I’m Just Gonna Pretend Generative AI Doesn’t Exist And See How Terribly Broke I Become

Photo by Growtika on Unsplash

All right, so there’s the new Thing. This is now the Thing you must learn to be competitive in the job market, to not be replaced. This is the thing you should be afraid of not knowing, all the while people are saying: “Don’t be afraid! Don’t be afraid! It’s just a tool!”

Hmm, is it a tool? Because if so, it’s not a standalone tool. It’s a tool that needed data from people like me, without my consent (If you use generative AI, you’re welcome. I’m your teacher. I’m your mommy. I’m your creator).

It’s a tool that will continue to need fresh, original content, or it will degenerate. I guess hammers do wear out over time, but one individual hammer doesn’t get shittier if other people around the world stop hammering.

So if it is “just a tool”, it’s also a pretty bad one in that it’s, well, using fresh water and, by extension, harming the planet.

I guess it’s like having a hammer that requires other people to keep hammering just to keep it from falling apart, AND it’s also drinking your water.

That sounds super cool and all. And look, if you’re using it, and you feel judged by reading this, don’t worry, because I will be your guinea pig. You get to see how shitty my life is going to be because I just…