By giving away an Aerogarden. Technically it's not buying your love, because you're already here. It's more of an appreciation gift for current subscribers who come to my site every day, week or even month to see what I have to say.
Being a reader, you're more important to the whole Internet wheelhouse than you think. If you weren't reading blog content, there would be no blogs. If there were no blogs, there would be no answers when you searched Google.
You would STILL be sitting there wondering whether dogs can eat strawberries.
They can.
If Google didn't have all those answers there would be no AI.
It just occurred to me that I should try growing strawberries in my Aerogarden.
Before I get to the giveaway I have some insider information about AI (artificial intelligence).
AI IS KILLING ALL CREATIVITY. And creatives.
And it's happening QUICKLY. Google is now spitting out AI generated content in the search results. I'm sure you've Googled something lately to have an answer come up that either had nothing to do with what you asked it, or was just plain wrong.
This kind of artificial intelligence is one of the things that has led to the writer's strike, the actor's strike and now ... content creators are on board with the war against AI.
AI IS DESIGNED TO MAKE THE OBSCENELY RICH RICHER
When the rich get richer, the poor get poorer and the middle class ... disappears.
My goal has always been to create entertaining information. There was a bit of a hiccup over the past couple of years when I was trying desperately to get more traction on Google and fell into the Google likes it this way trap.
The result was mediocre blog posts and an increase in my migraine medication intake. It was also WAY less fun to write posts that would appeal to Google.
I don't care how many fun colours and bouncing balls they use in their logo - Google doesn't know jack shit about fun. Google is the Internet cop insisting on: Just the facts ma'am.
Bloggers have been told over and over again that we could not succeed without Google. When the truth is - Google and AI couldn't succeed without us.
theartofdoingstuff
The folks at Google aren't figuring out what the best way to fix, grow, teach or learn something is. They're figuring out the best way to make money.
YES! Finally Google and I are in agreement. I want to find the best way to make money too! The difference?
I just want some of the money - Google wants all of it.
It is the 5th most profitable company in the world. In 2022, Google made an annual revenue of 279.8 billion U.S. dollars.
Would you like to save this stuff?
We'll email you this post, so you can refer to it later.
I, by comparison, contemplated performing my own dental surgery last month. Admittedly that was more of a curiosity thing than a money thing for me, but still.
It would have made a really good blog post.
Unlike this blog post which feels like a mound of depression buried under a recently vomited hairball.
Over the past couple of decades large tech platforms have gained enormous power and wealth by using the information provided by people. Humans. Content creators. Me.
You can support this and other human run websites you like by signing this open letter urging big tech and AI companies to reconsider their relationship with content creators.
By paying us.
Uch. What a gross post to have to write.
The Giveaway!
In appreciation of you sticking around, some of you for 13 YEARS, others just 'til the end of this horribly un-fun blog post, I'm giving away an Aerogaden.
Which sounds woefully inadequate when I phrase it that way.
O.K. I'll add in one of only 5 remaining Art of Doing Stuff tea towels to the prize package.
So one winner will receive both an Aerogarden and a tea towel hand screen printed by me.
THIS is the "Aerogarden" I'm giving away if you'd like to take a look at it.
To enter, all you have to do is make sure you are indeed subscribed to this blog (which I'm pretty sure you all are) and leave a comment below.
It will be a random draw from the comments and the WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED NEXT FRIDAY.
That's it! Thanks for listening.
Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere. I washed maggots out of a chicken's ass. Twice. I can handle this fight.
Karin,PLEASE just keep being YOU. That is why we are here and stay here.... To read the good, the bad & the ugly....the fantastic wins and the hysterical fails. It makes you human and us feel like we might not be as terrible as we think we are at DYI. It makes us brave enough to take that risk because well, if you are brave enough to show your fails to the world should we not be brave enough to try in private???
Thank you for encouraging us & making our days brighter!
It is hard to know what to trust online, but I KNOW I trust your blog.
Thank you Eastwood. ~ karen!
I subscribe to exactly 3 things; the NY Times, NPR and my local PBS station, and your blog. Oh, and Netflix. So, four. All great and varied sources of information, inspiration, and entertainment.
You’re an inspiration to me as always.
Thank you for all your content, you always make me smile, oh and been subscribed for several years but I just realized to an old email that I still having forwarding stuff to my new one :)
There are other blogs?
Thanks for your fun blog! :-)
Can't remember if it was in your blog or just a conversation with someone else. BUT, growing up just south of the Canadian border, I grew up using the correct term : catsup, NOT ketchup. It bothers me to this day when hearing the term ketchup, which all people say. It's wrong! The correct term is CATSUP.
Just stumbled across your blog somehow a couple months ago and now I look forward to it daily. I love your sense of humor and fun spirit, and I've learned a couple things!
Signed the letter. Love your blog, Karen. Keep fighting the good fight.
Love your blog!
I agree with your stance on AI. And how did you know I wanted an Aerogarden? Now I can grow my own radish with garlic/strawberry sauce!
Mmmmm. ~ karen!
I love your take on Google and AI! You're right! AI CANNOT Create! I had never contemplated that concept until you sagely brought it up! I look forward to your blog posts! Happy Day! :)
Al. UGH. Effing Google.
Hey Karen! Love your posts, wit & panache. You are one fabulous, gutsy woman, keep up the good work!
Hi Karen,
Still love your blog and, as a fellow writer (though not a writer of blog content), I share your concern. Sure seems like copyrights are getting trampled. Glad you’re fighting to good fight. Power to the PEOPLE!
Not sure how I happened upon your blog in the first place but I am ever so glad I did. You never fail to make me giggle!
Thanks for being around! I’ve conquered powdery mildew, became brave enough to buy and use a paint sprayer and brought my dahlias to perfection, etc., etc…all the while smiling and laughing! Did I mention I live alone and am pushing 80! (I use a lot of exclamation points don’t I but that’s my mantra!)
:) ~ karen!
I found you through Instagram when you were doing stories all the time. “hey guys” and thought you were fricking hilarious. Then I realized you had a blog and I’ve been hooked ever since. Still miss your stories but your blog has so much amazing information and I love your style. I live in a super small house with too many house plants and no space for an indoor garden so skip me for the prize. Eff the AI
Thanks Dani! I actually grew to like doing stories before I decided I hate Instagram. Really just Reels, but ... that's all there is there now really. ~ karen!
I love your blog. Thank you for a chance to win an aerogarden and a really cool dish towel.