A Possible Future from Kevin Kelly
Our role in the economy is to do all the kinds of things that would not count as productive. Make art, make music, create crazy things because we can, explore the frontiers of reality, and discover new ideas (with the help of genius machines), try stuff, invent new desires we did not know we had, be creative in a different way than machines are. Also, sit with each other when we are sick, have meals with friends –you know, the most important things in the universe to do.
The future of humanity is being human. At least in this vision. (There is certainly a dystopic cliff lurking just out of sight in the post.)
I’ve heard similar advice elsewhere. Find a passion to focus on that exists outside the current cult of productivity and develop a deep understanding of it.
More from Kevin:
Humans should be doing the jobs where inefficiency reigns – art, exploration, invention, innovation, small talk, adventure, companionship. All the productive chores should be handled by the billions of AIs we make.
Embrace your weird humanity.
(Need an entry point? Try haiku/micropoetry, experimental flash fiction, and/or zines.)