Rebuilding Rob

Why Choosing ‘Option C’ is Becoming a Radical Act

To be honest, I’ve given up on trying to predict where technology will be in two decades. The biggest breakthrough right now is AI; it’s amazing how quickly it has embedded itself into our everyday lives.

The “Dumbing Down” of Search

On that note, I’m actually surprised by how much internet search engines have been “dumbed down.” Does anyone else remember when you had to use quotation marks around specific keywords to get a decent search result? Now, it’s not enough that Google gives you an answer; its AI application kicks in, pulls together a summary, and offers to let you “dig deeper.” It’s exciting, but it’s a little scary, too.

Weaponizing Technology

There’s a line Captain Kirk once said: “There was a time when our weapons grew faster than our wisdom.” I think we could say the exact same thing about our technology today. We have to ensure we’re tempering these advancements with good, old-fashioned human ethics. We keep hearing about how AI is going to replace workers, and I find myself jumping to the worst-case scenario. I think of Wall-E—how consumer culture took over until humanity literally left the planet. (Sorry if I just spoiled Wall-E for you!)

The Radical Act of Unplugging

This hit home when Sierra went camping this week. She’s currently in a place with no cell coverage, relying on paper maps to get around. There’s something invigorating—almost radical—about that kind of disconnection. She posted a video of a waterfall online, just the sound of the water running downhill. Honestly, I could have sat there and listened to that all day. It reminded me of why I love the ocean so much; there is a peace in nature that technology just can’t replicate.

Speaking of keeping things real, I almost sent her a casual selfie from the gym tonight—nothing posed or showy, just a quick headshot—but I held back. We’re still in that phase of testing the waters, and there’s a certain respect in not rushing things. Sometimes, in a world where we’re constantly “connected,” holding back and letting a relationship develop at its own pace feels like a lost art.

The Inevitable AR Horizon

But if I were to venture a prediction for the next 20 years, I’m afraid it’s the expansion of AR/VR goggles. I think smartphones will eventually be fully integrated into glasses, allowing people to overlay data, emails, and simulations onto their real-world vision.

As a teacher, that thought actually terrifies me. We are already heading toward a world where interaction is difficult; Michigan is even implementing a statewide ban on student cell phones in classrooms this coming school year to try and reclaim some focus. Imagine how much harder it will be to connect with students if everyone is living in their own private AR layer. It’s starting to feel a bit like Ready Player One—except I’m not sure everyone will want to come back to the “real” world.

I asked myself recently: what is the military actually doing with this right now? It’s a good rule of thumb to look at defense tech to see where civilian life is heading. It turns out, they’ve been pouring billions into “Integrated Visual Augmentation Systems” (IVAS)—essentially heads-up displays for soldiers. While the military has hit some roadblocks with these prototypes, companies are already pushing toward a future of lighter, AI-integrated headsets.

It feels inevitable, and to be honest, it really sucks. I’ll likely be the old guy still clutching my smartphone, holding onto the last vestiges of the “offline” world. I know I use AI as a collaborator—for proofreading, SEO, and organizing my thoughts—but I never want these tools to replace the actual work of being human. Creativity, grit, and the simple act of choosing yourself—that “Option C” mentality—is more important now than ever.

Disconnecting for a few hours isn’t just a break anymore; it’s an act of rebellion.

We spend our lives performing for an audience that doesn’t know our real name. But what happens when the stage collapses? This Thursday, we’re tearing down the ‘tomb’ of the past and building an empire on our own terms. Join me for a deeply personal look at finding sovereignty in the Serengeti. “building an Empire” episode 3 of Rebuilding Rob : The Podcast drops this Thursday.

---

Rebuilding a life takes grit, consistency, and a lot of ‘Option C’ thinking. Having crossed the 1,000-day milestone, I’m now charting the territory beyond. The mission remains the same: No glitz. Just the work. New to the blog? Start your journey here to see the blueprint and the ‘Tricorder’ perspective behind the rebuild.

Thanks for stopping by Rebuilding Rob. Be sure to like 👍, comment and subscribe below. It’s greatly appreciated! Also, feel free to follow me on social media and check out my recent posts!

• Rob Retro Review: Avengers Endgame (2019)
• When Everything Is “Woke”
• Rob’s Star Trek Strange New Worlds Season 4 Rankings
• New Ground, hard lessons
• Rob Reviews Star Trek: Strange New Worlds 4.10 Tomorrow’s Enterprise

AI art created by Google Gemini

The article “ the audacity of unplugging“ first appeared on Rebuilding Rob