This blog is a continuous work in progress, fluidly charting my diverse interests and reflecting the far reaching range of my tastes. Frequent subjects of discussion include literature, sports, politics, pop culture and artistic motivation. You will find thoughtful essays and stream of consciousness rants, reviews of books written by others and the presentation of my own fiction - novel excerpts as well as short stories. What it is today may not be the case tomorrow. Welcome to A Line A Day.
I enjoy a good debate of important issues. But you can't have a quality debate with just anyone because people with different viewpoints than your own are often led by emotion rather than reason. If someone quickly resorts to insults and name calling rather than addressing what it is you said and why they feel it is incorrect, it's best to abort that mission. The person is either intellectually incapable or simply not interested in attempting to persuade by presentation of facts. Say what you will about Artificial Intelligence (I've certainly had unflattering things to say about it), but at least it attempts to stick to what's reasonable and probable and pertinent rather than hurling insults when it doesn't like what you said. When Elon Musk claimed on Twitter that @Grok has been significantly improved in answer giving, I decided to put it to the test. Its debate technique was to ask me questions in return rather than truly answering what I had asked, as well as consistent reference to the Heritage Foundation. Admittedly, my question was an accusation. So when Grok requested examples of my claim, for me to prove that I was not being partisan just for the hell of it, I provided two to get the ball rolling.
I invite any polite humans willing to engage in civil discourse to answer my two-part question. Below is what Grok had to say in response, and my rebuttals, and so on and so forth. Pick a winner if you wish. In the end, while I believe in being open to having my mind changed by a potent counter argument, I remained unswayed by Grok's replies.
NOW ACCEPTING REVIEW REQUESTS FROM INDIE AUTHORS ---
I plan to review independently published novels (with perhaps a sprinkle of non fiction thrown in) on a regular basis when the calendar turns to 2017. No genres barred, which is not to say that I will read anything/everything suggested to me. I may take a pass on most for I intend to be picky, my selection criteria based strictly on what sounds like "my kind of book". DIVERSITY welcomed, PRINT preferred. In addition to a synopsis I'll want to see a brief excerpt from your book to help me decide. For a taste of my style, type "book reviews" into the Search bar. Or you can peruse my collection of reviews at goodreads. Send queries to mudhousebooks@gmail.com -------------------------------------------------------------------
Roy Pickering is the author of the novels Matters of Convenience & Patches of Grey, as well as the novella Feeding the Squirrels which you can find presented here in serialized form. A sampling of his prose is showcased at RoyPickering.net. Roy once blogged here in tandem with his wife. Erin's presence is still felt through her artwork in many of the postings.
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