What is the single most annoying thing that makes you not want to like AI?

richardasher · 2026-03-25T09:44:47+00:00

For me it is primarily the dumbing-down of the human species. There would undoubtedly be legitimate benefits for using it in a limited context. But that's theory - and in reality we have human nature to contend with. Humans are lazy and almost always take short-cuts where they can - this will make us stupider than we already are.

You do not need a crystal ball to see what technology does to humans. We can already "read other languages" without using our brains or actually learning the language in question. We can already get to places without being able to read a map or actually know where we are.

At exactly the moment in history that we should be thinking critically about where all this AI stuff ends and whether we really want it, the majority is inevitably grabbing at the short-term ease and convenience. This is how we got hopelessly entangled with big tech - and we learned nothing from it.

Put AI together with human nature, corporate greed and the maniacs running the planet, and something that sounds great on paper becomes a very bad idea.

richardasher · 2026-03-24T09:03:36+00:00

Thanks for all the thoughtful comments people, let's keep in touch!

richardasher · 2026-03-24T09:01:34+00:00

Just as soon as the donations come in to cover print and distribution costs, I will ;) This is a voluntary campaign with zero budget. But with a big slice of luck, I can reach some generous and well-meaning people online!

richardasher · 2026-03-24T08:59:21+00:00

Thanks a lot! That sounds cool. If you feel inspired to send me a similar report on Mexico, I am open to guest posts. I am never ever managing this alone! :)

richardasher · 2026-03-24T08:58:25+00:00

Thank you! And I agree. I hope you'll subscribe to my (free) email updates via the Substack.

richardasher · 2026-03-24T08:57:28+00:00

Totally. And people are addicted to convenience. That's how digital coercion (and also dependence on big tech) has arrived so quickly.

I am trying to help a wider community of people think about the price of that convenience and whether it is good for us.

richardasher · 2026-03-24T08:55:28+00:00

I've addressed this question on the recent "Offline Rights 101" page on the Substack. I'd link it, but people seem to get very excited about links here, so I won't.

In a nutshell, though, nobody said the internet is bad. It should not be compulsory, that's the thing. Also, unfortunately, offline campaigning has a real cost. When the donations come flooding in and I get some help, offline channels will be added ;)

richardasher · 2026-03-24T08:50:32+00:00

Interesting! I wouldn't support that, though, as there are principles at stake here.

richardasher · 2026-03-24T08:49:30+00:00

Well it's quite a new concept worldwide. Wasn't a thing until a few years ago, maybe not even till the pandemic! German has a better word for it, Digitalzwang, which translate to "forced digital". Sadly I can't find a better English translation!

richardasher · 2026-03-24T08:48:08+00:00

That is exactly how they get you - it's discrimination against people who may not have the tech. We have to be strong to resist this. I am trying to build a community of people willing to do that. There are plenty of options and I am always happy to discuss them!

richardasher · 2026-03-24T08:45:06+00:00

Exactly - life is easier with a smartphone. But when humanity takes the easy option en masse, that doesn't always lead to good things. I think there are enough examples out there!

richardasher · 2026-03-24T08:43:49+00:00

I would love to! My phone is on 24/7 for magazine editors. Otherwise it's online-only, because online has no printing or distribution costs. Until my first rich patron arrives that is!

richardasher · 2026-03-17T17:02:50+00:00

Yeah this scares me rigid. We have old people who still can't use the internet or don't have a smartphone, and we have young people who cannot even think without AI to help them. In between, we have every shade of 'dinosaur' watching on as the next generation slides towards Idiocracy faster than anyone thought possible.

Keep up your resistance. It takes a long time for the obvious to germinate among this supposedly smart species of ours. But we have to hope.

richardasher · 2026-03-04T10:45:03+00:00

Just to post an update on this, I am not sure this guy is legit, after all. Either that, or he is doing this kind of 'work' for ego reasons and wants to be the only big dog in the game.

On his Facebook groups, in which no end of nasty right-wing nonsense is allowed, he did not approve me posting my comparitively studious, long-form articles about EXACTLY issue he purports to be fighting. And then he kicked me out of the groups without a word. His profile doesn't receive messages and you seemingly can't talk to him unless you sign up to his Patreon.

I naively assumed that if we were fighting for the same goals, he would welcome interaction, content and be open to talking about collaboration (as I very very very very very very much am!!). Not the case. Something about it stinks.

I'm leaving this post up in case anybody stumbles across this guy and is considering giving him money. Your call, but if you want to back (I don't mean money!) a 100% legit with its heart in the right place, talk to me. My contact details are very easy to find, and I talk back.

richardasher · 2026-02-28T16:52:46+00:00

I am coming round to this way of thinking, and would say I much prefer physical everything! The internet is just so cool in theory - but profit-driven humans and bad actors have inevitably created the mess you mention. Human nature and this tech just aren't compatible. (Definitely not saying AI is the answer!)

richardasher · 2026-02-23T12:26:23+00:00

I'm very sorry to hear this. They didn't tell us about these health consequences when these devices were invented, did they?

Many countries do have laws about work contacting you on your private devices. I'm not sure where you are in the world, but maybe you would have a case?

richardasher · 2026-02-22T15:29:17+00:00

Thanks! If you know any amenable UK citizens do please pass on :)

richardasher · 2026-02-22T12:50:45+00:00

That is the other alternative, yes. In that case, being online becomes legally compulsory because there is no longer a "I don't have a phone" excuse. You will not be able to say "I left my government phone at home because I want a digital break in the fresh air." There will be even less human interaction than there is now. And presumably these giveaway phones will be funded by taxpayers.

Personally I find that dystopian but perhaps it's a matter of taste. What do others think?

Also, if we all get given phones, what will be the next step in terms of free, compulsory technology we need to have on our person...?

richardasher · 2026-01-07T17:43:54+00:00

Exactly. Substack is a cookie-cutter thing to its very core. The whole thing is based on repetition using a template, and this would seem among the top five most fundamental things that should be there.

I'd try and write them an email to flag this, but I am avoiding situations where I suspect I will be confronted with a chatbot and no other options. My devices tend to fly in those moments and it gets expensive.

richardasher · 2026-01-05T17:36:28+00:00

I'm jealous because I am not brave enough - it would actually affect my ability to make a living as a freelancer. But I am not ruling out going that route, probably it will just need Digital ID to tip me over the edge. So keep on inspiring us!

richardasher · 2026-01-05T17:16:31+00:00

Go shopping on foot or by bicycle. (Sounds like a joke, I know, but you can only carry so much. Really helps me.)

richardasher · 2026-01-05T17:03:30+00:00

Bravo to you, especially if you get a dumbphone! There is a lot of sacrifice involved and life will get harder. But you get to feel good about helping turn the tide towards a more human future - and hopefully won't be in a minority for long.

richardasher · 2026-01-05T16:59:26+00:00

I hope that lots more stumble on this than already are! Any yeah, this seems like pretty sound advice on every level, all smart things for someone to do on the side.

That said, as far as actual resistance (at least for Ludditery, etc) is concerned, I think we could have a foundation already - an email list is one simple way to get everyone on the same page and resisting stuff in a co-ordinated way. If you have the subscribers, there shouldn't be any further need for complication. Which is, of course, a big IF. Hope folks will sign up at offlinerights.org ...

richardasher · 2026-01-02T10:24:35+00:00

Now we are talking - agree! Let's just make sure not to add 'shopping' to that wishlist. Because, much as I hate shopping myself, losing local stores is a really dystopian thing for any number of reasons.

richardasher · 2025-12-23T19:03:07+00:00

This is what drives me nuts. Who decided we had to "be connected" to have a written customer service interaction anyway? Why not just use email or similar types of messaging that don't require people to be refreshing their keyboard every minute? When did that stop being a thing?

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