I began watching a Netflix series on Artificial Intelligence (AI) this week. In my professional world (healthcare and education), I have been dealing with and writing about AI and its impact for a while. As I sat on my couch, cat tucked in beside me and yarn in hand, I began to think about fiber arts and the forward march of technology.
I should probably post a disclaimer here, since I'm only about a year into this blog: I'm that person who says the quiet (unpopular) things out loud. People that follow me on LinkedIn or have attended professional conferences where I am speaking (or even just participating) already know this.
In that spirit of being true to myself, here's some quiet and likely unpopular thoughts about AI and knitting, crocheting and other fiber arts activities: pattern design is going to be subsumed by technology.
I'm going to go out on a limb and say that designing patterns is already complicated by the proliferation of FREE patterns, as well as pirated patterns, online. My prediction is that AI will eventually take over pattern design, rendering it financially infeasible to be a pattern designer at any level (if it isn't already). This doesn't mean that no one will EVER design crochet or knitting patterns again; it just means that designing as a "job" (read: for money) will become a zero sum game.
I make this prediction based on the trajectory of medical transcription, which was once a viable career and has been almost entirely replaced with voice recognition technology. There are still transcription jobs available, if one wants to work for 2 to 3 cents per line of typed text. In other words, it's not a viable pathway to earn a living.
Back to fiber arts: I believe that the emergence of AI will continue the disruptive pressures on the fiber arts communities that online shopping and YouTube tutorials have already kicked off. So,... what can we do?
My opinion on this is that we have to look at fiber arts from a different perspective. I actually believe that engagement in fiber arts (knitting, crocheting, sewing, quilting, embroidery, etc.) will become EVEN MORE IMPORTANT as technology continues to encroach on every day life. I base this opinion on more than my own observations and thoughts.
Professor Kelly Lambert from Randolph-Macon College (Virginia) theorizes that the incidence of depression is rising, despite an increase in anti-depressant prescriptions, because modern society lacks effort-based activities. The lack of effort-based action sends the human reward system into decline.
The "reward system" in our brains is "...a group of structures that are activated whenever we experience something rewarding, such as eating a nice-tasting food, having sex, or using an addictive drug..." or knitting, crocheting, quilting,... (you get the picture).
From Simply Psychology, here's how it works:
When exposed to a stimulus that is rewarding, the brain responds by releasing an increased amount of dopamine, the main neurotransmitter associated with rewards and pleasure.
Dopamine is often called the "feel-good brain chemical" because it is associated with feelings of well-being. Outcomes from Professor Lambert’s research suggest that activities involving the hands, which have a tangible end-product, stimulate the reward system, release dopamine and result in those good emotions/feelings. Professor Lambert noted that research participants shared the feelings of success they experienced when knitting, and how it (positively) changed their outlook on life.
In the Netflix limited series on AI (Title: "What's Next?") the experts note that one significant WORRY about what happens as technology takes over more and more job functions is people's LOSS of a sense of purpose. Here's where I see a MAJOR opportunity for the Fiber Arts community. The CHALLENGE with this, however, is that the opportunity is going to look a LOT different than how we are doing things today.
How might "different" unfold?
No one knows for sure, but we can look at past transitions, current trends and realities to make informed predictions. I mentioned the trajectory of the medical transcription profession, and I do believe that their experience is going to be similar to the eventual reality for fiber arts designers.
Larger businesses will have the bandwidth and deep pockets to invest in technology more rapidly and on a wider scale than small businesses, so as AI makes continued inroads into areas like customer service and support, we may start to see online options that allow and interactive "help desk" for fiber arts pattern explanations or assistance with one's technique.
If you think I'm Star Trek crazy, there are already workout "mirrors" that observe and offer suggestions for a more effective session.
In terms of the business case for the local yarn shop, I think this will continue to be a struggle for many. Commercial real estate is EXPENSIVE, and as I have noted in a previous blog post, it can be extremely difficult to break even, let alone make a profit, in many different/diverse retail endeavors. Add to this the continued market pressures of online shopping and it's not hard to see that there are significant challenges facing smaller fiber arts businesses.
Where is the "opportunity"?
I believe that there are opportunities for fiber arts experts to work in tandem with social workers and therapists to run groups that help engage people in various hands-focused crafting as a therapeutic approach. Again, from diverse bodies of research:
Knitting, crocheting, quilting, etc. are creative processes that tend to evoke a sense of personal productivity and satisfaction, which explains some of the positive psychological outcomes.
Participation in creative activities is associated with self-reported improvements in health and increased quality of life, self-efficacy, and self-esteem.
Engaging in creative activities with OTHERS allows us to observe their mastery of new tasks as an inspiring example.
This can strengthen our belief that we, too, can succeed
This increases positive self-efficacy (believing that we are capable)
In a study on the effects of anxiety in younger, anorexia patients, knitting was found to be beneficial in reducing feelings of anxiety.
Patients reported that knitting:
lessened the intensity of their fears and thoughts
had a calming and therapeutic effect
gave them a sense of pride and accomplishment
74% of the respondents reported benefits of distraction or distancing from eating disorder thoughts and feelings
74% reported increased relaxation and comfort
54% reported stress reduction, accomplishment, and prevention of ruminating thoughts becoming actions
32% reported positive physical experiences such as meditative movements of the hand, which allowed them to sit still and enjoy sensory aspects of the task.
In the Journal of Groups in Addition and Recovery, Dr. Kathryn Duffy published a paper (2007) about knitting as an experiential teaching method for females in addiction group therapy. She reported that her knitting program had been successful in facilitating discussions and beneficial in providing a skill for moderating stress and emotions, both for female inpatient and outpatient drug and alcohol addicted patients.
Another researcher has noted that by watching others struggle in their early attempts to learn and then become more skilled, clients can see that success often takes persistence. This can contribute to developing a positive sense of self-efficacy both by modeling (initially) and then building on small successes.
We know today that SSRI anti-depressants are minimally effective in treating depression, and that many people are hungry for non-pharmaceutical options to manage their mental health. I believe that engagement in the Fiber Arts is a PERFECT option for people in this category, and there's a robust amount of research out there that supports my contention.
When I think about the CHANGES in technology that are already here, and the accelerating pace of their evolution, I don't get scared. Instead, I'm optimistic.
Why?
I see a growing opportunity to build boutique fiber arts communities or niches that incorporate crochet, knitting, sewing/quilting, needlework, etc. into practices of whole health as a supportive modality. This can be especially helpful in learning how to live in this brave new world - even a world where AI is fully engaged.
Who could have guessed that the simple skills taught to us by mothers, aunts, friends and grandmothers would show up to be a perfect balm to the anxieties incited by a high-tech world!!??!?!
Let's not focus on predictions of doom and gloom. Let's take up our hooks and needles and prepare for whatever may come!
(C) 2024 Stitch 'n Dish
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