Hey, everyone!
Welcome back to the FWACATA Podcast, where we dive into life, art, and invulnerability—whether it’s comics, politics, or philosophy. Today, I want to expand on something I touched on in this week’s episode, a moment that sparked a fire in me.
It all started in class when I was talking to a student about art and creativity. She looked at me, completely earnest, and said, “I don’t think there’s a point in becoming an artist anymore. AI can do it better.”
Excuse me? What? Say what again?
That moment struck me like a lightning bolt. Not because I was shocked, but because of what it reveals about the world these kids are growing up in. A world where this “black box” we carry in our pockets—the phones, the endless scroll of social media, and yes, the AI hype—has convinced them to give up before they even begin.
Don’t Let AI Dictate Your Passion
AI isn’t the death of art. It’s a tool. A powerful tool, sure, but it’s not the end of human creativity. The belief that AI can “replace” artists misunderstands what art is about.
Art isn’t just about making something visually stunning. It’s about self-expression, exploration, and connection. It’s about taking what’s inside you—your unique perspective, your voice, your story—and putting it out into the world in a way only you can.
When I told my student this, I wasn’t trying to turn her into the next Picasso or Frida Kahlo. I wanted her to see art as a way of broadening her horizons, as a way to live and not just exist.
Your Life Is Not Your Career
One of the key lessons I’ve learned over the years is this: your life is not your career. Too often, we define ourselves by what we do for money. “I’m an accountant,” or “I’m a teacher,” or “I’m a designer.”
But that’s not the question we should be asking. In many European cultures, people will ask, “What do you do?”—but they don’t mean for work. They’re asking about your passion. Are you a cyclist? A winemaker? A painter? What makes you you beyond your job?
For me, art has always been that thing. It’s been my constant since I was a kid, moving a pencil on paper at five years old and deciding at twelve that this was the path I wanted to follow. I’ve worked plenty of other jobs to make ends meet—jobs that would make you look at my resume and say, “Dude, pick a lane.” But those jobs were just that—jobs.
Art is my life.
Finding Joy in the Creative Process
Let me tell you a little story about butter.
Yes, butter.
This past Christmas, I got my wife a butter churner. We started experimenting with heavy cream, and on her first try, she made the best butter I’ve ever tasted. It was rich, creamy, and so much better than anything store-bought.
Could we just buy butter at the market? Of course. But that’s not the point. Making it ourselves brought a kind of joy and satisfaction that you can’t get from convenience.
Art is the same way. Sure, there are incredible artists out there, and now there’s AI that can generate stunning images with a few clicks. But does that mean you shouldn’t create? Absolutely not.
Creating is about the process, the journey, the joy of making something with your own hands, heart, and mind. Whether it’s a painting, a sketch, a song, or yes, even butter, the act of creating is what matters.
Why We Need Artists
The world doesn’t need more corporate drones or people who’ve given up on their passions because “AI can do it better.” The world needs dreamers. It needs storytellers, makers, and doers.
Art doesn’t just enrich the world—it enriches you.
When you create, you’re tapping into something primal, something human. You’re engaging with the world in a way that no machine ever can. AI can replicate patterns, but it can’t replicate soul.
Art as Resistance
Let’s be real: the rise of AI and the constant noise of social media can make it feel like the world is stacked against artists. It’s easy to feel like you’re shouting into the void.
But creating art in this environment is an act of resistance. It’s a way of saying, “I’m here. I matter. My voice matters.”
Art is how we push back against the homogenization of culture, against the idea that everything can be reduced to algorithms and data points. It’s how we keep our humanity intact.
A Challenge for You
If you’re reading this and you’ve ever thought, “Why bother?”—this is your sign to bother.
Pick up a pencil. Write a story. Try something new. It doesn’t have to be perfect, and it doesn’t have to be for anyone else but you.
Remember, your life is not your career. And your art doesn’t have to be a career either. It can just be something you love, something that brings you joy and keeps you connected to yourself and the world around you.
A Glimpse of Heaven
One of my favorite moments as a teacher is when the class is buzzing with quiet creativity. The students are working on their projects, music is playing softly in the background, and everyone is in their zone.
In those moments, I think, This must be a level of heaven.
But that kind of heaven doesn’t happen if we let fear or doubt stop us. It doesn’t happen if we let the noise of the world drown out our creative impulses.
So go out there and create your version of heaven, whatever that looks like for you.
Final Thoughts
AI isn’t the enemy. Fear is. The fear of not being good enough, the fear of being irrelevant, the fear of trying and failing.
Don’t let fear win.
Create because it makes you happy. Create because it helps you see the world differently. Create because it’s worth it—for you and for everyone who gets to experience what you make.
Thanks for reading, and thanks for listening to the FWACATA Podcast. Keep making, keep dreaming, and keep being your beautifully creative selves.
Until next time,
Juan
P.S. If you enjoyed this post, consider subscribing to my Substack or supporting me on Patreon. Every little bit helps me keep creating and sharing these stories with you.
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