"One of the most pervasive marketing tropes pushed by AI companies in recent years has been a promise to eliminate "busywork." Once we've been liberated from the burden of mundane tasks, we'll be free to think big thoughts, pursue our most cherished goals, and build deeper human connections. That sales pitch implies that within every human being there's a wellspring of creativity, and that stretches of boredom and monotony at work are a dam that blocks us from tapping into it."
"But as is almost always the case with new technologies, reality is proving to be more nuanced than AI companies' marketing departments would have us believe. It turns out that occasional boredom might not be such a bad thing, and that asking employees to constantly focus on cognitively engaging tasks could, in the long run, be counterproductive. Inspiration needs breathing room"
"Most of us at one point or another have experienced a "lightbulb" moment: a flash of illumination, when the pieces of a mental puzzle we've long been trying to solve suddenly fall into place. It's often precisely when we take a break from trying to solve a problem that the solution reveals itself. To take that step back, we need cognitive breathing room. That can come in the form of physically walking away from one's work and seeking solitude."
AI companies commonly promise to eliminate mundane "busywork" so people can pursue creativity, big goals, and deeper connections. That marketing implies boredom and monotony block innate creative potential. Reality is more nuanced: occasional boredom can be productive, and requiring constant cognitively demanding work may harm long-term performance. Insight often arises during breaks or when stepping away from a problem. Cognitive breathing room enables those moments of illumination. Simple practices like solitude or walking can create space for creative breakthroughs and counteract the pressure to maintain continuous high-cognitive productivity.
Read at ZDNET
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