Dear AI, I would like to introduce you to creativity.
Brilliant collab. Great pacing of story and art that seemed so perfectly paired. Loved this, Sean. I would love to figure out a way to pair more artists with writers on Substack. How can we make this happen more often?
AI and myself are not on speaking terms, but I fully endorse and support the f*** AI sentiment. Humans aren’t machines. The complexity of the human soul and our imaginations can never, ever be replicated or mass-produced by AI. Whenever I see AI images, I feel a visceral nausea upon viewing that soulless, heartless, mutated muck known as AI slop. Human art is the way. I agree collabs are a phenomenal thing. Thank you for appreciating the beauty and heart that went into creating this collab!
A brilliant story with brilliant art! I couldn’t stop reading it fast, because I needed to see what would happen! Nor could I stop staring at the art! The piece actually inspired me to look up the song, and the writing and art that grew out of the song were amazing and a testament to both of your wild, brilliant imaginations! I even downloaded the song! Good stuff! You should both take a bow!
Thanks, Debbie! Oh that’s such a sweet compliment. I’m honored to hear that you appreciate the collab. Absolutely I feel like both the art and writing go together to elevate the beauty and impact of the story. I’m elated to know you enjoyed reading. Definitely the music is worth checking out!
Dreamlike, haunting, frightening, dark. The tone of the story and of the drawings are so well matched. Turns out I cannot say much. The two of you said it. More of my words would just dry up and flake off. I assure you, the impact of this collaboration goes deep in my soul. Powerful and provocative.
Thank you, Jani! It means the world to know that the collab has had a positive impact inside of your heart and soul. This is such an earnest and warmhearted response; I’m touched to know that you enjoy the writing and art, especially because I admire your art as well. Thank you for your heartfelt support for this the collab!
wow what a smashing collab. it's truly beautiful to have an original story alongside gorgeous, real, haunting human art, when so many substacks are accompanied by AI illustrations that lack soul. with a story like this, you cant scrimp on the soul anywhere. amazing work.
I’m happy to hear that you appreciate the collab! Well they say the camera can trap the human soul in a photo, and sometimes I worry: what if my soul were to get trapped in the ether of the internet? Haha, I’m just joking a bit. But seriously that soul idea sounds like a ghost story in the works. Your skills for horror tales even shine in your comments. Yes I put a lot of my heart and feeling into my art. Thanks for liking the collaboration!
Well, this was sobering. Great work. Loved the description of the man's teeth--like an angler fish. But I also want to go to a cinema that gives your chips, burgers and IPA in your seat.
Sobering is a good word! Thank you for liking this collab. Idk if I’ll ever go to a big movie theater like that, bc seriously the projector scene scared the life out of me. I’m so grateful to hear that you enjoyed reading!
Oh thank you, Will! Wow, knowing that you love the art and writing is hugely appreciated and meaningful to me. Your storytelling skills are pure fire. Yes I agree art made by people seems to have a bit of more of the human heart and soul shining through; otherwise the AI slop is just a pointless pixelated void on a silicon screen. I can’t put to words how much it means to me to hear that you’re liking my art. Seriously thank you for enjoying the collab!
no words. my hyperbole fountain has temporarily blocked up with envious rage globules, but some sort of deep praise vesicles may emerge and float up from the respect cistern later.
Oh thank you for your funny no words feedback! Whether the comment is coming from a place of envy or praise or respect, either way seriously I’m just happy to hear that you enjoyed reading the story and seeing the art. I appreciate your kindness and extraordinary sense of comedy. Thanks for liking the collab!
the "envy " is just wishing i was as good at story telling! perhaps well of wishfullness... and as for your art? i could only dream of that skill. your images are extraordinary! im afraid i do resort to Ai but mostly because i write weired stuff nobody has drawn or photographed.
Cussing in comments is a huge compliment in my mind. I think typing out cuss words means that you felt something while reading, and that’s a good thing. Thank you for enjoying the collab!
Yes the dream quality is quite captivating. The theme of dreaming in the story has a surrealistic quality to me. And the word nightmare, it contains word mare in it which is another word for horse. Thank you for your kind comment!
Dear AI, I would like to introduce you to creativity.
Brilliant collab. Great pacing of story and art that seemed so perfectly paired. Loved this, Sean. I would love to figure out a way to pair more artists with writers on Substack. How can we make this happen more often?
AI and myself are not on speaking terms, but I fully endorse and support the f*** AI sentiment. Humans aren’t machines. The complexity of the human soul and our imaginations can never, ever be replicated or mass-produced by AI. Whenever I see AI images, I feel a visceral nausea upon viewing that soulless, heartless, mutated muck known as AI slop. Human art is the way. I agree collabs are a phenomenal thing. Thank you for appreciating the beauty and heart that went into creating this collab!
A brilliant story with brilliant art! I couldn’t stop reading it fast, because I needed to see what would happen! Nor could I stop staring at the art! The piece actually inspired me to look up the song, and the writing and art that grew out of the song were amazing and a testament to both of your wild, brilliant imaginations! I even downloaded the song! Good stuff! You should both take a bow!
Thanks, Debbie! It's a lovely song, I'm glad our story inspired you to pick it up!
Thanks, Debbie! Oh that’s such a sweet compliment. I’m honored to hear that you appreciate the collab. Absolutely I feel like both the art and writing go together to elevate the beauty and impact of the story. I’m elated to know you enjoyed reading. Definitely the music is worth checking out!
Dreamlike, haunting, frightening, dark. The tone of the story and of the drawings are so well matched. Turns out I cannot say much. The two of you said it. More of my words would just dry up and flake off. I assure you, the impact of this collaboration goes deep in my soul. Powerful and provocative.
Thank you, Jani! It means the world to know that the collab has had a positive impact inside of your heart and soul. This is such an earnest and warmhearted response; I’m touched to know that you enjoy the writing and art, especially because I admire your art as well. Thank you for your heartfelt support for this the collab!
❤️ Thank you!
wow what a smashing collab. it's truly beautiful to have an original story alongside gorgeous, real, haunting human art, when so many substacks are accompanied by AI illustrations that lack soul. with a story like this, you cant scrimp on the soul anywhere. amazing work.
I’m happy to hear that you appreciate the collab! Well they say the camera can trap the human soul in a photo, and sometimes I worry: what if my soul were to get trapped in the ether of the internet? Haha, I’m just joking a bit. But seriously that soul idea sounds like a ghost story in the works. Your skills for horror tales even shine in your comments. Yes I put a lot of my heart and feeling into my art. Thanks for liking the collaboration!
Thank you! Yes--AI art def leaves me cold. I get why people use it, but I'm hoping more artists and writers pair up for collabs like this!
Well, this was sobering. Great work. Loved the description of the man's teeth--like an angler fish. But I also want to go to a cinema that gives your chips, burgers and IPA in your seat.
Sobering is a good word! Thank you for liking this collab. Idk if I’ll ever go to a big movie theater like that, bc seriously the projector scene scared the life out of me. I’m so grateful to hear that you enjoyed reading!
the everyman cinemas do that i think
this was an incredible read
Thank you for enjoying the collab! That’s a big compliment in my book. It means a lot to me to know you liked the story and art.
Thank you, @F.D. ! That means a lot to me. ❤️
it is so refreshing to have artwork made by a human. such vibrant artwork accompanying such break neck text is a damn treat.
Oh thank you, Will! Wow, knowing that you love the art and writing is hugely appreciated and meaningful to me. Your storytelling skills are pure fire. Yes I agree art made by people seems to have a bit of more of the human heart and soul shining through; otherwise the AI slop is just a pointless pixelated void on a silicon screen. I can’t put to words how much it means to me to hear that you’re liking my art. Seriously thank you for enjoying the collab!
It was beautiful!
Thanks, Will! Yes! The art is killer. ❤️
no words. my hyperbole fountain has temporarily blocked up with envious rage globules, but some sort of deep praise vesicles may emerge and float up from the respect cistern later.
Oh thank you for your funny no words feedback! Whether the comment is coming from a place of envy or praise or respect, either way seriously I’m just happy to hear that you enjoyed reading the story and seeing the art. I appreciate your kindness and extraordinary sense of comedy. Thanks for liking the collab!
the "envy " is just wishing i was as good at story telling! perhaps well of wishfullness... and as for your art? i could only dream of that skill. your images are extraordinary! im afraid i do resort to Ai but mostly because i write weired stuff nobody has drawn or photographed.
🤣
also, so many good lines + stunning art! fabulous collaboration.
oh shit!
This will always be my favorite type of response. haha
hahaha i’m so glad cus i almost edited myself then i said fuck it, that’s the actual thought i had at the end, so there you have it!
Cussing in comments is a huge compliment in my mind. I think typing out cuss words means that you felt something while reading, and that’s a good thing. Thank you for enjoying the collab!
This was a wonderfully strange and evocative story. It also had a strong nightmarish quality that kept me reading. Good stuff.
Yes the dream quality is quite captivating. The theme of dreaming in the story has a surrealistic quality to me. And the word nightmare, it contains word mare in it which is another word for horse. Thank you for your kind comment!
Thanks, Sandy! ❤️ I definitely wanted to give it a bit of a dreamlike/nightmare quality.
Gorgeous collaboration!
I seriously considered trying to rope you in for an acoustic version of this song to accompany the post. haha
Ahhh that is so nice :) Another time perhaps!
Thank you, Annie! I’m happy that you like the collab. Grateful for your kind words!
Wow. Amazing 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Thank you! I appreciate the round of applause. I’m grateful to hear you enjoyed the collab.
Thank you, Jared! ❤️
Woooah. This was a wild read, well done!
Wild is an ideal word for it, especially when describing the wild galloping horses. Thank you so much for enjoying the collab!
Thank you! ❤️
Beautiful collaboration. I love the art work. Love this story.
Thank you so much for enjoying the collab. I’m grateful and touched to know that you like the story and art. I appreciate the kindness.
Wow, such an amazing story, and the artwork really brought it to life. What a perfect pairing, love it!