The Machine Has No Soul - Or Backup Singers

The reason the human will always be required at some relevant level in the implementation and use of computing technologies is pretty simple - the computer can execute a codified series of events much faster and more consistent than any human, but it can't write a song.

The ability to create - not "think" - is what separates us from the Duo-Core next door.  The issue is our society values the Duo more than the Doo-Wop.

I went to see one of my favorite bands, Steely Dan, recently.  They are one of the more talented batch of folks you might ever see - from a few (2) guys ability to even conceive of a song to begin with, to being able to layer on many other elements musically which individually might be interesting - but holistically form pure brilliance.  I can't see a machine ever writing a song.

So Steely Dan, with it's primary driving creative genius at the helm, had about 10 backing musicians.  Each was absolutely amazing in their craft.  Each may have been among the top 10  on the planet capable of performing at that level.  Each probably made about $50,000 a year.  Each could have been replaced by a machine at any moment.

It sucks, but that's kind of like IT (except rarely in IT do I see smoking hot backup singers).  The systems we build are superb at executing the tasks we tell them to execute - but those tasks require the creative genius of the strategic human who can "see and hear" what the symphony should be - and we don't value those strategic maestro's of IT in our society - so we end up with well meaning supporting musicians trying to keep up with the whims of guy who owns the place instead of being encouraged to express the creativity we posses.  And then we try to automate or outsource those guys too.

IT guys range from the best contract musician in the band to pure road crew.  It is very rare that a true IT maestro is allowed to practice their craft - not without lots of "patrons of the arts" being willing to dole out lots of dough simply because they believe it is important.  While history is littered with examples of world changing genius, from Mozart to Joe Strummer, why is it there are only a handful of IT types who have been allowed to perform?  Beethoven didn't need to develop the piano - he simply mastered its use.  The CIO doesn't have to develop the next core - they need to conceive and create a better way to harmoniously use the instruments at their disposal to create magic. The Web 2.0 movement, with all it's ramifications, screams for creative new leadership in IT.  It is sort of like we are leaving the Disco and Techno era's - people can't take stupid much longer.

It has happened.  How many Google's, Amazon's, MySpace's, etc. do you need to see change the world to see that they were not simply lucky?  IT IS the business in the new world order - but you ain't gonna be anything but a hack lounge band if you don't hire a maestro to see it - and then encourage and support them.  Maybe an acid trip will loosen you up to the possibilities.

Side Note:  You know you are old when the shows you enjoy are the same that you enjoyed 20 years ago - with reverse metrics.  20 Years ago at a Steely Dan show there was much more hair than money, but today it's the exact opposite.  It was a sea of 40 something bald men in Gucci shoes.  At least there were smoking hot backup singers.

Comments

[Cuyler]

Excellent post. I've come across many times when a client needed a "designer of solutions" instead of a "imlpementor of hardware/software" yet went the cheap route. So many times they are confused.

[Jake McKee]

While I don't necessarily disagree with you, I do have to wonder if one day we (or people after us) will look back and say "I can't believe they ever thought that machines couldn't write music". Seems like every time we turn around, history slaps us in the face, from Gates talking about how nobody needs more than 64k or RAM or how the IBM Selectric was easy enough for even a woman to use.

I agree with your point, but I wonder if that's just because I don't have the abilities of a futurist?