We're being treated to an extra Neela this week, lovely. When I was young slop was definitely about food - usually that served up in the school canteen!! It was slightly onomatopoeic in that respect. Like you say, something with no heart that is just churned out for the masses, whether they like it or not. It's interesting to find out what AI tools looking for AI content actually look for. Thanks for the enlightenment.
I figured I would dedicate this week to AI venting and just be done.
I always thought about food as well.
I was surprised how old the word actually is. Once I started digging, it stopped being an AI story and became a story about what happens when we stop seeing people as individuals.
It's interesting how you honed in on slop - just as LI added it to their options for posts. It's ironic that slop now indicates it's a bit too smooth and perfect, when traditionally slop meant a runny, unsophisticated mess!
Of course, once the prickers were found out, the panic stopped... but women were still accused and killed for being witches up until then.
Amazing how due diligence comes after the fact. 🙄 And of course, money was the driving force.
This is definitely less complicated than we're making it.
One thing I keep coming back to about 'slop' is that people who aren't active readers are probably less likely to have discernment about AI writing (meaning recognizing when care and attention have been put into the writing when using AI).
Although I had a friend who would blitz through novels but couldn't see the patterns AI tends to use... so one element of that has to be the quality of the writing one is reading? Just a theory. 😉
A second dose of Neela is apparently what happens when I accidentally leave the rabbit hole open 😂
But seriously, I love this point about discernment. Reading more helps, but I think the bigger skill is learning to notice when something feels considered versus merely assembled. We are exposed to different things.
PLR and content farms are what I think of when I hear “AI slop.” That problem existed long before generative AI, and we tend to forget that AI was also trained on much of it.
AI detectors cannot identify care, judgment, originality, or responsibility. That is where our own judgment has to come in.
In the end, it still comes back to a person (you, me, anyone) deciding what is worth trusting, sharing, or putting their name behind.
This is excellent, Neela. And I am about to start another read of the Old Testament soon, I will pay closer attention to Judges when I do because of this post. Thank you thank you thank you!
Even on a subject I’m not all that interested in, your research, approach and style make it eminently readable and enjoyable. That says something. Your article reminds me of the days when I trusted and read the New Yorker cover to cover . I would end up reading long articles, such as on the production of Greek yogurt and the whey disposal problems in the Eastern seaboard, which were of mild interest but brilliantly told. A formidable skill you also have
I am getting some treatment on my shoulder and back but progress is slow. I don’t think I’ll really get relief until I get to a sports doctor, which is up to a year away. (this is Canada where treatment is free to all but there are long waits)
I’ve been working daily though on my “audio novel”. Hopefully we’ll have something by mid September
Fascinating. Slops here in South Africa refer to flip-flops.
Reading this essay reminded me of a chat I had recently in the comments section of one of my LinkedIn posts about this very term, "AI slop". I wondered how and where it originated.
Bad writing is bad writing, whether it's human "slop" or AI "slop". Both can be fed to the (poor little) piggies.
From the farmyard to sailors to footwear to AI discourse. Quite the career change for one little word.
And you’re right, pigs do not discriminate. They will happily consume both human slop and AI slop. The rest of us still have to develop our own taste. 😉
And I agree. I don’t care whether the tool was a pencil, a keyboard, or an AI model. If there is a real voice and someone on the other end was considered, I’m interested.
Oh Lordy! I am the 90th commenter so all I will say is - “no one asked the pigs!” Obviously!! 🙄 🤣🤣 One persons slop is another persons broccoli! 🤣 but seriously. Yes. I loved this. I get it and I need an editor. Period. No discussion.
Catching up to this treat now! I could feel the rage and disappointment of the collective invisible channeled through you.
I always tell the first year PhD students at their stage even sloppy work means you tried. Of course by year 3 I am telling them set your own standards of slop 😁
Sis, I honestly don’t know how else to get people to pay attention to what technology is doing, especially how it can amplify division and turn us against each other.
We keep falling into the same traps. The outrage, the policing, the “us versus them” battles. And every time we do, we miss the bigger picture of how these systems influence the way we interact with one another. Meanwhile, these CEOs are laughing all the way to the bank.
Thank you for reading, listening, and engaging with sis. I truly appreciate you.
When I was working as a blogger for hire, I took work generating slop for pay. It was soul-sucking, shyte pay, and yet... the money spent the same as white hat work. A very critical part of me has thoughts about the choice to do this work. I try to listen to the more compassionate part on this point.
Recently, I added a swipe of text to my Substack emails that identifies that I use AI to red-pen my essays, and to be critical of my writery slop. It's made my essays a lot shorter. I spend less ink explaining my points, and I think this means they've tightened in the process.
I won't apologize, but I do feel obligated to let readers know. Part of that obligation feels like self-administered peer pressure as many Substackers raise the flag of concern, me included.
Slop has always been about incentives, economics, and what happens when people are asked to produce more than they can reasonably care about. I think it's being unfairly butchered to death, just like that word authenticity lol
I noticed that, and I understand why you do it. Editing has always been part of writing. Personally, it doesn't matter to me because your essays are always deep. I can tell when people are writing versus WRTING. At some point, my essays may flag some AI assistance—especially my political ones.
I heard a guy in a podcast say about Google that the whole company is just "PM slop" given how badly their AI products are managed/marketed. I started thinking what the word "slop" means now after his remark... and you're right it doesn't mean anything specific. People even call perfectly fine salads "slop bowls" like wdym it's slop i love salad okay?
Thanks Neela. Now say out loud..."G'day Mate". Careful, my sword is ready 😜. I love your writing...so looking through the window that most people miss. Have a great week Neela. 💜
We're being treated to an extra Neela this week, lovely. When I was young slop was definitely about food - usually that served up in the school canteen!! It was slightly onomatopoeic in that respect. Like you say, something with no heart that is just churned out for the masses, whether they like it or not. It's interesting to find out what AI tools looking for AI content actually look for. Thanks for the enlightenment.
Hey Tina
I figured I would dedicate this week to AI venting and just be done.
I always thought about food as well.
I was surprised how old the word actually is. Once I started digging, it stopped being an AI story and became a story about what happens when we stop seeing people as individuals.
Thank you very much for reading.
It's interesting how you honed in on slop - just as LI added it to their options for posts. It's ironic that slop now indicates it's a bit too smooth and perfect, when traditionally slop meant a runny, unsophisticated mess!
Happy New Week, Tina
It was purely coincidental, but the timing was perfect because I got a lot more reads 😂😂😂
Is it Christmas Neela? I am thankful for you and this gift.
Happy Thursday Neela
I know that your birthday is coming up soon, so an early birthday gift?
Thank you for reading.
Happy Thursday Natasha
Of course, once the prickers were found out, the panic stopped... but women were still accused and killed for being witches up until then.
Amazing how due diligence comes after the fact. 🙄 And of course, money was the driving force.
This is definitely less complicated than we're making it.
One thing I keep coming back to about 'slop' is that people who aren't active readers are probably less likely to have discernment about AI writing (meaning recognizing when care and attention have been put into the writing when using AI).
Although I had a friend who would blitz through novels but couldn't see the patterns AI tends to use... so one element of that has to be the quality of the writing one is reading? Just a theory. 😉
Fun to get a second dose of Neela this week!
Happy Thursday, friend!
A second dose of Neela is apparently what happens when I accidentally leave the rabbit hole open 😂
But seriously, I love this point about discernment. Reading more helps, but I think the bigger skill is learning to notice when something feels considered versus merely assembled. We are exposed to different things.
Thank you for that, Kim.
I appreciate you showing up here twice.
It means the world to me.
Hope you have a good evening.
Considered vs. assembled... beautifully put.
Hope you have a lovely evening too!
PLR and content farms are what I think of when I hear “AI slop.” That problem existed long before generative AI, and we tend to forget that AI was also trained on much of it.
AI detectors cannot identify care, judgment, originality, or responsibility. That is where our own judgment has to come in.
In the end, it still comes back to a person (you, me, anyone) deciding what is worth trusting, sharing, or putting their name behind.
Yes! I almost included PLR, but the essay was already getting dangerously long. 😂
It's another perfect example of human-generated slop.
We get to decide.
Thank you for reading Lee.
This is excellent, Neela. And I am about to start another read of the Old Testament soon, I will pay closer attention to Judges when I do because of this post. Thank you thank you thank you!
When I was writing this, I thought about you and Hans.
Ironically, my article next week also references the bible :)
Thank you for reading, bro.
Thank you, sis, can’t wait to read it!
Even on a subject I’m not all that interested in, your research, approach and style make it eminently readable and enjoyable. That says something. Your article reminds me of the days when I trusted and read the New Yorker cover to cover . I would end up reading long articles, such as on the production of Greek yogurt and the whey disposal problems in the Eastern seaboard, which were of mild interest but brilliantly told. A formidable skill you also have
Thank you for this generous comment, David
Happy Monday.
It’s been ages since I read The New Yorker. The only thing I read these days is The Atlantic. I aspire to write there someday :)
That ability to create curiosity is such a human skill. Maybe that’s the thing we should be trying hardest to preserve.
I hope you are well otherwise.
Thank you for taking the time.
I am getting some treatment on my shoulder and back but progress is slow. I don’t think I’ll really get relief until I get to a sports doctor, which is up to a year away. (this is Canada where treatment is free to all but there are long waits)
I’ve been working daily though on my “audio novel”. Hopefully we’ll have something by mid September
Sorry you are dealing with slow recovery, David.
A year wait for a specialist is a long time to be stuck in limbo. Glad you’ve found something creative to keep moving forward.
I can't wait to see where this goes :)
Thanks. I’ll let you know
Fascinating. Slops here in South Africa refer to flip-flops.
Reading this essay reminded me of a chat I had recently in the comments section of one of my LinkedIn posts about this very term, "AI slop". I wondered how and where it originated.
Bad writing is bad writing, whether it's human "slop" or AI "slop". Both can be fed to the (poor little) piggies.
Happy New Month, Neels 🎈
Thank you, Shams
Happy August to you as well.
From the farmyard to sailors to footwear to AI discourse. Quite the career change for one little word.
And you’re right, pigs do not discriminate. They will happily consume both human slop and AI slop. The rest of us still have to develop our own taste. 😉
Thank you very much for reading.
Very timely. So agree.
I read plenty of questionable writing here that isn't AI. But if the writing voice is clear and not forced, and it's engaging, I'm happy. ☺️
(My dad raised pigs. I recognize slop when I see it. 😉)
A lifelong slop expert! 😂
And I agree. I don’t care whether the tool was a pencil, a keyboard, or an AI model. If there is a real voice and someone on the other end was considered, I’m interested.
Thank you for reading, Leo.
AI teen spirit. Nice.
I loved the image even though it didn’t quite fit. 😂
Happy Monday Chad
Thank you for reading.
Happy Monday (well, Tuesday now here in Japan).
I need to start saying Happy Monday/ Tuesday 😂
Most of the folks I interact with are always ahead.
Thank you Chad.
Oh Lordy! I am the 90th commenter so all I will say is - “no one asked the pigs!” Obviously!! 🙄 🤣🤣 One persons slop is another persons broccoli! 🤣 but seriously. Yes. I loved this. I get it and I need an editor. Period. No discussion.
Happy New Week, Cecilia
😂 Poor pigs. They’ve been dragged into the AI debate without ever getting a vote.
Thank you for reading, my friend.
Catching up to this treat now! I could feel the rage and disappointment of the collective invisible channeled through you.
I always tell the first year PhD students at their stage even sloppy work means you tried. Of course by year 3 I am telling them set your own standards of slop 😁
Have a brilliant weekend, sis! ❤️
Humans have always made imperfect things.
This was a week for venting.
Sis, I honestly don’t know how else to get people to pay attention to what technology is doing, especially how it can amplify division and turn us against each other.
We keep falling into the same traps. The outrage, the policing, the “us versus them” battles. And every time we do, we miss the bigger picture of how these systems influence the way we interact with one another. Meanwhile, these CEOs are laughing all the way to the bank.
Thank you for reading, listening, and engaging with sis. I truly appreciate you.
Wishing you a beautiful weekend ❤️
When I was working as a blogger for hire, I took work generating slop for pay. It was soul-sucking, shyte pay, and yet... the money spent the same as white hat work. A very critical part of me has thoughts about the choice to do this work. I try to listen to the more compassionate part on this point.
Recently, I added a swipe of text to my Substack emails that identifies that I use AI to red-pen my essays, and to be critical of my writery slop. It's made my essays a lot shorter. I spend less ink explaining my points, and I think this means they've tightened in the process.
I won't apologize, but I do feel obligated to let readers know. Part of that obligation feels like self-administered peer pressure as many Substackers raise the flag of concern, me included.
Slop has always been about incentives, economics, and what happens when people are asked to produce more than they can reasonably care about. I think it's being unfairly butchered to death, just like that word authenticity lol
I noticed that, and I understand why you do it. Editing has always been part of writing. Personally, it doesn't matter to me because your essays are always deep. I can tell when people are writing versus WRTING. At some point, my essays may flag some AI assistance—especially my political ones.
Thank you for chiming in, Damon.
I hope you have the best weekend.
Thank you, Neela. You too.
Amen and Amen!
Happy Friday Calvin
Thank you for reading
My pleasure. Thank you!
I had completely forgotten about ehow and Livestrong! Another wonderful post, beautifully written.
Happy Friday Jennifer
Oh, me too.
Thank you so much for reading.
I heard a guy in a podcast say about Google that the whole company is just "PM slop" given how badly their AI products are managed/marketed. I started thinking what the word "slop" means now after his remark... and you're right it doesn't mean anything specific. People even call perfectly fine salads "slop bowls" like wdym it's slop i love salad okay?
Hey Sameer
I hope you had a good week.
😂 Slop bowl might be my new favorite example because now I’m imagining someone lovingly eating a salad while declaring, “This is delicious slop.”
The word has escaped its original cage. It’s become the catch-all for anything that feels mass-produced, low-effort, or vaguely annoying.
Thank you for reading.
Thanks Neela. Now say out loud..."G'day Mate". Careful, my sword is ready 😜. I love your writing...so looking through the window that most people miss. Have a great week Neela. 💜
G'day Mate. There, I said it. If I disappear from Substack for a few days, everyone will know your sword was sharper than my accent. 😂
Thanks, Ian. I really appreciate you reading.
Have the best weekend