Thanks Bucco! Agreed, the value of being a great writer will jump as everyone uses more of the same language. I personally think many of subjects and skills of liberal arts will gain importance as we live through a unique time in our social studies.
Feedback (only since you tweeted asking for it!): as a reader I’m more interested in hearing your “so what” punchline than I am curious to hear about the different examples of reduced friction. This is only one reader’s opinion, but I plan to keep reading and appreciate your sharing!
Your point on friction connected pretty well with this other excellent article that went around recently, on rules and bureaucracy: https://artificialbureaucracy.substack.com/p/kill-chain Everyone wants to get rid of it with AI, but then you realize it was the pauses those things put in the system that allowed humans to be in control.
> "We removed as much of the friction as possible from our food system and now 40% of the adult population is obese."
We also totally removed "physical friction" with cars and other means of transportation... and now most people almost never walks. Cue even more obesity.
I add MORE physical friction to my life going by bike even when I could use my car... but I seem to be in a tiny minority.
Good points. I would caution we’re overstating AI’s resume crafting talents. I’m applying for various roles now and AI effs up my resume every time. Adds experience I don’t have, goes over the top with superfluous jargon - yes this can be overcome with better prompting, and a steady guiding hand, but most applicants don’t do or have that.
I appreciate that some can still notice the need for friction nowadays. I also think that this whole post applies to software. Lack of friction when generating AI slop can be bad there as well
One thought on friction is contribution. As the founder of an online community I think a lot about how we define contribution in digital spaces, because that coheres the spaces. This week someone introduced me to “tithing time.” If you find groups worth giving your gifts to, a few hours a month, that creates reciprocal friction but also bonds.
Well, is abundant food plus a pill to stop yourself from overeating _worse_ than the spectre of starvation hanging over you for your whole life? I think that's the real question to be asking here.
Congrats on the nl. Writing this long-form shit is hard, but rewarding. Good friction, you may even say. Cheers 💚 🥃
Brilliant post, thank you for sharing, it resonates a lot with what I see lately.
Inspired by how you articulated the “friction” I just published my thoughts in today’s article:
https://andreisavine.substack.com/p/one-way-doors-ai-strategy?r=hwopt&utm_medium=ios
Thanks for sharing and writing. I really the idea of a friction taxonomy with different purposes and implications when you remove them.
Thanks Bucco! Agreed, the value of being a great writer will jump as everyone uses more of the same language. I personally think many of subjects and skills of liberal arts will gain importance as we live through a unique time in our social studies.
Feedback (only since you tweeted asking for it!): as a reader I’m more interested in hearing your “so what” punchline than I am curious to hear about the different examples of reduced friction. This is only one reader’s opinion, but I plan to keep reading and appreciate your sharing!
Appreciate the feedback, keep it coming. I’ll keep this in mind for future articles. Thanks for reading!
Keep up the good work! Love your insights.
Your point on friction connected pretty well with this other excellent article that went around recently, on rules and bureaucracy: https://artificialbureaucracy.substack.com/p/kill-chain Everyone wants to get rid of it with AI, but then you realize it was the pauses those things put in the system that allowed humans to be in control.
> "We removed as much of the friction as possible from our food system and now 40% of the adult population is obese."
We also totally removed "physical friction" with cars and other means of transportation... and now most people almost never walks. Cue even more obesity.
I add MORE physical friction to my life going by bike even when I could use my car... but I seem to be in a tiny minority.
Delighted you've joined the Substack universe. Hugely enjoyed your first post - and look forward to future words.
Great post!
There is nothing wrong with the side door. Everyone can find one somewhere.
Good points. I would caution we’re overstating AI’s resume crafting talents. I’m applying for various roles now and AI effs up my resume every time. Adds experience I don’t have, goes over the top with superfluous jargon - yes this can be overcome with better prompting, and a steady guiding hand, but most applicants don’t do or have that.
I appreciate that some can still notice the need for friction nowadays. I also think that this whole post applies to software. Lack of friction when generating AI slop can be bad there as well
Thankyou for this timely reminder of friction!
One thought on friction is contribution. As the founder of an online community I think a lot about how we define contribution in digital spaces, because that coheres the spaces. This week someone introduced me to “tithing time.” If you find groups worth giving your gifts to, a few hours a month, that creates reciprocal friction but also bonds.
Well, is abundant food plus a pill to stop yourself from overeating _worse_ than the spectre of starvation hanging over you for your whole life? I think that's the real question to be asking here.
There's more to human life than survival and mere subsistence.
Now do how democratization doesn’t actually lead to democratic outcomes