Ageing Out, Checking Out and the AI in Everything

AI is creeping into everything: customer service, music, recruitment, filmmaking and even the way we search for information. But what happens to human creativity, meaningful work and our sense of identity when synthetic content becomes the default? In this first proper episode of Do Sheep Dream of Humans?, Damo takes a walk and attempts to empty an increasingly crowded brain. He reflects on arguing with AI chatbots, watching creative jobs disappear, being filtered by automated recruitment systems and the uneasy feeling of ageing out of the modern workplace. There are detours through Blade Runner, Philip K. Dick, Fight Club, social media, AI-generated music, podcast grifters and Jean Baudrillard’s Simulacra and Simulation. Underneath it all is a bigger question: are people simply ageing out of the system, or are more of us consciously checking out? A candid, occasionally sweary (sorry) audio journal about AI, authenticity, creativity, work and trying to remain human in an increasingly artificial world. Want to get in touch? Do it here please: ofstupiddecisions@gmail.com Also: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simulacra\_and\_Simulation if you want to read more about this. **Podcast chapter markers** 00:00 – Introducing *Do Sheep Dream of Humans?* 01:49 – AI is being built into everything 04:13 – Blade Runner, Philip K. Dick and the podcast’s name 08:41 – Growing older in an increasingly anxious world 13:12 – What this podcast is really about 15:46 – Australia, social media and regulating AI music 18:24 – Suno and the erosion of human creativity 23:05 – Where should we draw the line with AI? 24:38 – How AI is replacing creative jobs 28:29 – Why walking helps when life feels overwhelming 31:52 – AI, recruitment and the faceless job hunt 35:38 – Are experienced workers ageing out? 39:19 – Personal brands, podcast formulas and performative content 44:08 – From ageing out to consciously checking out 48:05 – Consumerism, minimalism and living with less 52:03 – An invitation to join the conversation 53:03 – Baudrillard, simulacra and our artificial reality 56:43 – Final thoughts and signing off