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  "path": "/2026/03/16/ptpl-199-crocs-em-dashes-writing-without-apology",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-15T22:00:00.000Z",
  "site": "https://ellanew.com",
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  "textContent": "## On confidence and slop, and the words that still fit\n\nThere’s no getting around it; Artificial Intelligence (AI) has ruined some phrases that used to work just fine. I can’t help caring about that, though I wish I didn’t! And so I am working on gaining the confidence to write whatever I want, when I want — the same way I have no problem wearing my Crocs to the supermarket, no matter how many side eyes I get.\n\nI have an internal grrrr each time I think of a headline or sentence in my writing that uses phrases that really do describe what I want to say, but have been used to death in AI-generated text. Like, stop making me look click-baity already!\n\nThe slop is forcing me to be more inventive, creative, and human with word choices, so that’s one good thing to come from it.\n\nWhen I said this on Mastodon recently, some kind people commented to encourage me to keep on doing _my thing_ , not worrying about what AI would or would not do. And so I shall.\n\nIt’s interesting, though, isn’t it, this propensity many of us have to change our behaviour based on how we _think_ other people will perceive us. Socially, this can be an important survival mechanism; a certain level of acceptance keeps us from being lonely, and even helps to ensure the survival of the species.\n\nYes, I proudly wear my Crocs in public, disregarding the looks from people who quite obviously wouldn’t be caught dead in them. _Ah, I see you’re wearing Crocs… They look, uh, …comfortable_ , their eyes say, from high up on their faces. _Thank you, indeed they are_ , I silently reply.\n\nYet I have to admit there is the same feeling of disquiet in the corner of my mind when I’m out in those Crocs, as there is when I start writing phrases into which AI has been busily wearing holes.\n\nI _want_ to feel free to use whatever turn of phrase best communicates my intended meaning, _even if_ AI slops it about elsewhere. I also want to actively avoid the worst offending phrases. Conflicted, much!\n\nMost of the time I opt for more descriptive terms. No more “Final Thoughts” or “In Conclusion” at the end of articles, unless no other phrase will do. I am more careful these days about not thoughtlessly splashing about the em-dash, reserving it for where no other punctuation mark can insert just the right amount of pause.\n\nI’m not against using AI as an assistant. It will never be allowed to write for me, but I do appreciate it asking me about things I have already written. No compliment-drivel like “Perfect!” or “You’ve written from the heart, and that’s rare”, ever. Just non-leading questions that help me see things more clearly. Others can side-eye certain phrases in my writing, if they like, just as they do my Crocs.\n\nNow I’m not saying that Crocs are the ideal shoes for foot health, but those who mock them because of their chunky width may like to consider that —\n\n> What you’re doing with your body all the time creates loads, the shoes you’re wearing creates loads and the more you can understand that, the more you can understand when and where to add minimal shoes, where and when to add exercises, when to pick a more rigid minimal shoe or a different type of minimal shoe. —Katy Bowman\n\nI’m seeing a nice parallel between Katy’s views of biomechanics, and the intentional use of phrases AI regularly serves up. It’s a mindset shift from what looks nice and is (supposedly) socially acceptable, to having a sense of what _load_ is being created on the whole organism.\n\nWhat effect are these overused phrases having on the body of my work?\n\nPerhaps they will strengthen the overall piece in some circumstances, and weaken it in others. I must school my intuition, through hard work, to see the difference. Doubtless, that hard work will involve making many errors; setting down things solely so that I can recognise them as not belonging, and send them to oblivion. Then I can be confident that what remains, truly deserves to be there.\n\n* * *\n\n_💬 I love to hear from readers! email hello at ellanew dot com or message me on Mastodon or Bluesky. Follow my RSS feed, or sign up to receive a weekly plain text themed email._\n\n\n\nIf you’ve found value here I invite you to share this post with someone you think will appreciate it, or make a contribution to my support jar.",
  "title": "PTPL 199 · Crocs, Em-dashes, and Writing Without Apology"
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