Back To The Old Ways

Slow But Unhackable

Over the last few years I’ve started to become pretty sick and tired of a lot of the “modern” ways of doing things.

I just hate telephoning a company and almost invariably not getting through to a person but just having to select from endless lists before finally getting cut off just as I think I’m getting somewhere.

I’m sick and tired of finally contacting an organisation only to find that the person I get through to can’t deal with things, being given a promise that someone will be in touch, only to find that I hear nothing and have to start again.

I’ve had enough of sending emails into the ether to hear nothing for ages and to have to go through the whole procedure again or even worse to have to make that telephone call…. Select option 6….. Sorry, there is nobody available to take your call…

So I decided, where I could, to change things and to write letters. Yes, I type something out, print it, sign it, put it in an envelope with a stamp on it, post it and forget it. I even do this if all I want is the right person to contact me, it shifts the effort from me to “The Company”.

It’s been great, I find that almost invariably the right person gets back to me or the problem is just resolved without further contact and I hear no more. Going back to the old ways has really been a help to me, maybe it’s just the novelty value of people receiving a hand signed letter, who knows, but it’s worth a try.

Famous Typewriter Users

Not sure why but I thought it would be fun to pull together a few short video clips of famous users of the humble typewriter, in action.

Sadly the video of Sir Patrick Moore typing is no longer available online but here’s a couple.

Woody Allen.

And of course, Bob Dylan.

The Growing Risks of AI in the Workplace: Dependency, Privacy, and Exploitation

A recent news report revealed that an international law firm has blocked general access to AI tools after noticing a significant increase in usage among its staff. This decision raises important concerns about the broader impact of artificial intelligence in the workplace, particularly in professional settings where confidentiality and independent thinking are crucial.

One of the most worrying aspects of AI’s growing presence is its potential to erode individual skills. With tools like ChatGPT assisting with writing and Grammarly correcting grammar and spelling, workers may become over-reliant on artificial support. Over time, this could lead to a decline in independent writing ability, just as excessive reliance on spellcheckers has reduced the need for people to memorise correct spellings. If professionals no longer develop or maintain strong writing skills, the quality of independent thought and communication may suffer significantly.

Another alarming issue is the business model behind AI tools. Many of these services are currently free, encouraging widespread adoption. However, there is a real danger that once users become dependent, companies will introduce high fees for access. This strategy is reminiscent of how drug dealers operate—offering free samples to create dependency before imposing a cost. If businesses and professionals rely too heavily on AI, they may find themselves trapped in a costly cycle where they are forced to pay for a service they once took for granted.

Perhaps the most significant risk is the potential for privacy breaches. AI tools process and store vast amounts of user input, raising concerns about confidential data being exposed or misused. In legal, medical, or financial professions, this could have devastating consequences. Clients may not even realise that information about them is being uploaded to external AI systems. Transparency and regulation are essential to ensure that individuals understand when and how their data is being processed by AI.

The law firm’s decision to restrict access to AI tools highlights the urgent need for businesses and regulators to consider these risks seriously. While AI has the potential to enhance productivity, it must not come at the expense of skill development, ethical business practices, or personal privacy. As AI continues to evolve, organisations and individuals must remain vigilant to ensure they do not become unwittingly dependent or exposed to exploitation.

Should more companies follow this law firm’s example and restrict access, or is the battle already lost?