97/100 Keeping the Beauty
Avoiding the Machine Drift
But in my project of restarting life, I’ve noticed I lean on tech more openly than ever before. For context, there was a point when I decided that having a Blackberry was too much for me and I opted for a flip phone. Now, I’m easily giving away my personal information to Google such that it can help make basic life a little more easy.
An example: I love that Google Assistant can schedule haircuts for you. I would be a walking mop if this weren’t possible.
There is a quote that has stuck with me more like a splinter than a gentle reminder when it comes to this. From Kevin Roose’s book, Futureproof: 9 Rules for Humans in the Age of Automation:
“Does the route you take to work reflect your idea or a good commute, or Google Map’s idea of the optimally efficient journey?” (94)
He calls this idea Machine Drift, the gentle but constant pull that optimizing through tech and AI that ends in an increasingly duller and duller lived experience.
I take this message with a “hold everything dear” kind of mentality. The fall is in full swing. I would do well to spend the time walking home instead of taking the Metro.
More soon,
Trevor