About
I’m Shannon, the writer and editor behind Spreadable Words.
I could tell you that my specialties are translating complex information for non-experts and persuading your target audience to take action. Both are true (and important skills for a business writer), but I prefer to say that I make words work.
Why? For starters, it matches my personality better. I like efficiency.
More importantly, it doesn’t hem me in. You see, I’m so much more than a writer and editor operating within the business realm. I’m a lifelong word nerd and creative type. When I was a kid, you couldn’t put me to bed without expecting to find me, hours later, wide-eyed with a flashlight and a book under the covers. Before graduating high school, I picked up a couple of awards for creative writing, and I typically shine in any capacity that leverages my communication or storytelling skills.
Case in point (and probably more relevant to you), I’ve built a 19-year career writing and editing. My work spans multiple industries (including technology, finance, fintech, healthcare, business services, insurance brokerage, and risk management). I’ve written for solopreneurs, corporate giants, and everything in between.
The common thread? I’m skilled at quickly grasping complex or technical ideas, bringing structure and clarity to content, and delivering thoughtful, effective writing that supports your goals.
If you need words that work—that is, words that enhance user experience, attract new business, entice buyers, or engage your readers? I’d love to help.
When I'm Not Working?
When I’m away from my desk, I love moving and walking, preferably outdoors, with an audiobook or podcast. That, or giving my brain silence and space to wander.
I could tell you that I live for this kind of downtime. It feels more topical, though, to share that some of my best ideas surface when I quiet my verbal mind—when it’s just me, my breath, and the sunset. In fact, un-productivity is the most underrated productivity hack I’ve found. If you ever have writer’s block, definitely try it. But that’s not why I bring this up …
This “personal glimpse” section of my website is actually a Trojan Horse—the cheese on the broccoli—to talk about generative artificial intelligence (GenAI).
What is GenAI? GenAI models scrape original sources (e.g., text, images, videos, audio, and software code) to catalog information and data patterns. Then, in response to user prompts, GenAI generates output based on the scraped sources.
I’ve heard GenAI’s promises. Liberation! Ease. Speed.
It sounds pretty great, on the surface, but there’s more to this story. GenAI comes at an enormous price, and the cost breakdown is troubling.
For starters, let’s consider the existential.
Humans are designed to think. Our big, complex brains demand engagement, which is why our species was driven to develop language, math, art, and entire cultures. So, naturally, we find purpose and belonging through our thoughts. Think of a time that you wrestled with an idea until you had a breakthrough. You finally got it. Eureka! That sense of accomplishment and joy is priceless, not to mention the satisfaction of perfecting and sharing your realization. All the while, you didn’t just strengthen your ideas, you grew stronger, yourself.
If you’re not enamored with doing the work—if you’re frazzled and love the idea of feeding your to-do list to a ‘bot—I get it. The struggle of cognitive work is real, but that’s exactly why it brings a multitude of internal and external rewards. The mundane brings forth the curiosities that lead to gems. We miss the opportunity to even spot, never mind unlock, a slew of rewards when we take the easy route.
On some level, I have to believe you agree. There’s a reason that our culture cares to give credit, where credit is due. It’s the same reason we read our heroes’ memoirs, attend book signings, and hold awards ceremonies. Importantly, our celebration of accomplishment is as much about our interest in the process as it is our admiration for the result. We value the investment of time, effort, and creativity because we can identify with it. We know we can learn from it. Moreover, we admire the idiosyncrasies and imperfections that make each of us, and therefore our work, special. Don’t you light up when you witness a master at their craft? Isn’t it cool to discover a unique method for solving a familiar problem? Doesn’t it make you feel amazing when you’re in the flow, yourself?
That’s the human spirit!
GenAI, on the other hand, is a thief. Whatever the benefits may be, imagine the impact on societal and cultural development if we train entire generations to take shortcuts around critical thinking. The happiest people I know are obsessed with topics that tickle their brain, that bring the thrill of discovery and opportunities to mull over a common interest with likeminded peers—the very stuff GenAI bypasses.
As if infringing upon our humanity wasn’t bad enough, it gets worse. People who earn a living from their intellectual property have already taken a hit from GenAI. Creative livelihood and employment at large are under threat. If your work isn’t directly in GenAI’s crosshairs, jobs in your community will be, and we’ll all feel the consequences. Arguably, this isn’t even the worst of it. GenAI is also terrible for our planet and an imminent threat to essential resources, including our air and water. Communities near datacenters already feel this acutely, first-hand.
On top of it all, GenAI isn’t even reliably accurate, which presents legal issues and a number of usability hassles. Finally, use of GenAI warrants deep concern about how it might be mishandled or used to mislead and influence people.
For all of these reasons (and more), I don’t use GenAI.
I hope you’ll join me in abstaining from, and standing against, GenAI in all of the spaces where you have a voice. Your work and relationships will be better for it. Dare I say, you’ll be happier, too? I know I am.
P.S. That productivity hack I mentioned, up top? It works both ways. Productivity makes un-productivity a whole lot sweeter, too. Another great reason to skip GenAI …
A photo from a walk at Hollywood Beach, FL.