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Friday, July 14, 2023

SAG-AFTRA WGA STRIKE: WE WILL REPLACE YOU

 SAG-AFTRA WGA STRIKE

 WE WILL REPLACE YOU

Attention all workers of America and the world! The entertainment industry is in turmoil, and it's not just because of the lack of good TV shows lately. No, it's because the robots are coming for our jobs. That's right, AI is poised to replace us all, starting with the poor actors and writers who make our favorite shows and movies.

The Writer's Guild of America (WGA) and the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) are currently in the midst of a strike, and the major issue at hand is the impending threat of AI takeover. It's like Terminator, but instead of Arnold Schwarzenegger, it's a bunch of ones and zeroes that are going to steal our livelihoods.

The entertainment industry is currently embroiled in a labor battle that is hotter than a jalapeño pepper in a sauna. The Writer’s Guild of America (WGA) and the Directors Guild of America (DGA) are both fighting for better contracts, but it's the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) that has everyone talking. Why? Because they're worried about being replaced by AI.

Yes, you read that right. Artificial intelligence is coming for your favorite actors. And if you think it's just going to be voiceover artists that are affected, think again. We're talking about a future where robots are playing the lead roles in movies and TV shows. Can you imagine? "Starring Johnny 5 as James Bond." It's a nightmare.

But don't worry, the SAG-AFTRA strike is here to save the day. They're fighting for better pay, stronger contributions to the union's pension and health fund, and residuals from streaming services to be brought in line with those traditionally paid out by theatrical and broadcast productions. They're also seeking greater regulation of "self-taped auditions," which have become an industry norm.

Now, you might be thinking, "But I'm not an actor, why should I care?" Well, my friend, because AI is coming for all of us. That's right, your job could be next. So, pay attention to what's happening with the SAG-AFTRA strike because the issues they're fighting for will affect every worker in America and the world.

And let's not forget about the writers. The WGA is also fighting for their rights, and we should be rooting for them too. After all, without writers, there wouldn't be any movies or TV shows for the robots to star in.

But back to the AI issue. Has Skynet become sentient? Are we on the verge of a robot uprising? Probably not, but it's still a concern. We need to make sure that we're not replaced by machines. Maybe we need to start a union for robots? I mean, they're going to need representation too.

But fear not, my fellow humans. We will not go down without a fight. The unions are demanding better pay, stronger contributions to their pension and health funds, and residuals from streaming services that are on par with those paid out by traditional theatrical and broadcast productions. They're also seeking greater regulation of "self-taped auditions," which have become all too common in the industry. Seriously, what's next? Will we have to direct ourselves too?

And let's not forget about the voiceover actors who are already feeling the heat from AI-generated performances. It's like Siri is trying to steal their jobs. But even with all this going on, videos using AI voiceover are still going viral. I mean, come on people, have we learned nothing from The Matrix?

The DGA has already come to a deal with the AMPTP, but critics are pointing out the loopholes that leave directors vulnerable to AI diluting their work. It's like Skynet has become sentient and is trying to take over Hollywood.

But let's not get too carried away. We still have Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence, and Quinta Brunson on our side. And if history has taught us anything, it's that when actors and writers come together, they can achieve great things. Just look at what they did in 1960 when they won a residual system that helped sustain an entertainment industry "middle class" for generations. We can do it again!

In all seriousness though, the SAG-AFTRA strike is important. It's not just about actors getting paid more (although that would be nice), it's about making sure that workers are protected in a world where technology is advancing at an alarming rate. We need to make sure that we're not left behind.

So, let's all root for the writers and actors who are representing all of us in this battle against AI. And let's hope that they come out on top because we don't want to live in a world where our favorite movies and TV shows are being performed by robots. That's just creepy.

In conclusion, my fellow humans, we must stand together against the robot uprising. We must demand fair pay and protections from AI takeover. And we must never forget that Fran Drescher is leading the charge. Yes, that Fran Drescher. If she can't save us from the machines, then no one can.

SAG-AFTRA Strike: Everything You Need to Know https://collider.com/sag-strike-explained/ 

SAG-AFTRA Strike: Studios’ AI Proposal Sounds Like ‘Black Mirror,’ Right? | Vanity Fair https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2023/07/sag-aftra-strike-studios-ai-proposal-sounds-like-black-mirror-right 

Bizarre AI proposal from studios helps explain SAG strike https://mashable.com/article/sag-aftra-actors-strike-ai-streaming 

Opinion | The Hollywood strikes are bigger than just Hollywood https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/sag-strike-fran-drescher-speech-actors-writers-rcna94096 via @msnbc 

‘Oppenheimer’ Cast Leaves U.K. Premiere as SAG-AFTRA Strike Imminent https://variety.com/2023/film/global/matt-damon-oppenheimer-cast-moved-red-carpet-strike-1235669528/ via @variety 

Hollywood actors go on strike after SAG-AFTRA and AMPTP negotiations break down : NPR https://www.npr.org/2023/07/13/1187310535/hollywood-actors-strike-sag-aftra 


Big Education Ape: Exploring the Potential and Limitations of AI in Education: Will AI Replace Human Teachers? https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/04/exploring-potential-and-limitations-of.html 

Big Education Ape: THE END IS NEAR: AI WILL REPLACE YOU https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/07/the-end-is-near-ai-will-replace-you.html 

Big Education Ape: The Promise (and Pitfalls) of AI for Education and the Teacher https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/04/the-promise-and-pitfalls-of-ai-for.html