It’s no secret that AI is on everyone’s mind lately, and for many, that means a healthy dose of panic. Beyond the doomsday scenarios, there’s the very real concern about jobs. Even if we figure out AI safety, it’s going to shake up the job market, and that might include people like me.
I chose journalism over a more lucrative MBA path because I wanted to do something meaningful and something I loved. It worked out, and I’ve had a great career as a columnist. But as AI gets better at writing, I have to wonder what happens when putting words together isn’t a viable way to make a living anymore.
The Luddites Had a Point
As a libertarian, I believe in progress and change. But I also think the Luddites, often seen as simple technophobes, had a valid point. They weren’t just afraid of new technology; they were skilled artisans whose livelihoods were threatened by machines that could produce goods faster and cheaper. Think of the spinning jenny – a cutting-edge technology back then.
I actually have some sympathy for them, especially when new AI models come out. We talk a lot about the benefits of freedom and progress, but these things aren’t without cost. People get hurt, and often, a lot of people.
Key Takeaways
- Progress comes at a cost, and we need to acknowledge the people who are negatively impacted.
- We have an obligation to future generations to not halt innovation.
- The benefits of past technological advancements have far outweighed the initial disruptions.
Progress Isn’t Free
The printing press brought knowledge but also religious wars. The Industrial Revolution improved living standards but also created harsh working conditions and pollution. While modern governments can help mitigate some of these issues, they can’t always give people back the lives they lost. We have a responsibility to consider these costs.
Stealing From the Future
If we stop progress to protect the present, what are we stealing from the future? We all benefit from past decisions that prioritized future growth over present comfort. Most of us don’t worry about basic survival needs like food, shelter, or burying a child from disease. This is a gift from past generations, and we should pass it on.
Imagine if the Luddites had succeeded in stopping progress. They would have, in effect, taken away everything we have today to benefit themselves. A spinner selling a few spools of thread might mean no cars, no refrigerators, no central heating, no college education for future generations. A hand-knitted cloak could mean thousands of children dying from preventable diseases.
When you think about innovation that might affect your job, ask yourself: how much am I willing to steal from my grandkids?
The Unforeseen Benefits
Some might argue that our current situation is different because we already have so much. But a Luddite from the past wouldn’t have imagined our lives. They couldn’t have pictured a future where the average person lives better than 19th-century royalty. And while progress has led to issues like global warming, it’s also given us the wealth to address them, like developing mRNA vaccines or finding solutions to ecological problems.
It’s hard to grasp the long-term benefits of progress because it’s cumulative and often strange. Think about explaining your life today to a Luddite. Indoor plumbing alone would be amazing. But then add mass education, nursing homes, weekends, pizza delivery, and the ability to wait out a pandemic at home while scientists create a "magic shot." It sounds like a fairy tale, and in many ways, it is. We’re living in a fairy tale, with magic wands in our pockets.
Innovation’s Ripple Effect
How did a spinning jenny lead to all this? It wasn’t just one invention, but a wave of innovations. Many displaced workers, but collectively, they made our current lives possible. Just as Henry Ford didn’t foresee his cars speeding up the sexual revolution, innovators often don’t see the full impact of their work. They aim to profit, but we are the ones who ultimately benefit the most.
Facing the Future with AI
Yes, I’m worried about AI. I expect the government might offer retraining, but I don’t want a handout. I want the career I’ve built over 20 years. Yet, when I consider trying to stop or slow down AI, I remind myself of why I shouldn’t. I have no right to steal the future from our descendants, especially since I’m already living in a future that’s better than anyone could have imagined.
