Bill Conrad's Blog - Posts Tagged "descriptive-terms"
State of the Art
In the sixties, NASA developed the Apollo guidance computer. This small device accomplished what normally would take a roomful of mainframes, and it did so with only 55 watts. The program developed for the guidance computer was so perfect that it is still used today to showcase superb programming techniques.
In its day, this computer was the apex of modern technology. Thus, it met the definition of “state of the art.” Meaning that this device was the best-of-the-best, something to surpass, the ultimate achievement, something to possess, and the mark of excellence.
What are some modern state of the art examples? How about a computer graphics card? Surely the GeForce RTX 5090 or the AMD Radeon RX 9070 would take that crown. Well… that is where this term runs into difficulty.
Those devices have impressive specifications, and the graphics they produce are stunning. The problem is that millions of computers are running millions of programs. About the best one could say is, “As of the time this article was written, the GeForce RTX 5090 has the best performance, but a device from a different manufacturer might suit your needs better.”
The same could be said of construction equipment, weapons, cars, planes, satellites, smartphones, medical devices, robots, printers, drones, special effects, or trains. Meaning that this term has become useless for describing the peak of a technology, since many companies offer a broad range of products.
Amusing, but how does this term apply to writing? So… What romance book is the state of the art?
This is where the term falls flat on its face. I doubt that the first romance book was even considered state of the art, because creative products do not qualify as pinnacle achievements. A state of the art painting? Which Michael Jackson song is state of the art?
Well, how about nonfiction? The Chilton General Motors Full-Size Trucks 1988-98 Repair Manual features the most up-to-date diagrams, information, and modern repair techniques. That makes it state of the art. Right?
I guess, but consumers may purchase manuals from other publishers, including the manufacturer. Plus, consumers may access detailed information online, especially on General Motors truck repair forums. And recall that a book is static, meaning that it cannot change unless a new edition is published.
Let’s take another tack. In the 80s, choose your own adventure books hit the market like a storm. There was nothing like them, and in some ways, they made traditional books obsolete. Then there were the eBooks and audiobooks. Were these considered being state of the art? At least for a few months?
I suppose, but I would argue that it was state of the art entertainment, not state of the art creativity. Meaning, the technology was the new part, and the author was along for the ride.
What about a state of the art plot, character description, scene, or plot twist? I do not think the term applies. Instead, I would call a good character an excellent example of what is possible.
Could a sentence be state of the art? Humans have written over a trillion sentences, and it isn’t easy to single one out. How about the first sentence of Walden by Henry David Thoreau?
“When I wrote the following pages, or rather the bulk of them, I lived alone, in the woods, a mile from any neighbor, in a house which I had built myself, on the shore of Walden Pond, in Concord, Massachusetts, and earned my living by the labor of my hands only.”
Arguably, that is the best first sentence of any book. Yet, it was written in 1854. Not even on a computer. And who gets to decide that it is the apex of sentences? I would think a short one, a quotable one or a more inspirational one would be better. “Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” How about a song lyric? “All you need is love.” There is a sea of sentences covering a world of thoughts. Picking the apex is impossible.
Let’s try a different tactic. Many readers consider Ernest Hemingway to be one of the best authors. So, let’s pretend that I have a PhD in English, literature, and creative writing. Using this extensive background, I write a book assisted by the best AI language models and get it proofread by the most talented editors. Critics and readers widely praise the result. Several commented, “The writing in this book is better than Ernest Hemingway.”
Ok, that is a huge stretch for an up-and-coming author like me, but let’s pretend that the opinion is universally accepted. Now what? Is my book state of the art? Umm, who is calling it state of the art? The critics? The readers? The publishers? The marketers? A mindless AI chat box?
I think the problem is that Ernest Hemingway is no longer with us, which means that the term “better” does not apply. An apple is better than an orange only to the person who likes apples—and using AI to aid in my writing? To many, including me, AI makes writing worse. Also, who cares about an author with a PhD or which editor was used? A good story is a good story. And what if the reader only likes mystery? It means that Ernest Hemingway's books, or books written in his style, would have no appeal.
I find it fascinating to see areas that are difficult to write about. Calling something is state of the art is easy, but it rarely applies.
You’re the best -Bill
October 29, 2025
In its day, this computer was the apex of modern technology. Thus, it met the definition of “state of the art.” Meaning that this device was the best-of-the-best, something to surpass, the ultimate achievement, something to possess, and the mark of excellence.
What are some modern state of the art examples? How about a computer graphics card? Surely the GeForce RTX 5090 or the AMD Radeon RX 9070 would take that crown. Well… that is where this term runs into difficulty.
Those devices have impressive specifications, and the graphics they produce are stunning. The problem is that millions of computers are running millions of programs. About the best one could say is, “As of the time this article was written, the GeForce RTX 5090 has the best performance, but a device from a different manufacturer might suit your needs better.”
The same could be said of construction equipment, weapons, cars, planes, satellites, smartphones, medical devices, robots, printers, drones, special effects, or trains. Meaning that this term has become useless for describing the peak of a technology, since many companies offer a broad range of products.
Amusing, but how does this term apply to writing? So… What romance book is the state of the art?
This is where the term falls flat on its face. I doubt that the first romance book was even considered state of the art, because creative products do not qualify as pinnacle achievements. A state of the art painting? Which Michael Jackson song is state of the art?
Well, how about nonfiction? The Chilton General Motors Full-Size Trucks 1988-98 Repair Manual features the most up-to-date diagrams, information, and modern repair techniques. That makes it state of the art. Right?
I guess, but consumers may purchase manuals from other publishers, including the manufacturer. Plus, consumers may access detailed information online, especially on General Motors truck repair forums. And recall that a book is static, meaning that it cannot change unless a new edition is published.
Let’s take another tack. In the 80s, choose your own adventure books hit the market like a storm. There was nothing like them, and in some ways, they made traditional books obsolete. Then there were the eBooks and audiobooks. Were these considered being state of the art? At least for a few months?
I suppose, but I would argue that it was state of the art entertainment, not state of the art creativity. Meaning, the technology was the new part, and the author was along for the ride.
What about a state of the art plot, character description, scene, or plot twist? I do not think the term applies. Instead, I would call a good character an excellent example of what is possible.
Could a sentence be state of the art? Humans have written over a trillion sentences, and it isn’t easy to single one out. How about the first sentence of Walden by Henry David Thoreau?
“When I wrote the following pages, or rather the bulk of them, I lived alone, in the woods, a mile from any neighbor, in a house which I had built myself, on the shore of Walden Pond, in Concord, Massachusetts, and earned my living by the labor of my hands only.”
Arguably, that is the best first sentence of any book. Yet, it was written in 1854. Not even on a computer. And who gets to decide that it is the apex of sentences? I would think a short one, a quotable one or a more inspirational one would be better. “Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” How about a song lyric? “All you need is love.” There is a sea of sentences covering a world of thoughts. Picking the apex is impossible.
Let’s try a different tactic. Many readers consider Ernest Hemingway to be one of the best authors. So, let’s pretend that I have a PhD in English, literature, and creative writing. Using this extensive background, I write a book assisted by the best AI language models and get it proofread by the most talented editors. Critics and readers widely praise the result. Several commented, “The writing in this book is better than Ernest Hemingway.”
Ok, that is a huge stretch for an up-and-coming author like me, but let’s pretend that the opinion is universally accepted. Now what? Is my book state of the art? Umm, who is calling it state of the art? The critics? The readers? The publishers? The marketers? A mindless AI chat box?
I think the problem is that Ernest Hemingway is no longer with us, which means that the term “better” does not apply. An apple is better than an orange only to the person who likes apples—and using AI to aid in my writing? To many, including me, AI makes writing worse. Also, who cares about an author with a PhD or which editor was used? A good story is a good story. And what if the reader only likes mystery? It means that Ernest Hemingway's books, or books written in his style, would have no appeal.
I find it fascinating to see areas that are difficult to write about. Calling something is state of the art is easy, but it rarely applies.
You’re the best -Bill
October 29, 2025
