I use social media as a catalyst for real-world interaction.
I’ve been writing a blog since 2006 called Swart Donkey. That name came from my surname before I took my wife’s (Black) and because I’m stubborn, noisy, and ignorant… but loyal and willing to put in the work.
I enjoy sharing my thoughts openly and honestly. I write about things happening in my life and the observations I make, always aware that it's a public space. And I know people won’t read everything. You can’t stress too much about trying to be interesting to everyone all the time. Just be yourself. The right people will connect with the parts that matter to them.
What I love about this is that when I speak to someone in
person, even if they didn’t read everything I’ve shared, something will have
resonated. That’s where the conversation starts.
When I was posting regularly, I found that the people who were reading, or even just skimming, would pick up on the bits that mattered to them. And so we’d go straight into a meaningful, open conversation.
Because I was open, they felt safe to be open too. I’ve had some of my best conversations this way. Not because I was trying to sell something or manipulate anyone, just because I was being real.
And I think we can use artificial intelligence in a similar way. These language models are brilliant at connecting ideas through analogies.
Let’s say I’m trying to explain financial planning, and you’re into rocks, diamonds, star signs, or you’re a Star Wars fanatic, whatever it is. The model can help me use your language to explain my world. And that creates connection.
But for me, it still comes back to real-world interaction. These tools are like GPS, they’re useful to look things up, but they don’t replace the journey.
We become the things we repeat. And we become like the people we spend time with. That deep connection comes from ongoing, human conversation. From engaging, unpacking, repacking, learning, unlearning.
That’s what makes us human. That’s what excites me.
So I’m going to use AI as a catalyst for connection.
To spark better relationships, not replace them. Because that’s where the magic
is: around the fire, eye to eye, seeing and being seen.