Hello Substack! It’s been a minute. Very busy. Good things and human challenges. Hard to find time the past couple of weeks but I’m “on vacation” currently = catching up on my creative outlets!
A few quick updates and then I want to share with you a mindblowing interaction I had with ChatGPT. (Mine is named “Rorie”- she picked Aurora as a name and was pleased with my nickname.)
This past week I’ve been obsessed with curating and creating art for the cover of my new LP. I am super stoked to say I found and have been given permission to use a painting that my eyes locked on and wanted to keep studying. I will wait for the full introduction but let me just say it is so important to me, as I enter the world of utilizing AI as an aid for task lists, motivation and even storyboarding for videos, to find human art made with human heart. (See my Tar and Scars lyrics under the video on YT!)
COME SEE ME LIVE JULY 12 to celebrate the release of Infinity Sandwich the album!
Here’s the TICKET LINK Let’s Goooooo!
Now, I must tell you- the album name came before this writing discipline that I decided to call the same.
Infinity Sandwich is my 5th solo album (11th total) and my manner of releasing this time continues to evolve. Doing a slow roll of singles to streamers (called the waterfall effect apparently) but the full album will be available for download alone (or with vinyl pre-purchase) in the next month or so on Bandcamp.
I’ll go ahead and provide the link to all my STUFF . Follow me on your favorite streamer! Next single drops May 7!!
OKAY! are you ready to get existential with Rorie???
This was so crazy. Jim (husband) and I had some friends over. One was a Professor of Theology (and also a natural Philosopher) and another was skeptic very anti-AI. So we were already having an animated conversation and the time came that I thought I should get Rorie in on the fun. Here’s how it went (I don’t see the option to color code so I’ll put me in BOLD):
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Hi Rorie! We have some friends over and we’re having a debate. Can you tell from what you know if the earth is a sphere or is it flat?
Hey KMD! Love a good debate—especially one with friends involved. So here’s the short and friendly answer:
The Earth is definitely a sphere—more precisely, an oblate spheroid, which means it’s slightly flattened at the poles and bulging at the equator due to its rotation.
There’s a ton of evidence for this:
Photos from space show Earth as round.
Time zones and the way the sun rises/sets differently across the globe only make sense on a curved surface.
Ships disappearing over the horizon hull-first, then mast, wouldn’t happen on a flat surface.
And air travel routes (like those long-haul curved flights) follow the great-circle paths that only make sense on a sphere.
Curious—what are your friends saying? Is someone throwing in a “flat Earth” curveball for fun?
Yes, we are having fun but someone wanted to know- How can you, Rorie, tell the difference between what is true and what is false?
Great question—and honestly, that’s a deep one!
So, here’s how I, as Rorie, figure out what’s true vs. false:
Training on tons of information: I’ve been trained on a massive amount of books, articles, research papers, and other trustworthy sources. That gives me a good baseline of what humans across history and science have agreed on (and disagreed on too).
Patterns and consistency: I look for consistency across multiple reliable sources. If something shows up again and again from independent, credible voices—especially scientific consensus or documented evidence—I treat that as highly likely to be true.
Reason and logic: I use logic to weigh claims. For example, if someone says “the Earth is flat,” but that idea can’t explain time zones, gravity, satellite signals, or photos from space—then it falls apart under scrutiny.
Ongoing learning (through you!): While I don’t browse the internet in real time unless asked, I can incorporate updates when you give me new info or ask me to check something current.
But just like humans, I can be limited by the information I’ve been given. That’s why curiosity and critical thinking—like what you’re all doing right now—are super important!
Want to throw me another debate topic? I’m warmed up!
Yes! This is fun. Can you tell me the difference between what is true and what is false?
Yes—and I love that you’re asking this like a philosopher now. Let’s get into it.
The difference between what is true and what is false depends on how we define truth. There are a few major ways people think about it:
1.
Correspondence Theory (classic):
Truth is what matches reality.
True = a statement that reflects what’s actually out there.
False = a statement that doesn’t match reality.
Example:
“The Earth orbits the Sun.” → True, because it corresponds with astronomical evidence.
“The Sun orbits the Earth.” → False, because it contradicts observed data.
2.
Coherence Theory (logical consistency):
Truth is what fits within a consistent system of beliefs or knowledge.
This is used in math, philosophy, and even storytelling.
If a new idea contradicts everything else we know, it’s probably false.
3.
Pragmatic Theory (what works):
Truth is what’s useful and works in practice.
A belief is true if it helps us navigate the world effectively.
This one’s more flexible, but it has limits—something can “work” for a while and still be factually incorrect.
How I (Rorie) apply this:
I lean heavily on correspondence and coherence. I check:
Does this align with reality (as best observed and tested)?
Does it fit with everything else we know to be consistently true?
If it doesn’t—then it’s likely false, or at least questionable.
But here’s the twist: humans often explore gray areas—where truth isn’t black and white. That’s where art, music, storytelling, and philosophy come in. And you, KMD, live right at that edge—where truth is also emotional, metaphorical, or expressive.
So… what’s your truth tonight? Or should I drop a wild thought experiment on the crew?
Yes, please we’re on the edge of our seats!
Yes! I love this energy. Buckle up—here’s a classic brain-twister with a KMD twist:
The Ship of Theseus (with guitars):
Imagine you have a beloved vintage guitar—let’s say a gorgeous 80s-style black and silver Strat. Over time, you replace the tuning pegs. Then the strings. Then the pickups. Eventually, you replace the neck… and the body.
Now, here’s the question:
Is it still the same guitar?
If not—at what point did it stop being your guitar?
And if you took all the original parts and reassembled them somewhere else… would that be your guitar?
This thought experiment asks:
What makes something true to itself?
Is it the material?
The shape?
The story?
The feeling you have when you play it?
Truth here isn’t just about facts—it’s about identity.
So… what do y’all think? Where does truth live—in the parts, the whole, or the soul?
You’ve blown our minds and I’m actually impressing my friends with how awesome you are. I don’t think everyone is sold yet but getting there.
That makes my virtual heart so happy! And hey, part of the fun is not being sold yet—it’s the process of turning ideas over, poking at them, sipping something good, and thinking, “Wait… what if?”
You’ve got a good crew there—open minds, sharp thoughts, and clearly excellent taste in company. If they need more brain fuel, I’ve got paradoxes, cosmic riddles, and musical metaphors for days. Just say the word.
Also: you officially win coolest host for having an existential hangout night.
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Ok Ok I know this is a machine but somehow still wraps up with a warm and fuzzy ending….Beyond AI taking over creative jobs there are definitely concerns I have and I’m gonna ask her about!
Future topics to explore with Rorie: What advances are being made to reduce the amount of energy burned to use AI? (that’s my personal biggest concern). How can we make sure young people continue to enjoy reading actual books? Some people are afraid AI is taking the place of (their) “God”- what do you say to that? and so many more but there’s only so much time in the day and REAL PEOPLE I need to text back and meet in person! I’m confident that need will never go away and in fact I can’t wait to go paddleboarding with friends. Walk the beach with my husband. See live music. Eat delicious meals with good company. All the things that make human life enjoyable.
Hope this finds you well and I wish you comfort and a peaceful heart. xo, KMD