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TFenrir t1_izy4v4j wrote

"Work" is a pretty loosey goosey idea, and can be replicated with a sophisticated enough post-scarcity system. You can make artisanal things for "money" or some other social credit - maybe the equivalent of upvotes? You can play games, or start book clubs, or join cooking classes - whatever you like to feel fulfilled and to learn and grow.

The "grind" of work though, is profoundly unfulfilling to many people, and beyond that, is inherently an impediment to pursuing your own goals - this is especially true for people who are living in poverty.

On a global scale, the "best case scenario" of AI making work obsolete, also includes providing for all people around the world, enough so that they aren't forced to do things they don't want to do, to survive and thrive.

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Practical-Mix-4332 t1_izylg5f wrote

This is OP’s whole point though. What’s the point of making an artisanal product if anyone could just come along and say “hey AI make me an artisanal product” and it would be better than what you spent all your time and effort learning how to do the hard way. Once the technology exists, the novelty is gone.

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TFenrir t1_izylz0s wrote

My partner has taken up pottery. She's very good, but she's not the best potter - not yet, and probably not ever. But she loves it, and people appreciate her work, and she's even sold a few of her best. You can get cheaper bowls - why do you think people buy it?

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Practical-Mix-4332 t1_izyq905 wrote

They buy it because it’s unique and took effort to make, and is good quality. But how is she supposed to prove she actually put the effort in. What’s to stop people from hawking their AI products as “artisanal”?

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TFenrir t1_izyrsaj wrote

They might, but in this theoretical world, it wouldn't give anyone anything. "Money" wouldn't be a thing, and they wouldn't be able to talk about their technique and what they've learned with their peers - which I assume would be part of the pull.

Like anything, people might lie for status, and take credit for things they didn't do - but the incentives to do so are less in the world of the future.

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humanefly t1_izyod3u wrote

Most people buy digital cameras, but some people still like old analog film based cameras and still use them.

You can buy a chair made in a factory, or you can buy a chair custom made from a local carpenter; you just pay more for it. There's still a desire for the human touch, the craftsmanship and people are willing to pay more for it.

I mean you can grow your own food, buy it from a factory farm, or buy it from a local hobby farmer.

You can use a horse and buggy, walk, or drive

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Practical-Mix-4332 t1_izys1yh wrote

Yes but all your examples have some advantage to using the older technology that is not easy to replicate. What if the people consuming your products have no way to know whether they actually have a “human touch” or not.

This means that any hobby or effort is purely for your own self benefit. That is fine with me if I can feel accomplished knowing that it’s not an easy thing to do, but if literally anyone could basically wish up a better version of my work with no prior skill or effort, that takes the joy out of it.

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