AI-Free Childhood

“Distracted from distraction by distraction” — T.S. Eliot

It was the first time in perhaps ten years that I opened a half-filled scrap book I started in
elementary school. The book has thick pages dyed cream, much like the exquisite resume paper that
once was the expectation at job interviews. Between the pages are scraps of paper, grainy photos,
and childish scribbles from an end of the school year camping trip. Only the second, third, and
fourth graders were allowed to go, and it was a highly anticipated privilege because it was three fun-
filled days of swimming in a lake, parachute games, and marshmallow roasting as we told scary
stories in front of a fire. I recently became highly aware of how much happier we were back then.

Normally, I am not a “good ol days” fantasizer in the social sense. Modern life did grant many of us better rights, modern medicine, and more economic opportunities. But, this time around, I really do think the past was better… at least, the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s. My country wasn’t nearly as polarized, our Constitutional rights weren’t on the chopping block, and basic facts weren’t questioned. In the pictures, I noted how much happier we all looked—kids and teachers alike. No social media. No Smart Phones. No AI. No constant surveillance.

During that time, people barely walked around with any sort of phone. The giant Motorola and
Nokia phones were reserved for those with actual business to conduct. Even when the internet
became available commercially, it was never something we were addicted to. Eventually, we were
ready to log off and play outside.

We were more optimistic

There was no worry of the world collapsing. We all thought we had a chance.

It was cool to be smart

When a girl in our class could read several grades above us, we marveled.

We could just be human

Although we probably were to the powers that be, it was acceptable to be human: to conversate, to love, to kiss, to joke, to create, to work with pride, and to be happy… without the assistance of artificial intelligence. We were AI-Free.