As visitors to this website are aware, most of my own articles tend to be long or sometimes even very long, and readers have often complained about this.
Unfortunately, the topics I usually cover tend to be complex and controversial ones, and I feel it is difficult to properly address them in short columns that would lack the mass of supporting material necessary to make my case.
Fortunately, the powerful new AI chatbot technology that has now become available may partially solve this problem, and I’ve incorporated it into this website.
I’ve added a new button towards the top called “AI Summary” for all of our website articles that are longer than 2,000 words. Clicking that button generates relatively short summaries of the content of the article using the OpenAI technology.
Since some people might prefer summaries in paragraph text format and others might prefer outline summaries, both of those are produced. They appear in separate, closeable boxes just above the main text of the article, with the online box being scrollable since the outlines often occupy a considerable amount of vertical space.
Generating these two AI summaries generally takes 25-30 seconds, but the output is then cached for a full week, so all subsequent users would get the results with no delay at all.
The AI summaries really seem remarkably good to me, and by providing a 400-500 word precis of a 10,000 or 15,000 word article, they obviously serve a very useful purpose. For now I’ve restricted these AI summaries to articles longer than 2,000 words, but it would be easy to reduce that to 1,000 words if people think that worthwhile.
Most of the different top-tier AI systems seem roughly equal in quality and I’m using OpenAI since it is the best established and has the most developed API, but once again, it would be to later add additional AI systems if that proved worthwhile.
As an example, here’s one of my articles from more than a dozen years ago:
The AI Summary button is located near the top.
Clicking that button generates both the paragraph text summary and the outline summary shown below, though only the box containing the former is initially open.
OpenAI Text Summary
The rise of China is one of the most significant global developments in the last century, especially as the United States grapples with ongoing economic struggles. While some economists argue that China’s economic growth is unsustainable due to its extractive political system, others emphasize its remarkable transformation since the late 20th century. The reforms initiated by Deng Xiaoping in 1978 led to an unprecedented economic expansion, lifting hundreds of millions out of poverty and positioning China to potentially surpass the United States in economic output. This transformation showcases how a nation can evolve rapidly through strategic economic policies, despite challenges such as environmental degradation and social inequality.
China’s growth trajectory since the late 1970s is remarkable, with real economic output increasing nearly 40-fold by 2010. The country’s ability to double agricultural production within a short span and achieve rapid industrial growth—especially in sectors like automobiles—demonstrates a significant shift in global economic dynamics. The World Bank attributes a significant decline in global poverty rates to China’s economic success, contrasting sharply with stagnant or worsening conditions in other developing nations like India. This rapid development parallels historical growth patterns seen in the United States during its own industrial revolution, indicating that China’s rise is not merely a flash in the pan but a substantial and sustained economic transformation.
However, the social costs of such rapid growth cannot be ignored. Urban pollution and rising inequality have become pressing issues, with corruption at various levels of government breeding public discontent. Yet, as China invests in infrastructure, such as its high-speed rail system, it illustrates a commitment to harnessing its economic gains for broader societal benefits. This approach stands in stark contrast to the stagnation seen in parts of the American economy. While the U.S. grapples with wealth concentration and declining middle-class incomes, China’s burgeoning economy is lifting millions into the middle class, demonstrating how effective governance can yield significant advancements in living standards.
In the United States, a different narrative unfolds, where economic gains have largely benefited a small percentage of the population, raising questions about the effectiveness of its democratic institutions. The concentration of wealth among the top 1% and the stagnation of wages for the majority highlight a troubling trend of economic inequality. Moreover, the political landscape has increasingly been characterized by a lack of genuine choices for voters, with many feeling disillusioned by a system that seems to favor elite interests. The juxtaposition of America’s political and economic challenges against China’s rapid rise serves as a stark reminder of how domestic policies and institutions critically shape a nation’s trajectory.
OpenAI Outline Summary
# Outline of “ChinaAmerica”
## I. Introduction
A. Overview of China’s rise as a significant global development.
B. Comparison between China’s economic growth and America’s economic struggles.
C. Reference to “Why Nations Fail” by Daron Acemoglu and James A. Robinson.
1. Characterization of China’s ruling elites as “extractive.”
2. Predictions of China’s economic decline.
3. Assertion of America’s strength through “inclusive” institutions.
D. Questioning the validity of these conclusions.## II. China’s Economic Transformation
A. Historical context of China’s economy pre-1978.
1. Effects of Communist central planning.
2. High mortality rates during the Great Leap Forward.
3. Low standard of living compared to other developing countries.
B. Deng Xiaoping’s reforms in 1978.
1. Introduction of free-market policies.
2. Agricultural production doubled within seven years.
3. One-child policy’s impact on population growth.
C. Economic growth from 1978 to 2010.
1. 40-fold increase in real economy.
2. China’s economy projected to surpass the U.S. shortly.
D. Improvements in living standards.
1. Median incomes in China rising significantly.
2. Significant reduction in poverty rates attributed to China.## III. Global Context of China’s Growth
A. Comparison with historical U.S. economic expansion.
1. America’s growth between 1870 and 1900.
2. China’s per capita income growth of over 1,300% since 1980.
B. Industrial output and technological advancements.
1. China’s industrial output quadrupled in the last decade.
2. Dominance in automobile production and high-tech exports.
C. Historical significance of China’s contributions to global progress.
1. Historical wealth and advancements prior to Western dominance.## IV. Economic Interdependence
A. China’s growth and its positive effects on the global economy.
1. Increased demand for raw materials benefiting resource-rich countries.
2. The “China price” reducing costs of manufactured goods globally.
B. China’s growing consumer market.
1. Western companies benefiting from China’s rising middle class.
2. Examples of American businesses thriving in the Chinese market.## V. Social Costs of Rapid Development
A. Challenges associated with rapid urbanization.
1. Urban pollution and traffic issues.
2. Rise of billionaires and official corruption.
B. Comparison with historical American issues.
1. Potential for reversing environmental degradation.
2. Addressing corruption with growing wealth.
C. Tiananmen Square and its aftermath.
1. Long-term economic improvement overshadowing past incidents.## VI. America’s Economic and Social Decline
A. Contrast with China’s rapid progress.
1. Stagnation of real incomes for the majority of Americans.
2. The concentration of wealth among the top 1%.
B. Challenges faced by younger Americans.
1. Employment issues and rising student debt.
C. International trade statistics highlighting economic struggles.
1. Dependence on government IOUs as primary exports.
D. Demographic trends favoring China.## VII. Political and Institutional Challenges in America
A. Critique of American political institutions.
1. Corruption and ineffectiveness of the political elite.
2. The erosion of civil liberties.
B. Comparison with China’s governance.
1. Discussion of military interventions and constitutional violations.
2. Perception of media manipulation in American society.## VIII. The Emergence of Political Homogeneity
A. Discussion of political continuity between administrations.
1. Comparisons between Bush and Obama policies.
B. The role of money and media in politics.
1. The evolving nature of American democracy.
C. Public discontent and lack of political change.## IX. Conclusion
A. Reflection on the causes of American decline.
B. The implications of China’s rise for global leadership.
C. The need for self-reflection in America about its governance and economic policies.## X. Final Thoughts
A. The importance of a robust media and academic discourse in shaping societal awareness.
B. The potential for China’s growth to encourage global prosperity, not necessarily at America’s expense.## XI. Bibliography
– Reference to academic and media works cited throughout the article.
Please feel free to provide your comments, complaints and suggestions.
