Old and new
Nothing is done the way it used to be. Quality took a dive. You hear these words constantly.
Change is a fact of life. Yet it does not mean all change is good. Right now, AI is all the rage. But for AI to get to where it is today it got there by means of theft unfortunately.
For years the AI models have been trained on content available on the web. Some free, some not. There are multiple lawsuits going on for that very reason. What will come of it, who can say. The damage it done.
Yes, AI can quickly write a newsletter. And with enough training, it might even sound like me.
But does it know the stories of my life? Nope. Life experience? Nope. Real logic? Not so much.
So, if I use AI the quality of what I produce degrades.
And it’s not just things on the web.
Over the years ago we bought various kitchen tools. The older tools are still running well, while the younger ones seem to last for a portion of the time and keep breaking. I have a set of steak knives that are 20 years old and still cut steak, but the mug I bought 3 years ago had its handle come off. Our old mixer is still strong, but the stick blended has broken down inside 5 years, under warranty and yet unable to be repaired or replaced. Sorry, you are out of luck.
Things are made to be replaced.
Our old phones had an intentional end of life built in. So much time passes and wham. You can’t use your phone anymore. Sorry, go get a new one. Lost a photo? Who cares.
If we can acquire items made in the past, treat them well, and pass them down we will be much better off. I know I would rather have a pile of old farm implements than any shovel made today. Because often while they might break, they could be fixed.
Who wants to buy a new item that loses half its value the first time you turn it on and will break in 31 days? Used can often work better, for much longer.
The photo above is an old grist mill that is still operating today. Tools of the past were built to last through time. And while it might be outdated and not nearly as efficient, when life goes downhill, it will still work.
The new ways are great for speed so we can keep up in the world of today. But the old ways will keep you grounded and save your butt when crap truly does hit the fan.
You choose which side you want to be with.
For us, maybe a bit of both will do nicely?