So, I had this science fiction story in my mind for over a decade, but never had time to write it due to everything else I had to work on. It was always on my long-term to-do list.

When AI started to take off a bit over the past few years, I was like, "Jeez, I don't know if it'll be any good, but If I don't write this thing, it might turn into historical fiction rather than science fiction." More realistically, I'd have to keep adjusting it every five years because the future is now.

But things have a tendency to align. Or maybe I just look on the bright side. Because another big component of the story is about social media causing increased social isolation if we're not careful with it, etc.

Since we're doing some large construction work in Egypt over this past year, my husband and I have had to spend more time apart than ever (he's managing the project there, while I have to manage our obligations here, and we travel to each other when we can).

I work from home. So, sometimes during this period I have days where I wake up, go for a walk, work, do an interview about finance online, exercise, go back to work, then go to sleep, and never speak to someone in person. Just me in the house and being the weirdo trying to get 10k steps in the sun around the neighborhood.

That both gave me insight into how that type of isolation can affect people (luckily temporarily in my case), and also ironically gave me time to finally write the thing, which helped me deal with the aforementioned isolation.

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Sometimes I think AI that doesn’t serve the average person is like a virus that would kill its host - ephemeral. If AI replaced most jobs then who pays for the services that AI provides, no one could afford it. I guess the real dystopian outcome is if other AIs are able to provide services to an AI that it somehow values.

just saw this from someone who apparently works with AI technology. Currently I think AI is helping the average person (me, for one). I’ve had very therapy-like chats with it (which has a social aspect), and learned about financial planning and stuff so (informational), it’s been very practical.

I’ve found it very helpful too. Once it saved me days setting up a new home vpn and writing document skeletons for work.

wow cool! Yeah it seems to empower individuals, with a very supportive tone. ☺️

Apparently it was meant to be written at this place and time!

Fascinating. Sometimes I feel like we’re already in this “dystopian future” in certain ways. We just grow accustomed to things without realizing it. Look forward to reading your book.

With 7 kids in the house, I never want to eat supper alone. When I'm away, I can never friggin catch a wink.

So, are you writing it?

Is there somewhere I can read it?

Most people I’ve known who want to create in the world, also feel isolated. So let me just offer, if it helps from a rando online:

In my experience, following your passion is a soul-guidestone. It always leads you to where you are meant to go, undermining the Head (which almost never navigates our Life-course well.)

Yet this often means up-heaving your life.

But Work is Work. There is no “starting over”, only taking a new path. We fear this because our lives are so short. But new paths bring abundant energy.

If you truly WANT something new, it’s time to embrace that path. There will be no regret, no judgement. Just a jumping into the unknown….

(Note to self don’t insert a Motherhood analogy inserted here)

Imagine living in a neighborhood where the people you care about live in the same neighborhood.

The purpose behind apparent coincidence

it *is* interesting (and sad) to think about social isolation as people grow up and become adults, then older adults. Maybe social media is a factor. This social isolation theme comes up *a lot* in r/adulting. I tend to think social media generally helps, for those who are more on the introvert side. Adults tend to move to different states, or even countries… or have kids. Work a lot. Thinking of neighborhood interactions, it’s odd how those range from small talk politeness to casual friendliness, but then online (reddit), people share the most detailed, blunt, painful and vulnerable feelings, thoughts and experiences of their lives. It’s a weird contrast.

Depends on the personality. Sone of us like the desert.