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How to Write 200,000 Books Without Breaking a Sweat

Posted Apr 14, 08 11:34 AM CDT in Technology 

(Newser) – Philip Parker calls himself “the most published author in the history of the planet,” but he doesn’t actually write any books; his computers do. Parker has created a series of algorithms that allow computers to cull publicly available information from the web and compile it into books on obscure topics, the New York Times reports. Need The 2007-2012 Outlook for Tufted Washable Scatter Rugs? Parker has you covered.

Parker even thinks he can program his computers to write romance novels. “There are only so many body parts,” he quips. Each manuscript costs roughly 12 cents to produce, so a single sale brings plenty of profit. Of course, the books aren’t great—one buyer called his purchase “awful and frustrating.” Admits Parker: “If you are good at the internet, this book is useless."

Source New York Times

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Under Parker's system, the computer essentially writes the book itself.   (Shutterstock)
Phillip Parker's publishing operation only prints a book when someone orders it, eliminating costs, and the need to produce big sellers.   (Shutterstock)
Does Parker think his poetry algorithm has produced Shakespeare? "No," he said. "Only because I haven't done sonnets yet."   (Shutterstock)
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