AI can't steal our happiness, especially not when it comes to the simple joy of being around others. It's a sad reality that some people are using AI to cheat their way through life's little pleasures, like solving escape room puzzles or spoiling the fun of trivia nights. It's like taking a shortcut through a corn maze, missing out on all the twists and turns. And let's not even get started on using AI to replace book clubs! Where's the stimulation in that?
Substack, a platform known for its artisanal content, is now flooded with AI-generated essays. It's a bizarre trend that raises questions about the value of human creativity. Will Storr, a writer who explores storytelling, delves into this phenomenon, highlighting the telltale signs of AI-written content, such as its penchant for 'the impersonal universal' - those sweeping statements that sound profound but lack depth.
I'm not here to tell anyone how to have fun, but using AI to sound 'clever' or hack hobbies seems like a strange way to enjoy oneself. It's not an existential threat, but it's a threat to the pure, unadulterated joy we find in our passions. Let the bots take our work, but let's keep our joy intact!
For me, one of the most vivid sources of happiness is singing. Sure, AI can compose a robot madrigal, but it can't replicate the unique entertainment of a small choir, where each voice adds its own eccentric twist. It's the connection I feel when we blend our voices, a sensation backed by research on the social bonding that group singing fosters.
Another source of joy is exploring the idiosyncrasies of human stuff. Whether it's the eclectic mix of items at a car boot sale or the intricate textiles in Renaissance paintings, I find endless fascination in the things people value and discard. It's like a treasure hunt, uncovering the stories behind each item.
But above all, I find my greatest joy in people. As an introvert, it might seem counterintuitive, but there's something incredibly stimulating about observing human behavior. From the clothes people wear to the way they interact, it's a never-ending source of curiosity. It's like a buffet of human experiences, and I'm always eager to dive in.
AI can provide insights into our collective behaviors, but it misses the mark when it comes to the absolutely unique. It blends our individual colors into a dull shade, unable to capture the beauty of our particularities. So, let's embrace the joy of being human, and leave the AI to do the work it's good at.
