Erin, a NOPL Brewerton librarian, is at it again, this time with some disappointing news about AI (it’s just as bad as we are), some great news about people choosing to live in reality (we love to see it), and perhaps the biggest news of all for our community (we will start with that one)!
Our sources confirm that Micron Technologies is hiring—in Clay, no less! See this Syracuse.com article for details. This seems to be the first material sign that there may actually be the anticipated influx of thousands of people to work at the Micron facilities right in NOPL’s service area. We are so excited to invite Micron employees into our community and libraries. We may even be able to do some outreach at Micron’s facilities, if the fates allow.
Some of the chips manufactured by Micron are likely used to train AI. And what are we doing with all that power? Well, some people are trying to make a quick buck by imitating popular internet personalities who are publishing books. Vox reports in this piece that AI-generated Amazon eBooks are being pushed out to catch the wave of interest in specific titles, keywords, and authors as quickly as possible. Award-winning sci-fi author John Scalzi describes in a recent blog post how struggling authors are using his name to create fake endorsements to promote their own work. This demonstrates that AI is a neutral tool; it is the humans using AI that give its activities a value judgment, for good or for ill.
Things are getting serious! If you agree that the internet isn’t fun anymore, join the growing numbers of people abandoning their smartphones for “dumbphones” or using apps to curb their usage of smartphones, as reported in this piece by the New Yorker. We understand why people may be switching to phones with fewer features and less time-suck and attention-absorbing propensities. We appreciate that people want to engage more with reality, and even though NOPL is accessible anytime on our website and through the Libby and Hoopla apps, we also provide our core services completely phone-free!
Finally, the Washington Post lists some tips in this article for mindfully and intentionally browsing the stacks of used bookstores, in person. It is a wonderful way to find a new read or the perfect gift. By the way–We invite you to mark the next NOPL Brewerton Friends used Book Sale on your calendars now! It is coming up on June 7 & 8. Hope to see you all there in your comfiest clothes with flashlights and water bottles!
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