Times are rough.
Many feel uncertain.
Maybe even lost.
And definitely doubting their future as a creator.
Apart from the unstable economic and political situation, we’re also confronted with a giant pile of AI-generated content. Many creative jobs seem to become obsolete as AI tools start replacing quite a few roles.
What to make of that? How do you feel about that? How to build a career as a creative?
A while ago, I stumbled upon a double interview with forecast & trend analysts Li Edelkoort and Philip Fimmano. 25 years ago, they predicted the reality we’re living in today. So I was curious about their view on the future.
Turns out their message is packed with hope. Specifically: hope for the ones who get to create real stuff, with their hands.
Bear with me, ‘cause this could be the message that inspires you to keep going, to follow your path with more confidence than ever.
First: something on intuïtion.
Edelkoort and Fimmano observe that in today’s society and education, we’re strongly advised to ignore our intuïtion. Everything we decide has to be based on data. Students are looking for inspiration and examples on the internet. If we don’t know, we ask an AI tool for answers. That way, we’re never supposed to develop and ‘read’ our intuïtion.
They say: “While the truth is: when you get trained to trust your instinct, you’re able to shape a life in all kinds of circumstances. You’re able to solve problems by thinking creatively and following your gut feeling. You are way less scared in general.”
This is powerful.
It’s a true call for independent, creative thinking. An encouragement to follow the path you truly want to walk.
Then: being able to practice a unique craft.
Fimmano and Edelkoort foresee an era of craft coming up, precisely because of the rise of AI.
“During the industrial revolution, we saw a similar movement. A movement of arts & crafts, inspired by beauty. People who were launching fresh ideas, who were concerned about bad working conditions. They created objects that are still highly appreciated today.”
Rejecting digitalization and technology? No, that’s not possible, nor necessary. “Part of society will go back to slower forms of beauty. We’ll see interesting hybrid forms, inspired by both tech and craft.”
Apart from a countermovement against over-digitalization, craft will also play a huge role in preserving our mental well-being, the duo says. “When we feel aimless and out of direction, we feel less worthy, less happy. When we’re able to create, to have those special skills, our confidence grows. This too will be a reason for many to start creating. To learn and practice a specific craft.”
Next: we highly need human creativity.
A quote I don’t want you to miss from Edelkoort and Fimmano: “Up until now, we learned to watch hypercritical to creative solutions. We learned to trust white men in suits who do the accounting. But this has brought us inequality, a climate disaster, and wars.”
“These are immense problems that have to be solved. And since AI is only creating based on what’s already there, we’ll need the human genius,” Edelkoort and Fimmano predict.
“People have proven to be able to survive even the worst circumstances. We need a ton of humans who think creatively, and who create art and beauty. By taking a bunch of small steps, we’ll be able to set things in motion. Creation and craft is not just a matter for a cultural elite, but will be essential to every one of us.”
I was pleasantly surprised by this vision. About hearing a hopeful and positive voice for a change, in connection to AI. It truly feels like the existence of art and beauty will become a matter of survival, instead of ‘entertainment’. Creative minds will be needed - and not just ‘nice to have’ - in order to come up with solutions.
Last: we need to stand together.
The importance of connection, interaction, and common projects will increase even more, say Edelkoort and Fimmano. Despite all the digital (dating, friendship, coaching) apps, people desperately long for togetherness.
This is something that has been going on for a while now. I hear creatives talking about how they survive by surrounding themselves with like-minded individuals. I see collective projects boom. Last year I called you to not fit in, but create your own club and I motivate you to surround yourself with good people.
To form collectives. Not to make art on an island. This is something you might want to give a chance. Take action today, send a message, write an email. Start a collab.