Software Engineer Rejects Computer Purchase, Citing AI and Human Craftsmanship
While acknowledging AI’s utility in accelerating boilerplate coding, the author contends that probabilistic systems remain imperfect and require human review, citing ongoing hiring at companies like Anthropic as evidence that human work remains essential.
A software engineer has published an article titled 'Why I Am Not Going to Buy a Computer' on their personal blog, drawing on Wendell Berry’s late-1980s critique of technology. The author argues that AI-generated content lacks the human effort, flaws, and emotional connection inherent in manual work, rendering it devoid of life. While acknowledging AI’s utility in accelerating boilerplate coding, the author contends that probabilistic systems remain imperfect and require human review. The piece suggests that the push to replace human labour with AI ignores the necessity of human care in production, citing ongoing hiring at companies like Anthropic as evidence that human work remains essential.
The article, sourced via Hacker News, references a quote from Berry’s essay where he describes computer text as having a "sterile, untouched, factory made look." Berry, an American writer and philosopher, advocated for the value of manual effort and the physical marks left by human hands, refusing to buy a computer in the late 1980s. The author notes that this sentiment resonates even more strongly today, as people become more disconnected from their work and increasingly rely on AI for writings and art.
The author distinguishes between creative arts and software engineering, noting that while AI is useful for accelerating boilerplate coding, it remains probabilistic and imperfect. They clarify that their critique does not extend to comparing software coding to art, but rather highlights that even in defined technical tasks, human care is required. AI output currently lacks the "perfection" often marketed, instead presenting flaws that are distinct from the visible "mess" of manual correction.
The piece suggests that the push to replace human labour with AI ignores the necessity of human care in production. The author cites ongoing hiring at AI companies such as Anthropic as proof that human work remains essential. They argue that the creation process is stripped out when work is done autonomously, leaving no remnant of thought or inherent gain for the human creator.
The author also references the paper 'Lower Artificial Intelligence Literacy Predicts Greater AI Receptivity' to support claims about marketing targeting those with lesser understanding of AI. They argue that the marketing of AI as something sparkling and magical, making it seem like the average person shouldn’t even be able to comprehend such a technology, is egregious given the flaws in its output. The article concludes by echoing Berry’s sentiment that people remain consistent across technological advances, with the author finding inspiration in those who continue to value manual effort.
