Before, we only met at brunch. Dinner. A “networking” event that wasn’t just for show. We showed up to each other’s houses unannounced and it wasn’t weird, it was life. We sat on the floor when seats ran out, nobody judged, nobody cared about labels, la boo-boos, designer, or the latest iPhone, just each other’s presence.
Now? It puzzles my brain every single day. To the point where sometimes I feel like I’m losing it, tapping from behind the glass while nobody sees what’s really become of us. That’s why I try not to interact with this phone more than I need to. Not because I don’t get it, but because it’s left me alone in a world where the majority haven’t stood up and said, “Yo, maybe we should step back.” For real this time.
But greedy humans? We just keep sprinting forward and fucking it up for the ones behind us. No discipline. No boundaries. And the ones who know better… we end up feeling like we’re nagging, going insane, when really we’re just paying attention.
I know some people think I’m always “bitching” or “complaining.” Maybe. But if I am, it’s only because I’m blessed enough to see what others miss. I’ve always been able to, and lately life’s been throwing bricks at me, making me notice it even more.
Letting the “in, out”’ I’d say…
Okay Justin, you’re drifting.. yes!… where were we?
Millennials and Human connection (for real this time)
I remember when multiplayer games needed a cord. No mics, no Twitch streams, no “subscribers.” You had to earn your stripes sitting in the same room, dealing with raw emotion in real time. And yeah, I probably sound like a boomer saying that… but if you know, you know.
That’s why I love my blog. I can say whatever I want here. No algorithm. No validation metrics. No fake claps. Whether it ends up an “I told you so” or a “damn, Brandon did say that,” it lives. Forever.
And let’s be honest… it’s not just millennials. It’s every generation right now. We’re out here pretending scrolls, double taps, and fire emojis count as connection. Like that’s real, like that’s authentic. Truth is, it’s not. If you step back and look at it technically, it’s borderline schizophrenic. “But we’re not ready for that conversation”
Think about it: someone constantly picking up a device, pressing record, talking to themselves, over and over until it feels “right” or “sheepish”. Editing, captioning, tagging, second guessing, posting, waiting for artificial validation. All so some algorithm can decide if they feel confident or worthless that day.
And if you’re saying, “Not me, Brandon,” cool. Then you’re the scroller. The double-tapper. The commenter. The one swiping past it all. Either way, you’re part of the loop. Don’t be a smart ass, and see my point.
A couple weeks back I was in my hometown for the film festival. While there I paid respects to a childhood friend’s mom who played a huge part in my early years. Then I ended up at my old friend’s house, and some of the old crew was there. Twenty years later, reminiscing.
And because I know how rare that is now, I stayed way later than I should have. Because it’s always the same: we say “let’s do this again,” then life pulls us back into our separate lanes. Except now, devices dictate those lanes… telling us when to move, what to care about, how to feel. Even what to wear… if I see another “what we wearing this summer, spring, or fall” I’m going to lose my shit. How can one be an individual asking questions like that?
Until we take back our consciousness, control, and connections, A.I. won’t be the enemy. We already handed over the controller. We’re already NPCs.
So when you wake up, and I hope you do, just tell me I told you so.
Hope this helps,
—B
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