Distinctive Dispatch #23: Curiosity killed the cat. But is AI killing curiosity?
The importance of quality connection; tips for engaging journalists; how we make hybrid working work; putting comms at the heart of your business.
Better comms for people, places and work
The Distinctive Dispatch is two! We’ve shared plenty since the first edition in March 2023. Whether you’ve been here from the start or joined the list more recently, huge thanks for the support. It’s not much of a newsletter without any readers. You can look back through the archive.
This month, we share thoughts on how the very technologies designed to connect us and enable smart working might be pushing us apart and dulling our senses. Tech that enables us to work better and be better is a huge opportunity. As ever, if you’ve thoughts on what you’d like to see in a future edition, do get in touch.
Are we more isolated in a connected age?
I recently listened to a podcast featuring Amol Rajan, who suggested that the ease with which we can communicate impact the quality of our connections.
“There is a massive global loneliness epidemic,” he said. “Because of the internet, we think we’re connected… but it’s different.”
He spoke of tribes and tight-knit village communities of the past, suggesting they fostered better quality connections and more meaningful bonds.
“True freedom and belonging and happiness come from connection - and that means commitment,” he added. “As you go through your life, [connections are] the thing you’ve got to work hardest on.”
But, as technology makes it easier to connect at scale and across locations, are we also putting less effort into it? The pace of our interactions, sharing updates with family and friends, and the multiplicity of channels we use make contact easier. But is it true connection?
Writers and thinkers like Cal Newport argue that it isn’t, and make a strong case for dialling down on digital. The quantity and frequency of connection is there, but quality isn’t. We’re connected online and distant from the things that make us who we are.
I can see both sides of the coin. Like many of us, WhatsApp groups keep me in regular contact with family and friends, far more than if we relied solely on in-person catch-ups. Constant micro-updates keep us in contact, despite distance and schedules.
But truly rich conversations come when we’re together - the deep and meaningful, the raw and vulnerable, the celebratory and joyous. Chewing the fat over a coffee, deep discussions into the early hours, a heated debate. Are these conversations becoming lost?
This isn’t nostalgia for a pre-digital era. It’s about what we’re losing when we rely on digital too much. It goes to the heart of the debate over remote versus office working, which we write about regularly.
Technology offers convenience, but it’s no substitute for quality and connectedness.
Curiosity and critical thinking in decline
Beyond personal connection lies another tech-driven concern: is AI making us less curious, thoughtful and engaged?
Research published in January found that frequent AI users rely on it for problem-solving and decision-making, rather than thinking things through for themselves. Researchers warned that over-dependence may create knowledge gaps and hinder the process of challenge and enquiry that often leads to better outcomes.
I use AI in my day-to-day work. It can help to summarise a report, explain a concept, or translate jargon. I’m all for using technology that enhances productivity and improves workflows. But it’s still crucially important also to find time to really think.
Research makes it clear that we need balance. Efficiency shouldn’t trump self-development. Often, learning happens when analysing, creating and dissecting a task or topic - the brain is a muscle that needs flexing. We can learn from mistakes, so making them is just as important as finding ways of working smarter.
There’s also the risk of errors in AI, which aren’t going away despite huge investment.
“When professionals blindly trust AI outputs without verifying their accuracy, they risk introducing errors that can undermine cases, tarnish reputations and erode the trust placed in their expertise,” says Forbes.
Or, as Ben succinctly put in a recent LinkedIn post: “If a junior colleague made as many mistakes, often, without learning from them, would you keep them in your team?”
Putting people first
So how to solve the connectivity, curiosity and productivity puzzle? The constant stream of information from all angles can overwhelm. Taking time to switch off and truly connect is crucial.
We need to learn or, perhaps, remind ourselves how to listen, ask questions and embrace different perspectives. We need to ensure that time together is really together, without distraction. We should prioritise being present over ‘always available’.
And, as communicators, it’s vital for us to champion genuine two-way communication, whether it’s in relation to the announcement of a new initiative or getting feedback for a consultation.
Digital channels can help, of course, by giving people space to share thoughts and concerns and initiating connections. Choosing the right channels remains important.
If that’s something you think we could help with, drop me an email and we’ll have a coffee… together, in-person.
Photo in the thumbnail is by Evan Dennis on Unsplash.
How to work with business media: a journalist shares five tips
South West Business Insider’s recently appointed editor Colette Flowerdew-Kincaid joined our webinar last month, sharing tips on what good media relations looks like. Spoiler: it’s about more than sending press releases and hoping that they’ll land somewhere.
If you missed the session, you can watch the recording and read our five key takeaways for businesses looking to work with the media.
Things we’ve read
‘Communications should be at the heart of business – Influence: Dame Maria Miller, former MP for Basingstoke and chair of the women and equalities Select Committee, recently took up post as the first independent chair of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations. She says boards should have a communications expert to allow them to respond quickly to changing situations, influence social change, and tackle big challenges.
Third of young people would consider construction career – Construction Management: Positive news for the built environment as research from the Chartered Institute of Building finds two-thirds of young people view construction careers positively, and around a third of 16–24-year-olds would consider working in the sector. But lack of construction related careers advice at school age has an impact on understanding of the roles available. Our work with skills experts also highlights a mismatch between college places and apprenticeships. It’s a big challenge and opportunity for the industry.
Things we’ve heard
Bats v trains - AntiSocial: Must we choose between conserving nature and growing the economy? Chancellor Rachel Reeves raised concerns about the £100m tunnel to stop trains on the HS2 railway line hitting bats. Adam Fleming debates the challenge of building and protecting nature with Sam Dumitriu and Bristol-based environmental campaigner Danica Priest.
A New AI World – No Mercy / No Malice: Narrated by George Hahn, Scott Galloway’s podcast discusses AI's potential to revolutionise industries, alter economic structures, and redefine human interactions for the public good.
Things we’ve said
Why hybrid is here to stay (and how we make it work): We’ve come a long way from the home offices of lockdown, but the way we work continues to change. However, there are signs that the pendulum is swinging back towards in-person working with many firms mandating time in the office once more. We dissect the pros and cons of different approaches and share tips for those looking to make hybrid working work well.
West of England Mayoral Combined Authority hustings dispatch: We heard from candidates at the West of England’s first metro mayoral hustings this week. They discussed how they’d address the region’s housing crisis, unlock skills, and represent the region. The nebulous pledge to ‘tell our story better’ featured too. Ben suggests that won’t succeed without good leadership. Coming on the day the government took the combined authority out of special measures, we hope for progress.
See you again on 4 April. If you’d like to share or discuss anything before the next edition, please leave a comment or get in touch.