Benny the Blue Whale
One Author's Descent into the Madness of AI
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Oneworld Publications
Published:5th Sep '24
Should be back in stock very soon
This paperback is available in another edition too:
- Hardback£16.99(9780861547401)
A humorous exploration of AI's impact on creativity, Benny the Blue Whale follows Andy Stanton's journey with ChatGPT as he tests its storytelling limits.
In Benny the Blue Whale, bestselling author Andy Stanton embarks on an exploration of artificial intelligence and its impact on creativity. As AI technology evolves at an unprecedented rate, Stanton, known for his inventive storytelling in the Mr Gum series, finds himself both skeptical and intrigued by the capabilities of ChatGPT, a large language model. Can this sophisticated algorithm truly replicate human creativity, or does it merely mimic it? Stanton's journey begins with a humorous and provocative prompt: 'Tell me a story about a blue whale with a tiny penis.' This sets off a chaotic yet enlightening adventure that challenges the boundaries of storytelling.
As Stanton interacts with ChatGPT, the narrative unfolds into a metafictional examination of what it means to create. The book captures the essence of storytelling, weaving together Stanton's prompts with the AI-generated responses, all while offering insightful commentary. Through this engaging process, readers are invited to reflect on the nature of creativity, the role of technology in literature, and the enduring power of human imagination. Benny the Blue Whale is not just a humorous tale; it is a thoughtful meditation on the intersection of technology and art.
With a blend of humor and depth, Stanton's work stands out as a unique contribution to contemporary discussions about AI. The book is a celebration of creativity, exploring the relationship between humans and machines in an entertaining and thought-provoking manner. Ultimately, Benny the Blue Whale encourages readers to appreciate the nuances of storytelling and the irreplaceable value of human creativity amidst the rise of artificial intelligence.
‘There’s no book like it. Scholarly, childish, fascinating and hilarious – one of our funniest writers dissects what it takes to build a story and what that tells us about being human. It’ll really make you think, if you can stop laughing.’ —Chris Addison, co-creator of Breeders
'Entertaining and alarmingly relevant, provocative and philosophically satisfying, it’s ultimately a profoundly human text.'—Observer
‘A magnificent experiment by a perfect fool – deep and shallow and stupid and clever – the perfect use of AI (Andy Intelligence).’ —Robin Ince, author of The Importance of Being Interested
‘In detailing his hysterical efforts to get ChatGPT to write a masterpiece, Stanton offers real insight into how it works or, well, doesn’t.’ —New Scientist
'It's sometimes hard not to feel sorry for the priggish chatbot as Stanton deploys all his impish (some might say puerile) irreverence to goad the programme... Ultimately, however it is there, in Stanton's footnotes that the real genius of the book is found. For all the hilarity and absurdity, it asks profound questions about the relationship between humans and machines... you'll be hooked on the conundrum that is AI. There really is no turning back.' —Perspective
'Benny the Blue Whale is many things. It’s a fascinating discourse on the nature of language and storytelling. It’s a philosophical treatise on the possibilities of artificial intelligence. It’s a receptacle for obscenely hilarious jokes, and the abstruse and arcane learning that fills Stanton’s brain... A brilliant and beautiful cyborg: part human brain, part computational muscle. It’s a post-post-modern work of genius.' —Anthony McGowan, Carnegie Medal-winning author of Lark
‘A funny and surprising creative battle between man and machine.’ —The Bookseller
‘The real draw, though, is Stanton’s breakdown of ChatGPT’s craft… The irreverent tone buoys a surprisingly thoughtful exploration of how AI might aid artists, and the ways in which it comes up short against its human competitors. This fascinates.’ —Publishers Weekly
ISBN: 9780861548705
Dimensions: 198mm x 129mm x 28mm
Weight: unknown
384 pages