on the topic by relating to the experience of a painter 3000
years confronted with the invention of a paint brush.
Nick Delany’s prompt :
Write a 200 word parody about the complaints of introducing AI into Art & Photography
by comparing it to an imaginary hand & finger painter from 3000 years ago in China
complaining about the invention of the paint brush as a new fangled invention that will
change and destroy the integrity of painting forever.
ChatGPT response :
In the bustling streets of ancient China, amidst the whispers of silk robes and the aroma
of jasmine tea, there lived a finger painter known as Master Meng. With skillful strokes
and the dexterity of a thousand cranes, he adorned scrolls with scenes of majestic
landscapes and serene rivers, using nothing but his hands and fingers.
But one fateful day, a young upstart artist arrived, brandishing a strange contraption: the
paintbrush. ‘What madness is this?’ cried Master Meng, his wispy beard quivering with
indignation. ‘A stick with hair attached? Preposterous! This will ruin the sanctity of
painting as we know it!’
His protests fell on deaf ears as the paintbrush gained popularity, revolutionizing the art
world. ‘Where is the soul in this mechanical abomination?’ Master Meng lamented,
watching in horror as artists abandoned finger painting for the brush. ‘It lacks the
intimacy, the connection between artist and canvas!’
Centuries passed, and Master Meng’s words echoed through time as another innovation
threatened the art world: artificial intelligence. ‘ Now they want to replace our hands with
machines? Absurd!’ he exclaimed from the afterlife, shaking his ethereal head. ‘Artificial
intelligence will never capture the essence of true creativity!’
And so, the cycle continued, as each generation bemoaned the changing tide of artistic
innovation, while the spirit of creativity persevered, unbound by the limitations of tradition.
The photos/ illustrations are AI generated by Nick.