Where Do We Start?
In spite of the fact that I have written thousands of articles and blog posts over the past 25 years, I often find myself sitting with the same situation that plagues many creatives: ”Where do I begin?”
The slightly snarky ”the beginning would be a good place” retort aside, sometimes I really don’t have a good answer.
And then I have to simply admit that I feel totally braindead and would just as well give this day a ”pass.”
Which brings me to how I even got to talking about this: As our world moves forward, and it feels like we keep facing mounting inflation and increasing demand on our time… giving any one day ”a pass” feels like more and more of a luxury that we can ill afford.
I recently brought this up in one of the online discussion groups I still belong to, in which we were discussing the seeming paradox of an ”automated and AI driven world” giving us a wealth of free time… which we continue in a reality where we have ever less free time because we must keep up with rising costs of living, not declining ones.
If AI is supposedly going to usher in an era of great prosperity, why does it feel like we’re actually moving in the exact opposite direction?
Of course, it’s not AI I’m blaming here, but greedy people.
Greedy people who own companies that replace human workers with automation and AI… but even though their production costs were just cut in half still see fit to declare that they need to raise their prices by 10% ”to keep up with inflation.”
It’s the sort of logic I fail to follow.
Reminds me of a completely different discussion I had with friends a long time ago, about whether we felt humanity was moving towards a ”Star Trek Future” in which everything was cheap and plentiful, and money isn’t even needed because all your needs can immediately met… OR, are we moving more towards a ”Hunger Games Future” in which the world is controlled by a tiny elite, and anyone who doesn’t belong to that elite is regarded as almosy sub-human and forced to live in some version of squalor.
So, what sort of world do we want to build for ourselves?
I originally got involved in crypto from a very hopeful perspective, seeing it as a potential solution to many of the world’s financial woes… but these days I feel less hopeful, as it seems like the whole industry is dominated by good old-fashioned greed.
Makes me want to just step back and ask: “Is this REALLY the best we can do for ourselves?”
Meanwhile, getting back to the original question of ”where do we start?” my truth tends to be that I just start writing something, regardless of whether or not I think it is good, or will even amount to something.
Sometimes, it actually doesn’t amount to anything… and I genuinely do just give the day a pass.
I’m dedicated to the craft of writing… but not that dedicated!
Thanks for stopping by, and have lovely rest of your week!
How about you? Is just "checking out" for a day a LUXURY, for you? What sort of future do you believe we are moving towards? Leave a comment if you feel so inclined — share your experiences — be part of the conversation!
(All text and images by the author, unless otherwise credited. This is ORIGINAL CONTENT, created expressly for this platform — Not posted elsewhere!)
Created at 2024.06.05 00:22 PDT
x790/2024
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Now... the question is... where do "I" begin?! haha - just kidding :D
You fail to follow it because it is not there and you are quite right! The manner in which this world is now structured is almost "designed" for most to fail. It can be rather sickening when you start to dig deep enough - which I generally try not to do for that exact reason!
BINGO! and how damn sad is that?!!!!!! I know you can also acutely relate to this, but my many years running my business - in an industry that I WAS actually passionate about - and it literally destroyed me from the inside out! Mid thirties and well on my way to a nervous breakdown, heart attack or both!
Having walked away from that, I promised myself "never again!!" - and yet, the reality always sets in that the food is not going to put itself on the table and the roof isn't going to pay for itself - so about that day off to replenish your cup??? You need it but cannot have it... pretty much no matter what it is you are doing with your day time hours.
I think it is safe to say that pretty much everything is structured around greed these days - so, my solution... Rose Tinted Glasses! haha!
I choose to remove the world, live in my little bubble as humbly and simply as I possibly can and hopefully I manage to make the journey along the way moderately enjoyable haha!
As for where do I start? With my writing... Oh you know me haha - full of brain farts most days :D
I cannot remember anymore how much I've heard it in my head and asked myself that question. Funny how and why I always think of that question. (like here we go again)
Anyway, you got beautifully captured macro images here as your illustrations. And the way you write your blog reminded me someone (I don't personally knew) who is good at blogging.