Substack author champions em dashes as antidote to AI-generated prose
A new essay on the platform contends that the em dash offers superior narrative control compared to brackets, colons, and semicolons, while also providing a method to distinguish human writing from artificial intelligence output.
A recent article published on Substack has ignited discussion regarding punctuation standards, with the author arguing that the em dash is the most effective tool for creating dramatic pauses and integrating clarifications within sentences. Titled 'Em dashes are fucking amazing', the piece criticises the conventional use of brackets, colons, and semicolons, suggesting that the em dash provides greater freedom and impact for writers seeking to maintain narrative momentum.
The author contends that em dashes allow for a more organic flow of text, describing the typing process as akin to assembling Lego bricks. In contrast, the essay dismisses brackets as a sign of embarrassment and describes ellipses as "melancholic," preferring the forward momentum provided by the em dash. The writer suggests that most colons and semicolons are better replaced by em dashes, with the exception of the semicolon, which is described as representing "fundamental indecision."
A significant portion of the argument focuses on the distinction between human and artificial intelligence writing. The author advises writers to use AP-style em dashes, which are surrounded by spaces, to differentiate their work from AI-generated text. The essay notes that AI models typically produce unspaced em dashes, such as "like—this," whereas the spaced variant signals a more artisanal, hand-crafted approach to writing.
Technical guidance is also provided for those wishing to adopt this style, with specific instructions for Mac users to type an em dash by pressing Option, Shift, and the Hyphen key simultaneously. The author asserts that while AI has figured out how to produce em dashes, this is not an "AGI-complete problem" and remains a simple task for human typists.
Beyond stylistic advice, the article includes a commercial element, with the author offering personalised punctuation advice for $175 per hour. The piece concludes with a challenge to readers, suggesting that writing without em dashes is unacceptable, and urging writers to disregard online criticism regarding their punctuation choices.
