[Summary] The "Slot Machine" and the Shield: A Reflection on Tools, Survival, and Autonomy - The Kalvin Weblog

[Summary] The “Slot Machine” and the Shield: A Reflection on Tools, Survival, and Autonomy – The Kalvin Weblog

December 28, 2025

The author, a neurodivergent student, uses AI as a 'digital prosthetic' to bridge the gap between chaotic thoughts and coherent expression, not as a mindless 'slot machine'.
Criticism of AI use from a fellow disabled person is identified as 'lateral violence,' where oppressed groups turn frustration on each other rather than systemic issues.
The author differentiates between 'Macro-Economics' (criticizing AI providers like OpenAI) and 'Micro-Utility' (focusing on the practical application of AI tools for personal problem-solving).
The author asserts 'Digital Sovereignty,' the ability to extract utility from AI tools while rejecting the ideology of their owners, citing the example of using Elon Musk's Grok while disagreeing with him.
The criticism of AI is compared to historical reactions against new technologies like the camera, suggesting a recurring pattern of fear and resistance to technological shifts.
Information Literacy, defined as the efficient filtering, verification, and application of information, is presented as a crucial survival skill in the Information Age.
The author rejects labels like 'Pro-AI' and 'Anti-AI,' advocating for a third option: the autonomy to define and choose one's own tools based on personal needs.
The author's activism is framed as a 'protocol for autonomy,' emphasizing the right to choose whether or not to use AI without fear of judgment or harassment.
AI models are trained on publicly available data created by users, meaning individuals are 'contributors' and have a moral right to reclaim the value of their contributions through AI use.
Using AI to refine work and create better data, which is then published back to the internet, forms a productive cycle of contribution and technological advancement.

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