I just came across a story on Reddit that made me laugh, shake my head, and wonder about the future of work. Here it goes:
A boss spent TWO HOURS feeding prompts into an AI tool, trying to figure out how to cut a 52-inch piece of sandpaper down to 51 inches so it would fit on a wide belt sander. The AI spit out all kinds of ridiculous ideas, but nothing worked. Finally, the boss got frustrated and walked off.
Enter the employee, who grabbed a straightedge and sliced an inch off in 10 minutes. Done. When the boss came back, he wasn’t impressed. In fact, he got mad at the employee for not using AI.
The employee’s conclusion? “I don’t even know what world I’m living in anymore. Like… what’s the endgame here? Replacing common sense with ChatGPT?”
### So, what’s the takeaway here?
AI is an incredible tool. It can analyze data, generate ideas, and even create content. But it’s not a replacement for basic problem-solving skills. Sometimes, the simplest solution is the best one.
Here’s the thing: AI is great at handling complex, repetitive, or data-heavy tasks. But when it comes to straightforward, real-world problems, human ingenuity and common sense often win the day.
### When to use AI—and when not to
AI shines in situations like:
– Analyzing large datasets
– Automating repetitive tasks
– Generating creative ideas or content
– Providing insights based on patterns
But when you’re faced with a simple, practical problem—like cutting a piece of sandpaper—there’s no need to overcomplicate things. A straightedge and some basic math will do the trick faster than any AI.
### The bigger picture
This story isn’t just about sandpaper or AI. It’s about how we’re approaching problem-solving in the age of artificial intelligence. Are we relying too much on technology and forgetting the value of human judgment?
The answer isn’t to ditch AI entirely. It’s to find a balance. Use AI for what it’s good at, and save your human brainpower for the things that require creativity, common sense, and a little bit of real-world experience.
So the next time you’re faced with a problem, ask yourself: “Is this something AI can genuinely help with, or am I just overcomplicating things?”
And remember, sometimes the best solution is the simplest one.