Hobbies in an Age of Bots

This is the third in a series of newsletters about survival in the age of bots. It is time to tune into the likelihood of millions of workers being laid off because of advances in robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence. The labor force’s participation rate has steadily declined, forcing unemployed people to occupy their time in some way. What do they do? The chart below from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows only 63 percent of working age people employed, a drop from 67.4 percent 11 years ago. The one that follows show unemployment rates by educational attainment.

To live contentedly though the next 50 years, youth will need far-reaching ways to think about work. The jobs they take as graduates may not give them the satisfaction they crave nor provide them with a purpose for going to work each day. Being passionately engaged in a leisure time activity may be what is needed to keep depression and drugs at bay. Hobbies are not only satisfying, they can lead to employment that has nothing to do with college courses or training undertaken earlier.

I’ve spoken to people whose hobbies changed the course of their work lives. It is fascinating to discover how their early experiences built self-esteem, enabling them to develop into flexible adults capable of changing direction. Last week I wrote of Dan Stueber, a drummer turned archeologist specializing in stone tools. This week my youngest son Talik gave me permission to share the unusual path he is on.

Brendan Talik Eichinger

To supplement grade school teachings, Talik was given piano lessons and participated in gymnastics, joining a team in middle school. During the summer he attended robotics and computer camps with like minded boys hooked on networked gaming. Before internet was common, we mothers had to drive our sons with their heavy computers to a home where a LAN (local area network) was set up. The boys spent the next several days engaged in fantasy and role playing games, eating pizza (boxes and boxes of it) and sleeping at random hours on the floor or sofa.

Since he was a hands-on learner, we enrolled Talik at Benson High, a vocational school with a strong computer programming and assembly component. Augmenting the academic curriculum were practical offerings like metalworking, woodworking and small engine repair. He was introduced to electrical wiring, electronics and fabrication. After school, he rock climbed, a skill requiring focus, and late nights he joined drumming circles held in parks distant from those trying to sleep.

Programming computers in high school and OSU led to his first job as an IT specialist. After several years he left to start Mezr, Inc, a web design company employed by large businesses such as Jack-in-the Box. Though he and his employees work diligently, it is his after work activities I find most unusual.

Burning Man’s art/science festival motivated Talik to become a contributing participant. He moved into a vacant transmission shop, carved out living quarters, and filled the remainder of the space with tools, welding equipment, and large work tables. Wednesday evenings were designated as craft night.  Twenty to forty people came to work on their own projects as well as communal ones for the festival. He attracted artists, electronic, light and sound specialists, electricians, welders, designers, woodworkers, and computer programers. There were also a sprinkling of marketers, organizers, accountants and lawyers. They came for inspiration and to build community These gatherings reminded me of my early days of starting a science museum with volunteer help in Michigan.

Hobbies have a way of evolving. Tectonic was born when Talik and friends designed, sewed, and assembled a large colorful tent with fire spewing from thirty foot center poles. The tent surrounds a stage where DJs add their effects and mix recorded music and where bands can play before gyrating crowds. Light sculptures, laser shows, fire dancers, and acrobats provide additional entertainment. When more powerful speakers were needed, they were built in-house. If not needed for festivals, they are rented to events that hire Tectonic to manage sound.

After accumulating a mountain of equipment, the logical next step was to organize a summer event of his own. Shift Festival, now in its fifth year, takes place in July south of the Dalles. It has grown steadily, yet prudently. Advertising is primarily by word of mouth to discourage drunken ya-ya party-goers. Having attended for several years, I can attest that it is a well managed, artistically interesting, musically immersive venue with safety of great importance.

Talik’s hobby was started in part to counterbalance hours of sitting in front of a computer. This winter Mezr moved into a new 10,000 square foot warehouse in an industrial park. Its subsidiary, Tectonic,  set it up as a place for private parties and music events. An opening bash for Shift 2020 is scheduled for March 13th to launch ticket sales.

The festival and music part of Talik’s business has expanded so rapidly that it may overtake the internet design company. What was a hobby is now a second job, causing him to work and worry ’round the clock. There are employees and volunteers to supervise. Thankfully, they passionately share his burden and help maintain a vision of building a community that inspires creativity. 

Each child and every working adult will have to grow up able to bend, twist, and change direction as the economy and world changes.  Educators and parents can help children think more creatively, learn to take reasonable risks, and encourage them discover a passion. A broad liberal arts education, vocational options and leisure time hobbies will go a long way to ensure the next generation survives in the age of bots.#Ho

References:

Civilian labor force participation rate (2020)  U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. retrieved from web site at https://www.bls.gov/charts/employment-situation/civilian-labor-force-participation-rate.htm

Yang,A. (2018) The War on Normal People. Hachette Book Group.  ISBN 978-0-316-41424-1, New York, NY.