Can A Robot Write A Decent Poem? Welcome to May 12, 2023 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate an ancient technology and the future of poetry. There have been so many technological advancements in the past century that sometimes it’s hard to keep track. Inventions seem to come and go, especially in the digital age. But a few devices have stood the test of time. Like the odometer. This device was invented way back in 15 BCE by the Roman engineer Vitruvius. He rigged up a chariot wheel with a feature that would drop a pebble into an attached box after the wheel had turned 400 times—which was exactly a mile. At the end of a trip, the driver would determine the distance traveled by counting the number of pebbles that had dropped into the box. Keep track of how far you’ve come today on National Odometer Day. And now the poetic stylings of Marlo Anderson and his new AI assistant. Drum roll please… Marlo: There once was an odometer bright. Whose numbers did spin day and night. As the wheels went round, miles were steading found and the driver was filled with delight. Anyone can google up an old chestnut, but on National Limerick Day, don’t be afraid to pull out all the stops and take the road less traveled. I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson. Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day.
