Blog
AI, Politics and Climate Change
Posted on 1st August, 2026
I shall start with the first of the three things mentioned in my title. Take a Break, a short story magazine, has now started using AI to write their stories. I know of several writers who rely on selling short stories to supplement their income. I’ve not seen any – but I’m reliably informed in the romantasy section of Amazon KU, over 50% of the top hundred have been written by AI. There are American people – I won’t call them writers – who say they are making six figures easily from producing 200 AI books a month. I use AI for research and I love it but I think data centres are going to destroy the planet. There are plans to put one somewhere in Cornwall that covers 10 acres of land! President Trump has asked Americans to use less water because his data centres need it more than they do. Words fail me. I just hope that our new government will step up and stop the proliferation of AI theft and misinformation.
Politics are rarely funny but at the moment in my constituency, Clacton-on-Sea, the situation is hysterical and I am enjoying every minute of it. The leader of the Reform Party, Nigel Farage, resigned as an MP in order to stand again. His motive was to distract from the investigations into his financial affairs. The main parties decided not to stand against him making the whole thing a fiasco. Then an intergalactic saviour stepped in, Count Binface, and decided to stand against the Reform leader. Then thirty-two other candidates also paid the £500 to stand. This is now a Guinness book of records situation as there have never been so many candidates in an election in the UK before. I’ve already voted for Count Binface as I am a postal voter. My voting slip was the length of my desk. I can’t wait for 13 August to see how they manage to squeeze all thirty-four candidates onto the podium. A politician can be feared, but once laughed at he’s finished. Not before time – in my opinion. I doubt that Count Binface can win – but you never know.
Climate change is no laughing matter. Vast parts of Europe are on fire – literally thousands and thousands of acres of land have been destroyed. Lives have been lost, property destroyed and heaven knows how much wildlife has also been wiped out. This is because of climate change – global warming – and it’s here to stay. There was a massive fire in Suffolk and another one reported yesterday in Colchester. Drought conditions have been declared in the UK and most of the country has a hosepipe ban. We don’t hear a lot about it but I expect hundreds of vulnerable people have died because of the heat. I can’t work when it’s over 30 centigrade outside and almost as hot in my home. I’ve been reading about people in tower blocks, social housing, where the temperature has gone up to over 42 centigrade. Nobody can function well at that sort of temperature. I hope that world leaders will come together and find a solution before it’s too late.
I don’t know about you, but I’m trying to concentrate on Count Binface, who not only is an intergalactic visitor he is also an international figure having been interviewed all over the world by newspapers and news channels. Wouldn’t it be hilarious if he beat the loathsome Farage?
until next month
Fenella J Miller
