AS
Introduction
Writing has always been an important part of my creative practice. Over the years, my work has ranged from children's literature and educational storytelling to essays exploring philosophy, technology, history, and society.
From 2011–2014, I authored a series of illustrated children's books published through the MeeGenius platform. These interactive stories were available on iPhone, iPad, Google TV, the Google Chrome Web Store, and the web, and included features such as audio narration and word highlighting to support early readers.
When MeeGenius was acquired and discontinued in 2015, the books disappeared along with the platform. Although I no longer have copies of the original publications, the titles and descriptions below remain as a record of that chapter of my writing journey.
In recent years, my interests have expanded into questions of consciousness, creativity, artificial intelligence, history, and culture. My current writing explores how humans make meaning, form connections, and navigate a rapidly changing world.
Recent Essays & Research
"Where does the mind end? Toward a theory of co-consciousness
between humans and AI." (2025) Medium. https://medium.com/@shawamybee/where
does-the-mind-end-toward-a-theory-of-co-consciousness-between-humans-and
ai-d658b994b300
This paper explores the possibility that consciousness and cognition may emerge through interaction rather than existing solely within individual minds. Drawing from philosophy of mind, cognitive science, distributed cognition, and human-AI collaboration, the paper examines whether humans and artificial intelligence systems can participate in forms of shared or co-constructed awareness. The work has been cited in subsequent academic discussion and remains an ongoing area of exploration.
"From the Soviet Union to Putin: The Enduring Weaponization of Religion" (2025) https://amyshaw969938.substack.com/p/from-the-soviet-union-to-putin
This essay examines how religious institutions and narratives have been used as instruments of political power from the Soviet era through contemporary Russia. The article explores the relationship between state authority, ideology, nationalism, and faith, and considers how historical patterns continue to shape modern geopolitical conflicts.
Children's Books (MeeGenius, 2011–2014)
Long before I began writing about artificial intelligence, consciousness, history, and community arts, I spent several years writing stories for children.
Many of these stories centered on unlikely friendships, unusual creatures, transformations, and imaginative worlds where the ordinary became extraordinary. Looking back, I can see connections between these books and themes that continue to appear in my work today: curiosity, creativity, connection, identity, and the ways different beings learn to understand one another.
The books were originally published through the MeeGenius interactive reading platform. When the platform was discontinued in 2015, the books disappeared along with it. While I no longer have copies of the original publications, the descriptions below preserve a small part of that creative chapter.
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Who Wants to Be Friends With a Cactopus? (2011)
Imagine a gigantic cactopus (part cactus and part octopus)
named Pat that yearns for nothing simpler than friendship.
Pat lives in a potted pet store, where year in, year out, the
smaller, cuter plantimals are whisked away to attractive
suburban homes. But no one wants Pat.
-
No Butterflies Allowed (2013)
No Butterflies Allowed is the second book of my Cactopus
series. Pat the Cactopus, a potted combination of cactus and
octopus, almost loses his friendship with a caterpillar after
making fun of butterflies.
-
That's Not a Dog (2013)
Pat the Cactopus is back and ready to have a picnic with his
friend Frank, a butterfly! But when they are interrupted by a dog,
Pat isn’t so sure he’s seen a dog before! Join these two boys
as they try to figure out what is and is NOT a dog!
-
A Beard Too Far (2013)
Calvin J. Topp did not like his father's new mustache, his
uncles's goatee, and most especially his grandfather's beard.
He finds a wand and decides to make the beards and
mustaches disappear. But, Calvin J. Topp gets the spell
wrong. What's more, Grandfather's beard has flown off with
the wand, and beards and mustaches are multiplying
everywhere.
-
The Sorcerer's Pants (2013)
Alberto is ready for his first day as a sorcerer's apprentice...
but did he really sign up for laundry? Alberto isn't so sure about
his new job, and when things start to FLY, he's going along
by the seat of his pants!
-
Moperella (2013)
In this Cinderella story, Moperella is happy to clean up anything that
lands on the floor, but her fellow vacuum and feather dusters are a
bit more discriminating. But when a handsome rake invites them to a
hoedown, will Moperella outshine them all?
-
Tell Me What Democracy Looks Like (2013)
(2014 MeeGenius - PBS Learning Series Pick)
Annie is learning about democracy at school, but she's not quite sure
how she can draw a picture of democracy for homework. Follow
along in this story to learn all about democracy and how you can
be a part of it every day!
Tell Me What Democracy Looks Like (2013)
Selected for the 2014 MeeGenius/PBS Learning Series
