AI 시대에 ‘일상을 꾸미는 행위’는 특별한 의미가 있다

In the era of AI, the act of adorning the mundane with special significance holds a unique meaning. On a bus or a subway journey, people often reveal thoughts they would otherwise keep to themselves. Their possessions sometimes speak louder than words. Stuck to the back of a bulky diary, a single sticker, a worn pair of sneakers, a sparkling charm, and a myriad of other trinkets tell a story of personal preferences and memories. These seemingly insignificant adornments hold a deeper meaning.

At a bustling café, a young woman, barely twenty, sits with a thick diary open before her. She has no tablet or laptop. She selects a sticker, places it on the paper, gazes at it, moves it slightly, and repeats the process. Her actions reveal a strange focus, a momentary escape from the fast-paced world. The act of curating one's daily life through small gestures, such as diary and shoe embellishment, bag adornment, and coaster decoration, is more than just a hobby; it is a small ritual of reclaiming one's time.

In this new age, people create their own language by attaching adornments to everyday objects. This trend is not limited to the Z generation; it is actively engaged in by people in their thirties and forties as well. Brands from around the world offer expensive key chains and stickers, while local convenience stores are filled with stickers and charms. Mainstream magazines and weekend fairs draw crowds of parents and commuters, glued to their children's hands.

However, the underlying desire remains the same: to make mass-produced items feel uniquely personal. The desire to transform a simple possession into something special, to leave one's mark on a product, and to create a connection between the object and the individual. This phenomenon is further heightened by technology, as smartphones can manage schedules, photos, and notes, but people still choose to use paper diaries. The completion of a design is not enough; people prefer to have it physically attached to them.

Renowned consumer behavior expert Russell Belk introduced the concept of "extended self" in 1988, suggesting that our possessions are not merely objects we own, but also a part of ourselves. This explains why we struggle to let go of long-used items; they carry memories and connections to our past. A key given by a friend, a sticker from a travel destination, or a charm from a casual afternoon can hold a value beyond their price, serving as a record of relationships and time.

However, labeling these adornments as pure resistance to capitalism and algorithms is not necessary. Our taste is influenced by social media, trends, and marketing, but ultimately, it is our choice. The materials provided by the market are merely a starting point; the decision of what to keep, what to discard, and how to connect it with memories is still up to us.

AI is a powerful tool that can design beautiful diary pages, recommend colors and characters, and select the most appealing combination among many options. But the final touches are still up to us.

Recommendations can help create the perfect product, but they cannot replace the personal touch that comes from curating one's own belongings. The question arises: do we still want to experience the laborious act of curating, or are we merely seeking a shortcut in a world of endless options provided by AI? Philosophers like Charles Taylor have warned about the dangers of seeking authenticity in a modern, anxious society.

In this context, the question becomes: what do we want to experience when everything is so readily available and customized by algorithms?

Ultimately, the significance of adornment lies in the fact that it transforms mass-produced objects into something uniquely ours. It is a personal expression of our time, relationships, and memories. In a world where everything is rapidly produced, customized, and optimized, it is our own experiences and memories that give each object its true value.