The new jobs won't be in coding, but for curators, concierges, caregivers, conversationalists, and other flesh-and-blood alternatives to bots and algorithms.
And while you are being human, be a whole human. An emotional and spiritual human, not just a physical and mental human. Otherwise something will still be missing from your being, your life, and your world.
I can offer a comparison of customer-service experiences--one in the US, with AI or AI-generated scripts for call-center staff, the other in Greece, without scripts. Without fail, every time I have to speak to someone at a Greek bank, believe it or not, the interaction is pleasant, conversational, and, above all, human. It's a striking contrast to the equivalent call with a US-based company or service. They're not using AI (yet) in Greece. The experience of the phone call is fundamentally social, person, and human.
One of your more recent posts about AI—while important to report on—was troubling, and really emphasized the existential dread I’d already been feeling for several years. This was the twist I badly needed to hear. Cheers!
The flip side of that is what once were music demos are now AI meeting pieces. Producers are tasked with beating AI. The most positive news is the AI recognition apps. It would be better if there were a mandatory AI label so the audience knows what they’re consuming. Human is expensive, regulated, and rule based HR driven. Human optimism could erode as the Tic Toc trained AI audience comes to power with their robot buddies. This is the evolution of the local sawdust floored hardware store shuttered by bigger, cheaper and #1: profitable. Who votes no for profit? Hopefully us humans.
That was quite a refreshing read Ted! I like the part where you mentioned to try out being human, lol, because it is cool! I’m hopeful the younger generations will realize how all this technology disrupts some of the best parts of being here on earth, like the simple things such as enjoying a walk in nature, noticing how beautiful life is and slowing down when everywhere seems to try to rush everyone.
Further to your remark, I can recommend David Graeber's book, Bullshit Jobs--a serious, engaging study from the brilliant and much-missed anthropologist.
I've been using Qobuz for a while now, glad to hear they're leading this charge. I've heard mixed reports about the new owners and new paradigm at Bandcamp. I hope they take the high road.
That sheeny, consumer side of AI has never been its main point. Everyone is feeding into its true purpose Ted - military, surveillance and suppression… in the EU, military applications of AI have already been ringfenced outside of legislative control, and i’d wager the same will pop up in the states if it hasn’t already.
That's exactly right. I don't think that a small, privately held bookstore is a trend, just a curious anomaly. What's the percentage of US citizens who even read?
I love that everyone is jumping in on this. There are both wins and losses on the front of pushing back on the data centers. But... there are wins. It's nice to see Americans agreeing about something. Could this be the thing?
It's funny, I like the self check for small amounts, but I deal with people all day. When I shop it's usually when I'm on my way home and just want to get in and out of there as fast as I can. I enjoy the human interaction during the day, but at the end of it I'm just ready to go home, mix an adult beverage or two and chill listening to music in my Jazz Cave, sometimes with all the lights out and my phone turned off.
Most "caregivers" are still underpaid, and while these anecdotes might make you temporarily feel good, there isn't much to be optimistic about with our financialized economy going forward.
The fastest growing job categories now include occupational therapists, home health aides, nurse practitioners, physical therapists, and other care-oriented vocations. As the shortage of these professionals grows, salaries will inevitably rise. And some of these jobs already pay well.
And while you are being human, be a whole human. An emotional and spiritual human, not just a physical and mental human. Otherwise something will still be missing from your being, your life, and your world.
And allow everyone else to be human, even if you don't like them.
Amen!
Yes! I love thinking of all the Cs - caregivers, culture carriers, community builders, and why they matter so much more. Thanks for this.
The Greeks called it Mētis- all the parts of us that cannot be measured, that connect, inspire and evoke beauty.
I can offer a comparison of customer-service experiences--one in the US, with AI or AI-generated scripts for call-center staff, the other in Greece, without scripts. Without fail, every time I have to speak to someone at a Greek bank, believe it or not, the interaction is pleasant, conversational, and, above all, human. It's a striking contrast to the equivalent call with a US-based company or service. They're not using AI (yet) in Greece. The experience of the phone call is fundamentally social, person, and human.
One of your more recent posts about AI—while important to report on—was troubling, and really emphasized the existential dread I’d already been feeling for several years. This was the twist I badly needed to hear. Cheers!
The flip side of that is what once were music demos are now AI meeting pieces. Producers are tasked with beating AI. The most positive news is the AI recognition apps. It would be better if there were a mandatory AI label so the audience knows what they’re consuming. Human is expensive, regulated, and rule based HR driven. Human optimism could erode as the Tic Toc trained AI audience comes to power with their robot buddies. This is the evolution of the local sawdust floored hardware store shuttered by bigger, cheaper and #1: profitable. Who votes no for profit? Hopefully us humans.
That was quite a refreshing read Ted! I like the part where you mentioned to try out being human, lol, because it is cool! I’m hopeful the younger generations will realize how all this technology disrupts some of the best parts of being here on earth, like the simple things such as enjoying a walk in nature, noticing how beautiful life is and slowing down when everywhere seems to try to rush everyone.
Best news I’ve read in a long time. Go humans!
"AI's gonna take your job" - let it! So many jobs are BS profit-making schemes that hurt the world.
I want public transit, affordable housing, mental health services, and parks parks parks! Let's build trees and dance in the moonlight, people.
I want those things too, but we will not get them at this point without revolutionary struggle.
Further to your remark, I can recommend David Graeber's book, Bullshit Jobs--a serious, engaging study from the brilliant and much-missed anthropologist.
I've been using Qobuz for a while now, glad to hear they're leading this charge. I've heard mixed reports about the new owners and new paradigm at Bandcamp. I hope they take the high road.
That sheeny, consumer side of AI has never been its main point. Everyone is feeding into its true purpose Ted - military, surveillance and suppression… in the EU, military applications of AI have already been ringfenced outside of legislative control, and i’d wager the same will pop up in the states if it hasn’t already.
But i am glad to see this trend you’re outlining.
That's exactly right. I don't think that a small, privately held bookstore is a trend, just a curious anomaly. What's the percentage of US citizens who even read?
I hope this also applies to musicians who can still play music on real instruments is a physical space for human beings.
I love that everyone is jumping in on this. There are both wins and losses on the front of pushing back on the data centers. But... there are wins. It's nice to see Americans agreeing about something. Could this be the thing?
It's funny, I like the self check for small amounts, but I deal with people all day. When I shop it's usually when I'm on my way home and just want to get in and out of there as fast as I can. I enjoy the human interaction during the day, but at the end of it I'm just ready to go home, mix an adult beverage or two and chill listening to music in my Jazz Cave, sometimes with all the lights out and my phone turned off.
Most "caregivers" are still underpaid, and while these anecdotes might make you temporarily feel good, there isn't much to be optimistic about with our financialized economy going forward.
The fastest growing job categories now include occupational therapists, home health aides, nurse practitioners, physical therapists, and other care-oriented vocations. As the shortage of these professionals grows, salaries will inevitably rise. And some of these jobs already pay well.
I really hope this trend continues. Otherwise we may wind up with a Butlerian jihad on our hands.