Fuck it, make it anyway

This week, the reporter found themselves in a state of emotional and creative exhaustion. They described their feelings as an implosion, where their resolve and motivation crumbled. Reflecting on this experience, the reporter hoped to offer guidance to others facing similar struggles, particularly future selves. The issue at hand is the growing presence of generative AI, which threatens to devalue the work of artists and creators.

The reporter expressed hope for their peers in other artistic fields, as they believe AI-generated art is inherently lacking in quality and authenticity. However, the reporter themselves faced a more challenging situation in the programming world. Many of their fellow programmers have become increasingly anxious and adrift in the face of rapid technological change.

The reporter found it difficult to ignore the peer pressure and the undeniable capabilities of large language models. They personally found programming with AI-assisted code generation to be unfulfilling and lacked pride in the output. Instead, the reporter loved working on small projects and felt that their contributions were becoming obsolete due to AI tools.

The loss of personal connection and recognition in their work left the reporter feeling empty. The situation extended beyond programming and into game development, as exemplified by a recent crash-out inspired by a discussion on game making. The reporter found this perspective both insightful and devastating, as years of learning and dedication to game development now felt like wasted effort.

The reporter channeled their frustration and anxiety by chatting with Shad, a talented designer and engineer. Shad's project, Uncamera, is an example of creating something beautiful without relying on generative AI. The reporter admired Uncamera's unique approach and its potential to win accolades. Shad's dedication to developing Uncamera despite his own anxieties served as a source of inspiration.

Ultimately, the reporter realized that there were only three paths to navigate this AI-driven landscape. They could adopt AI-assisted tools to stay competitive, but this would compromise their enjoyment of the work. They could also abandon their creative pursuits entirely, which is rarely a viable option for artists and creators.

Or, they could continue making things the way they enjoy, embracing the hard work and learning, despite the lack of immediate tangible benefits. The reporter concluded that the third path was the most meaningful, as it allowed them to preserve their passion and learning process, even if the rewards were not immediately apparent.