New Year's Resolutions

As we usher in the New Year, I've decided to take a bold step towards transparency. I've just integrated a "check for AI-generated content" detector into this blog. Why? To ensure that my thoughts, musings, and ideas truly reflect my own voice and not that of an AI, like the trusty GPT, doing the blogging for me.

Now, before you brace yourself for a shift in tone, I want to assure you that this move doesn't mean abandoning facts altogether. However, it might introduce a more personal touch, transforming the posts into a virtual dear-diary experience. The trade-off is a sacrifice for authenticity, or at least that's the plan. Shouldn't honesty be the guiding principle in the blogosphere?

Speaking of honesty, let's delve into a broader context — the online world. It's alarmingly easy to succumb to the temptation of digital pilfering. Whether it's snagging free epubs from dubious ebook sites, sharing a Spotify account with a friend, or casually embracing the bliss of an ad-free YouTube with the help of an adblocker, these actions can inadvertently put someone out of pocket.

Take, for instance, the moral dilemma of blocking ads on YouTube. I confess, I am a devoted adblocker user. It's my confidant, safeguarding my mental health as it navigates me through countless hours of self-help content. Yet, with every blocked ad, I can't help but wonder about the toll it takes on content creators. It's a resolution that sounds noble — endure the ads, support the creators — but the reality hits hard when you find yourself watching one ad after another, only to be greeted by the ubiquitous "thanks to our sponsor" announcement, promptly followed by yet another ad.

Admittedly, the prospect of relinquishing my adblocker feels like parting ways with a trusted friend. It's my gateway to the vast expanse of online content without the constant bombardment of intrusive ads and sponsored messages. But as the AI detection app misguidedly informs me, this post is actually 95% human. A stark reminder that, perhaps, my efforts to maintain transparency are a work in progress.

As we step into the unknown realms of the New Year, I find myself at a crossroads. Can I let go of my digital ally, my adblocker, for the greater good? Or should I consider a more measured approach — cutting back on the endless scrolls through YouTube and reevaluating the productivity advice that bombards my online existence?

In the end, the resolution may not be as clear-cut as the binary decision made by an AI detection app. Maybe next time, I'll take a more nuanced approach. After all, honesty, much like navigating the online landscape, often resides in the grey areas.