GoKawiilPersonal essay 'AI Makes Me Sad' describes author's dread over AI-driven careers
A first-person essay dated October 2, 2026 describes the writer's feelings of sadness and hopelessness when encountering AI news, despite being well positioned to pursue AI-related jobs. The author, a teaching assistant with skills in web development, Rust, and operating systems, says peers are pursuing $500k salaries at companies like OpenAI while the writer feels such work represents a loss of craft and creativity, comparing it to Charlie Chaplin's factory scene in Modern Times.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The essay reflects a broader sentiment among some technically skilled young people who feel conflicted about AI's rapid commercialization, even as it offers lucrative career paths. It suggests a generational anxiety that financial incentives in AI may be outpacing personal fulfillment or craftsmanship, though this is the author's individual perspective rather than a documented trend.
- The essay is a personal reflection, not a reported news story about a company or product.
- The author expresses ambivalence about pursuing high-paying AI jobs despite having relevant technical skills.
- The piece uses the Chaplin 'Modern Times' factory scene as a metaphor for feeling replaced or diminished by AI work.
Source: mondobe.com, 2026-10-02
Published there as: “AI Makes Me Sad”
Read the original report → The summary and analysis above are GoKawiil's own, written from reporting by the source above. Facts and quotes belong to the original publisher.