I’m not sure what the first video even was that got me to stop scrolling, but once the algorithm saw that, it peppered my feed with constant new Ai tech videos. There was an Ai for everything. People were buying mac minis to run a human like bot that would be a 24/7 employee. Kids were setting up Ai agents to trade stocks for them and making massive returns. Elon Musk was live streaming how Grok could build an entire business from scratch on its own.
I was… asking ChatGPT for recipes because my son wanted a blueberry muffin.
Don’t get me wrong, I would choose that time with my boy over anything else in this world, but a feeling of guilt came over me that stopped me in my tracks. What the fuck was I doing? People are mastering this new technology that would take over the world, and if you don’t adapt you die, and I was using it for baking recipes.
Guilt, fear, uncertainty… call it what you want, but I was not feeling as ahead as I used to feel years ago. I was in better shape, making great money, and wasn’t responsible for so many people’s lives. Whether it’s with technology, finances or even a plan for the future, I am feeling drastically behind and that anxiety is accelerating.
The anxiety makes no sense. I make decent money, have a little saved and little invested, own a home, etc. I am not an idiot, and perhaps if I was living 25 years ago, I’d be much higher up the food chain. But it’s 2026, and the rate inflation is happening, and the speed technology is advancing, it’s like a two headed monster coming at me. One will take the job, the other will take whatever money is left.
To be clear, I do not believe Ai will take over all jobs. By “take the job”, I mean it could lead to much more competition and drive prices and margins even lower. But who the hell actually knows. This is part of the problem. So much uncertainty, and so few answers, especially from those in power.
You are on your own in this world as a man, better figure it out yourself.
That’s a lot of pressure.
There was a moment recently, where we had carpet installed in the downstairs bedroom, where the kids play. We added the carpet to make it warmer as the winter approaches, and the kids absolutely loved it. My wife and I sat there watching them run around on it, you could see their feet leaving imprints, and their laughter still rings in my head like a dream. I remember sitting there watching them and realizing they are completely innocent in all of this, and they have no say in what world they'll be living in as adults. It's my job to make sure they have a leg up, or 10 legs up.
If I zoom out, I am way WAY up in life. I’ve got a beautiful wife and two healthy children, my own business, a little safety net, a functioning brain that can learn things, and I am not broke or in debt. (yet, ha!) But, none of it feels enough.
Not enough as in I selfishly want more, but enough as in this will be a layer of protection for my kids and wife no matter what happens. This is their floor. They will always be protected and provided for. Truth is right now, I do not see what the next move is for me, but you better believe I’ll figure it out.