AI isn't going how we thought it would
In a Nutshell
AI accelerates creative output to unsustainable speeds, rapidly draining the "creative well" that relies on real-life experiences for inspiration, leading to burnout as seen in the speaker's Suno music experiments (four albums in weeks, then 1.5-year drought). Unlike traditional processes with natural friction, AI removes bottlenecks, satisfies curiosity and novelty instantly without true surprise (due to next-token predictability), and traps users in a low-entropy "walled garden" lacking external entropy. Humans crave unpredictable novelty from life and others, explaining declining AI usage trends and the need for structural limits to sustain creativity.
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Many people requested views on creativity and artificial intelligence today. Questions include how to maintain creativity in the face of AI and how it impacts personal creativity.
Not creative burnout (e.g., writer's block, aversion to work). Instead, refilling the well: need to live first for real experiences and emotions to fuel creativity. Spark of creativity comes from life, not waiting for inspiration.
Heard concept on Writing Excuses podcast (Brandon Sanderson involved). Successful commercial writers discuss processes.
Hypothesis: Speed of AI drains the well quickly.
Example with Suno (started mid to late 2024): Made four albums (each 30-45 minutes, total 1.5-2 hours of music) in a couple weeks via ADHD hyperfocus. Then nothing for 1.5 years.
- Not a real musician: can't play instruments well (handpan, guitar), enjoys singing.
- Conventional musician process slower, deliberative: might take decade or two for same output (instruments, shows, feedback).
Recently resumed: had active subscription ($9/month annual plan, unused tokens accumulated). Wrote two half-albums (one album total), then ran out of steam.
- 1.5 years of life provided limited new inspiration: health improving, got two new dogs.
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