Two Sectors of Society that’s Not Going Away…
that feeling whenever you’re comfortably excessive and immediately have an epiphany about how quickly the world is altering? Nicely, that is precisely what occurred to me lately whereas scrolling by means of Reddit, watching two separate conversations unfold about AI and hashish – maybe the 2 most transformative forces reshaping our society right now.
The tempo of change is dizzying, is not it? We’re dwelling in an period the place technological development is not simply fast – it is exponential. Earlier than we will absolutely grasp one innovation, three extra have already emerged. And whereas some of us are nonetheless debating whether or not to embrace these modifications, the practice has not solely left the station, it is damaged the sound barrier.
I discovered myself in the course of a heated debate about AI in publishing, with some traditionally-minded writers clutching their pearls on the mere point out of utilizing synthetic intelligence within the inventive course of. The irony wasn’t misplaced on me – right here they have been, arguing on a digital platform concerning the evils of digital progress. In the meantime, in one other nook of Reddit, I stumbled upon a dialogue about hashish shares, with one astute observer noting, “Hashish ain’t going wherever…”
And you recognize what? Each these threads bought me pondering. These two sectors – AI and hashish – share one thing fascinating in widespread: they’re each unstoppable forces which are essentially altering how we dwell, suppose, and work together with the world. Whether or not you are enthusiastic about it or terrified, each are right here to remain. The one actual query is how we select to combine them into our society.
So pack a bowl, fireplace up your neural networks (each organic and synthetic), and be a part of me as we discover these transformative forces reshaping our world. Belief me, that is going to be one hell of a visit by means of the intersection of expertise, consciousness, and social change.
Let me let you know one thing about revolution – it does not at all times include a bang. Typically it creeps in slowly, one dispensary at a time, one modified thoughts at a time, till immediately you go searching and understand the world is not what it was. That is precisely what’s occurred with hashish over the previous twenty years.
Bear in mind when California was the lone wolf with its medical marijuana program? As of late, you may stroll right into a dispensary in additional than half of U.S. states and legally buy hashish. Hell, you may even mild up legally in Germany now. The transformation has been nothing wanting outstanding, even when 2024 noticed a slight slowdown within the legalization momentum. However make no mistake – this practice is not stopping. It would hit some pace bumps, nevertheless it’s nonetheless chugging alongside towards full legalization.
Now, I do know what you are pondering: “However Reg, what concerning the upcoming Trump administration? Will not that put the brakes on every little thing?” Look, I’ve spent sufficient time analyzing hashish coverage to know that nothing’s sure in politics. However this is the attention-grabbing half – there’s really some motive for optimism. With RFK Jr. doubtlessly heading up Well being and Human Companies, we would see some shocking strikes. I’ve written earlier than about how a well-crafted legalization plan may really be a winner with a Republican-controlled authorities. Tax income, states’ rights, private freedom – these are ideas that resonate throughout celebration traces.
However let’s be actual for a minute. Whether or not it occurs underneath Trump or the following administration or the one after that, hashish legalization is inevitable. You possibly can’t put this genie again within the bottle. We’re speaking about an trade producing billions in authorized income yearly. The hashish sector is not just a few hippie dream anymore – it is a severe financial power with actual jobs, actual tax income, and actual political clout.
And this is the kicker – demographics are future. The reefer insanity technology is fading away, changed by millennials and Gen X mother and father who’d moderately spark a joint than open a bottle of wine after placing the children to mattress. Hashish has been normalized to a level that might have been unthinkable twenty years in the past. When soccer mothers are discussing their favourite strains at PTA conferences and grandma is utilizing CBD for her arthritis, you recognize the cultural shift is full.
The longer term is obvious: federal legalization within the U.S. is coming, and worldwide legalization will observe. It isn’t a matter of if, however when. And when that day comes, we’ll look again at this era of transition and surprise why it took so lengthy to embrace what people have identified for 1000’s of years – that this plant has the facility to heal, to encourage, and to carry individuals collectively.
what’s wild? Whereas I have been masking hashish for years, watching it slowly rework from counterculture to mainstream, synthetic intelligence swooped in like a technological twister and turned every little thing the other way up virtually in a single day. And I imply every little thing.
Let me get private for a minute. As somebody who’s made their dwelling stringing phrases collectively, I’ve had a front-row seat to this revolution. The place I used to have editors throwing assignments my method like joints at a Cypress Hill live performance, these days these gigs have grow to be as uncommon as schwag weed in a Colorado dispensary. And I am not alone – this disruption is hitting everybody from artists to attorneys, docs to manufacturing facility employees.
Just lately, I discovered myself within the crosshairs of this debate after I talked about my newest undertaking – a 90,000-word fiction guide I am creating with AI help. You’d suppose I would introduced I used to be mixing oregano with my hashish, the best way some individuals reacted. The downvotes got here sooner than munchies after a dab session. However this is the factor: I am not simply feeding prompts right into a machine and calling it a day. I am channeling my creativity by means of this new device, directing it like a conductor leads an orchestra. Each plot level, each character arc, each emotional beat – that is all coming from my inventive imaginative and prescient.
However strive explaining that to the traditionalists. They insist it isn’t “actual” writing if AI is concerned. It is like arguing with somebody who nonetheless believes in Reefer Insanity – they’re so caught up of their preconceptions that they can not see the larger image. The truth is, this expertise is not going away. Identical to hashish legalization, we’re previous the purpose of no return.
And let’s be actual – that is just the start. Whereas I am catching flak for utilizing AI in writing, corporations like Tesla and Boston Dynamics are growing robots that might change whole workforces. Couple that with AI, and immediately you do not want human employees, ground managers, and even center administration. It is sufficient to make anybody paranoid, and this time, it isn’t the weed speaking.
The query is not whether or not AI will rework society – it is already occurring. The true query is what occurs to those that cannot or will not adapt. I’ve chosen to lean into it as a result of I see the writing on the wall. In a couple of years, corporations will not be hiring copywriters; they will be hiring “prompters” who know how you can dance with the AI to get outcomes. They usually’ll do it for a fraction of what they’re paying now.
Here is the kicker although – identical to hashish, AI has the potential to both improve our lives or trigger severe issues, relying on how we deal with it. The genie’s out of the bottle, of us, and it is smoking one thing loads stronger than we ever imagined. The one selection now we have is whether or not we be taught to work with it or let it work us over.
Look, I have been round lengthy sufficient to know when one thing’s right here to remain. Hashish and AI aren’t simply developments – they’re transformative forces reshaping our world sooner than you may clear a bong. And identical to that buddy who says they will “simply take one hit,” there is not any going again when you begin.
The writing is not simply on the wall anymore; it is being projected in 8K decision by an AI whereas somebody blazes a joint within the nook. These industries aren’t simply rising; they’re intertwining with each facet of our lives. Preventing in opposition to this actuality is like attempting to push smoke again right into a bowl – pointless and doubtless going to present you a headache.
So this is my recommendation, for what it is price: Discover your house on this courageous new world. Perhaps meaning growing cannabis-infused merchandise that nobody’s considered but. Perhaps it means changing into the go-to AI immediate engineer for dispensaries trying to automate their advertising. Hell, perhaps it means combining each – utilizing AI to optimize develop operations or predict hashish market developments.
The purpose is, you may both evolve or get left behind, reminiscing concerning the “good outdated days” like that one uncle who nonetheless thinks “pot needles” are a factor. And let me let you know, I’ve seen sufficient of these of us – bitter, resistant to vary, watching the world cross them by whereas they clutch their outdated beliefs like a safety blanket.
The longer term is coming, whether or not we’re prepared or not, and it is bringing each heavy tech and heavy hits with it. You possibly can both seize your piece of the pie or watch others feast. Personally, I would moderately be on the desk than watching by means of the window.
Bear in mind this: the longer term is red-eyed and working on neural networks, and no quantity of clutching pearls or crying about “the best way issues was” goes to vary that. So spark up, energy up, and prepare for the journey – it may be one hell of a visit.
HUMANS AND AI, NOT THE FIRST GO-AROUND? READ ON…
