The thing to write about in the “tech commentary” space this week is Google’s NotebookLM, a tool that lets users explore a set of documents through an LLM interface instead of reading them.
maybe the one potential benefit of slop will be the ability to use generated content as a smokescreen to mask one’s activities from automated surveillance.
When I restack a quote in a note, it's one of the more captivating parts of the whole post, to get more eyes on it. This was one of those times when I could have quoted over half. You are NotebookLM-proof.
I can't see the usefulness of AI generating a "podcast." It's an exercise in the absurd. Reminds me of Anne Washburn's Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play, in which each iteration re-enactment of an episode of The Simpsons gets further from the original, not unlike a game of "telephone."
I'm reminded of a professor who was aghast that a student was using a citation management tool. "Don't you enjoy the satisfaction of Last Name, Comma, First Name, Period...?" Well, actually - no. NotebookLM provides some normal textual tools that are useful for students like table of contents and short summaries. Things that we frequently request from students, or urge them to use. But there are other tools too. I haven't had success with the timeline tool, but the executive summary is quite helpful.
In my own studies I scan my rss feed once a week selecting some articles for deep reading, some for short summaries, and some for the middle ground of executive summaries. Instead of grinding through articles that have been stacking up, I can enjoy bits and bobs along with the main course. When everything's winnowed down it's fun to put that all in at once and ask NLM to identify unique or unexpected connections, and then unique or unexpected contradictions. I'm literal enough of mind that NLM usually finds something that surprises me or that I'm interested in pursuing.
If I were a student again I would make use of the podcast generator to help review main points of articles required for class while I was commuting in to school. Maybe not profound reviews, but hearing it adds another dimension to one's studies.
maybe the one potential benefit of slop will be the ability to use generated content as a smokescreen to mask one’s activities from automated surveillance.
When I restack a quote in a note, it's one of the more captivating parts of the whole post, to get more eyes on it. This was one of those times when I could have quoted over half. You are NotebookLM-proof.
Came here for unique point of view and odd thoughts, was not disappointed 10/10
I can't see the usefulness of AI generating a "podcast." It's an exercise in the absurd. Reminds me of Anne Washburn's Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play, in which each iteration re-enactment of an episode of The Simpsons gets further from the original, not unlike a game of "telephone."
I'm reminded of a professor who was aghast that a student was using a citation management tool. "Don't you enjoy the satisfaction of Last Name, Comma, First Name, Period...?" Well, actually - no. NotebookLM provides some normal textual tools that are useful for students like table of contents and short summaries. Things that we frequently request from students, or urge them to use. But there are other tools too. I haven't had success with the timeline tool, but the executive summary is quite helpful.
In my own studies I scan my rss feed once a week selecting some articles for deep reading, some for short summaries, and some for the middle ground of executive summaries. Instead of grinding through articles that have been stacking up, I can enjoy bits and bobs along with the main course. When everything's winnowed down it's fun to put that all in at once and ask NLM to identify unique or unexpected connections, and then unique or unexpected contradictions. I'm literal enough of mind that NLM usually finds something that surprises me or that I'm interested in pursuing.
If I were a student again I would make use of the podcast generator to help review main points of articles required for class while I was commuting in to school. Maybe not profound reviews, but hearing it adds another dimension to one's studies.