Introduction
In a world where technology is advancing at an unprecedented rate, many people worry about the future of human work and skills. Geoff Colvin's book "Humans are Underrated" tackles this concern head-on, exploring the unique qualities that make humans irreplaceable in an increasingly automated world.
Colvin argues that while computers and artificial intelligence are becoming more capable in many areas, there are still fundamental human skills that machines cannot replicate. These skills, often undervalued in our technology-driven society, are becoming increasingly important in the modern workplace and economy.
The book takes readers on a journey through the changing landscape of work, technology, and human abilities. It examines how computers are advancing, what they can and cannot do, and most importantly, what humans can do that machines cannot. Colvin's insights offer a fresh perspective on the value of human skills and how we can cultivate them to thrive in the future.
The Rise of Intelligent Machines
Moore's Law and the Exponential Growth of Computing Power
One of the key factors driving the rapid advancement of technology is Moore's Law. This principle, named after Intel co-founder Gordon Moore, states that computing power doubles approximately every two years. This exponential growth has led to astonishing improvements in technology over the past few decades.
To illustrate this point, Colvin compares Sony's first transistor radio, which had just five transistors and barely fit in a pocket, to Intel's latest processor, which boasts five billion transistors and fits in the palm of your hand. This dramatic increase in computing power has enabled machines to perform tasks that were once thought to be exclusively human domains.
While Moore's Law will eventually reach its physical limits, as there's only so much space to fit transistors, the rapid advancement of technology shows no signs of slowing down in the near future. This reality means that humans must be cautious about comparing their abilities directly to those of computers, as machines are likely to surpass us in many areas.
Computers Surpassing Humans in Unexpected Ways
As technology continues to advance, computers are beginning to outperform humans in tasks that we once considered uniquely human. One surprising example is emotion detection. Colvin describes the work of psychologist Paul Ekman, who developed the Facial Action Coding System after years of research into micro-expressions – the subtle movements of facial muscles that reveal emotions.
When this emotional data is programmed into a computer equipped with a camera, the machine can correctly identify emotions 85% of the time by analyzing human faces. In contrast, even trained humans can only achieve 55% accuracy in the same task. This demonstrates that computers are not only becoming more intelligent in logical and mathematical tasks but are also developing capabilities in areas we traditionally associated with human intuition and empathy.
The Double-Edged Sword of Technology
The Negative Impact of Screen Time on Social Skills
While technology has undoubtedly improved our lives in many ways, Colvin argues that it's also having some negative effects, particularly on our social skills. The increasing amount of time we spend in front of screens – whether it's smartphones, tablets, or computers – is leading to a decline in our ability to read body language, understand emotions, and interact effectively with others.
To support this claim, Colvin cites a study involving sixth-graders who attended a screen-free camp for just five days. Researchers found a significant improvement in the children's emotional understanding after this short period away from technology. This finding suggests that our constant engagement with screens may be hindering the development and maintenance of crucial social skills.
The Paradox of Social Media
Social media platforms were initially hailed as revolutionary tools for connecting people across vast distances. However, Colvin points out that these digital connections may not be as beneficial as we once thought. He argues that social media isn't truly "social" in the way humans evolved to be.
Throughout our evolutionary history, humans developed social skills as a means of staying connected to their tribe, which provided safety and resources. Modern technology allows us to maintain connections from the comfort of our homes, but this convenience comes at a cost.
Studies have shown that teenagers who are heavy users of social media are more likely to have poor relationships with their parents and peers, and often report feeling unhappy. Colvin suggests two possible reasons for this:
- Bonding through social media is less effective than in-person or phone interactions.
- Frequent social media use can lead to decreased trust, which negatively impacts the quality of relationships.
These findings highlight the importance of balancing our use of technology with real-world social interactions to maintain and develop crucial social skills.
The Growing Importance of Social Skills
The Shift from Knowledge to Social Capabilities
As computers become increasingly capable of storing and processing vast amounts of information, the value of human knowledge is changing. Colvin argues that the old adage "knowledge is power" is becoming less relevant in a world where information is readily available at our fingertips.
Instead, the focus is shifting towards uniquely human capabilities, particularly social skills. These skills, which include empathy, emotional intelligence, and the ability to build relationships, are becoming more valuable in the workplace and society at large.
The Changing Role of Professionals
To illustrate this shift, Colvin uses the example of lawyers. Traditionally, lawyers needed to possess a wide range of skills, from analyzing cases to developing strategies to support their positions. This work was time-consuming and costly. However, modern computers can now analyze millions of cases and find relevant supporting literature in a fraction of the time it would take a human.
Does this mean we no longer need lawyers? Not at all. Instead, the role of lawyers is evolving to focus more on skills that computers cannot replicate. These include building emotional connections with clients, helping them understand their best interests, and navigating complex social and ethical situations.
The Importance of Cultural Understanding
As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the ability to navigate different cultures and social norms is becoming more critical. Colvin emphasizes that one misstep in cross-cultural interactions can lead to serious consequences, especially in high-stakes situations.
He shares an example from the Iraq War, where an American marine inadvertently caused an uproar by driving too close to a holy Shia Islamic site. This incident highlights the importance of cultural awareness and sensitivity in our globalized world.
On the flip side, Colvin also describes a situation where American soldiers successfully defused a potentially violent confrontation with Iraqi civilians by using their knowledge of local culture. By kneeling down and pointing their guns to the ground – a gesture of peace in that context – they were able to calm the situation and withdraw safely.
These examples underscore the growing importance of social skills and cultural understanding in various professions and situations.
The Power of Empathy
Empathy as a Fundamental Human Skill
Colvin argues that empathy – the ability to understand and share the feelings of another – is a crucial skill that will always be in demand. He explains that empathy is a basic element of every relationship, including those in business contexts.
The author points out that empathy is becoming increasingly important across all sectors of the economy. Whether you're a doctor, a call center worker, or a business executive, the ability to empathize with others is often the first step in building meaningful and productive relationships.
The American Express Example
To illustrate the power of empathy in business, Colvin shares the story of how American Express transformed its call centers under the leadership of Jim Bush. Instead of having employees follow rigid scripts, Bush implemented a new approach that provided workers with information about individual customers and allowed them to act as they felt appropriate.
This empathy-driven approach led to significant improvements:
- Higher recommendation scores from customers
- Increased profit margins
- A 50% reduction in employee turnover
This example demonstrates how prioritizing empathy and human connection can lead to better outcomes for both businesses and their customers.
The Human Advantage in Empathy
While computers are becoming increasingly sophisticated in many areas, Colvin argues that they still fall short when it comes to empathy. He explains that empathy consists of two key elements:
- Understanding the thoughts and feelings of others
- Reacting appropriately to those thoughts and feelings
Humans are hardwired to accept empathy only from other humans, which gives us a significant advantage over machines in this area. No matter how advanced a computer's responses might be, we are unlikely to feel truly understood or comforted by a machine in the same way we would by another person.
This innate preference for human empathy suggests that there will always be a need for people in roles that require emotional understanding and support.
The Importance of Teamwork
The Power of Effective Teams
Colvin emphasizes that the ability to work well in teams is becoming increasingly important in various fields, from sports to business. He argues that while individual skills are important, the success of a team often depends more on how well its members work together.
The author explains that many factors contribute to team success, such as size, stability, and appropriate rewards. However, he argues that social sensitivity – the social abilities of team members – is the most critical factor in determining a team's effectiveness.
The US Golf Team Example
To illustrate the importance of team dynamics, Colvin shares the story of the US golf team's preparation for the 2008 Ryder Cup. Coach Paul Azinger took an innovative approach to team selection. Instead of simply choosing the players with the best individual skills, he focused on selecting golfers whose personalities would work well together.
Azinger's strategy was to ensure that each team member felt comfortable and understood within the group. This approach led to one of the biggest US victories in the Ryder Cup in 25 years, demonstrating the power of effective teamwork even in a sport often considered individual.
The Rise of Collaborative Work
Colvin challenges the notion that great ideas are born in isolation. He argues that in today's world, the ability to work collaboratively is crucial for the success of any organization. This trend is evident in various fields:
Scientific research: The most influential work is often conducted by teams, allowing members to specialize in specific areas and make breakthroughs more quickly.
Business: Modern companies are typically run by teams of executives with specialized roles, such as the CEO, CFO, and CIO, working together to navigate complex business environments.
These examples highlight the growing importance of teamwork and collaboration in achieving success in the modern world.
The Power of Storytelling
Stories vs. Logic
Colvin argues that the ability to tell a compelling story is often more persuasive than presenting a purely logical argument. He explains that stories have the power to move people emotionally and inspire change in ways that facts and figures alone cannot.
The World Bank Story
To illustrate this point, Colvin shares the story of Stephen Denning, a director at the World Bank. Denning realized that the World Bank possessed a wealth of information on crucial topics like malaria, which could potentially help millions of people if made accessible to health workers in developing countries.
Initially, Denning tried to convince his colleagues of the importance of sharing this information using logical arguments, charts, and slides. However, this approach failed to gain traction. He then changed his strategy and told a story about a health worker in Zambia trying to access information about malaria on the World Bank's website but being unable to do so.
This simple story effectively conveyed the problem and the potential impact of solving it. As a result, it led to a change in the World Bank's strategy, ultimately helping millions of people access vital health information.
The Human Advantage in Storytelling
While computers are becoming increasingly capable of generating simple narratives, Colvin argues that humans still have a significant advantage when it comes to storytelling. He explains that stories exist to "move people to change," and computer-generated stories lack the authenticity and emotional resonance that human-told stories possess.
People want to know and evaluate the storyteller, which is impossible with computer-generated narratives. Even as artificial intelligence improves at creating stories, from basic sports reports to more complex narratives, human-told stories continue to have a unique power to connect with and inspire audiences.
Creativity: Humans vs. Computers
Computer Creativity
Colvin acknowledges that computers are becoming increasingly capable of performing creative tasks. He uses the example of IBM's supercomputer Watson to illustrate this point. Watson was programmed to be a creative cook by scanning thousands of existing recipes, analyzing food combinations, and studying the chemical profiles of various ingredients.
The result was the creation of entirely new recipes, such as the Austrian Chocolate Burrito, which combined unexpected ingredients like ground beef, dark chocolate, mashed edamame, apricot purée, and cheese. This unusual dish was well-received when served at a food truck during the South by Southwest festival in Austin, demonstrating that computers can indeed produce creative outputs.
Human Interaction and Breakthrough Creativity
Despite the impressive creative capabilities of computers, Colvin argues that true creative breakthroughs still primarily come from human interaction. He points to innovative companies like Apple, Google, and Pixar as examples of organizations that actively encourage creativity by fostering random interactions between employees.
Some strategies these companies use to spark innovation include:
Google's cafeteria design: The company serves high-quality food to encourage all employees to eat there, increasing the chances of unexpected interactions while waiting in line or sitting at communal tables.
Pixar's headquarters: Steve Jobs designed the building with a central meeting spot to encourage interactions between employees from different departments.
Apple's face-to-face meetings: Jobs was known for his preference for in-person meetings, which allowed for direct input from all participants and fostered creative discussions.
These examples highlight the importance of human interaction and collaboration in generating truly innovative ideas and solutions.
Harnessing Technology to Enhance Human Skills
The Power of Online Learning
While much of the book focuses on the unique capabilities of humans, Colvin also explores how technology can be used to enhance our skills and knowledge. He argues that in many cases, learning through computers can be more effective than traditional classroom settings.
One example he provides is the US Navy's use of software to teach students how to repair technical systems on ships. This purely knowledge-based task doesn't require human interaction and can be effectively taught through computer-based learning.
Colvin also discusses the rise of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), citing Stanford University's 2011 artificial intelligence course as a groundbreaking example. This course attracted 160,000 students from 190 countries, and surprisingly, the top 400 performers were online participants rather than the elite students taking the parallel classroom course.
These examples demonstrate how technology can democratize access to education and, in some cases, provide more effective learning experiences than traditional methods.
Using Software to Develop Social Skills
Interestingly, Colvin points out that even social skills – which are crucial for success in the modern workplace – can be developed with the help of technology. He describes a software called Love Machine that aims to improve employees' social skills by incentivizing positive interactions.
The software allows employees to send thank you messages to helpful colleagues, with these messages visible to all other employees. This system encourages knowledge sharing and helpfulness, sometimes even sparking friendly competition among employees to see who can be the most helpful.
By gamifying social interactions and recognition, Love Machine demonstrates how technology can be used to foster better communication and collaboration in the workplace.
Final Thoughts: Balancing Human Skills and Technology
As Colvin concludes his exploration of human skills in the age of intelligent machines, he emphasizes several key points:
Technological progress is inevitable and brings both positive and negative consequences.
To remain relevant in the job market, humans need to focus on developing skills that computers cannot easily replicate, such as empathy, social intelligence, and creative problem-solving.
We must be aware of and actively manage the potential negative effects of technology, particularly its impact on our social skills and relationships.
The most successful individuals and organizations will be those that can effectively combine human skills with technological capabilities.
Continuous learning and adaptation are crucial as the landscape of work continues to evolve.
Colvin's book serves as both a warning and a call to action. It reminds us of the unique value that humans bring to the table while also encouraging us to embrace technology as a tool for enhancing our capabilities. By focusing on developing our distinctly human skills and using technology to our advantage, we can ensure that humans remain irreplaceable in an increasingly automated world.
The key takeaway from "Humans are Underrated" is that while computers and artificial intelligence will continue to advance and take over many tasks, there will always be a need for human skills like empathy, creativity, and social intelligence. By recognizing and cultivating these abilities, we can create a future where humans and machines work together synergistically, each leveraging their unique strengths to create a more productive and fulfilling world.