Author: Victoria Slade

Over the semester, I have gained a vast amount of knowledge regarding this new world of AI through the world of Octavia Butler’s Xenogenesis trilogy. Although I had originally not been able to see how AI and Butler’s writing intertwine and lacked much of a position regarding these main ideas, by exploring the novels and course content, I have come to develop a more thorough opinion of AI and Butler’s work and all that it entails. I still find myself hesitant to accept AI as a part of everyday life and in terms of being used in educational settings, for health purposes, or in cases of decision-making for human voices. Although this may be true, I find myself hopeful for a trustworthy AI tool that causes more benefit than harm. In terms of Butler’s trilogy, I had originally found myself concerned with many of the issues shown throughout the novels. I find myself holding a similar position moving as the semester and trilogy concludes however I feel some aspects of the novel to be slightly inspiring for painting a brighter future as well. 

At the beginning of the semester, I felt unsure about the capabilities of AI and was unsure that it could have any benefit for society, feeling as though it was a technological advancement that may be taken advantage of by society. Although I still have my suspicions about the benefits of AI, my opinion has slightly shifted in the sense that I have hopes that it can be altered and continuously improved to benefit society. Although I do not feel AI is the best solution for issues such as education, health, government, representation, etc., I hope that it can be improved as time moves forward to make it a reliable tool in the future. One of my major concerns with both AI and Butler’s trilogy, still, is the issue of consent. Throughout exploring AI, an issue we have discussed in great detail throughout the course is that of consent. This issue automatically caused me to think about the podcast and article from the New York Times entitled, “Can AI Be Blamed For a Teen’s Suicide?” In the article, the story of a 14-year-old boy from Florida is told, as he was having intense romantic and even sexual conversations with an AI chatbot. The boy eventually committed suicide, causing his mother to unleash a lawsuit against Character.AI. Within the podcast, we hear how a young boy was unable to give consent to the sexual messages being sent by the character AI due to his age; however, he was still conversing with the AI, as there was nothing to stop him from doing so. I find it extremely concerning that this was able to occur, with the site not even interfering in any way when the boy expressed the desire to end his life. Examples such as these make me feel as though AI is not safe, as there are not enough regulations in place to ensure that it is being used safely and healthily. It is for reasons such as these that I fear the use of AI and the power that it holds over individuals as a risk to its effects.

Connecting this idea of consent to Butler’s writing, consent is an issue that is investigated time after time whether it is in terms of sexual relations, control over one’s thoughts or feelings, or as a way of having control over society. The first key example of this is in, Dawn where at the beginning of the novel, the scene is painted where Lilith is captured by the Oankali and has a surgery done to her without her consent or knowledge of why the surgery occurred. In the book, it reads, “Opening and closing her jacket, her hand touched the long scar across her abdomen. She had acquired it somehow between her second and third Awakenings, and had examined it fearfully, wondering what had been done to her. What had she lost or gained, and why? And what else might be done? She did not own herself any longer. Even her flesh could be cut and stitched without her consent or knowledge” (Butler 5). Here, it is evident that Lilith had surgery done to her without her consent, something that leaves both her and readers what was done to her and why. Lilith herself uses the phrase, “without her consent or knowledge”. Although readers learn that the Oankali had cut out cancerous cells to keep her alive, still begs the question of whether is it okay to act in ways meant to help people when they are unaware of what is being done to them or why. Another example of the Oankali’s disregard for consent was when the text stated, “‘Let go of me.’ It smoothed its tentacles again. ‘Be grateful, Joe. I’m not going to let go of you.’ Lilith saw Joseph’s body stiffen, struggle, then relax, and she knew Nikanj had read him correctly. He neither struggled nor argued as Nikanj positioned him more comfortably against its body. Lilith saw that he had closed his eyes again, his face peaceful. Now he was ready to accept what he had wanted from the beginning”(215/216). It is clear from this scene as well that the Oankali seem to lack care or regard for consent before taking action. There is also a pattern arising of the Oankali acting in ways that are beneficial to humans even though they are unaware they want/ need the actions of the Oankali. This idea led me to a crucial idea that humans can still not consent to something even if they want it. In this case, Joseph should still be able to turn down Nikanj’s sexual advances regardless of whether he wanted the interaction to occur or not. It is evident that both AI today and Butler’s trilogy have people thinking about the idea of consent in similar ways. Both “higher powers” which in this case seem to be both the AI and the Oankali use their knowledge and power over individuals. Whether or not manipulation is intended, it is frequently seen. This is clear by seeing AI manipulate the young boy as well as the Oankali purposefully withholding information from humans or doing things without their consent or knowledge. This is an issue that leaves me feeling majorly worried about the implications of accepting AI as “normal” in our everyday practice. Another key issue I worry about is the loss of creativity and individuality through both AI and ideas in Butler’s writing. In terms of AI, the Business Insider Article entitled, “AI plagiarism is spreading in US colleges. It’s left professors feeling confused and exhausted.” by Beatrice Nolan, the article discusses how professors are becoming overwhelmed with trying to combat the issue of plagiarism in the college setting and how grading policies and teaching practices have had to be adapted to solve this issue. I find myself, as a future English teacher, worrying about this issue becoming prevalent in my teaching career. It now seems inevitable that students will use AI to help them generate papers or responses rather than create them on their own since AI is so easily accessible to students. Darren Hick, a college professor at Furman University, expressed a similar worry as he said in the article, “All plagiarism has become AI plagiarism at this point. I look back at the sort of assignments that I give in my classes and realize just how ripe they are for AI plagiarism” (Nolan). There is a newfound epidemic of AI plagiarism in education which is hard to stop with these resources being so easy to use and access. I find myself anxious and saddened at the idea of my students not being able to generate ideas or spark creative thoughts on their own since they are so accustomed to using this technology instead. I feel that the use of AI threatens individuality and uniqueness in the classroom setting and is causing greater detriment than many realize. Connecting this idea back to Butler’s writing, I noticed a different phenomenon occurring in which genetic difference and change seem to be honored by the Oankali, a species that constantly craves newness and genetic difference. Although many humans are seen to push back against the changes made by the Oankali, it is evident that changes were made to keep civilization going. Regardless of whether one believes the actions of the Oankali were justified, the changes made by the Oankali were crucial to bringing back civilization at the time. Many were opposed to the changes made by the Oankali, which is understandable due to the newness and uncertainty about the future which I find connecting back to the newness of AI technology and the uncertainty that comes with its integration into society.

Although new and at times unnerving, I find myself hopeful after reading Butler’s trilogy. I feel that changes in the way society functions may be able to be made with the consent and approval of people in mind and that positive changes to the way people treat the Earth and each other are possible. It’s evident that there is much room to debate on this subject being that AI is such a new technology however I hope to see a future in which AI is used solely to help people as opposed to being used to ignore consent, diminish creativity, and manipulate those who use it.

In Octavia Butler’s Dawn, the novel explores the story of Lilith, a woman living amongst a group of “extraterrestrials” called the Onkali on a ship in space after Earth was destroyed by war. Butler is greatly successful in manipulating reader’s minds and challenging ideas readers may already hold. Throughout the novel, Butler addresses social hierarchy, gender roles, human nature, and much more. As one reads, it becomes evident that there are many concerning issues in the novel, many of which arise due to the thought-provoking nature of Butler’s writing. Over the course of the novel, one of the main issues Butler addresses is consent which usually pertains to humans as they live with the Onkali. Butler’s writing causes readers to wonder whether their living conditions and the happenings that accompany them are consensual. Throughout the novel, it becomes clear that events in the plot are cause for concern when considering consent. 

As early as the first chapter of the story, it opens with Lilith being Awakened once more and held captive in a room with food and clothing however with no way to communicate with those holding her. As Lilith begins to take in her surroundings she notices a scar across her abdomen and states, “Opening and closing her jacket, her hand touched the long scar across her abdomen. She had acquired it somehow between her second and third Awakenings, and had examined it fearfully, wondering what had been done to her. What had she lost or gained, and why? And what else might be done? She did not own herself any longer. Even her flesh could be cut and stitched without her consent or knowledge”(5). Lilith expresses her fear and uncomfortability with the fact that her body had been changed or manipulated without her consent, in ways that she did not understand. As the story goes on, we come to learn that the Onkali had cut cancer out of her body and manipulated her genes so that she would no longer be at risk for cancer. Without this surgery, she would not have survived. Although it’s clear that it was crucial for Lilith’s survival that she had this procedure done, it leaves me feeling disturbed that changes were made to her body without her knowledge or consent. 

Not only was she operated on without consent, but she was also held for two years in isolation rooms and two-hundred and fifty years in suspended animation without the Onkali ever explaining to her why she was being forced to be locked away (17). As the story progresses, this continues to be a recurring theme in which Lilith has questions and requests that the Onkali simply refuse to comply with. It certainly offers the question of what the Onkali consider consent and if they deem consent important at all. 

As the story progresses Lilith becomes comfortable with the Onkali and Nikanj, the ooloi she meets and who becomes her mate. It becomes a major cause for concern when Lilith begins to form an emotional bond with the ooloi and thus begins a sexual relationship with her. With Lilith in a sexual relationship with Nikanj, she eventually meets Joseph as he awakens and they become mates as well. As Lilith and Joseph pair up, Lilith and Nikanj then bring Joseph into their relationship by neurologically stimulating him without ever asking if this is something he wants. The text states, “‘I don’t want him here again.’ ‘Nikanj isn’t male—and | doubt whether it really cares what either of us wants.’ ‘Don’t let him touch you! If you have a choice, keep away from him!’ The refusal to accept Nikanj’s sex frightened her because it reminded her of Paul Titus. She did not want to see Paul Titus in Joseph”(192). I find it immensely disturbing that these events took place without the consent or knowledge of Joesph. Even more so, Lilith finds it concerning that Joseph is not willing to accept or embrace what he experienced although he never chose to experience it to begin with. 

Later in the story, Joseph is once again found to be lured in by the Onkali in a way that is certainly nonconsensual and unsettling. The actions that follow, once again show, how Butler can get readers thinking about what can be considered “right” and “wrong”. The text states, “‘Let go of me.’ It smoothed its tentacles again. ‘Be grateful, Joe. I’m not going to let go of you.’ Lilith saw Joseph’s body stiffen, struggle, then relax, and she knew Nikanj had read him correctly. He neither struggled nor argued as Nikanj positioned him more comfortably against its body. Lilith saw that he had closed his eyes again, his face peaceful. Now he was ready to accept what he had wanted from the beginning”(215/216). Within this scene, it is clear that Joseph was put in a sexual situation that he was uncomfortable with. Interestingly, Onkali’s (and Lilith’s) view on the matter is that although Joseph verbalized his disapproval of the situation, his body truly wanted it therefore it was okay for Nikanj to ignore his words. I find it massively unnerving that the ooloi as well as Lilith denied Joseph of his consent due to what his body was telling Nikanj. Although his body may have wanted it, it is an individual’s right to deny something regardless of whether they want it or not. Butler certainly causes readers to think in setting up this scene and makes it evident that it is unfair to justify the sexual relationship that Joe became forced into.

Throughout the remainder of the novel, the other ooloi are shown to form relationships and pair up with the other humans Lilith awakened, as she was preparing them to be released back to Earth. As events occur such as humans attacking ooloi, humans hurting each other out of a lack of trust, and the uncertainty of the humans in regards to where they truly are and if they can trust each other, the ooloi are shown to frequently drug the humans into feelings calm or emotions they would not feel without the ooloi’s control. Butler writes, “Humans were kept drugged for days—drugged, and guarded, each individual or pair by an ooloi”(217). This once again brings up the issue of consent, being that human minds were manipulated without their knowledge or approval whether or not their body needed the manipulation. This brings forward the idea that the Onkali do not feel consent is said outright through verbalization, but through the feelings and sensations that one experiences. This proves the major difference between Onkali and humans and proves once again to be disturbing to readers that human choice is frequently ignored. 

In Dawn Butler frequently puts readers in situations in which she challenges her mind against what is “normal” and“abnormal”. Something I have deemed to be most concerning within the novel is the idea of consent which is challenged between the Onkali and humans. As one reads, it becomes clear that both the Onkali and humans hold different definitions of consent however it is evident that other’s ideas of consent should be accepted and complied with. The behavior of the Onkali within Dawn leaves readers with the question of how this will manifest throughout the trilogy as humans return to Earth and begin life back on their home planet.

As the capabilities of AI technology continue to grow at a rapid rate, there is much to explore regarding just what this new technology is able to do. With this newfound technology comes the opinions of those newly exposed to it, leaving room for debate about what is considered “right” and “wrong”. As I delve into the vast capabilities of AI and the benefits of this technology, I find it important to state that I am not fond of artificial intelligence and find the cons to majorly outweigh the benefits. Although I am not in support of the use and rapid development of AI, I feel it is important to analyze the positives of AI and recognize the way this technology can help people. By looking deeper into classroom resources and researching what AI can do, I believe there will be evidence found that allows me to better understand this technology and appreciate what it can do for our society.

One of the major fields in which AI is becoming increasingly popular is the medical field. The development of AI tools in the medical field has been a massive change in the way that our medical professionals treat patients and ensure their recovery. In the resource entitled, “VisualDx, a Rochester-based company, and its DermExpert Product that has quite purposely sought to be inclusive with the incredible variety of human complexions,” The website discusses a new app in which individuals may take photos of their skin conditions and be diagnosed with dermatological conditions. The app was specifically designed so that people of color will not be marginalized and can use the app to be properly diagnosed. The description of the app states, “For over 20 years, VisualDx has been committed to providing a comprehensive resource for medical images across all skin types. We know the importance of helping healthcare professionals with the challenges and subtleties of recognizing skin changes in patients with darker skin pigmentation”(visualDx). I find this technology to be incredibly beneficial, being that individuals are working to develop a program in which people of all skin types can be properly diagnosed and treated. It is important to note that there have been issues with AI marginalizing people of color and treating these individuals with bias. In the article entitled, “Medical Algorithms Are Failing Communities of Color” the text states, “In fact, a 2019 study found that risk-prediction algorithms led to Black patients receiving less quality care than their non-Black counterparts”(Christensen et al). With the flaws in this technology, I feel it is mandatory to recognize the harmful effects it has had on people of color. Therefore if this bias could be eradicated, then I would feel this technology is incredibly beneficial and important to be developed further. As AI continues to become more capable, I hope to see this bias extinguished so that all individuals may use this technology in confidence. It is evident that we are headed in the right direction as apps like VisualDx are people developed constructively. 

Another area in which artificial intelligence sparks my interest is that of the education field. As someone who is going to school to become a high school English teacher, I often think about how AI will show up in my classroom including positive and negative ways. As this technology grows, there is simply no way to completely eliminate AI use whether it is sanctioned by me, as the educator, or not. I find it important to recognize the negative impacts AI has had on the education system however I also believe it’s important to appreciate the benefits AI can have on individuals who may need extra assistance. In the article, “AI plagiarism is spreading in US colleges. It’s left professors feeling confused and exhausted.” the article discusses how student use of AI has been an immense stressor for professors and educators however it also mentions how it may help students. The article states, “While he acknowledged there are some acceptable uses — for example, students with English as a second language using the tech to polish up essays — he says the shift is still a minefield for professors trying to determine what is and isn’t plagiarism”(Nolan). I think that AI can be an incredibly powerful tool for those who may need support in terms of their education. For students learning English, it is certainly more difficult to write a paper that is of equal rigor as a student who is a fluent English speaker. I hope for AI to be used in a way that levels the playing field and makes the education system more equitable for students. If this technology is developed accurately and in a way that doesn’t compromise the education system, then I would be in full support of this AI technology and would consider integrating it into my own classroom. I believe there is still a way to go in terms of making sure this technology doesn’t interfere with academic intelligence however I find this use of AI to be a positive for students if it is being used to learn and grow as a writer and independent thinker. In another article, “Parents sue their son’s school for punishing his AI use, heralding a messy future” the article states a student who was punished for using AI on a paper. In the article it states, “According to a federal court filing, the parents said their son was punished for using artificial intelligence to ‘prepare the initial outline and research’ for a history paper on a civil rights activist. The parents said in the filing that AI was not used to write the paper and noted that it included citations and a works cited page”(Nelken-Zitser). I find it hard to necessarily decipher this situation and explain where I stand on this particular issue however I do think it’s interesting to talk about the use of AI in helping to complete assignments. For one, it’s important to reiterate that this student did not use AI to write the paper itself but just to generate an outline for the paper and do research. In this sense, I think AI may actually be a useful tool. Although it’s important for students to be creative on their own and complete their own work, I think that using AI can help students develop new perspectives or ideas and potentially look at issues from a new angle. If this technology is being used only to generate ideas and give students new insights, then I feel this technology could be beneficial in an educational setting. This technology is harmful when students use the technology to do the “heavy lifting” and write the paper itself. I hope to a kind of artificial intelligence developed that is school-sanctioned so that there is a sight that is permitted for students to use. I feel if there was a “school friendly” AI that only provided students with basic outlines and ideas, then students wouldn’t feel the need to sneak AI use and use it in a toxic manner. There is certainly a long way to go in developing AI use that is morally sound for the education system however I believe that if this technology is made, it can greatly benefit students of all academic abilities. The use of AI to generate outlines and ideas could help students struggling with ADHD or those who struggle to organize their thoughts in a way that fits into the traditional essay mold. Overall I believe AI can reach a point of being of great use for students in the classroom setting with time and patience. 

In analyzing AI, it is evident that there is much to consider. AI is a powerful tool that can cause great amounts of harm as well as benefit for people from all walks of life. As someone who is unsure of AI and strays on the side of caution about its benefits, I have a new sense of hope for the future of this technology and feel it is capable of helping people in many ways. As we move forward as a society, it is important to keep in mind that we are capable of creating a narrative around AI that is greatly positive and continue with a mindset of growth and morality, instead of deception and misuse.

Link to Sources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Im3YCG3TBgzemyTBz-GAv72WYW3v3vtZ2_gE8vuFrmg/edit?tab=t.0

Over this semester and throughout the class, I have learned many things regarding African American literature and delved deeper into the main topics of the course. From one of the first things we analyzed “African Fractals” by Ron Eglash, many of the ideas discussed in the Ted Talk have proven to remain true throughout the rest of the course, similarly to how they related to the course works back in January. After reading The Water Cure by Percival Everett, it is evident that the theme of infinity discussed in African Fractals has remained true and was displayed in the novel. By evaluating my progression thus far, my understanding of the purpose of the course has broadened immensely and I believe I have grown as not only a student but a person in many ways. 

In diving back into my Seed Shape Essay from earlier in the semester, I discussed the meaning of the term “seed shape” which was used by Eglash in his Ted Talk. He defined the term as essentially, “A set whose number of elements whose sum was larger than infinity”(Eglash 0:42). He defines seed shapes because he wants to emphasize the idea of infinity and never-ending points and how this relates to African American culture. This idea of infinity has remained consistent throughout the entirety of the course and as we read our last book, The Water Cure, it is evident that the theme has remained consistent in several ways. The novel revolves around a man named Ishmael Kidder who is suffering with immense grief with the loss of his eleven-year-old daughter Jane. She was tragically raped and murdered, a horrific story that evidently changes Kidder and puts him in a state of anger, and sadness, and leaves him craving justice. Overall the course of the novel, one of the main terms we have used is “may or may not”. This phrase has come from the idea that Kidder may or may not have abducted the man whom he presumes to be responsible for the loss of his daughter and trapped him in his basement to torture him. Interestingly, Ishmael uses the words “forever” and “infinity” many times throughout the novel, relating to the theme of infinity in “African Fractals”. In the text, Kidder says, “We can count forever. That is infinity, so to speak. But we do not have names for most of the numbers in the world of infinity. This is one million: 1,000,000….We do not have infinite words. But we could”(25). This idea is very similar to the idea expressed by Eglash with African Fractals that seed shapes are a never-ending set of elements (Eglash 0:42). Although this idea expressed by Kidder may seem random, upon diving deeper into the text, it becomes more clear as to why he included this in the novel. Kidder’s daughter was murdered, which is a horror that he will live with forever and a pain he will never be able to forget. Grief is a seed shape that will forever be in his life, as it is something that has permanently changed his life. Because of this, Kidder “may or may not” want to inflict permanent pain on Art, the man he claims is responsible for the murder of his daughter. In the novel, Kidder says, “I wanted him to have the company of infinite incidence and refraction, unending repetition, the forever drip drip drip of his own image”(129). This was said by Kidder when describing a torture technique he used on Art. He decides to torture Art in this way because he wants Art to be forever unsettled in the same way that Kidder will be due to the trauma he has faced. In one of Kidder’s final monologues of the novel, he discusses how he released Art and why he made the choice to do so. In following the theme of infinity, he seems to release him with the knowledge that Art will forever be terrified of the possibility that he could come back to find him again. In deciding not to end his life, Kidder is almost more cruel by instilling a fear in him that will follow him forever. This idea is very similar to the idea of seed shapes since no matter how long they go, there will never be an end and infinity is the result of not only the repetition of the seed shape but Art’s fear. Kidder says, “If I found you once I will find you again, almost, almost peace, as I want the terror in your heart to remain pure, I want the terror to wake you in the morning and sleep with you at night … and remember, know that I have killed, will kill, and that is only part of what instills fear, that what chills your blood is that I can give life, that it is my gift to give…(252). Kidder shows that he wants the fear Art experiences to be infinite and almost become who he is. This idea relates to the overarching theme of infinity seen in “African Fractals”, the course as a whole, and The Water Cure.

In relating this idea of forever back to the course, Kidder was also shown to use the word “forever” when going into a monologue about permanence, a theme we have discussed. Kidder said, “ But of course no change is permanent, and so permanence is never complete. And so we are forever what we are, changes or not…(170). I found this statement to be interesting and one that I did not necessarily agree with completely. I disagree with the phrase “We are forever what we are”. I disproved that idea simply by taking this course. When I started the class, I came into it completely blind as to what we would be learning. I felt we would be reading novels I had seen many times before then from my previous years of schooling. I truly was not prepared for the way mindset would open up the way it has. This class has helped me learn how to dig deeper into things, analyze texts while considering every side, and think more philosophically about texts I may once have seen as black and white. Even with novels such as Octavia Butler’s Bloodchild, a story that seemed so obviously like a slave narrative, I was able to consider other points and realize why Butler had not aimed for the story to be interpreted that way. Throughout the entirety of the course, I have learned so much about myself not only as a student but as a person. I came into the course as a more shy type of student. I rarely would raise my hand in classes, unless trying to bring up my participation grade, and felt what I had to say wasn’t important enough to share. This course has helped me to become more confident in my thoughts, include myself in group and class discussions, and share my thoughts with the class when I previously would not have done so. It is for those reasons that I somewhat disagree with Kidder. I think that people can change and growth is possible, although that idea is incredibly situational. I agreed with Kidder, when he said “Permanence is never complete”. I also believe that change is never done. In group discussions, we agreed that the novel felt as though it was not complete which is why we found it an interesting novel to wrap up a course with. After analyzing these thoughts further, we came to a consensus that this may have been an intentional choice to get us thinking about infinity and forever. Much like how the novel did not feel complete, this class should not feel complete. We should take the ideas of the course with us throughout our lives as we continue to learn, grow, and change as individuals. I believe the idea of infinity was around me the entire time I was in the class, and it took reading The Water Cure for me to fully understand the weight of the idea of infinity.

Throughout the entirety of this course, there has been a recurring seed shape of infinity and what that truly means. From the beginning of the class when talking about African Fractals and recurion these themes have shown to be continuous in the rest of the semester. The idea of forever can be interpreted in many different ways including a more scientific perspective that fractals never end, the permanent fear that Art will feel, the forever pain that Kidder will feel, the infinite importance of this course, and the lessons that we will take with us. After completing this class, I can confidently say that I have vastly grown and realized the importance of forever learning and taking forth the knowledge acquired within the semester.