My answer to this is writing. Writing each day to show that I am human and have some thoughts to string together. Are they interesting? Are they always coherent? No and no, but that’s not really the point. I have some opinions (that may need more context, information, or discussion to turn into gems) but I have my own opinions. Personal opinions and the respect we have for others’ is the commodity of the future where these thoughts can be quickly amplified and shared or productized. I feel like it always rambles to this with oversharing on social media or writing catchy hooks to a thread you have to expand (gets me every time). But I want to instead say that this isn’t being human, it’s just trying to commoditize a version of yourself that isn’t real. Leads me to believe at least 50% of the things I read on social media is bot output (could be more or less, but it’s a meaningful percentage).

In my own thoughts on this, I’ve spent time thinking about how I am human and that leads me back to the physical world and where I spend my non-working hours. So I’ve been trying to make some changes; hold my phone up to my face a little less, take out the earbuds on walks with the dogs, and share my interests with my kids. With my family - hold my wife longer in the morning, don’t let go of a hug until the kids let go first, and follow my kids interest with the same intensity I bring to my own. Small things, but I’ve been retraining my mind on the enjoyment of now.

This has been running my head from a few clips I came across where the presenter talks about the idea that at the end of my life you’re given the chance to relive one day. Imagine you’re 80 and you get a day to relive in your mid 30’s. Everything is as you remember - you’re strong, your partner is healthy, your kids are young, your parents are alive. How would you live that day? Kids wanting your attention. Everyone you love in reach or able to pick up the phone.

I didn’t use AI for this, but did plug it into a word counter/spell checker. Lots of o’s in commodity