AI and I (by Michael)

Source: https://www.lotusandmichael.com/blogs/news/ai-and-i

Do we live in a world full of shit? Must we?

It’s becoming like an itch you can’t get rid of.

It’s everywhere, and it’s getting worse.

A new trick--I just called a large home goods chain about an order and, after I got through that I wanted to talk to a human, a pleasant female voice got on the phone and asked if she could help me. Got me for a minute. Then, when I asked if she was human, the call got forwarded to a genuine person.

I had a problem with my online orders’ outsourced customer service (human) who gave me wrong and ineffective information. I got frustrated and wrote an email to the CEO. I got an answer from someone in the Executive Sales Team.  Looked good at first but after the third email saying the prior person was out of the office and with virtually the same language except it did answer some questions, I realized that I was talking to AI. Again, when I asked Are you human? The responses stopped.

At the university where I teach, there are constant seminars and activities about using Generative AI for instruction. My lessons are all me and my playbooks are directed at helping people running businesses, not machines. My biggest fear of technology is losing control. Am I correct in trying to get perspective during the AI tsunami? And what can AI do better than me. Gather facts? Maybe. Have Insight? No. Don’t get me wrong. I believe that AI can enhance our lives when used properly, as an addition to us, not a substitute. For example, I think that Google has improved the search experience by offering you a direct answer to your questions with sources cited rather than just finding thousands of sites.

Recently, what has resonated with me are two words: Morality and Humanity. Let’s add a third word that may be the sum of the first two: Authenticity. The fact that this doesn’t much matter to people, even educators today, is exactly why I insist on it, and why Lotus and I built our brand on uncompromising reality and honesty. To me, AI at its best is a manufactured illusion, which replaces the authenticity of a human with something that is just—not.

Combine AI-generated ecommerce with shopping for clothing or accessories online today, and you get what? Discounts that are not real (because the seller planned those when they bought the goods) and that prioritize price over style. What’s the real price of what you are buying?

Very little is real in the textile industry today. They won’t tell you how much of the synthetics leach out into the water supply and the effect that they have on your body. Are you eating or drinking polyester? Nor will they tell you what toxic chemicals they have used for dyeing, easy care etc.

Some department stores owe their vendors a lot of money and how long has it been since they were paid? But they will happily sell those goods to you at a nice profit.

So here’s my overall point: To matriculate an industry toward illusion created by AI, and bullshit the customer further about price, material, etc. while maybe claiming your intention is toward sustainability, is just the opposite of where we should be going. Trust backed by Morality and Humanity should be the uncompromising goal; this will lead customers to  really believe what they are seeing and reading. If not, eventually the industry will see apocalyptic decline, because most people don’t  need clothes.

Maybe the best example of the bullshit that is perpetrated by vendors relates to the luxury brands that so many people revere. Those of us who have been to certain parts of China (such as Guangzhou) already know that perfect fakes of luxury bags can be made to sell for a fraction of the price of the original. But what we didn’t know is what one vendor has confessed: 80% (he estimates) of the luxury goods from the iconic brands that you may revere and buy for a ridiculous price are actually Made in China. Before you dismiss it-what does this guy gain by exposing what may be valuable customers?

Today, I saw one post on LinkedIn about a Greater Fool. What’s that? Let the poster explain:

The Greater Fools believe first.

Conviction is a decision.

Made quietly. Usually alone.

Almost always before anyone else sees what you see.(link)

This is a nice way to put what we are (intentionally) at Lotus & Michael.

NO AI. Just us. That includes our web store with just us as the models. We sell what we love to wear, and embroidery makes it personal.

NO sale bullshit. JUST the real deal. The product. At a real price which we won’t f**k with to lure you to buy now.

NO toxic dyes. Plant dyed product that glorifies the nature that inspired and produced it.

NO Meta or other social media ads that lure you to shop on questionable pretenses. You can see the real us on our YouTube videos.

Our lifestyle=our product and Lotus’ Art which tells our story in a clear and honest way that all folks can understand.

Morality + Humanity=Authenticity.

This is NOT something we jumped on because it is good business. It is us.

Most probably we could have more business if we fed you AI. But we choose not to. Our commitments, which were published the day we started our business, predate all the AI rage.

Now it’s your turn. Questions for you to answer (honestly!):

Am I right about AI? Have you had the same experience, or is it just me they are targeting?

How about the fashion industry? Are they training you to wait for the discounts? Is price so important as a factor that you will pay too much because it is less than before?

What are you getting for your money? Either shit you will wear a couple times and then either throw it out or store it? Or stuff that’s so expensive and so attached to your aspirations that you only wear it once in a blue moon. Evaluate your wardrobe in cost per wear and see the result.

Do you wait for the next and the next and the next price because nothing is real? Or do you know tricks like the one at Etsy where if you leave it in your cart overnight, it suddenly becomes less expensive.

Does social media and “likes” play a role in what you buy and wear? If so, who is the ‘you’ that is buying? Are you you or are you them that (maybe fake) “liked” it?

Does the company you buy from really give a crap about you and your health or just your buck? Or the environment? (Beware of greenwashing)

Think about it. Does value determine price or does price determine value?

You will either think honestly about my questions or conclude that I am full of shit and continue as you were. It’s ok. That’s your prerogative.

I will leave you with this word: Authenticity. There is no bullshit about Lotus & Michael, including the statement that our stuff is individual, quality and sustainable.

We are us. That’s it. No shit. Do we fit?

And we are here for a beautiful future—yours and ours.