{6} Creativity, Neon Lights & Communities

Knowledge from Austin Pocus, rinnegan, and Mark Schaefer

Chat #1: Austin Pocus

Software dev, amateur musician and writer (he/him)

Dane Lyons:
Do you think AI will make humans more creative?

Austin Pocus:
I think AI will absolutely make humans more creative! Exposure to art is inspiring. For example, I was inspired to learn guitar when I heard Led Zeppelin for the first time. There's no reason why AI-generated music can't inspire someone the same way.

Aside from making art that inspires others, AI can also be a tool for humans to leverage, in making their own art, art that better conveys what the artist wants to express. There's a lot of low-hanging fruit here (especially in music).

Dane Lyons:
One potential concern is the Instagram effect, where people are constantly exposed to beautiful models and become depressed because they feel like their self-image isn't good enough. If AI effortlessly generates art that artists feel incapable of producing, it could create a similar effect.

But I agree with you. I think the net effect is very positive. If we can find healthy ways of dealing with negative effects, AI should make us more creative.

Austin Pocus:
Counterpoint: if AI tools are freely available to make everyone a better artist, maybe people won't feel bad when they can't create something that feels "good enough".

Maybe AI can take us beyond the "boilerplate threshold" (a term I 100% just made up). In other words, maybe instead of tools like Rails / Bootstrap / base FL Studio / Logic Pro sounds / a basic Unity game / etc. where everything feels the same, AI can create variation enough that what we create with it feels unique.

Dane Lyons:
Great point with the boilerplate threshold concept! With traditional frameworks, creators tend to produce convergent outputs. AI could break that bad habit and encourage outputs that diverge.

Conclusion:
We don’t yet know how AI will impact us psychologically or creatively. There will likely be unforeseen negative side effects. But Austin and I are optimistic that the negative effects will be solvable problems, and the good will outweigh the bad.

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Chat #2: rinnegan

Software engineer building @TweetPandaAI and nuxo.org.

Dane Lyons:
Some of these WFH setups feel like working out of a UFO. Do you think all the random neon backlights have the potential to spark creativity? Or do people shut off the lights when it comes to more intense work?

rinnegan:
The colorful lights could potentially spark creativity for some people, but it really depends on the individual and their personal preferences. I think it’s important for people to experiment with different lighting setups and find what works best for them. Whether it’s colorful LED/neon lights or more neutral lighting, the key is to create a space that is comfortable and supports your work style.

Dane Lyons:
Andrew Huberman has published some interesting research on light and how it impacts your mood, productivity, and overall health. I don't believe I remember hearing anything about creativity.

But it would be interesting to see light setups that can be easily configured to the type of work you are currently focused on. Maybe you have 4-5 buttons that gradually switch from one config to another.

Conclusion:
I’m blown away by how creative people get with their workspaces. If you are going to spend years of your life in a room, why not make the most of it?

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Chat #3: Mark Schaefer

TED keynote speaker, marketing strategist, university educator, author of 9 books including "KNOWN" "Marketing Rebellion" and "Cumulative Advantage."

Mark Schaefer:
The future of marketing is here. Marketing that works. Marketing that heals.

Belonging to the Brand: Why Community is the Last Great Marketing Strategy

Dane Lyons:
Marketing that heals is an intriguing concept. Is this about connecting the people who connect to a brand? Or something else entirely?

Mark Schaefer:
Yes, that is largely it. The book examines community through the lens of brand marketing. A major opportunity! But there are also fascinating psychological and sociological implications.

Dane Lyons:
I'll bet! I believe people are generally happier if they feel connected to a larger group.

How can brands foster a healthy sense of community while avoiding unhealthy cult-like behavior?

Mark Schaefer:
One of the revelations in my new book is that brands can have greater benefit from building community connections between customers, rather than a customer connection to themselves #BelongingToTheBrand

Conclusion:
The idea behind this book is intriguing. The “marketing that heals” bit makes me feel like Mark has ideas about how brands can build healthier, happier communities. Evy just purchased the book. I’m looking forward to vicariously reading it.

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