The worst fear of all is invading America.
It’s not The Robots are coming or that AI Agents are talking to take down humanity.
That is not the Fear that keeps me up at night.
In fact, my idea of the fear of all fears is just the opposite.
But first, a story…
On Monday, I took the family out to dinner at our favorite restaurant called Campfire.
We’re not the type who goes out on a Monday night, but it was their 10-year anniversary and a week when I wasn’t on the road.
To celebrate their big night, Campfire had brought back a number of talented chefs who had since gone on to start their own restaurants.
One had zipped down from San Juan Capistrano with his smoker on wheels. He was parked right out front, and I convinced my son (13) to see if he could get the chef to open the smoker to see all the goodness inside.
My son, excited, jumped up solo and went out front.
As he was talking to the Smoke Master, it made me smile to see that he had developed the gift of curiosity.
Most kids wouldn’t have gone outside on their own to talk to a complete stranger.
When it comes to approaching new people…
Most people are like most kids:
They are afraid of people.
I won’t allow that to be a thing for my kids.
The only way to make it in this world is not by diving deeper into AI; it’s by remaining curious and open-minded about humans.
A long, long time ago I wrote about:
There’s IP in RelationshIPs for a reason.
As I get older, I am certain that IP is an even more valuable currency.
When it comes to my son or daughter, I don’t have a fear of robots. I do have a fear that they won’t put in the work to have a front-row seat to people.
To be unafraid to ask questions.
To keep their sense of wonder.
To assume positive intent.
To look folks in the eye.
To make friends.
The greatest opportunities in our lives don’t usually begin with an algorithm.
They begin with a person we don’t know yet.
Two strangers curious enough to meet.
