This is the first letter my son ever gave me. At two years old, he understood the basics: a piece of paper in an envelope, both with writing on them. So he used his abilities to compose a letter and give it to me. And while it doesn't "say" anything at all, it communicates everything about who he was in that moment: the pride he had in making it and the love with which it was delivered (and received). It's perfect.
* * * * * * *
In the early days of UPPERCASE, I wrote because I had to fill in gaps of content. Mostly when I couldn't afford to commission a writer on a project or when it was simply faster or more efficient for me to write the profile or blurb. In 2014, I started sending out this weekly newsletter and I began to see writing as more than just a communications or marketing tool. Through writing, I could refine my vision for UPPERCASE, articulate my values and develop meaningful relationships with my readers.
Slowly, I began to see myself as a writer and not just a graphic designer able to fill in the blanks with text. Now, I love writing. It's mentally and emotionally challenging. It's creatively fulfilling. Sometimes, it's frustratingly slow. It requires stamina and commitment. It requires patience and time.
Writing and compiling the Jot book has given me a reason to look at things like my son's letter and other bits of paper, old notebooks, handwritten ideas and sketches for previous versions of myself. I'm weaving these stories and observations throughout the book and it is a contemplative, revealing and enjoyable process. I want to dive deeper, to keep going.
Simultaneous to working on Jot, it feels like the value the creative process—the craft of writing, of making images, of taking our time—is being stripped away, one prompt after another, by artificial intelligence.
Since UPPERCASE became a book publisher in 2007 and launched the inaugural issue of the magazine in 2009, there have been many challenges, but none so disruptive and potentially destructive as A.I.
The stories of illustrators, artists and craftspeople being ripped off by AI is heartbreaking. The degradation of the design profession is alarming. Having to question the authenticity and veracity of what we see and read online is isolating and alienating. To maintain the integrity of my business, I have to question the provenance of everything that comes my way. It is absolutely exhausting.
Large language models and generative art are trained on the stolen works of writers and artists. It is fundamentally unethical to use them. The environment impacts of datacentres—increased fossil fuels emissions, water consumption and pollution—are disastrous. And, as research has shown (and you have likely observed or experienced), AI is detrimental to our cognition and mental stamina.
Allyx Capek, an extraordinarily talented artist and bookbinder who is profiled in Jot, recently wrote in her newsletter: "I’m at a crossroads in my business and creative practice. Like many others, I’ve been questioning how I can sustainably exist in a world consumed with AI."
I'm grappling with this, too.
What I do know is that I want to protect and preserve my love of writing, designing and the creative process.
And, I am not a machine.
I realized that it would cause me too much stress to get the Jot book printed before year's end. I could do it, but I wouldn't enjoy it, and I don't think I'd have time to fully explore all the ideas that this writing process has stirred up!
Therefore, I have decided to push the Jot book publication date by a few months. Print production (and shipping) makes better sense for early in the new year.
Thank you, dear readers, for your encouragement and understanding.
This message has been sent to a general list. If you're already an UPPERCASE print subscriber, thank you!!! If you've already pre-ordered JOT, thank you!!! (Please refer to your order receipts from shop@uppercasemagazine.com.)
FOR CANADIANS ONLY:My efforts to reduce inventory continue. If you're a Canadian non-profit, school, educator, event or community group that could use one or more cartons of back issues (30 per carton, all the same issue, determined by available inventory), please be in touch via this form.
FOR ALBERTANS: The referendum is on October 19. If you haven't already voted by mail-in ballot like I have, you can advance vote starting today. Vote to remain in Canada! Vote NO on the other nine questions. Don't sit this out, we need an irrefutable response to remain in Canada and a clear no on all the other questions. For those of you outside of Alberta or Canada wondering what this is all about (the wording of all the questions is long and confusing on purpose):
Jessica Swift has invited UPPERCASE editor Janine as one of her cozy conversation guests, plus there are other activities and lessons about art-making, intuition, and art for self-care from over 45 creatives. Free! (optional paid upgrade options)
❤️ Don't want to get sick? Wear a respirator! They're great accessories to your daily life that keep you and others safe from airborne pathogens like COVID. Layer your protections by also cleaning your indoor air with good ventilation and air filtration. Stay home if you're sick (and protect your household members from getting infected, too). Stay up-to-date on vaccinations. → Don't spread COVID Canada Covid Hazard Index Pandemic Mitigation Collaborative World Health Network → Download my posters in English, German and French.
