From cynicism to curiosity: How personal taste becomes the ultimate skill in an AI-powered world
The topic of AI often appears deceptively binary: those who believe it will transform everything versus those who refuse to acknowledge its real-world benefits despite the hype. In this episode of Follow the Rabbit, Igor and Johannes are joined by Sari Azout, founder of Sublime, a digital curation tool, who published an essay on exactly this nuanced middle ground that caught our attention. The conversation explores how AI is transforming curation from a leisurely hobby into a crucial skill for creativity and knowledge work.
Moving beyond the binary narratives of AI as either dystopian threat or techno-utopian savior, the discussion reveals how personal taste, judgment, and refined attention become increasingly valuable in a world where AI can generate abundant content but struggles with discernment. Drawing from her experience building Sublime and her essay that caught Igor and Johannes' attention, Sari offers practical insights into how she collaborates with AI as a creative partner rather than a replacement.
The conversation weaves together several key themes:
- The evolution from initial AI skepticism to discovering its potential as a thinking companion
- How personal collections of inspiration can train AI to reflect your unique perspective
- The challenge of developing taste in an algorithm-dominated world
- The difference between automated outputs and AI-augmented human creativity
- The unexpected ways AI tools can assist those with different cognitive styles
Through specific examples and practical applications, the episode offers a nuanced view of how curation — the skill of collecting, connecting, and refining ideas — becomes the foundation for meaningful AI collaboration. It suggests that while technical skills may be automated, the ability to make aesthetic and conceptual judgments becomes increasingly valuable.
Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction & Binary AI Narratives
07:15 - Beyond Automation: AI as Creative Partner
11:13 - The Increasing Value of Taste and Curation
14:39 - Practical Examples of Claude Collaboration
20:13 - Attention and Focus in Digital Environments
29:23 - The Missing Storytelling from AI Leaders
34:05 - Developing Taste in an Algorithmic World
39:56 - Accessibility and Diverse Thinking Styles
43:13 - Breaking Free of Algorithmic Programming
Links:
- Sublime (Beta signup link): https://sublime.app/invite/0xnw0jSr
- Sari on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saraazout/
- Sari on Substack: https://sublimeinternet.substack.com/
- Sari Azout's essay on taste in the age of AI: https://sariazout.substack.com/p/the-art-of-curation-in-the-age-of
- Finite and Infinite Games by James P. Carse: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finite_and_Infinite_Games
- Why Anthropic’s Claude Is a Hit with Tech Insiders - The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/13/technology/claude-ai-anthropic.html
This episode offers a refreshing perspective that moves beyond both techno-optimism and techno-pessimism, suggesting instead that the most valuable human contribution in the AI era might be our unique ability to curate, judge, and refine — skills that require us to resist algorithmic programming and cultivate our own distinct taste.
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Follow the Rabbit is hosted by Igor Schwarzmann & Johannes Kleske
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