Given the recent explosion of AI, this almost seems more relevant now than it did when I wrote it. ‘Staying human within the machine’ (from Delusions of Brandeur).
Ryan may not remember me, but I knew his dad, Ian Wallman pretty well. Ian was an outstanding paediatrician with his feet firmly on the ground. In over 40 years of general practice he was the specialist I chose when worried about children’s health issues.
Thanks Ryan Wallman. Yes, the advertising industry and its supplier ecosystem is also very dehumanising. I remember serving other (rival) agency clients at 4am in the morning. I saw the sun rise, then set, then rise, then set, then rise again - I couldn't remember the feeling of the pillow when I finally got home after the Unilever GM - the agency's client - came to the office to thank me for saving his company a ton of money. The producer ran away with the money and I got a pay cut - I never returned to post production visual effects - I was just a cog. And now there is a very real threat AI can render (ha) skilled creative folk into oblivion. I thank God that AGI is still nowhere near reality and that through determination we can get above the waves of despair. They say that those with AI knowledge can provide more value to future employers and it is truly remarkable that the sheer volume of AI educational content is free and out there for the taking. It is a grind but I thank God for all the Blessings that come my way - the attitude of gratitude is indeed strengthening. And as a Christian, the reassurance that I have an incredible eternity with the Creator of the universe gives me great joy and hope.
human, humane,empathetic, kind. start from there.
Author of “Marketing Me” 📕 Conference & Event Speaker 🎤 Personal Branding Specialist ☆ Marketing Mentor & Educator ☆ Life member, Australian Marketing Institute ☆ Mum-of-Five ☆
1moAgree just so much. “The need to stay human at work” is so important. And in the current tech-frenazied landscape could even be expanded to staying human “in” our work too.