Perfection Anxiety: The Fear of Falling Short in a Digital World

In a world where artificial intelligence (AI) like ChatGPT is becoming increasingly prevalent, the pressure to achieve perfection is at an all-time high. ChatGPT can create a perfected headshot free of blemishes or optimize word placement on a resume by analyzing data from hiring managers. As we increasingly merge with machines, we risk losing sight of our humanity and becoming the Terminators we once feared.

The Rise of Perfection Anxiety

Amidst ChatGPT, auto-correction, extreme body modifications, and filters, the idea of making a mistake slips further from reality. This has led to the rise of perfection anxiety, a condition where individuals feel intense pressure to be perfect and fear making mistakes.

Today, I tried to email a client, but my bubbling perfection anxiety had reached its limit. After practicing with ChatGPT for a few weeks and seeing how it crafted emails, stories, and even poetry better than my brain could fathom, I became hesitant to send the email without first checking it with the AI. This realization made me wonder if I was no longer competent enough to do a task I would have done without hesitation only weeks ago. I realized that while I was using ChatGPT to test its limits, it was also testing mine all along.

The Digital Future

As a child of the late 90s, I have witnessed the birth of social media, the rise of psychological diseases associated with it, and the emergence of digital tools that have made life easier. I am both amazed and frightened as we progress toward a perfected future. We live through unparalleled times, and what results from these consistent changes is genuinely unknown.

One potential consequence of our increasingly digital world is a loss of human connection. As we rely more on AI to do tasks for us, we risk losing the ability to connect with one another on a deeper level. While technology has brought us closer in some ways, it has also led to a rise in loneliness and isolation.

Another potential consequence is a loss of creativity. As we rely more on machines to do tasks for us, we may lose our ability to think creatively and outside the box. This could have far-reaching implications for industries like art and literature, which rely on creativity and imagination.

The End of Atlantis

Every Atlantis has an origin, and I'm curious how this story ends. We live in a world where technological advancements are accelerating at an unprecedented rate, and it's difficult to predict what the future holds. However, it's important that we don't lose sight of our humanity as we embrace these changes. We should strive to use technology to enhance our lives rather than replace them.

In conclusion, perfection anxiety is on the rise in our increasingly digital world. While technology like ChatGPT has many benefits, it's essential that we don't lose sight of what makes us human. By being aware of the potential consequences of our increasingly digital world, we can work towards a future where technology and humanity coexist in harmony.

Sources:

• American Psychological Association. (2021). Perfectionism. https://www.apa.org/topics/perfectionism

• Cigna. (2021). Cigna U.S. Loneliness Index: Examining the Loneliness Epidemic Nationwide. https://www.cigna.com/about-us/newsroom/studies-and-reports/combatting-loneliness/

• National Endowment for the Arts. (2021). Creative Writing. https://www.arts.gov/artistic-fields/creative-writing