There’s no artificial in imagination

Remember that time I was trolled for using a pen and paper while out on a journalism assignment?

Well, my “old-fashioned” ways gave me the opportunity to visit one of the most forward-thinking creative spaces in Durban, swirling with artistic inspiration, peppered with meaningful conversation and strung together with the aroma of coffee. Needless to say, I was in my element.

The Pencil Club in Umhlanga is a testament to the power of the pencil, recognising that it captures the first drafts and plans of authors, artists, architects and those who have shaped the world as we know it today. Standing next to the club’s creed, with a pencil framed below, I felt like I was drawing my own circle, albeit carefully at the curve.

It’s been seven months of my new career path as a senior copywriter, joining a vibrant marketing and communications team with incredibly talented graphic designers, photographers, videographers and animators. I’m in awe of their creative flair and innovative ideas. And, if there’s one thing that draws us together, it’s the understanding that truly great ideas begin with a pen or pencil on paper. I’m talking logo designs, taglines, video storyboards, campaign concepts, brainstorming and endless note-taking.

What about artificial intelligence, I hear you ask? It’s great. But, in the creative space, AI tools have limitations. They cannot replace originality, nuanced understanding and most especially, “human connections”. Let me be blunt – Chat GPT often sounds forced and cringeworthy to me. Most people do not speak that way, and for me, writing is about speaking in your inner voice. It’s unique.

Talking about the art of writing, a few months ago, I judged a short story writing competition for grade 4 and 7 learners at schools in the Verulam Circuit in Durban. They wrote with pen on paper, no technological gadgets in sight. My heart soared as I read their stories – with their imaginations running wild, keeping me guessing and making my heart smile. It was how storytelling should be – unfettered, unfiltered and unassisted with AI.

I’m not negating the power of technology. It’s thanks to technology that I am able to connect with you and share my thoughts. But I believe that collectively, as society, we need to do more to encourage independent and creative thinking.

There are many ideas, once considered crazy, that we cannot imagine our lives without today. Here’s an interesting fact. In 1879, Henry Morton, a leading scientific mind, labelled the light bulb, invented by Thomas Edison, a “conspicuous failure.” Right now, the only failure is our government’s inability to keep the lights on, but that’s for another blog post.

The reality is that by relying on AI, we are likely to ignore the out-of-the-box thinkers, those who pursue their passion against all odds and even those labelled eccentric. Conformists won’t change the world – it’s those who dare to dream and defy the algorithms.