Stream of Consciousness
vocal bliss
As the new year approaches, there is always a significant push to pick ourselves apart, see where we can make personal improvements, set goals, and decide how to completely change our lives to become even better versions of ourselves. Although I feel the excitement around the impulse of making changes, improving, and setting goals, I’m not one to set my lofty resolutions during the frigid winter months. I’m in hibernation mode, and if it doesn't include a sweater, slippers, and tea, I’m probably not going.
By Kristen Balyeat2 years ago in Writers
2024 is the time to thrive.
Before 2023, my last submission to Vocal was a short piece for 2021's FFXIV Write challenge. FFXIV players respond to a series of written prompts that are released over the course of a month, sharing tales of their characters' adventures in the world of Eorzea. This started on Tumblr and has expanded to Twitter, if I recall correctly, but it's been a while since I paid attention.
By Princess Sparklefangs2 years ago in Writers
I Don't Set Goals, I Make Plans
I don’t usually set goals. Goals can be missed, that’s why I have switched to selecting targets. Targets are things that cannot be missed. Or if they are missed, you are forced to ask the question of why you missed, how far off target you were, and what you can do to not miss the target again. This change in mindset is why I have switched to making plans. I realize that all may sound pretentious. However, this outlook has come from experience. It comes from what I learned both from playing sports and when I worked in sales. This mindset has taken over many aspects of my life. To the point that now when someone asks me about goals, I avoid using that word to describe something in the future. Looking at my life over the last few years, the occasions when I do use it is in the past tense. And most often my use of goal is to communicate what I did in simplest terms, as targets or plans can carry negative undertones. This is more due to the limitations of our language, and word association.
By Atomic Historian2 years ago in Writers
Yeah, Okay, I'll Play
Oh Vocal, Vocal, Vocal- you want me to set goals? And stick to them? My wife will laugh. It's not that I can't commit, or plan meticulously, or overthink about the near and far future (my strong suit). I can do all that without even blinking. If anything, I've probably achieved a majority of my goals in my life thus far and I'm pretty damn proud of myself.
By Oneg In The Arctic2 years ago in Writers
Mastering the Craft: How to Edit and Revise Your Creative Writing. Content Warning.
Creativity speaks a thousand words that no grandiose gesture ever can express. We often define creativity as the art of expressing one’s opinions through different creative outlets. Creativity is the essence of every decision we take; it is the catalyst that equips us to think over the conventional bounds of a perceived notion. The flow of performing various tasks coherently with a spark of unconventional ideas marks the essence of creativity. Whether it be media houses, the publishing industry, business magnates or authors, creativity pioneers the process of brainstorming and building brands that leave an impact on the lives of consumers.
By Hridya Sharma2 years ago in Writers
To the ones January has not been kind to
To the ones January has not been kind to Hey there stranger, I hope you realize how amazing you are and how beautiful the world is because of you in it. This one is for you if January has not been kind to you. I know right now all you feel is how the darkness that surrounds knows no end, and the light that you are so desperately and intently searching for seems to lose its way in the dreariness of despair. I know all you long right now is a moment of peace and this month has constantly put you on the edge of your sanity. January has not been your month, all it has done is test your strength and remind you that you need to keep it all together. Life in its entirety has plonked you into the land of uncertainty, and all you yearn for is to be lost in a land where you cannot be found, only to be rescued with the warmth of love and a warm cup of coffee.
By Hridya Sharma2 years ago in Writers
When AI gains awareness:
AI is advancing rapidly, for example, GPT 4 can pass the bar exam and complex medical exams. Kim Kardashian had to take the bar exam three times before passing on the fourth try. However, we wonder what happens when AI becomes conscious and whether it already is without our knowledge. We already treat language models with empathy because they seem human-like. We find ourselves being considerate and polite towards them, just like we would with NPCs in video games. This raises concerns about ethics, safety, and society. Before catastrophe strikes, we need to understand consciousness. It is the state of being awake, aware, and everything making sense. When under anesthesia or deep in a dream, we are not conscious. People might think that large language models like chat GPT are conscious because they are intelligent, but that's not true.
By Venus Iwuala2 years ago in Writers
