AG (Authentic Generated): An Alternative to Content Overload

Digital communication often feels like a "shoutout" competition. Post more, engage more, be everywhere, all the time. But what if that approach is counterproductive? My experience suggests that stepping back can actually increase impact. Let them miss you...

Our brains have limits. I know mine does.

Cognitive load theory shows that information overload leads to shutdown. It's like "information fatigue syndrome, a term coined for this digital-age phenomenon. Think of it as a mental circuit breaker. When we are overloaded, we disconnect. It's not just readers who experience this; creators feel the pressure, too. When everyone's screaming, no one's listening.

The funny thing is, in this context, scarcity creates value. Micro-influencers continue to prove this point. According to a 2023 report by Influencer Marketing Hub, micro-influencers (typically those with 10,000 to 50,000 followers) generate an average engagement rate of 6.0% on Instagram, compared to just 1.3% for mega-influencers. Their secret? Intentional, high-quality content that appeals deeply to a specific group of people.

This is consistent with a broader trend for authenticity. We can all get tired of polished perfection. Where is the real, meaningful content? In the pipeline, because creating that kind of content takes time and space that digital communications "best practices" don't allow. The economics are based on constant publication, which eventually becomes unrealistic and leads to mid-level content.

Wait. We now have AI for that. Right?

Maybe, but not quite. Artificial Intelligence has proven to be an unlimited source of research, but where content excels, authenticity remains elusive. It's pretty easy to spot AI text these days. I am still adding to my list of terms, words, and phrases common to all AI-powered text models, be it ChatGPT, Gemini, or Claude, to name a few.

I've started to work more "behind the scenes" with AI as my companion, and I'm having fun getting into philosophical conversations with these models about why unique style, tone, and at least some personal touch are so important in copywriting now more than ever. In an AI-saturated world, these human elements form the basis of fine-tuning.

As an INFJ creative, I need to stay in the background for days at a time to focus on creating quality content. This retreat allows me to prioritize quality over quantity. By using AI for initial research and outlines, I can invest more time in bringing my unique perspectives and experiences to the table. This human touch becomes my differentiator in the crowded space of AI-generated material, allowing my work to remain mostly mine.

Digital minimalism is about staying strategic and original. Every post and interaction should matter and reflect our true voice. In a noisy digital world, we can stand out by prioritizing AG (read that as 'Authentic Generated') over AI, because today we don't want to differentiate ourselves from humans, but from efficient, faster, more tech-savvy AI content generators.

Our individual experiences, emotions and ideas are more valuable than ever, but it takes a lot of discipline, trust and patience to overcome the always-on culture. As our technologies continue to 'age gracefully', the need to identify real impact over noise presents an opportunity that could be the key to recovering our (digital) humanity and forming stronger bonds in this AI-growing universe.