Back in 1967, Roland Barthes authored his iconic “Death of the Author” - an essay describing less the death of the author than of a certain kind of authorial arrogance which claims complete ownership of the text. A half century later, Stephen Marche has resurrected both the title and spirit of Barthes essay to create - in partnership with ChatGPT - a similar kind of Barthesian argument about the authorship of creative work in the age of Generative AI.
As Marche told me today on KEEN ON, “his” new book, DEATH OF AN AUTHOR, suggests the resurrection of the author in our AI age. This is technology, he explained, which empowers the artist, transforming them into not just author, but also creative producer and director of the work. In contrast with a lot of the current hysteria about generative AI, mostly peddled by technologists clueless about the creative process, Marche is a well respected writer of both fiction and non-fiction books. I trust him. You should too.
Resurrection of an Author