The Network.

The idea for this network was born from my frustration. I was triggered by new AI bot singer-songwriters posing as flesh and blood talent and spiralled into despair, which led to some self-reflection, and then the spark of The Network LIT UP. As someone who has experienced lots of isolation and solitude, and can be said to be introverted, I love hyping people up and know from experience the difference it can make. I'm really so excited for this.

Before the idea became clear, when I was still feeling rather glum, I pulled a card to put at my desk. It was this one below.

OK, so instead of moping about, I could do something practical. It completely shifted my perspective and made me realise I could act on my desire to light up other artists — the overlooked and the established. I have this website that I pay for anyway, so I can use this space to share with others.

This network was inspired by those who said they didn't care about fake AI art. Because I care. I care about supporting other human beings, and I want this network to be a way to reject AI art as a replacement. It was originally meant to be a way to find and hire humans instead. In a recent blog on AI music, Oi Oi Ai, I said AI users should 'just reach out to collaborate' with artists. But I know that despite the moral dilemmas, there can be other issues too — especially if you think you don't have the budget for a collaboration, are naturally more introverted, fear rejection, or can't seem to find people you'd like to create with.

My first post on this idea was 'let's use AI to bring us together'. I used an AI chat to generate a master chart of artistic professions. After multiple reviews to ensure all creative roles were included and levels of experience excluded, it was done. My plan was to have the roles clickable so that when looking for a person to hire, you could find them via the directory. This is no longer the purpose, and I've scrapped the master chart for now.

This was all while Mercury was retrograde. The original phrasing I used to explain the network caused confusion around my attitude towards AI for those who hadn't read my previous blogs or seen my other posts. Because of the misunderstanding caused, I refined my pitch and decided to wait until the retrograde finished. During this time, I also found by chance one of the short introductions on, guess what... Networks.

page 3

So after reading that, I checked its further reading and planned to dive into all the texts and essays I thought I needed. This delay — caused by my fear of the retrograde, my need to study up what others have to say on an original idea, and my refusal to trust my instinct — I'll forever regret. Not trusting your gut always has consequences, and some of them you can't turn back to fix.

If your source is soul and soil and ether, don't fret over a citation; if your skin hums with truth, then sing. Don't ever deny nature's offerings, and trust your daydreams. I don't know why I was trying to academise an idea gifted by the moon.

I planned to write a political-social essay on AI and social relations: 'The Network: us, AI, and our art affinity.' I wanted to break the blog essay into chapters: Exclusive Mechanism, Inclusive Hierarchies, Honorary Hierarchies, Machine Minds and Machine Hearts, A Ladder or a Lattice, Input 'Inclusion' Press Enter, Tag — You're It, Mutualism, Sociometry.

Why, Why, Why? From my heart to yours, it's just so simple.

I want to do what I can while I'm alive to ensure others feel they always have something to live for. It might sound extreme or deep, but I know I'm grateful for the lifelines I've had in my life; they haven't always been people; sometimes it's a tree, a rock, the breeze, sunlight, a squirrel, and even when it was a person, it was rarely someone I actually knew in person; they were strangers. Strangers from the present and past who kept me alive through their work. By being on this network, your work might be a lifeline for a stranger, and you may find your pains justified and your joy sustained in someone else's work.

Right now, The Network is starting as a dynamic directory with features to ensure it's neither static nor hierarchical. It will require your engagement and interest to get the most out of this mutual exchange between creative souls.

This is a private dream, but I always wanted Opaline Quill to evolve into a charity. My plan was to make lots of money and do good with it. I planned on building schools with new curricula and designing other creative spaces, which I won't go into now. Maybe one day. But for now, with The Network, I truly believe it can be of service. I know so many incredibly creative people — from acquaintances to close friends — and would love to share their work here and to welcome new artists to sign up. The Network can function as a bridge to connect communities and beings in a completely random way — no algorithms or social protocols. It will always be kept free to ensure all artists can enrol on the directory and all visitors can have access too. There are exciting developments I plan to implement once it's up and running. I'd like for the Network to predominantly grow through word of mouth, so reach out to your friends and invite them to the network too; we all need each other.

Thanks for being here. To summarise: this space is to serve you — to encourage your creative practice and facilitate connection. It's open to all and is free of charge. It is in service to our affinity with art and our shared humanity, and you're welcome to join by emailing me with the subject line 'Network' or reaching out on Instagram. Love, R