BoM/TWS Message Forum

I'll reply to Nostrum's post later (I've got some work that needs doing), but for now I'll add this bit on the AI debate, which I just realized is 98% of the reason I am now worrying about it.

Will buys the Libra because he needs something to put in the time capsule, and he can't come up with an idea. Recently the news has been full of stories about students using AI to do their schoolwork. In such a world, the natural question is, "Why didn't Will just use AI to suggest items for the time capsule?"

In other words, the addition of AI as a cheat tool comes very close to slicing the story off at the roots.

I suppose it can be said that you just have to swallow it for the story to get started, the way you have to swallow the idea of a habitable Mars for "The War of the Worlds" to work. Also, why swallow the whole magical system while choking on the mosquito of "Why doesn't Will use AI to cheat?"

Trouble is, readers do choke on small things while swallowing big things, because the small things are what give a story its verisimilitude when it is being extravagant with the big things. It's easy to believe that Batman can outfight 400 henchmen. It would be hard to believe that he never has to get his hair cut.