Why Rhinos? and on Being One

Q: Why the theme? What's all this rhinoceros business?

A: Way back in the before times, I narrated one of my old blog entries into the computer. Either the technology wasn't solid or my diction was ragged, but "NaNoWriMo" became "Nano Rhino" and thus my wee spirit animal sprung into being. The Nano Rhino served many as a mascot, cheerleader, coach, goad, comic foil, and general all-around muse-for-hire for the Typewriter Brigade, and all Wrimos feeling particularly rebellious in embracing old school over new cool.

Not even the prescient powers of my tiny accidental companion could have predicted the sea change in how us silly, giant humans create new content. AI is here, it's not going away, and each of us needs to decide where we stand on it. For my personal creative efforts, I'm in camp No Thank You. The joy is in the creating, and in using our imperfect, slow, difficult brains. I've yet to see a prompt that brings lasting gratification.

I put these words down once upon a time when the Rhino was channeling his Cheerleader mode through me. It was meant to be a rallying cry around the middle of November, when the plot usually went off the rails and all hope of getting back on seems lost. I feel a bit derailed now trying to plonk down words one at a time, the "old fashioned" way as AI enables thousands of new submissions daily. Being ignored is one thing, being swallowed by slop is quite another.

Anyway, back again for a new round of inspiration, motivation, or comedic foiling, this reminder that when times are toughest for the creative, it's OK to be the rhino.

Be stubborn.
When things get rough, put your head down and charge.
Be nearsighted to your faults and bad-tempered to your inner critic.
Develop a thick skin.
Don't worry about the small things. Small things will get out of your way.
Be endangered and valued and venerated and rare. 
Travel in herds when it suits you. 
Go it alive when you must. 
Appreciate the value of the communal watering hole. 
Nit-picking is for the birds. Leave it to them. 
Be the rhino.

🧩🦏 

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