Ansom Bost

> “… even when we disagree.”

On this note, I think disagreements (constructive ones!) are the best part of any discourse. Without them, it’s just too much glazing to my liking. :)

> “It does matter, a lot.”

Nice to know. Because I don‘t like to “like” stuff. I strongly prefer to comment on the stuff I find worthwhile. It’s certainly nice when this approach pays off. :)

Yep - it all checks out for me! :)

Also…

Pancakes = PowerPoint

Cereal = word docs

Not that you should care about it… but boy oh boy!

I’ve binge-read your posts and gotta tell you: the honesty + constructiveness is next level. You’re really hitting the nerve! Made me uncomfortable at times - even though I’m with you for the most part. Wherever it all came from, do keep it coming!

Words, words, words… Perhaps I did misread you, but please believe me it wasn’t intentional.

I’d say an identity is manifested through more than just a proposition. It’s transmitted even with the smallest action one takes (or, lack thereof) - most of which aren’t related to the proposition.

But, you know - to each their own. :)

The thing about debates (of all kinds)… It’s mainly an oratory exercise - whoever is more fluent usually wins, regardless of the legitimacy of their arguments. :)

No clue what “DBA” is, honestly. :)

As for proposition - I don’t disagree. My initial point, however, is about identity. And proposition, to me, is only an extension of it.

“Humbleness”, for instance, is just a general idea. You can still be effective (and even distinctive) in the execution of this idea - even if your competitors are all using it.

Just like most comedians’ identity is based on humor - but luckily for them, there are different kinds of it. :)

Distinctiveness, to me, is a completely different subject… But I’ll be happy to talk about it too. :)

Someone putting Bale on the cover image to garner attention is the final nail for me.

I’ve definitely heard this before from somewhere… Nicely done, Will. :)

Oh, hey there. That’s an interesting take - especially if you’re running for president. :)

Except there are successful brands whose identity is built entirely upon qualities that appeal to everybody - e.g. kindness, sense of humor, or humbleness. It’s prevalent among personal brands but also possible for corporate.

I think more folks in the industry should worry more about psychology and less about technology.

P.S. I don’t really want it to be anti-LLM propaganda – please consume this post with your own critical thinking. ;)

The core concept is exactly the same as it’s ever been: the product of a creative’s work makes contact with a person’s conscious mind and plants an idea in it. That’s it. It’s all about those planted ideas – the rest is merely logistics.

Because creatives have and will always be up against the fundamental mind of a human being (unless your audience is another creature, of course; in which case, it’s the creature’s mind) – whether you use a pencil, an LLM, or anything else. As simple as that.

But to constantly hear about how they’ve “transformed” the industry is, pardon me, quite sickening.

All the capitalistic nonsense aside, what has the LLM actually changed for creatives?.. Nothing, actually.

Honestly, I cannot seem to remember when’s the last time I read an interview with a creative or listened to a marketing conversation without LLMs being mentioned at some point. They’re a useful tool – I get it – as are computers in general.

I don’t particularly enjoy talking about LLMs (or similar technologies) in marketing contexts, and I don’t like the term “AI” either, but I do want to say a few things, just this once. So let’s get it over with quick. :)

I’ve never said anything (publicly) about everyone’s favorite subject - LLMs! - until now. Here’s a short note I wrote on Substack, which I’m going to repost below (in multiple parts).

brandingnotes.substack.com/p/note11

Have a good one. :)

When I’m being serious, people are laughing; when I’m joking, they’re being serious. What you gotta do. :)

I, too, say they do - though, I think, most of them just don‘t consciously know it. :)

I like the duvet one better.

Don’t you love when things are called for what they’re for!

I was sent this link and asked for my comment… I’ll reiterate what I said (in conclusion) to the person:

”If this is ’bold’ by someone’s standards, then copulate the standards!” - I exclaimed quite angrily!

(As you can see, I’m not in a good mood at all today.)

marcommnews.com/barclays-unv...

Well… It’s either “writing into the void”, or lying to yourself and calling your newsletter a ”personal diary“. :D

I unsolicitedly shared my thoughts. I’m on there too - mainly to occasionally write in my personal(-ish) branding diary, and to read a bit as well. :)

P.S. To be fair, I call my newsletter personal because I’m too lazy to do any kind of advertising and currently have a grand total of one reader.

Dead on!