It seems like any time I try to do anything on my phone or computer these days, there’s a new AI feature I didn’t ask for (that often doesn’t even do what it says it does). My least favorite of all of them has got to be the “helpful” overview that pops up whenever I google something, like this:
BTW, if these also drive you up the wall, you can add -AI to the end of your search query to avoid seeing them. And if any tech bros are reading this, please stop it!!!
Well, over the weekend, I read a great book that helped me understand why AI is being shoved down all of our throats and what to make of the never-ending hype around it. It’s called The Reverse Centaur’s Guide to Life After AI: How to Think About Artificial Intelligence—Before It’s Too Late.
It’s by Cory Doctorow, the tech journalist and science fiction author who coined the term “enshittification.” It’s a pretty quick, witty read that’s actually fun to get through, and it really helped me tie some thoughts I’ve been having about AI into a more coherent argument.
One of my big takeaways is that while there are certain tasks AI can be useful for, the pressure to use it for everything is part of a hype cycle that’s inflating an economic bubble and eroding our skills, in addition to its environmental harms. So, when I came across this post on Threads where user @rachelmercyshared that she’s started “gently shaming” people who use AI, my interest was piqued.
In response, people started sharing their go-to responses to the dreaded AI question, and I’m really loving this energy. Here’s what they had to say:
1. Some people shared their favorite snappy comebacks:
2. “I prefer to be a first hand thinker as opposed to a second hand one.”
3. “Got all my degrees with a blue book and a pencil.”
4. But some people really held nothing back:
5. One person shared that they like to tell “AI horror stories” in response to people hyping it up:
6. But others advocated for a more gentle approach, like this person who urged, “create stigma at a societal level and care for those at a personal level.”
7. “I tell people they are too smart to use AI.”
8. And others pointed out that using AI to do your homework just might be worse than not doing your homework at all.
9. Many people also chimed in to talk about how AI is showing up in their profession:
10. “I think there’s a perceived acceptability when we pretend we need these things. We don’t, and they’re making you LESS.”
11. This person “accidentally shaded” their boss when they explained their own preference for avoiding AI:
12. Others shared conversations they’ve had with coworkers:
13. This one made me heave a big sigh:
14. “I prefer MY BRAIN.”
15. In conclusion, please write your own dumb email! I’d rather see your real human typos and actual thoughts than read “It’s not this, it’s that.”
What do you think about this? Let me know in the comments!
Your daily brain workout:If You Solve This Word Chain Your Brain Will Grow 2%
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