"If you want this to be your thing, you got to keep doing the thing." - Ursula Vernon

In this episode of Ditch Diggers, Mur and Ursula dive into the chaotic world of writing, sharing their latest projects, travel plans, and ask you if that thing you wanted to say actually is the thing you want to say online. They discuss the SNAFU of the WorldCon AI controversy, the ethical considerations surrounding generative technologies, and whether it matters if the dog dies or not.

Highlights:

• (01:15) Welcome to the Warbler Appreciation room!
• (05:30) Ursula's upcoming travels and book festivals
• (12:45) The challenges of writing while managing ADHD
• (20:00) Ursula's progress on the next Swordheart book
• (30:00) Audio quality warning—Ursula's mic issues
• (35:15) The ethics of AI in writing and publishing
• (45:00) Worldcon's controversial decision to use AI for vetting
• (55:30) The importance of reading the room in online discussions
• (01:02:15) Closing thoughts and where to find them online

(This post went live for supporters on June 3, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, join our exclusive community over at Patreon!)

Transcript

Links:

• Escape Pod
• Rune Factory 4
• Crashlands 2
• Inaturalist
• Worldcon
• Agatha Christie

Evergreen Links:

• Ursula Vernon/T. Kingfisher
• Mur Lafferty
• Mur on Focusmate
• Mur on Instagram, Youtube
• Support via Patreon!
• Theme song by Devo Spice

Ditch Diggers credits:
theme song by Devo Spice, art by Numbers Ninja,
site hosted by Libsyn (or Patreon).

June 4, 2024 | Season 11 Ep 5 | murverse.com
"AI and the Art of Not Reading the Room" by Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon
is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0