I’ll read it a couple more times before commenting further.
For now, I’ll just say I’d be happy to go through the hassle of checking my shotgun through TSA at Newark airport when it’s turkey hunting season in Jackson!
Cyborg Rapsodes might take my favorite coined phrase of the year. I hope you two make the jump together and experience all the adventure that comes with going forth on the frontier.
It's been five years since my wife and I made the move and found our own little outpost. We aren't ever going back because what we came from doesn't exist. All cultural centers exist in transit. Grateful ours crossed paths. Well done with this one. Another one worth showing my great grandkids when I tell them: "Go build your New Florence in the forgotten places."
It's happening, just not being reported. There is already a strong "counter culture" in the rural enclaves. If I could encourage anyone who can- go. We did it and living in a rural place but using technology as a tool, and remaining creative and human is where the future is.
This is a well written and thoughtful piece. Definitely got me thinking about the rural life of my grandparents home. I lived in Atlanta and my grandparents in the "country" (which unfortunately is now urban sprawl). They would call a neighbor when an ambulance passed to track where it went. They shared a party line with my great grandmother (I had to learn the rings). They came together with kids for kite flying contests and all of us kids played in the creek etc. This was prior to cable tv, AI was complete science fiction.
I have witnessed the evolution and insularization (my made up word) of our former tight knit communities. The remoteness of online communities and the AI future will accelerate the retreat to loneliness. My 20yr old daughter doesn't like people unless they are online and my 27 yr old thinks sending me tik tok videos makes my day (I don't have tik tok). It saddens me the speed at which the prospect of AI will further smash interpersonal skills. I long for deeper connections, slower living...my grandparents home. So my wife and I are retiring to the GA coast, to a smaller world. A more connected world without wireless connections. A place where a passing ambulance means more than just a noisy siren. Those things give my soul rest. I do use gpt for research (it has been wonderful but often wrong) but not for friendship. I will leave that to my future small town community.
AI as clumsy titans needing to be wrestled down to earth by a few people with great character — that’s an unforgettable image. So good. Also a good reminder that places like Florence or Hollywood seem inevitable in hindsight, and yet they had extremely humble beginnings. What’s the modern equivalent that’s just starting to take shape now? A question worth pondering
I’ve been back and forth with the idea of the AI revolution bringing a new frontier. Originally, wowed by the emergence of, on the surface, coherent writing and ideas, I thought that this technology would change the world. Yet, the more I’ve used it the more it becomes apparent that it lacks any real depth. If anything, it has reversed my faith in the path to technological liberation.
I think we’re on the brink of a new frontier too, but I’m not hedging my bets on it involving a life of increasing remoteness. Perhaps communities of like minded culture may form in pockets in new remote places if enough people up and move there. But to expect a culture to foster and thrive solely in the digital realm, to me, is ludicrous. True, long-lasting, world changing cultural hubs will always demand face-to-face interpersonal relationships. I, for one, hope that the next age will be one of greater interconnectedness, not more loneliness.
I believe being in a small community is the only answer to loneliness, so I would agree. I never suggested it would survive in the digital realm, much less solely. I also don't think generative AI is very useful either (never mentioned using it in the post).
My apologies, I didn’t mean to insinuate that you used generative AI; it just came to mind while reading the narrative of the arrival of the next frontier with the tools now available.
I must’ve misinterpreted your point about moving to a more remote place in that case. Is it fairer to say that it’s not about moving alone to a remote area but rather establishing smaller pockets of culture in new places?
I'm personally quite opposed about AI and its usage in creative fields. Nonetheless I found quite some interesting ideas in this piece. It's hopeful to think of future creators finding their path away from the Big Places, and actually create something new instead of rebooting the umpteenth franchise.
Also, spot on about Plato, but less so about Homer, even if it serves your 'Cyborg Rhapsode' argument
This is extremely concerning to read…AI is inherently incapable of “distributing intelligence and craft”, but rather destroys any meaningful incentive to cultivate these abilities. To pretend otherwise is completely disingenuous.
This essay is rich with wonderful ideas!
I’ll read it a couple more times before commenting further.
For now, I’ll just say I’d be happy to go through the hassle of checking my shotgun through TSA at Newark airport when it’s turkey hunting season in Jackson!
We would love to have you!
Cyborg Rapsodes might take my favorite coined phrase of the year. I hope you two make the jump together and experience all the adventure that comes with going forth on the frontier.
It's been five years since my wife and I made the move and found our own little outpost. We aren't ever going back because what we came from doesn't exist. All cultural centers exist in transit. Grateful ours crossed paths. Well done with this one. Another one worth showing my great grandkids when I tell them: "Go build your New Florence in the forgotten places."
Hell yeah, man. Would love to chat about your experience some time.
It's happening, just not being reported. There is already a strong "counter culture" in the rural enclaves. If I could encourage anyone who can- go. We did it and living in a rural place but using technology as a tool, and remaining creative and human is where the future is.
This is awesome. Would love to hear more about your experience.
This is a well written and thoughtful piece. Definitely got me thinking about the rural life of my grandparents home. I lived in Atlanta and my grandparents in the "country" (which unfortunately is now urban sprawl). They would call a neighbor when an ambulance passed to track where it went. They shared a party line with my great grandmother (I had to learn the rings). They came together with kids for kite flying contests and all of us kids played in the creek etc. This was prior to cable tv, AI was complete science fiction.
I have witnessed the evolution and insularization (my made up word) of our former tight knit communities. The remoteness of online communities and the AI future will accelerate the retreat to loneliness. My 20yr old daughter doesn't like people unless they are online and my 27 yr old thinks sending me tik tok videos makes my day (I don't have tik tok). It saddens me the speed at which the prospect of AI will further smash interpersonal skills. I long for deeper connections, slower living...my grandparents home. So my wife and I are retiring to the GA coast, to a smaller world. A more connected world without wireless connections. A place where a passing ambulance means more than just a noisy siren. Those things give my soul rest. I do use gpt for research (it has been wonderful but often wrong) but not for friendship. I will leave that to my future small town community.
Steubenville, OH is gonna be the New Florence calling it now
AI as clumsy titans needing to be wrestled down to earth by a few people with great character — that’s an unforgettable image. So good. Also a good reminder that places like Florence or Hollywood seem inevitable in hindsight, and yet they had extremely humble beginnings. What’s the modern equivalent that’s just starting to take shape now? A question worth pondering
Excited to see how it all unfolds.
Yip, I'm out here already
Flip the damn city
Freedom!!
Thank you for the food for thought.
I’ve been back and forth with the idea of the AI revolution bringing a new frontier. Originally, wowed by the emergence of, on the surface, coherent writing and ideas, I thought that this technology would change the world. Yet, the more I’ve used it the more it becomes apparent that it lacks any real depth. If anything, it has reversed my faith in the path to technological liberation.
I think we’re on the brink of a new frontier too, but I’m not hedging my bets on it involving a life of increasing remoteness. Perhaps communities of like minded culture may form in pockets in new remote places if enough people up and move there. But to expect a culture to foster and thrive solely in the digital realm, to me, is ludicrous. True, long-lasting, world changing cultural hubs will always demand face-to-face interpersonal relationships. I, for one, hope that the next age will be one of greater interconnectedness, not more loneliness.
I believe being in a small community is the only answer to loneliness, so I would agree. I never suggested it would survive in the digital realm, much less solely. I also don't think generative AI is very useful either (never mentioned using it in the post).
My apologies, I didn’t mean to insinuate that you used generative AI; it just came to mind while reading the narrative of the arrival of the next frontier with the tools now available.
I must’ve misinterpreted your point about moving to a more remote place in that case. Is it fairer to say that it’s not about moving alone to a remote area but rather establishing smaller pockets of culture in new places?
I'm personally quite opposed about AI and its usage in creative fields. Nonetheless I found quite some interesting ideas in this piece. It's hopeful to think of future creators finding their path away from the Big Places, and actually create something new instead of rebooting the umpteenth franchise.
Also, spot on about Plato, but less so about Homer, even if it serves your 'Cyborg Rhapsode' argument
This is extremely concerning to read…AI is inherently incapable of “distributing intelligence and craft”, but rather destroys any meaningful incentive to cultivate these abilities. To pretend otherwise is completely disingenuous.
Curious, did you see that I talk about your concerns right after that line? Would love to hear your thoughts on that.
100% agree, this spirit animates my page (albeit unintentionally). The vibe shift is real, God bless the unknown Substack
Sincerely, ¡¿RUCRES?!
This is my favorite one. Let’s go build New Florence :)