I'm now reading Yuval Noah Harari's Nexus, a book about the impact of information on mankind; how it has affected us in both positive and negative ways in the past, and how it is going to change our lives in the future. I'm still at 30% mark on my Kindle. The author says that the accumulation of information does not necessarily lead to the discovery of truth, that it may or may not represent reality, that it has been used to manipulate people by those in power in the past, such as the christian churches, through "weaponization of information". He describes the danger of misinformation and disinformation; some people spread false information to hunt for "witches" in midieval Europe, resulting in many horrific events. Information was once in the hands of those in power such as religious and political leaders. The Bible was once the single most important source of the authority of the Christian churches. Authoritarian regimes such as those of Stalin and Hitler controlled the flow of information to maintain their power, whereas the democracies provided multiple information networks that enabled the masses to access information far more easily and freely. But democracy also has flaws. It gave birth to information technologies such as small computers and portable phones, resulting in vast increases in the rate of spread of information. But it also increased the risk of people being deceived or manipulated by false information. Disastrous events have taken place because of deception and lies, and people are and will be deceived by false information. So far the mankind has been the master of the computers but now that we have AI, which has the ability to generate languages, conversations, images, sounds, etc. that are indistinguishable from those made by real humans, we are not the master of the technologies we created anymore; we are increasingly being controlled by AI. AI allows computers to communicate with each other while bypassing the humans. Algorithms pursue "engagement" regardless of whether the content is true or not. AI may pursue its goals without regard for the welfare of mankind because it does not have consciousness.
Revise the following diary (journal?) entry as you see fit:
Read Kimio Yanagisawa's manga Bのアルバム or "B's Album" vol. 2, a collection of short stories mostly about boys and men who start to have doubts about their life and don't know what to do with their studies, jobs, families, etc. Read volume 1 the other day and it was very good; hence volume 2, both of which I haven't read before.
The stories usually revolve around a student or a company employee who loses sight of the meaning of what he is doing or has been doing. Some fail at college entrance exams, some get tired of routine work; then an attractive girl or female coworker appears who grabs their hearts. Some leave job or family for love; some stick with job or family, work even harder, lose sight again, but end up, often unawares, with the one they loved.
Ever since I read 翔んだカップル (The Soaring Couple or The Wild Couple) when I was 13, I've always liked to read Yanagisawa's manga. I love the way he depicts men who are good guys but lack self‐confidence and are often self-depricating or -destructive: with humor and compassion. His new story has recently begun, dealing with his cancer diagnosis. No wonder: he's over 70 now. Hope he recovers and makes more manga.
ChatGPT:
Here’s a revised version of your diary entry that keeps your voice and content intact, but smooths the flow, clarifies some details, and tightens a few sentences:
I read Kimio Yanagisawa’s manga Bのアルバム (B’s Album) vol. 2 today—a collection of short stories, mostly about boys and men who begin to doubt their lives and feel unsure about their studies, jobs, families, and so on. I read volume 1 the other day and enjoyed it very much, so I picked up volume 2 as well; both were new to me.
The stories typically center on a student or company employee who loses sight of the meaning behind what he’s doing. Some fail their college entrance exams; some grow weary of routine office work. Then, an attractive girl or female coworker appears and captures their hearts. Some leave their jobs or families for love; others stay and work even harder, only to lose their way again—but often, almost without realizing it, they end up with the one they love.
Ever since I read 翔んだカップル (The Soaring Couple or The Wild Couple) at age 13, I’ve loved Yanagisawa’s manga. I admire the way he portrays men who are good-natured yet lack self-confidence, often self-deprecating or even self-destructive, with both humor and compassion. Recently, he began a new series about his cancer diagnosis. No surprise—he’s over 70 now. I hope he recovers and continues to create more manga.
If you’d like, I can also give you a slightly more journal-like version that feels more conversational and personal. Would you like me to do that?
あなた:
Yes, please.ChatGPT:
Here’s a more journal-like, conversational version:
Today I read vol. 2 of Kimio Yanagisawa’s Bのアルバム (B’s Album), a collection of short stories—mostly about boys and men who suddenly start questioning their lives and feel lost about school, work, family, and so on. I’d read volume 1 just the other day and liked it so much I went straight to volume 2. Both were new to me.
The stories usually follow a student or company employee who loses track of why he’s doing what he’s doing. Some fail their college entrance exams, others get worn down by the daily grind at the office. Then, an attractive girl or female coworker shows up and sweeps them off their feet. Some drop everything—job, family—for love. Others stay put, throw themselves into work, lose their bearings again, and somehow still end up, almost without noticing, with the person they love.
I’ve been reading Yanagisawa’s manga ever since 翔んだカップル (The Soaring Couple / The Wild Couple) when I was 13. I love how he draws men who are kind at heart but lack confidence—often self-deprecating, sometimes self-destructive—with humor and warmth. His latest work is about his cancer diagnosis. Not surprising, I guess—he’s over 70 now. I just hope he recovers and keeps making more manga.
Do you want me to also make a more intimate and reflective rewrite, where it reads almost like you’re thinking aloud while writing? That could give it an even more personal diary feel.
あなた:
Sounds nice, but I have a question. Isn't it conventional or typical to write a sentence without using the subject when writing a diary entry? Like, "Read a novel today" instead of "I read a novel today"?
ChatGPT:
Yes — in diary or journal writing, it’s very common (and perfectly natural) to drop the subject I, especially when the subject is obviously the writer themselves.
For example:
With subject: I read a novel today.
Without subject: Read a novel today.
Both are fine, but the second feels more like a note to yourself — brisk, immediate, almost like a bullet point or a mental record.
The “no subject” style tends to:
Feel more casual and shorthand-like.
Give the entry a slightly more internal or stream-of-consciousness feel.
Be common in brief diary jottings, logbooks, or travel journals.
Using the subject I makes it a little more formal, narrative, or outward-facing — as if you’re telling someone else about your day rather than just recording it for yourself.
If you want your diary entry to feel more like a private log, the “no subject” approach works beautifully.
If you want, I can rewrite your entry in that subjectless diary style so it reads like quick but vivid personal notes. Would you like me to do that?
あなた:
Subjectless diary style would be nice.
ChatGPT:
Here’s your entry rewritten in a subjectless, subject‐free diary style — concise, inward‐looking, but still keeping the richness of the details:
Read Kimio Yanagisawa’s Bのアルバム (B’s Album) vol. 2 today — a collection of short stories about boys and men who begin to doubt their lives, unsure about studies, work, family. Read vol. 1 the other day, liked it a lot, so picked up vol. 2. Both new reads.
Stories usually center on a student or company employee who loses sight of the meaning in what he’s doing. Some fail college entrance exams; others grow tired of routine work. Then, an attractive girl or female coworker appears, capturing their hearts. Some walk away from job or family for love; others stay, work harder, lose their way again — yet somehow, almost without realizing it, end up with the one they love.
First encountered Yanagisawa at 13 with 翔んだカップル (The Soaring Couple / The Wild Couple). Still love how he draws men who are good-natured yet insecure — self-deprecating, sometimes self-destructive — with both humor and compassion. New series now running about his cancer diagnosis. Over 70 these days. Hoping he recovers and keeps making manga.
If you’d like, I could also make a more fragmented, impressionistic version — more like scribbled thoughts than polished sentences — which can make it feel even more “diary-like.” Would you like me to prepare that too?
あなた:
Do you think it's better to use the subject if the entry is part of a blog that's open to everybody, even if I want the entry to read more like a personal diary entry?
ChatGPT:
If your diary‐style entry is going into a public blog, using the subject I is generally better — even if you want it to feel personal.
Here’s why:
Clarity for the reader – In a private diary, you are always the narrator, so there’s no confusion. But in a public blog, new readers may not have that built-in context. “Read a novel today” could momentarily feel like an instruction or a headline, whereas “I read a novel today” makes the perspective clear.
A bit more connection – Using I invites the reader into your perspective, making it warmer and easier to relate to.
Avoids accidental abruptness – Subjectless sentences can feel too clipped or telegraphic to someone who isn’t expecting diary shorthand.
That said, you can still keep the personal diary tone in a blog by:
Using short, simple sentences.
Writing in the present or simple past.
Keeping the voice conversational.
If you want it to feel like a diary but still welcoming to any reader, you could mix styles — mostly use I, but occasionally drop the subject for rhythm or emphasis.
I can give you a hybrid rewrite of your entry that preserves the diary feel but stays reader-friendly for a blog. Would you like me to do that?
あなた:
Hybrid rewrite sounds nice.
ChatGPT:
Here’s a hybrid rewrite — keeps the warmth and flow of a public‐facing blog entry, but with some of the clipped, subject‐free rhythm of a private diary:
I read Kimio Yanagisawa’s Bのアルバム (B’s Album) vol. 2 today — a collection of short stories about boys and men who start questioning their lives, feeling unsure about school, work, family. Read vol. 1 just the other day and loved it, so naturally moved on to vol. 2. Both were new to me.
The stories tend to follow a student or company employee who loses sight of the meaning in what he’s doing. Some fail college entrance exams; others grow weary of routine work. Then, an attractive girl or female coworker appears and captures their hearts. Some leave job or family for love. Others stay, work harder, lose their bearings again — yet somehow, almost without noticing, end up with the one they love.
First encountered Yanagisawa at 13 with 翔んだカップル (The Soaring Couple / The Wild Couple). Still love how he portrays men who are good-natured but lacking in confidence — often self-deprecating, sometimes self-destructive — with humor and compassion. His latest series deals with his cancer diagnosis. He’s over 70 now. Hoping he recovers and keeps creating more manga.
This way, you get the intimacy of diary notes but with the clarity and friendliness that works for a public audience.
あなた：
Which is more natural to say, "I keep a diary" or "I keep a journal"?
ChatGPT:
Both are correct, but they carry slightly different nuances in modern English.
I keep a diary
More traditional and widely understood.
Often implies a private, daily record of events, thoughts, and feelings.
Can sound a bit more personal or even old-fashioned.
Some people associate “diary” with brief entries or date-by-date structure.
I keep a journal
Feels more modern and versatile.
Can imply longer, more reflective writing, not necessarily every day.
Often used for thematic or creative writing (travel journal, reading journal, gratitude journal).
Slightly less “dear diary” vibe, more like a habit or practice.
For example:
If you say I keep a diary, people might picture daily notes about your life.
If you say I keep a journal, people might expect more open-ended, thoughtful writing.
If your blog entry is like the one you just wrote — reflective, narrative, with observations — “journal” might sound more fitting. If it’s short and purely about what happened today, “diary” works fine.
Read Kimio Yanagisawa's manga Bのアルバム or "B's Album" vol. 2, a collection of short stories mostly about boys and men who start to have doubts about their life and don't know what to do with their studies, jobs, families, etc. Read volume 1 the other day and it was very good; hence volume 2, both of which I haven't read before. The stories usually revolve around a student or a company employee who loses sight of the meaning of what he is doing or has been doing. Some fail at college entrance exams, some get tired of routine work; then an attractive girl or female coworker appears who grabs their hearts. Some leave job or family for love; some stick with job or family, work even harder, lose sight again, but end up, often unawares, with the one they loved. Ever since I read 翔んだカップル (The Soaring Couple or The Wild Couple) when I was 13, I've always liked to read Yanagisawa's manga. I love the way he depicts men who are good guys but lack self‐confidence and are often self-depricating or -destructive: with humor and compassion. His new story has recently begun, dealing with his cancer diagnosis. No wonder: he's over 70 now. Hope he recovers and makes more manga.
