Pick Up That Guitar

Clearly I’m not being productive enough, hustling enough, or sacrificing myself on the altar of capitalism in quite the shade of red required, so my question to you, dear reader, is when are we going to acknowledge that being handed something, and knowing how to do the thing we’re being handed, are fundamentally different things? I’m fairly certain that this was known at some point - give a man a fish, anyone?

More specifically, when did people lose that drive to want to know how to do things? Or want to know how things work, come together? When did we stop being curious? I can certainly understand not having the inclination, or time, to become an expert in everything that we take an interest in, but surely wanting to glean what we’re even looking at is fundamental to what even makes us human.

I refuse to believe that people, in their heart of hearts, can’t tell the difference between actual creative work, and writing a series of prompts. Moreover, the term “prompt engineer” is up there with the dumbest titles imaginable, which is saying something, considering my far-too-long exposure to corporate life.¹

I realise that I may hurt a few egos “in the room”, but I really do promise it’s not personal. I’m trying to prove a point. If you know me, this is said with a genuine smile on my face, and kind eyes… If we haven’t had the pleasure of connecting in real life, congratulations, I guess? Anyway, please try to picture yourself on your deathbed (it’s unpleasant, I know, but stick with me), what would you be more proud of…

A) I wrote a series of prompts that generated some waveforms on a remote server, and it’s perfectly average, stay awhile, have a listen. B) I worked really hard to learn guitar, and I have this one recording of me I’d like to share with you.

Now, assuming you chose B (which I’m sure you did otherwise my argument falls apart, and my fragile male ego can’t handle that), let me reassure you, that you’ve indeed made the correct choice… There’s a reason we find cinematic scenes with music so endearing. (Ellie playing guitar for Dina sticks in my mind [the game, not the series, now be quiet]). There is a soul behind it. An intention. We’re not connecting with the notes or lyrics, rather we’re connecting with the person(s) behind them. It’s why we don’t really care if a loved one performing for us is “good at it”, because we’re just seeking connection. Who, or what, are your prompts connecting you to? Is that fulfilling you in a way that matters?

So here we are, with none of us taking pause. We’re too preoccupied seeking our place in this new world, that we don’t notice ourselves clambering over one another, desperately trying to not be left behind. But the truth is, and what I think we all know in our bones, is that one day, that human connection will be needed. And when we go back to find it, that lost remnant of humanness, when we finally turn around and lay witness to what’s left, who will be left for us?

So I beg of you, please, pick up that guitar. Sing that song. Be bad at it. I promise you, it’s okay.

Editor’s note: While ensuring my usage of the word glean was correct, I googled “define glean”, and the first search result was “Glean Technologies, Inc. is an American technology company specializing in enterprise-grade artificial intelligence and search capabilities.” Irony, it seems, is not dead.