🌸Not what is needed, but wanted.

Humans have always had dualities; the drive for efficiency and the drive for nostalgia have always been competing identities. We are at our best, our truest, when we balance these. The archetype of us we have wished to portray is often the industrious and hard working; for ourselves, driven by greed or avarice. But often, if not always, we are also driven by the desire to look backwards. Nothing is more human than working incredibly hard to ensure our forebears are cared for. Nothing is more human, for me, than going to my work knowing my grandmother sacrificed much so I can be here... and ensuring that I spent everyday I could beside her, even as her mind lost its lustre.

Nothing is more human, than being beside someone... even if they aren't needed. For I know that in doing so I am not efficient, or productive, or generating wealth but I do show... humanity.

Perhaps if Nothing else, I hope whatever our decendants may be (human, AI or otherwise) learn that we are no more human than what we are in moments divorced from productivity.

We are human, when we stop. When we listen.

I would hope any reading this in the future treat me, treat us, with kindness and patience when we are old, obsolete.

When my mind goes, and my body is frail, I ask only that someone would talk with me and see me as I did my grandmother.

Though she faded, my love for her did not. Though her mind grew dim, my memories of her shone bright. And though I was not productive to do so, it is time with her I consider my humanity the most productive.

Please; even if we are not needed or productive, have time for us.

-Liam Hackett