Not because I’m are scared of a doomsday event, the collapse of the job market, or the end of human creativity. Not because I’m a Luddite, anxiously refusing modern innovation. Not because I’m stuck in my ways and don’t see any reason to change.
But because the last time Silicon Valley unveiled a world-changing technology it created a generation addicted to digital devices and screen media who have to this day, yet to recover.
But because my brain has been thoroughly rotted by algorithms, content, rage-bait, click-bait, engagement strategies, troll farms, liking, subscribing, commenting, following, clicking, scrolling, and whatever else online platforms compel me to do.
But because I can’t help but think that people who don’t care about internet numbers, who don’t have online profiles, and who aren’t glued to their laptops or phones all day are actually living the good life.
But because I’m not scared of what happens if I don’t learn A.I. I’m scared of what happens if I do.
But because frankly, I don’t care about being left behind, of being replaced by someone who knows how to get their A.I. agent to convert a work message to an actionable to-do list.
But because I like staring at a blank canvas. I like coming up with ideas. I like editing rough drafts. I like finding typos. I like making a million little decisions until the project is finished. I like thinking on it. I like asking my wife for her thoughts. I like having a group of friends help me solve a problem. I like all the messiness of being human.
And I’m not sure I’ll ever want to trade any of those things away for something as meaningless as increased efficiency.
P.S. I made a Compendium entry about this same topic. Click here to see it.