our boomer/gen-x rant
Full disclosure: Popco is run by a bunch of codgers. There’s nary a millennial in the bunch, let alone Gen Zers and so on. Imagine our surprise when we learned that AI meant artificial intelligence. We thought it meant: Atrociously Insulting. Absolutely Infuriating. Actually Insipid. Why, we wondered, would Popco ever lessen the human touch and embrace AI in our work?
a nod to the inevitable
We get it, the power of AI to do good is immense. For example, AI’s potential for operational efficiency in the medical industry ought to be embraced. In scientific research, AI can reduce to hours what may have previously taken researchers months or years.
what’s the real cost?
We don’t know. Nobody knows. As far as genies in bottles go, AI is the biggest genie yet to be released. Will visual artists, writers and musicians be out of job? Yeah, maybe some of them. Will human beings find new ways to be creative despite AI, or maybe in concert with AI? Yeah, we sure hope so.
Will AI ever replace the friendly Minnesotans you get on the phone when you call Popco? Hell no! Will flesh-and-blood Popconians reply to your email, sparing you ChatGPT drivel? You betcha! We’ll keep it real, typos and all.
AI, Popco style
Authenticity Intact, that’s AI Popco style. Perhaps we’re old fashioned, but how high-tech do you need to be to sell sign holders and suction cups? It’s not like we don’t have computers (see us in our habitat in the accompanying photo). It’s just that we always want to be in the mix, as human beings. So, if you like the human touch, and you need P.O.P widgets, the friendly Minnesotans are waiting for your call.
