Have you ever seen someone spend way too much time on a problem that seems ridiculously simple? I just came across a story on Reddit that made me laugh and shake my head at the same time. Let me share it with you.
So, here’s what happened: A boss spent TWO HOURS feeding prompts into AI, trying to figure out how to cut a 52-inch piece of sandpaper down to 51 inches so it fits on the wide belt sander. No joke, two hours. The machine gave him all kinds of ridiculous ideas. Meanwhile, he gets frustrated and walks off.
Enter the employee. They grab a straightedge, slice an inch off in 10 minutes. Done. The boss comes back and gets MAD at them for not using AI. Yeah, you read that right. Mad. For not using AI.
This story got me thinking. What’s the endgame here? Are we really trying to replace common sense with ChatGPT? Don’t get me wrong, AI is an incredible tool. It can solve complex problems, analyze data faster than humans, and even create art. But when it comes to simple, everyday tasks, sometimes it’s just overkill.
Here’s the thing: AI is great, but it’s not a replacement for basic problem-solving skills. If you’ve got a piece of sandpaper that’s just one inch too long, the solution isn’t to ask a machine to think of creative ways to cut it. It’s to grab a tool and get to work. Simple as that.
This isn’t just about sandpaper. It’s about how we’re approaching problems in the age of AI. Are we overcomplicating things? Are we losing sight of the simple solutions because we’re too focused on the fancy, high-tech ones? Maybe it’s time to take a step back and ask ourselves: When is AI actually helpful, and when is it just getting in the way?
At the end of the day, there’s no substitute for good old-fashioned common sense. AI can be a powerful tool, but it’s not a replacement for our own brains. So the next time you’re faced with a problem, take a deep breath, think it through, and don’t be afraid to reach for the straightedge.
Cheers to common sense!