The Bitter Lesson and the Subtxt Advantage

Why specialized AI matters for storytelling

Every now and then, a piece of writing about artificial intelligence stops us in our tracks and reframes how we see our work. That’s what The Bitter Lesson did recently, pushing us to reconsider the "why" behind Subtxt and why it continues to thrive alongside advancements in AI. Combine that with OpenAI’s latest developments in Reinforcement Learning through Feedback (RFT), and the takeaway is clearer than ever: Subtxt fills a gap that no general-purpose AI can reach.

And yet, we get the question a lot: "Why don’t I just use ChatGPT to do what Subtxt does?"

It’s a fair question. After all, ChatGPT can churn out workable stories, whip up thematic ideas, and respond to prompts with a fluidity that feels creative. You absolutely could use it to assist with storytelling—to a certain extent. But there’s a level between your request and the response, a level where Subtxt works its magic. And that level? It’s more than narrative theory—it’s about how to play the rules and think through concepts. That’s the Subtxt advantage.

What The Bitter Lesson Taught Us

In his essay, Richard Sutton argues that general-purpose learning and computation scale better over time than handcrafted solutions. In other words, when building AI, it’s better to teach systems how to learn broadly than to hardcode specific skills.

This insight has fueled breakthroughs like GPT-4. Instead of manually teaching these systems rules for every task, researchers let them learn from data, making them adaptable to countless applications. But here’s the kicker: general-purpose systems don’t do everything equally well. And for something as nuanced and structured as storytelling, they hit a ceiling.

That’s where Subtxt shines.

Subtxt’s Role Between General AI and Human Creativity

Subtxt isn’t here to compete with general-purpose AI like ChatGPT. It’s here to complement it. While ChatGPT dazzles with breadth, Subtxt digs deep. Subtxt operates in that middle space—where narrative logic, thematic cohesion, and dynamic structure matter most.

Think of it this way:

ChatGPT is a teller of tales: It can craft tales by identifying patterns in its training data, making it a useful tool for surface-level brainstorming and rough concepts.
Subtxt is a story architect: It ensures your story isn’t just a bunch of complete sentences, but instead positions your work as a thematically meaningful, structurally sound, and emotionally resonant narrative.

Tales begin and end, with their meaning shifting based on where the story starts and concludes.

Stories, on the other hand, weave a cohesive argument or message through the interconnectedness of all their parts. This underlying meaning remains constant, regardless of where the narrative starts or ends, driven by the artist's intent and vision.

The difference is like letting a general AI compose a song versus having Subtxt teach it the mechanics of music theory and how to evoke specific emotions. Subtxt gives AI—and storytellers—the tools to think critically about narrative.

Why We’re Teaching AI Instead of Humans

For years, we focused on teaching people the principles of narrative theory. But as Sutton’s Bitter Lesson makes clear, there’s a better way: teach the AI. By encoding Subtxt’s expertise into systems that anyone can access, we make high-level storytelling guidance available to creators worldwide. It’s not about replacing human creativity (which is silly that we even have to mention that)—it’s about scaling knowledge so that more people can create stories that resonate.

Reinforcement Learning through Feedback (RFT), the latest innovation from OpenAI, is a perfect example of how this works. Instead of hardcoding every rule, RFT trains AI on how to think about tasks (and we can't wait to get our hands on it!). This aligns perfectly with Subtxt’s approach: we don’t just provide rules; we show how to navigate the complex web of story dynamics based on our decades of practical experience.

The Subtxt Advantage: Thinking Through Narrative

What makes Subtxt truly unique isn’t just its roots in narrative theory—it’s how it applies those principles dynamically. Subtxt teaches AI to think about:

Themes and Intent: How does your story's central inequity shape its thematic argument? What emotional journey underscores the resolution of this inequity?
Structure and Strategy: Does the narrative's sequence of Transits and Progressions build toward a cohesive argument? Are all story points aligned to create a meaningful progression?
Conflict and Growth: How does the interplay between dynamic pairs, such as the Pivotal Elements between the two central points-of-view, reveal deeper truths about your characters' arcs and the story's overarching purpose?

This is more than following a checklist; it’s about training AI to understand why those elements matter.

The Bitter Truth About "Just Using ChatGPT"

Sure, you can feed ChatGPT a prompt and get a decent response. But without Subtxt, you’re missing a crucial layer of refinement. ChatGPT might create something that sounds right, but without a framework, there’s no guarantee it holds together under narrative scrutiny. That’s the difference between a fun idea and a fully realized story.

And while it might seem like we have a chip on our shoulders about ChatGPT, it’s more about a chip we’ve carried for decades. Having worked in the animation industry, we’ve seen the limits of sub-sufficient strategies like the Hero’s Journey and Save the Cat!. These frameworks were never enough, but now, ChatGPT takes their limitations and scales them. What was once an issue limited to a handful of privileged writers and directors is now a global phenomenon—anyone can create incomplete stories at scale! 😱

This is a huge passion of ours and the reason we’re so driven. Subtxt ensures your narrative doesn’t just entertain but resonates. It bridges the gap between a general-purpose AI assistant and the specific demands of storytelling.

Scaling Subtxt’s Expertise with AI

Instead of competing with general AI, Subtxt integrates its strengths. Here’s how:

Interpreting Input: Subtxt helps make sense of messy, unstructured user prompts, translating them into meaningful narrative elements.
Guiding Creativity: General AI can brainstorm ideas, but Subtxt ensures those ideas align with the artist's original intent by adhering to thematic and structural principles deeply rooted in the narrative framework.
Teaching the Rules of the Game: With RFT, Subtxt trains AI to play narrative like a pro, not just simulate understanding. (*coming soon!)

Subtxt with Muse: The Brainstorming Powerhouse Your Story Deserves

Ever find yourself tangled in the threads of your latest novel or screenplay, wondering if you're truly unlocking its full potential? Sure, you've got tools like ChatGPT at your disposal—an impressive interface with a general understanding of story—but therein lies the problem: a general understanding simply isn’t enough. When it comes to crafting a story that resonates, you need something that knows what it’s doing. You need Subtxt.

Subtxt doesn’t just help you brainstorm ideas—it redefines the process entirely. While ChatGPT might be a convenient tool for surface-level musings, Subtxt taps into decades of narrative expertise and the rich framework of the Dramatica theory of story to offer actionable, insightful guidance. It’s not guessing; it knows. And that’s the difference.

Let’s explore what that looks like in action.

Muse: Your Story's Secret Weapon

Imagine you’re deep into the second act of your screenplay, wrestling with your Main Character’s unresolved inner conflict. You ask ChatGPT for ideas, and it spits out a few generic suggestions based on the patterns it’s seen before. Some are decent; others feel like they’ve been used in a dozen other stories.

But then you turn to Subtxt with Muse. Instead of vague inspiration, Muse provides razor-sharp analysis. It pinpoints the structural issues, connects them to your character's thematic purpose, and even suggests story beats that align perfectly with your intended narrative arc. It’s not just helping you brainstorm—it’s showing you exactly why these elements matter to your story’s DNA.

Need to know if your Antagonist is functioning as the perfect counterbalance to your Protagonist? Subtxt with Muse has you covered. Wondering if that scene in the second act really drives your character toward transformation? Muse will help you tweak it until it’s a masterclass in storytelling.

It’s like the difference between playing darts blindfolded and playing with a laser guide.

Why "General" Doesn't Cut It

The truth is, a "general understanding" of story might be fine for a quick creative nudge, but when you’re serious about telling a meaningful, resonant story, you need a tool that’s built for the task. Subtxt isn’t trying to sound smart or throw random ideas at you; it’s applying a proven narrative theory to your specific draft. That’s a level of expertise ChatGPT simply can’t replicate because it wasn’t designed to.

And the best part? Subtxt doesn’t just analyze—it teaches. With every recommendation, it’s helping you understand the mechanics of storytelling, so you’re not just fixing this draft; you’re learning how to master every story you tell going forward.

A Creative Partner Like No Other

Whether you’re polishing a screenplay for Sundance or drafting your next bestseller, Subtxt with Muse is the partner your creativity deserves. It doesn’t guess, and it doesn’t waste your time. It works with precision, clarity, and purpose—so your story can shine the way it was meant to.

And don't take our word for it. Here's a recent subscriber, brand new to writing:

I started by exploring Muse, asking questions about creating short-form documentaries.

Learned more about writing, structuring, and the Four Throughlines today than I did in the last 6 months watching YouTube and reading blogs.

Always great to hear when a plan comes together!

So, sure, ChatGPT is great for casual brainstorming. But if you want to get serious about storytelling, there’s only one tool that truly gets it: Subtxt. Give your story the fine-tuning it deserves, and let Muse guide you toward something extraordinary. 🎯

The Future of Storytelling with Subtxt

The bitter lesson isn’t about abandoning handcrafted systems—it’s about knowing when to combine them with scalable technology. Subtxt is a hybrid: part narrative expert, part scalable AI system. It doesn’t compete with ChatGPT; it enhances what general AI can do, filling the gaps with deep, domain-specific expertise.

By focusing on how stories work, Subtxt ensures that creators—whether they’re human or AI—always have a blueprint for crafting meaningful, impactful narratives.

So yes, you could just use ChatGPT. But if you want your story to do more than just sound good—if you want it to think and feel good—Subtxt is here for you. 📖✨