Cyborgs and Drainage.
Writing these weekly articles is a challenge – this is number eighty-four. Occasionally, I jot down ideas during the week or draft a few paragraphs. In January, I wrote a dozen or so in one sitting—half of which haven’t yet seen the light of day. They’re backup for the odd week when I’m too busy.
And yes, “too busy” is a recurring theme. But I enjoy creating something from a blank screen – so it’s worth the effort. Most Fridays, I wake at 6:15, head downstairs, switch on the kettle, and ask myself, “What am I going to write about this week?”
This week’s inspiration arrived in the post. Ding-dong—FedEx delivered a tiny package from Toronto. I’d ordered a gadget on a whim a few months ago. It’s a small, circular digital pendant about the size of a two-pound coin. It listens to everything and offers insights via an app. I charged it, installed the app, and ten minutes later, it was live.
So far, it’s been strangely helpful. A phone call from a potential client about a flat refurbishment was transcribed and turned into a fee email in under two minutes. Usually, that’s a 45-minute job. While driving, I generated a to-do list and a draft brief for next year’s student design project (yes, I now talk to myself). And project meeting notes were done almost instantly. After just three days, I’ve saved three hours. That’s about two weeks a year.
Three things have struck me already:
1. It’s easy to imagine a near-future version of this gadget that doesn’t just listen and record, “I should book a chiropractor appointment,” but actually books it, drops it in your diary, and sends you a reminder. We’re not far off.
2. There will be such a thing as AI bullying. Each day, I get a little report on how I can improve. Yesterday’s included: “Your tendency to micro-manage and inability to delegate may be holding your team back.” Small problem: I don’t have a team. But I can already see how these little daily ‘performance reviews’ (aka AI beatings) will create a whole new genre of therapist.
3. For now, it only knows what I say. But the next wave will understand what I see and think. Physiological data, eye tracking, and mood detection. Crikey. The human-cyborg crossover is still a little way off, but implants are being tested. Blade Runner is around the corner.
There will be decisions to be made about how we adopt human-integrated AI. If you’d asked me last week, I’d have said “over my dead body”. I think of playing around with tech like golf—completely unnecessary, but fun. But three days in, I realise it will be an arms race. Those who don’t operate with this level of augmented intelligence may soon resemble the few remaining architects still drawing in pen on a drawing board. Charming, but slow. And left behind.
It’s all very Star Trek. But fortunately, most of my week was spent dealing with non-cyborgs. I’ve spent the past two days working until midnight on the detailed design of a new house—modelling bathroom waste pipes in 3d, threading them through the structure with a 1-degree fall from the middle of the house to the outer wall.
It’s a rewarding puzzle to solve. Often, this stuff gets left for the builder to figure out. But when dealing with steel beams and 5+ metre drainage runs, you can’t leave it to chance. The question, “Can I put a 6-inch hole in that beam?”, is best asked before anyone gets mud on their boots.
Have a great weekend. And Phil—hope you’re enjoying your Guinness. I will be.
You will always find me at carl@carlarchitect.co.uk.
All the best
This Week’s Links:
Here’s the gadget if you want to start your human-cyborg journey.
Are sofas getting bigger?
You’re Already a Cyborg and Don’t Know It!
Automatic Services Clash Detection.
And to sign off a rather good Argentine Beatles band. Here comes the sun (on Zoom).
Main Image credit: Cyborg builders rule! (Chatgpt)
