Charting HX: our New Modern Enlightenment Era, Thanks to AI

Peering into the future. We’re all explorers in the human experience.

AI is changing everything. If it feels like we are stepping into a brand new era — that’s because we are, the next stage of modern enlightenment is here. The 1800s had the Romantics. The 1600s had the Renaissance. The 2020s have Human Experience (HX). It's a big deal, and here's why.

You might remember reading Vox's recent take on how artists (or a lot of people in general) are feeling “weird” because they are faced with the emotions of having to create a personal brand on TikTok. We’re all a sell-out now got me thinking. As we try to navigate this digital world, we are told to create a persona or brand for others, rather than ourselves. But, it’s not just about getting likes or going viral. It's actually about something much deeper. It’s a hard concept to expect people to build a brand when they themselves do not know who they ever are.

I've been around the block for about a decade, working in PR and COMMS, and I've seen the behind-the-scenes of what it takes to build a brand. It's tough, rewarding, and yes, a bit uncomfortable and messy at times. Rahaf Harfoush in "Hustle & Float" hits the nail on the head. In today's world, being creative isn't a nice-to-have; it's essential. Companies are on the hunt for folks who can think differently, solve problems, and bring fresh ideas to the table.

It used to be all about businesses and corporations have an entire team, but now, thanks to social media, it's all on you. Yes, you. You're the creator, the thinker, the problem solver, the star, the editor, the promoter, and also a person wearing all of those hats. Feels overwhelming, right? Good. Let’s at least acknowledge that fact. With AI, you will be able to do more in less time. Awesome. The real difference will be in not allowing AI to completely overtake your creativity because you are trying to stay productive.

Let's get philosophical for a second. Throughout history, humans have actually always been artists at everything in life. We (and those who profited from caste systems and gender/race roles) pretended people were machines in order to get ahead. Now that humans can finally embrace being human, the human experience is at the forefront of what matters. Think about it. Putting value back into humanity and customer service is what will differentiate brands. We have an opportunity to evolve into what it means to truly be human.

So, where does TikTok fit into all this? Well, it's not just about TikTok. It's about figuring out who we are in an AI world. It's about identity, creativity, and becoming. We're all in this together, exploring, learning, and growing.

Recently, UMG pulled their music from TikTok. It turns out to that this was a good thing for HX in an unexpected way. It forced us to get original, to think outside the box in content creation. Surfing the trend wave can get views, but it actually doesn’t speak to who we are as people. People will care about their opinions and what they have to say. They want perspective, something different. Something that brings others closer towards a greater understanding. Of what exactly, not sure yet, but we are about to see philosophy get WI-LD up in here. If reincarnation is real, Socrates and Aristotle are going to try their hardest to be reborn now.

And here's the thing about being creative. It's hard work, especially when you're not seeing immediate returns. But that's okay. Personal branding? It's about you, not about pleasing everyone else. Your ROI is in whether you like it or not. If you're working on a company's brand, sure, you're looking for ROI. But your personal brand is a different story.

The human experience, deceptively and surprisingly is so simple yet so profoundly complex, marks the next great frontier in modern humanity.

This brings us to the heart of the matter. HX, powered by AI, is the next modern enlightenment era.

We’re exploring who we are and what we can do, with technology as a tool, not our overlord. This isn't just another tech trend. It's a new way of interacting and being in the world, of understanding who we are, and of creating something meaningful.

So, as we navigate this digital landscape, remember: it's about building upon knowledge to understand ourselves better, and, yes, crafting the life we want. The interplay of HX and AI isn't just changing the game; it's redefining the whole playbook. Helping us to reprioritize the human experience.

And that, my friends, is the journey we're embarking on. A journey of discovery in real humanity. Welcome to the new modern enlightenment era.