Does this upload contain AI derived content? Uh-oh. What should I do?
AI is here to stay. And I love it! Look below at what it can do for my publishing routines that follow. I’ve written three books about my life as a bus driver in San Francisco, and until now, I’ve used my iPhoto library to act as placeholder object headers to my anecdotal essay chapters. After I downloaded Chat GPT, I asked it to create an image based on a self-published book chapter for three different chapters I thought would be interesting to see what it would create. First, from Chapter 40 in book 2, The Dao of Doug 2: Keeping Zen in San Francisco Transit – A Line Trainer’s Guide – hyperlink below:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FBPK4NB:
SERVICE DOGS
Or should I say service animals? All creatures, great and small, do we see on a day as an operator of trolleys. As a new operator, it takes getting used to all of the various creatures that qualify as service animals. I would like to see the permit of that pit bull or that boa constrictor, but we are trained by the blow-back from the owner not to question their integrity, lest we violate the rules of the Americans with Disability Act. And so we learn to nod and a smile to continue without disruption, until another passenger complains about safety being violated.
We are only allowed one non-service dog per coach. If a small dog can be contained in the arms of a passenger, it is usually okay. But if another large dog enters that is a service dog, it has priority. Trained service dogs are expected to behave in a respectful manner. But some passengers are calling their dogs, service dogs that do not behave as I would expect a service dog to behave. Muni permits any number of service dogs on one coach, but I would expect their owners to be mindful of where they sit, especially if another dog comes on board. If you bring on a puppy, I would expect you to carry newspaper for any “accident.” Hopping off the bus after a tinkle does not seem to be responsible, and I resent those who seem unaware of their effect on other passengers remaining on board. Car cleaning is not in my job description, but I have learned how to keep in service with extra newspapers.
I entered ‘select all’ on this chapter to ChatGPT and here’s what it generated: The Magical Helper!
My first reaction was that Caption The Magical Helper was actually more unique and descriptive than my choice of Service Animals.
Here’s my chapter Blindspot from The Dao of Doug 3 Trolleybus of Happy Destiny.
Blindspot
Our New Flyer Trolleys will have an important modification over the first order of motor coaches. The left side of our exterior mirrors will be below our line of sight, and not above. This elevation change means we can turn left and see where we are headed. We still have the stanchion between the front and side of the bus as a blindspot, but no longer have the billboarding effect of the mirror below an overhead arm support. This work order modification is a direct change from input from our union representative in the Joint Leadership Mangagement Board. I am grateful for this modification; management listened to what Ron Mitchell on the JLMB had to say, and made the change.
Pedestrians must take ownership of their surroundings when stepping off the curb. There are those rare moments when our tracking left and a pedestrian’s movement in a crosswalk are at an exact relative speed such that your profile is blocked from our sightline between the front windshield and our side window. This has happened to me several times a year, and it is both a shock to me and the person crossing.
Stink eye and angry retaliation from the pedestrian soon follows, and it is imperative I try to let them know I could not see them, but usually they are so angry at my perceived lack of care, they don’t see their own responsibility of looking before they leap, so to speak.
The hardest angst to overcome is the angry pedestrian emotionally unavailable with phone and music in hand, refusing to communicate with me, the driver. No learning takes place, save for a passive aggressive complaint to await me in the dispatcher’s office about two weeks later. Our Vision Zero campaign is a blessing to behold, especially with the great design graphics on the back of our buses.
Unfortunately, like all good messages, a Las Vegas casino winking neon sign, a movie marquee, a Golden Gate Foghorn, is not enough for some folks. My hope is this chapter can save another chapter in an operator’s career, or in a pedestrian’s life. Pedestrians do have the highest right of way from all others: skaters, cyclists, and motorists, but this includes the law: do not start crossing if an intersection is blocked. If a bus has passed the second stop line of a nearside crosswalk, the intersection is blocked. If your visibility is blocked from the sight line of the oncoming lane such you cannot see an opposing vehicle approaching, the intersection is blocked. As a pedestrian, the rule of law is to look both ways before you start crossing.
As a transit operator, you dear readers, would be surprised to learn the percentage of pedestrians who do not look before they leap. It isn’t a small percentage like 5 or 10. It’s over half of all crossing pedestrians. Please spread the word of Vision Zero if you see someone take off without looking. My vision of Happy Destiny is for you to stay within your current body, and not be rushed to the ER.
All the legal maneuvers and fault finding after a fatality could all be avoided by taking personal responsibility when stepping off the curb. Family members and loved ones cannot do this for us in the moment of now. It is our responsibility. The title of this book is Happy Destiny, not Final Destiny!
This actually happened to me on the 33 Ashbury Line turning right off Haight onto Ashbury! The bus looks like a Muni bus and has the right color livery, and the house on the corner looks just like any one on Haight Street at Ashbury! Uncanny. The skater even looks realistic like the one who almost ran into my bus!
A Third example follows from L.P.O (Late Pull-Out) also from Dao of Doug 2:
LPO
The installation of cameras on the front windscreen has had one beneficial effect. Those monitoring our pull-out time see how much extra time is required to move deficient coaches out of the way. With trolleys at Potrero, we have so many coaches dead on the tracks that we are trapped in a canyon or gauntlet of unmoving buses, such that if the lead coach in front of us is caught in restrictive mode at start-up, we are blocked from pulling out on time.
A good yard starter is found turning on coaches well in advance of their pull-out in the morning to see if a reboot is necessary. The installation of computers and memory chips on buses may be great for global positioning monitoring and data checking brake function, speed, and door-opens, but these devices can create hassles with morning sickness on the equipment when it has been a cold night with heavy fog. Moisture adhering to carbon on the various components and electrical sensor points creates annoying warnings, such as hot body, that cut into the calm of morning pull-out. (I have always wanted a hot body, but not on my assigned coach!)
In the afternoon, finding a good coach can be like hide-and-seek, and I was blessed with being able to talk to my leader on her cut-in pull-out as to why she was having difficulty making the pull-out on time. The secret to making sure all is well is to allow for more than ten minutes of extra time when arriving to the pre-op point. If this is not possible, then communicate the problem in a way that does not ruffle feathers. Not a good idea to upset the shop and crew working on your equipment before you pull out in the morning.
Oh gee, the coach is in restrictive mode, or the inductive dial is turned to the right. Oh, the coach was turned on in day run. Did I check to see if I was on night run with all my lights on? And the pre-op list goes on. The key to having no trouble has been to show up early to make sure the coach is on and not in restricted mode. I have to check the master dial and make sure the coach is not in neutral on the ETI or in neutral on the Flyer. I also have to make sure the bus was not left on in EPU (emergency power unit or battery mode) last night, or else I am not going anywhere. The precious extra fifteen minutes we are given on our paycheck to pre-op the coach comes in handy when we have to get the yard starter to call the shop to assist us with a jump or a reboot of the circuit board to get us going. If I wait until the last moment to reprogram the fare box, I could hear a nasty alarm that the box is open or has no power.
As creatures of habit, we usually save the fare box to last, but this, too, can lead to a late pull-out. So the key is to show up before pull-out to make sure the bus is in gear, in power, and programmed from head sign to fare box so that no surprises await. Checking the wipers to see that they actually clean the window and the mirrors and that they are in a good alignment, can also dog us in being late. Especially if it has been dry, and the wipers haven’t been used for a long time. The wash rack throws mirror arms out of alignment.
If the wipers were left on at a terminal during a misty rain, the window can be smeared with dull blades. And finally, deployment of the lift is icing on the cake to determine if I will have a day of service or a day of waiting for the shop and giving the bus and operator behind me a double passenger load.
I am happy to say I have kept the Zen in pulling out on time over the years and have had very few LPOs to my name. Cutting in on the line is an art in and of itself. Just as with a switchback, entering the line a few minutes late or behind time is a good idea for not getting ahead of oneself, which is to say that an empty bus moves up in headway faster than the following coach that already has a load. Being aware of this helps keep the Zen with your follower.
And so now to that part of routine I sometimes skip. Kindle Direct Publishing on Amazon now asks, Is there any part of your book that was AI generated? I immediately checked the box, “No.” The interior body of the manuscript is still currently all me. But what about the blurbs and Search Engine generated tagwords? Does this count?
My first reaction is to freak out because I’m afraid you, as a potential reader will roll your eyes and reject anything ‘fake’ from a non-fiction book. To be sure, it’s pretty obvious the images are AI generated by the letters and words that don’t quite make sense. But still. . .
Indeed, over coffee with friends, three of four people had reservations about reading a book generated with AI. So far, the images in the books are from my iPhoto library taken by my camera, but I am intrigued by these above generated images, and think they are cool. And it’s got me thinking. My curiosity is definitely piqued, and I want to do more with AI.
So far everything everything I’ve uploaded to Amazon hasn’t been Chat GPT generated, but I am confounded by the discussion that arises about AI and who or what should get credit. Are these my images? They were created from my chapter input, but are they truly mine? If you go to the book descriptions on the Amazon, Apple Books, or any other current webpage, they are mine. But here are AI generated blurbs that I have used in the online description links to my books, and sales are UP!
Suggested Categories/ Genres for- Best of the Dao of
Doug: A Public Transit Guide
Self-Help and Personal Development:
Focused on personal growth and finding happiness, making it relatable to readers seeking improvement in their lives.
Memoir and Anecdotal Essays:
Capturing personal stories and reflections that resonate with readers on a personal level.
Mindfulness and Zen Philosophy:
Emphasizing the pursuit of Zen in everyday distractions, appealing to those interested in mindfulness practices.
Transportation and Urban Lifestyle:
Highlights the unique interactions and experiences of bus driving in a dense urban environment, connecting with city dwellers and commuters.
Alone, Yet Flourishing 🌟
In the quiet of the evening light,
Stands a man, poised for flight.
No girlfriend’s warmth to share the night,
Yet his spirit burns, bold and bright. 💡
With dreams that soar on wings of hope, He navigates life, learning to cope. Success his compass, passion his map, In the rhythm of progress, he finds his clap. 👏
Each goal he sets, a mountain to climb, With courage as his ally, he conquers time. For in every challenge, a lesson unfolds, A story of strength, in whispers told. 📖
Friendships blossom, laughter rings true, In a circle of trust, his heart finds its hue. Building connections that nourish the soul, In the tapestry of life, he plays a vital role. 🧵
Passions ignite as he dives deep within, In art, in sport, where the true joys begin. Every moment cherished, a treasure to keep, In the dance of existence, he finds joy’s leap. 🎨
Self-care his mantra, he nurtures his core, With health and well-being, he opens new doors. Mind and body in harmony, a symphony played, In the orchestra of life, his spirit won’t fade. 🎶
Though love may wait, he walks his own path, With resilience as armor, he embraces the math. For the heart knows its rhythm, and fate will align, In the journey of self, the stars brightly shine. ✨
So here he stands, a man strong and free, In the dance of success, he finds unity. With hope in his heart and dreams in his sight, He knows his time will come, it’s just a matter of light. 🌅
Set Clear Goals: Define what success looks like for you
Cultivate Friendships: Invest time in building meaningful connections.
Engage in Hobbies: Explore new activities that spark joy.
Prioritize Health: Create a self-care routine that works for you.
Are you ready to take the first step toward one of your goals?
The entire above block was generated after I hit “Select all” drop down on my entire epub version manuscript–and ChatGPT did what I asked–to create a poem along with suggested actions to take with regards to the themes in my book.
“Holy Moly Batman,” this looks incredible! I’d be interested in what you think about AI, and if I should be scared to check the box, ‘I am not a robot.’ but the stuff I post may be!
The Dao of Doug: A Bus Driver's Perspective 