Yuval Harari has a view that in only a few decades the work we do will be determined by algorithms. That sounds plausible for most of it, after all as we obsess with reducing work to measurable process we do the work necessary to clear the way for that. Right now, for many people the work they do makes them a meat based algorithm. Process, measurement and data make it so.

There is work where we should welcome algorithms. For areas from traffic control to sales, many areas of sccountancy and law and anywhere that relies on interpretation of the complicated, algorithms seem likely to do a great job. Fast, efficient, reliable, with no holidays or stress problems.

For others however, algortithms won't even come close. When it comes to being human, and our relationship with others, from each other, to the natural world, to the divine, algorithms aren't in the game. They may do complicated, even really really complicated, but when we get to the complex stuff of being human, then it's no.

Which…

Outside the Walls

The artisan and the algorithm.

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