AI and Automation: John Henry’s Warning for the Modern Worker

John Henry was a LEGEND. A steel driver in the days when railroads spread like wildfire across America. And men used muscles to do the work.

He hammered steel spikes into the ground, laying the tracks for trains that would connect the nation. Day after day, John Henry swung his hammer with unmatched power, known far and wide for his strength and endurance.

But then came the machine. A steam-powered drill that threatened to replace John and every man working the rails. When the machine arrived, it was clear what it meant: 

The end of his–and his men’s–job. 

Faced with losing everything, John Henry made a choice. He would challenge the machine to a race. Man versus machine. Muscle versus steam. 

The contest was brutal. Each swing of John’s hammer drove a spike deeper while the drill powered forward with relentless, mechanical precision.

In the end, John Henry “won” the race.

He drove more spikes than the machine in the time allotted, proving that human strength could outmatch the cold efficiency of technology… for a short time. 

But it was an empty victory that cost him everything.

As John Henry lay dead, hammer in hand, his heart giving out from the strain, the machine kept going. Driving spike after spike into the ground… 

While John Henry’s body grew cold.

That tale, told around campfires for generations, captures humanity’s deep struggle with technology—a struggle as old as innovation itself.

Today, we face a new kind of steam-powered challenge: artificial intelligence and automation. But unlike John Henry, we don’t have to fight it. We have the chance to adapt, collaborate, and thrive in a world reshaped by these tools. 

A History of Fear: Laughing at Yesterday’s Panics

Every leap forward in technology has been greeted with cries of doom. Some of them now sound ridiculous:

• The Power Loom Riots: In the 1800s, Luddites smashed textile machines, convinced that mechanized looms would destroy jobs forever. (Spoiler: they didn’t.)
• Electricity A Peril to Health and Home: When electricity first arrived, kerosene manufacturers called it dangerous, claiming it would burn down homes and kill people en masse. Today, in fact, we know it saves and extends lives.
• The Motor Menace: The automobile, heralded as a solution to the “horse manure crisis” in cities, faced opposition from those who believed cars would be impractical and deadly.
• Trains Would Dry Up Cow Milk: Early critics of locomotives claimed the vibrations and noise would cause cows to stop producing milk and drive livestock insane. (Spoiler: dairy farming survived.)
• Telephones Would Destroy Social Norms: When the telephone emerged, skeptics warned it would erode traditional manners, claiming people would forget how to conduct proper face-to-face conversations.

These fears reflect humanity’s resistance to change. But the truth is this: every innovation that displaces old jobs creates new industries, opportunities, and wealth.

But only for those who adapt.

What’s Different About AI and Automation Today?

AI is not just another tool—it’s a seismic shift. 

Unlike past machines, which only replaced physical labor, AI can handle tasks requiring cognition: writing, coding, diagnosing illnesses, and even creating art. That’s why the anxiety surrounding it feels so urgent.

Jobs that once seemed untouchable—like journalism, software development, and even law—are being disrupted by AI systems. 

Yet, this is not the end of work. It’s the beginning of new types of work, just as the Industrial Revolution birthed factory supervisors, mechanics, and engineers.

A Future Where Jobs Shift, Not Disappear

History shows us that when machines replace one kind of labor, they create the need for another. The rise of AI will demand:

• AI Ethics Specialists to address issues like bias and fairness.
• Blockchain Developers to build secure systems for decentralized technology.
• Data Curators to organize and refine the enormous datasets fueling AI.
• Creative Innovators who collaborate with AI to produce ideas and products we haven’t yet imagined.

Not to mention the need for skilled trade workers. 

The question isn’t whether jobs will vanish but whether we’ll seize the chance to work with these tools rather than against them.

Own the Future: The Importance of Income-Generating Assets

Here’s a truth few people are talking about: as automation reduces the need for human labor, owning income-producing assets will become essential. 

When machines do the work, the profits flow to those who own the machines.

• Invest in Decentralized Finance (DeFi): Platforms like Aave or Compound allow you to earn passive income through lending protocols and smart contracts.
• Buy Tokenized Assets: With Web3, real-world assets like real estate and fine art are being tokenized, making them accessible to more people.
• Participate in DAOs (Decentralized Autonomous Organizations): These digital cooperatives allow members to pool resources and earn a share of the profits.

If you want to thrive in the age of automation, don’t just work for income—own the assets that generate it.

Engage With AI: Your Essential First Step

Whether you’re intimidated by AI or intrigued, here’s the key: start engaging with it today. It’s as simple as playing with tools like ChatGPT, exploring creative AI platforms like MidJourney, or testing out automated financial tools. 

Experimentation is your gateway to understanding how these systems work—and how you can make them work for you.

Think of this as dipping your toe into the future. The more familiar you become, the less overwhelming the changes will feel. Plus, understanding these tools will give you a leg up in spotting opportunities before they become mainstream.

Emerging Technological Trends to Watch

If you want to position yourself for the future, here are key trends to focus on:

1. Decentralized Finance (DeFi): The fastest-growing area in blockchain, enabling peer-to-peer lending and asset management.
2. AI-Driven DAOs: These organizations use AI to manage operations autonomously, creating new investment and governance models.
3. Web3 and the Creator Economy: From tokenized art to community-driven platforms, Web3 is decentralizing ownership in industries ranging from gaming to real estate.
4. Automation in Infrastructure: Think autonomous vehicles and AI-optimized renewable energy grids—opportunities to invest in the backbone of tomorrow’s economy.

And one of the most exciting opportunities for those with an entrepreneurial spirit: Bringing automation to businesses. 

Whether as a consultant, service provider, or even employee. The demand for people who can bring AI solutions to businesses is through the roof. 

And because the technology is so new, no one knows much about it, and… 

In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.

From John Henry to You: A New Race

The lesson of John Henry isn’t just about resilience—it’s about choices. 

You can fight technology, wear yourself out, and lose. Or you can embrace it, adapt to it, and thrive. 

By engaging with AI, investing in emerging trends, and positioning yourself to own the tools of the future, you can ensure you don’t just survive this revolution—you lead it.

So, don’t fear the steam-powered drill. Learn to wield it. Because the future doesn’t have to be something that happens to you—it can be something you build.