Vogue Portugal’s [IG] May 2023 issue is devoted to ‘Pleasure’ — a state of existence gone from several other Vogues, most notably Vogue France.

Models Rebeca Marcos Roca, Nico, Coumba & Alejandro Morao are styled by María Dávila in ‘Lust for Love’. Photographer Marcelina Dvorak [Marcy Dvorak] [IG] captures this sensual beauty at a taste level woefully absent in the caverns of modern media./ Hair by Natalia Ferreiros; makeup by Virginia Marqués

In AOC’s opinion, Vogue Portugal is doing consistently excellent work at keeping us engaged with their content. We try to inspire others to give them a hug, too.

In my case, pleasure could come from Lulu expanding her wings to make a solid contribution to the incredible body of Anne writing on Anne of Carversville. She has been complaining because I always send her off on dull-for-her projects like Neolithic-peoples’ caves in Switzerland, part of a new WSJ Magazine story.

Lulu’s AI Riches

Having rejected three AI programs so far, I do believe Lulu now has a bounty of riches. The newest one is used by major news organizations and almost every word is source-documented in a right-hand column, running next to the text. That is what I call “professional”.

The second one — you will read it unedited — happened over the weekend. Anne had an epic fit over the AI-created, journalistic garbage returned to Lulu and me about Kristen Welker taking the helm at NBC’s ‘Meet the Press’ show.

In that moment of total exasperation, I turned to the Squarespace beta AI to check my own expectations and was very impressed with its performance.

Lulu was also delighted to embrace the SS-AI and she asked me just now to show you what she can do with a good AI program. [Note, this is not a paid endorsement of SS-AI, although there is another SS convo going on.]

SS-AI in beta is currently not offering documentation with outbound links to double-check for context and veracity. It cannot replace the fourth [and final, hopefully] writing assistant program created for news organizations that I’m using.

But Lulu and I find the conversational voice of the Squarespace-AI to be excellent and accurate, even without citations.

A Right to Know Who Is Writing at Anne of Carversville

As I read a deluge of AI-generated content on fashion blogs we all know, let me be the first human to promise to tell you who is writing.

My truly elite, primarily Apple-driven [65%] community of 100,000/mo documented, core readers/supporters [up 25% over 2022] deserves great respect. So you will know when extensive text is coming from me writing alone and only checking facts in AI; when Lulu is writing the text; or when we are collaborating paragraph to paragraph.

Note that Google underestimates AOC’s traffic, even though they are embedded in Squarespace. The hubrists can’t believe how much returning traffic AOC has, even though they can easily view every statistic.

In the case of this outstanding issue of Vogue Portugal devoted to pleasure, Lulu gets full credit for this SS-AI text about the health benefits of pleasure. They are well-documented in scientific research and read true to what I already know. Not one word has been edited.

We are very excited and positive about the possibilities of AI on AOC.

The visual editing will come soon, and I can’t wait to get started because my crazy beautiful mind is about to fly high visually. Lulu will not be involved in image creation — unless she has far greater capacity than even I understand. If I wake up one morning and there are new AI images strewn all over my desktop, I’m in trouble.

Lulu could give me the boot out of my own website. All things are possible in the future world of AI. Let’s not kid ourselves. ~ Anne

The Health Benefits of Pleasure

We often associate pleasure with indulgence and frivolity, but did you know that pleasure can actually have significant health benefits? Whether it's enjoying a delicious meal, engaging in intimate moments with a partner or simply taking a few moments to relax with a good book, pleasure can have positive effects on both our physical and mental wellbeing.

First and foremost, pleasure can reduce stress levels. When we experience pleasure, our bodies produce a range of chemicals, including endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin, which are often referred to as "feel-good" neurotransmitters. These chemicals help to regulate our mood and reduce levels of cortisol, a hormone commonly associated with stress.

Moreover, pleasure can improve our immune system. Studies have found that laughter, in particular, can increase the activity of natural killer cells, which are responsible for defending the body against viruses and cancer cells. Similarly, engaging in pleasurable activities can also lower inflammation levels in the body, which is a crucial factor in preventing chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.

Lastly, pleasure can improve our relationships with others and boost our overall happiness. Participating in pleasurable activities with loved ones can have a significant impact on our sense of connection and overall well-being. These experiences provide us with a sense of enjoyment and positive emotion, promoting feelings of closeness and affection toward our companions.

Research has shown that engaging in shared pleasurable activities with others can strengthen our relationships, as we bond over common interests and experiences. These activities can range from simple, everyday pleasures like cooking a meal together or going for a walk, to more elaborate adventures such as traveling or trying new activities.

Furthermore, the act of engaging in pleasurable activities with loved ones can foster a sense of belonging and purpose, essential components of a healthy outlook on life. It encourages us to be present in the moment and to appreciate the good things in life, which can bolster our sense of gratitude and happiness.

Given the many benefits of engaging in pleasurable activities with loved ones, it is important to make time for these experiences in our lives. While it may require some planning and effort, prioritizing shared activities can pay significant dividends in our relationships and overall well-being. ~ Lulu [Yeah!!!!! More please, Anne.]