The Dangers of Clickbait and the Automation of Work: Connecting the Unlikely

The Dangers of Clickbait and the Automation of Work: Connecting the Unlikely

In today's world, we are bombarded with an endless stream of content that seems to have no purpose beyond the moment it appears. We find ourselves caught between two types of writers: those who write for the sake of the subject and those who write solely for monetary gain. The intentions behind writing matter greatly, as the author has a moral duty not to deceive the reader. When writing becomes solely about money, it becomes the ruin of literature.

Arthur Schopenhauer, a renowned philosopher, believed that the best works of great men came from a time when they had to write either for nothing or for very little pay. This notion challenges the idea that financial motivation leads to better content. Instead, Schopenhauer suggests that the problem lies in the prevalence of bad writers who offer little timeless value. These writers monopolize the time and attention of readers, preventing them from exploring more worthwhile pursuits.

One might argue that the popularity of clickbait articles and quick-fix content stems from the fact that people are drawn to what is newest rather than what is truly valuable. This perpetuates a cycle where writers remain confined to the narrow circle of prevailing ideas, and society as a whole sinks deeper into its own mire. However, there is an abundance of great content from older times that can offer insights and perspectives that are still relevant today.

On the other hand, we have the automation of work, a topic discussed by Benedict Evans. Evans highlights how every wave of automation leads to the disappearance of certain jobs but also creates new classes of jobs. While there may be initial pain and dislocation, over time the total number of jobs does not decrease, and society becomes more prosperous. The idea that there is a fixed amount of work to be done, and if machines take over some tasks, there will be less work for people, is a fallacy known as the Lump of Labour fallacy.

Evans argues that the last 200 years of automation have shown that we are continually moving up the scale of human capability. Just as no one in 1800 could have predicted the rise of jobs in railways, or no one in 1900 could have predicted employment categories like 'video post-production' or 'software engineer,' we are constantly adapting and finding new ways to work. Innovation, when coupled with price elasticity, can create more jobs rather than eliminating them, as seen in the Jevons Paradox.

The Jevons Paradox explains that when we make a tool or technology more efficient, it becomes cheaper to run, leading to increased usage and the creation of new and different applications. Automation, alongside the Jevons Paradox, has historically resulted in more jobs, not less. We do not simply make the new tool fit the old way of working; instead, we evolve and change how we work to fit the tool.

However, there is a significant difference between an impressive demonstration of transformative technology and something that can be effectively implemented by a complex company. Many enterprises operate on an 18-month decision cycle, which poses a challenge for startups that rely on an 18-month funding cycle. Bridging this gap between innovation and practical implementation is crucial for the continued growth of automation and its impact on job creation.

In conclusion, the dangers of clickbait and the automation of work seem like unrelated topics at first glance. However, upon closer examination, we can find common points that connect them naturally. Both highlight the importance of intention and purpose in our actions. While clickbait and the prevalence of bad writers hinder the creation and consumption of valuable content, the automation of work, when coupled with innovative thinking and adaptation, leads to the creation of new jobs and increased prosperity.

To navigate these challenges, here are three actionable pieces of advice:

1. Seek out timeless content: Instead of being swayed by the allure of what is newest, take the time to explore content from different eras. Valuable insights and perspectives can be found in works that have stood the test of time.

2. Embrace innovation and adaptability: As technology continues to advance, be open to new ways of working. Rather than resisting change, embrace it and find ways to leverage automation to enhance your productivity and create new opportunities.

3. Bridge the gap between innovation and implementation: For startups in the automation space, understanding the decision cycles and processes of larger enterprises is crucial. Finding ways to effectively communicate the benefits and practicality of transformative technologies will help drive adoption and create a more seamless integration into existing workflows.

By combining these insights from Arthur Schopenhauer and Benedict Evans, we can gain a deeper understanding of the dangers of clickbait and the automation of work. Through intentional writing and thoughtful adoption of automation, we can move towards a future where valuable content thrives, and job creation continues to flourish.