WE ARE NOT MACHINES

Are machines becoming more like us, or are we becoming more like them? And if it’s the latter, what does that mean for creativity?

Comedian Tom Fell captured this idea perfectly in a recent Instagram video. If you haven’t seen his stuff, he’s worth looking up—the dude is hilarious. He pointed out how we talk about ourselves in computer terms—recharging, bandwidth, life hacks, multitasking. We create to satisfy algorithms instead of people. He jokes that we should unplug, but, well… we don’t have one.

It’s a reminder worth downloading: we are not machines. We’re messy, irrational, works in progress. And maybe reclaiming that is less about rejecting technology and more about rethinking how we use it. Speed isn’t just about automation; the right tools should allow expression to flow as freely as thought.

Take drawing—the best way to get a smooth, expressive line by hand is to draw it fast. The speed isn’t just about execution; it’s about flow. And the best tools—whether pen and paper, stylus and tablet, or prompt and parameter—should disappear into the process. They don’t call attention to themselves; they just let you create.

The technology we have now is incredible, but the best way to use it? With intention. Let it amplify creativity, not just productivity. Embrace the messy, irrational, inefficient ways we think and create. Because imperfection isn’t a flaw—it’s what makes something real.

Thanks, Tom—I needed that reboot.