So a fun random essay and thought that I had, this morning biking, or maybe it was in hot yoga?

So the big thought is, what is the role of the camera in the age of AI ChatGPT, AI generated images and videos etc.

So you no longer need to waste $10,000 on a Leica M/Q camera anymore –> and already what I am noticing is that, perhaps Leica is actually having a difficult time selling their cameras, … they’re kind of pumping up their marketing efforts, but, I think there is a huge tectonic shift, an insanely massive paradigm shift.

Reality

So the truth is, being in reality embodied reality is awesome. You cannot experience the energy of crossing a Shibuya crossing in Japan, witnessing the insane marvels of Angkor wat in Cambodia, the fun of riding in a tuktuk, trying out new food in new places, or even spending a night inside a capsule hotel in Tokyo?

To experience?

So I think I still believe the general idea that investing in experiences is by far the most critical thing. Therefore at this point, really truly deeply, the camera doesn’t matter anymore. Currently speaking, the best camera for you to get is still some compact digital camera that could ideally fit in your front pocket, any RICOH GR variant is best.

A world post-iPhone

So I kind of feel bad for all those people who branded themselves as iPhone photographers, frankly speaking there’s not a bright future for that anymore.

I think the issue is, and I’m still kind of shocked, it really does feel like AI came out out of nowhere. Even myself who was a hard-core ChatGPT early user,… even playing around with GROK ,,, the video generation, or image to video etc.… it still always kind of blows my mind.

Media

So I think the first thing that is actually insanely empowering about these tools to generate your own pictures videos images etc.… Is, you’re no longer the slave of these entertainment mega corporations, which are feeding you all the same pink chicken McNugget sludge. 

For example, if you’re in a position in which you could create your own picture media images videos, even erotica –> , you’re actually in a good field. Why? Once again you are not the passive recipient of these things but you could direct your own future. 

Which one

So this is my honest thought:

Don’t really bother with Gemini, I think it’s a waste of time. Apparently it’s really good if you’re like a coder, but beyond that, I would just kind of ignore it.

Grok is kind of the most interesting one because, it’s mostly uncensored, which means, you have more free freedom. ChatGPT is annoying because, it is like a nanny AI… There is a lot that it will not let you do.

Which is the best

The truth is, ChatGPT is number one. I do not envision a future in which Grok or Gemini catches up.

Like just observe,, nowadays when you’re in public, you must always see somebody with a ChatGPT tab open on their browser. Even internationally you see everyone using ChatGPT on their phones.