Photo credit: bookriot.com
Welcome to Today in Books, our daily compilation of literary headlines touching upon the intersections of culture, politics, media, and more.
New Revelations on Meta’s LLM Training Practices
Discussions surrounding Meta’s use of literary data for training its language models have sparked considerable debate, particularly regarding the origins of the book data involved. The contentious dialogues, which have polarized opinions into two main camps—those advocating that using any kind of book material constitutes theft versus those arguing for the inevitability of technological advancement—often overlook the critical aspect of legal acquisition. Recent developments indicate that legal nuances may indeed play a significant role in this matter. If it can be established that the dataset consisted of pirated texts and that these books were shared unlawfully, this could significantly complicate Meta’s legal standing. While this aspect does not address deeper ethical considerations related to compensating authors for their intellectual property, the potential for costly legal ramifications looms large over the company’s future in the AI space. A pertinent question arises: how different is this from an individual reading numerous books to subsequently create their own work, assuming all books were obtained through proper channels?
NEA Restructures Challenge America Grant and Application Timeline
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has recently discontinued its Challenge America grant, which was previously aimed at supporting underrepresented artists and communities. In its stead, the NEA has unveiled a new initiative focused on a patriotic observance of the sesquicentennial. While the previous funding opportunity fostered diverse artistic expression, critics may find the newly announced project less engaging. This shift raises questions about the agency’s priorities and its commitment to fostering a variety of artistic landscapes across the nation.
Readers’ Day: Engaging with “Never Let Me Go”
For those in London, an enticing opportunity awaits for book enthusiasts. For 75 pounds, participants can join a select group of 15 fellow readers in a unique venue to delve into Kazuo Ishiguro’s acclaimed novel Never Let Me Go. The event will be guided by a distinguished scholar and former Booker Prize judge, offering a chance to deeply analyze and discuss the text. This initiative highlights the growing interest in immersive literary experiences. The prospect of hosting similar events could foster a vibrant culture of reading and dialogue, which is increasingly valuable in today’s fast-paced world.
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In addition, I recently interviewed Professor Shigehiro Oishi regarding his latest book, Life in Three Dimensions: How Curiosity, Exploration, and Experience Make a Fuller, Better Life. The text highlights the importance of books and reading not just as examples but as vital pathways to leading a rich psychological life. Both the book and our discussion were richly rewarding.
Source
bookriot.com