Creative Pocket Pal™
For when the muse is not amused.
❤️ Drop a like and be sure to check out some highlights from my Spotlight on AI talk down below.
On a Thursday a few decades from now, I found myself wandering through the eclectic sprawl of a Retro Market, famous for its bizarre mix of trinkets from the past. Amidst stalls boasting antique electric vehicles and vintage drone parts, my eye caught something peculiarly familiar—a small, sleek device lying forgotten between a stack of smartphones and a pile of old VR e-readers.
The stall owner, a grizzled man with stories etched into his wrinkles, noticed my intrigue. "That's a Creative Pocket Pal," he said, a touch of nostalgia in his voice. "Back when people couldn't get enough of creativity, almost addicted to it, like social media back in the 20s."
I was immediately drawn to it. The idea that creativity could become an obsessive mainstream pursuit like social media was once, seemed almost dystopian. Yet here was a device, designed precisely for that era—a tool to perpetuate the relentless drive for innovation and originality.
Purchasing it felt like acquiring a piece of history, a reminder of a time when society's value was measured in creative output, every spare moment an opportunity to generate ideas. It was a time much like my primeline’s obsession with social media, where being constantly plugged in was the norm.
As I explored the device, it dawned on me how it mirrored our own compulsions. Its features were engineered to keep the user's mind perpetually engaged, always creating, always producing. It was as if not being creative was a waste of time, a social faux pas.
It's fascinating and somewhat alarming to think that our current obsessions might one day be viewed as quaint relics of a bygone era, much like this device at the flea market. This little gadget wasn't just a tool for creativity; it was a symbol of a time when creativity itself was an obsession.
Off to find the janky time machine and get back home. I’ve got a birthday party to get ready for.
I gave a talk at FITC’s Spotlight on AI conference today. It was well-attended with a group of engaged participants and a cast of venerable presenters dropping knowledge and insight on the future of AI and creativity.
I started with a little misdirect in this 2 part slide. Using the analogy of how film editing evolved from cutting cellulose, to video tape, to digital editing, and finally to how content is being cut on iphones now. This only served to usher in an era of unprecedented content creation. I believe AI will supercharge this trend and give voices to the voiceless. Be prepared for a deluge of entertainment and content, for better or worse.
I presented a spectrum that I developed that illustrated various capacities of human + AI engagement. Stressing that as a creative person, you must have foundational knowledge, talent and skill to wield algorithmic magic. On the farthest end of the spectrum is a scenario where we are no longer included in the creative process. No bueno.
I made it clear that we are the humans in the loop. Our responsibility is to train, guide and correct AI based on our taste, judgement and intent.
NEXT WEEK!!
I will be giving a different talk next week at Near Future Laboratory’s Super Seminar series. If you’re interested in supercharging your futures thinking and futures design skills with AI, my talk will be a must for understanding philosophical mindsets and practical tips to get you on your way.
Not to mention Drew Wiberg’s talk that might just transform your productivity by an order of magnitude. Check out this video of Drew giving a sneak peek of his talk.
Consider asking your boss or HR department at work if you can expense this super seminar. We made it easy for you to ask to get reimbursed for this worthwhile creative investment. Check out this link for how to expense this event.
Preach 😈