Authenticity
If writing my new book were a journey down the Mississippi, I’d position myself somewhere between Hannibal and St. Louis, not quite cruising under I-55 in Memphis as planned, but not stuck on the riverbank either. The current’s flowing, and so am I, just slower than expected. New goal: rough draft by the end of August. I’ll keep you updated.
Although the main point of the book is about tracking your work experiences with my Grind Diary method, authenticity remains a significant concern—and it continues to occupy much of my thoughts as I write. I’m considering authenticity in the context of digital, AI, and Web 3, related to content that either stays true to its original form and intent or becomes manipulated or altered. Overall, this kind of authenticity is a hot topic right now because of how fast and widespread AI technologies are evolving.
The LLM locomotives are racing across the landscape, unstoppable, in pursuit of the Holy Grail of AGI. Society and most individuals are unprepared for what lies ahead on many levels, including the ability to easily and accurately tell reality from illusion or to distinguish the genuine from the fake. It’s becoming harder to tell now; imagine what we’ll face in 5 to 10 years.
I foresee a near future where people will seek ways to “authenticate” themselves, to show, demonstrate, and prove their identity because all the traditional methods (IDs, documents, multi-factor and knowledge-based authentication, even biometrics) will become malleable or easily manipulated. When AI can mimic tone, style, and biometric patterns, the burden of proof shifts. It’s no longer enough to say ‘I did this’; you’ll need a trail that confirms you.
I am not attracted to techno-conspiracy theories, perhaps because I grew up near the headwaters of the Mississippi in Minnesota, or maybe not. In any case, I’m an AI user and follower, and I believe we, as a society, are no longer drifting down a gentle river; we’re heading toward Cherry Creek, the Upper Tuolumne River. The Mississippi meanders, but the Upper Tuolumne requires precision, agility, and preparation. That’s the kind of current we’re about to face.
Three core concepts explored and developed in my first book, Get Beyond Your Troubled Past, are: Free Agency, being a Seller of Service, and operating in the Marketplace. These ideas continue to apply to job seekers facing background challenges, but now resonate with larger portions of the general population. More Americans are experiencing Free Agency as job tenure decreases and portfolio careers become common. They are forced to see themselves as sellers of something, possibly as a commoditized brand in an unexpected way. In a synthetic economy, being a Seller of Service means proving you’re not synthetic yourself. Meanwhile, the Marketplace is constantly changing with one economic reset after another. This is where we’re at now, and I fear the big rapids are still ahead.
The primary focus of my upcoming book is documenting your work experience. I discuss the many benefits of doing so, one of which directly relates to authenticity—the ability to prove, through your (own) records, that you are who you say you are and have accomplished what you claim. Historically, tracking your work has been helpful, even as a simple reference. But now, a new element has appeared—authenticity itself—which is no longer guaranteed in today’s rapidly changing digital landscape.
Stay tuned for updates on my Grind Diary progress as I metaphorically cruise past St. Louis on my way to a rough draft near Memphis. In a world where proof becomes currency and authenticity can no longer be taken for granted, the Grind Diary isn’t just a tool; it’s your ledger of legitimacy.
Meanwhile, the river is stirring. Record what matters. The rapids won’t wait. Game on.
John
PS - Hey, a leisurely trip down Big Muddy sounds pretty good as I spend another morning tapping the keys.
PSS - Take a peek at the Upper Tuolumne River.
Onward!