Larry GarfieldI may regret this at some point, but I felt the need to put down in writing how I feel about this moment in the tech industry.
It is not kind. You may well be insulted by it. If you are... then you really should question yourself.
krig@Crell Here's something that rubs me the wrong way: "At some point soon, I will have to figure out how to work with AI coding tools" - No, you don't. That's a choice you are making. In the end, you are making the same choice as those who say "It is what it is". You choose personal convenience over your convictions. Someone has to be the first to refuse. Someone has to be the one to shoulder the burden. What makes you think that someone isn't you?
Justin Macleod@krig @Crell While I don't disagree, that's a huge ask. If someone does a thing to pay the bils and everyone else is doing that thing faster with AI, those "convictions" could land them and their family without pay or benefits. That's a big gun to stare down the barrel of. That's the fear. That's what needs to be addressed. It may well be a false narrative, time will tell, but it's a big leep of faith to ask anyone to take.
Piggleston Pecanpants@JustinMac84 Meanwhile they could be learning something else in their free time that will be minimumly affected by A.I. so if the hammer comes down they have an option to turn to. It's not all or nothing. @krig @Crell
@LilPecan @JustinMac84 @krig Quoting the article: "But, at this point, it's become obvious that I have to either compromise on that, or leave tech entirely. And every time I think about that, I get angry."
Leaving my field and starting over from scratch while I have a small child at home is... a large ask.
@Crell @JustinMac84 @krig Yes. I had a job that was ethically questionable and faced the same dilemma. All I'm suggesting is you might use part of your nights and weekends to learn something different, something AI resistant, to have as a backup when this all falls apart. Also, by being productive in an unfamiliar arena, it may distract you and lessen your angst. You'll be doing something positive to educate yourself instead of just letting guilt wash over you.
@LilPecan @JustinMac84 @krig You seem to be under the impression that the hammer hasn't come down yet. I'm currently unemployed, at a super-senior level. The hammer is here.
*Nothing* is AI resistant that pays worth a damn.
@Crell @JustinMac84 @krig And that's also a problem related to the big picture of why this is happening: greed. If people would rather buy cheap crap from exploited, impoverished countries then your wood workers, leather smiths, jewelers and other manual artists, that can't be replaced by AI, can't afford to survive. So kiss artistry and beauty goodbye. That's the world silicone valley wanted and got.
@LilPecan @JustinMac84 @krig As a hobbyist woodworker, bladesmith, and leatherworker, I can confirm.
Some of the absolute best bladesmiths on the planet, that make absolutely gorgeous works of art, make good money but less than I made in my last 2 jobs as an engineer. And I am not as good an engineer as they are blade artists.
@Crell @JustinMac84 @krig See? So you're not a one trick pony. Those are all skills that hold great value for when the end of the world arrives. When the manufacturing plants shut down because there is no more water and the world is on fire, you'll last longer than many.
@LilPecan @JustinMac84 @krig I have long joked that I got into bladesmithing so that when civilization falls I can become an arms dealer.
Unfortunately, most modern crafting still relies on heavy machinery making the inputs. (Bladesmithing is the most independent, leather the least.)
@Crell @LilPecan @JustinMac84 my current plan is to grow potatoes and hops to trade bootleg booze with Immortan Joe and his crew when they show up
@krig @Crell @JustinMac84 Seems like a sound plan. I wonder if I can interest Joe in any of my leather liquor flasks?