We Need to Talk — And We Need AI to Serve People, Not Exploiting Artists and Authors

America’s got a double crisis — and they’re more connected than they seem.

First, we’ve forgotten how to talk to each other. Not just disagree politely, but actually listen, reflect, and respond without turning every difference into a street fight. Our social and political conversations have become tense, brittle, and exhausting.

That’s why Mel Robbins’ recent appearance on the Pivot podcast with Kara Swisher struck a nerve. She breaks down a therapy-inspired approach she calls The Let Them Theory (see also, Very Well Mind) — and it’s deceptively simple:

• Let them do them.

• You do you.

• You can’t control them.

• And honestly, they’ve probably already done the thing you wanted to keep them from doing anyway.

It’s a mindset shift that stops the cycle of constant reaction and control. Instead of trying to police every move, belief, or choice someone makes, you let go. You set your own boundaries. You focus on what you can control — your own actions and responses.

Applied to politics and social issues, this is radical. It doesn’t mean surrendering your values; it means not burning out trying to force others to see the world your way. That emotional breathing room is exactly what we need if we’re ever going to rebuild trust and communication in this country.

And here’s where the second crisis comes in: we also have a transformative technology — artificial intelligence — that could actually help us navigate those conversations. AI could identify misinformation before it spreads, highlight areas of agreement in polarized debates, and provide accurate context so people can form opinions based on facts, not distortions.

But here’s the reality: AI is already essentially unregulated — and that’s a dangerous combination. While some innovators hesitate because of uncertainty, others, including major corporations, are racing ahead without meaningful oversight. And thanks to Trump’s law, it allows AI systems and their corporate owners to freely exploit the work of authors, artists, and other creators — stripping our intellectual property for training data without permission or compensation. Trump's executive order (EO 14179) in January 2025 promotes deregulation and emphasizes U.S. leadership in AI—without establishing new copyright permissions or intellectual property rules.

This is just another extension of what may be the most damaging blow to American democracy and protections in modern times: Citizens United. That ruling opened the door for corporate money to flood our politics; this AI policy direction opens the door for corporate control over our creative work, information, and culture — without consent or compensation.

So again, we get the worst of both worlds:

• No real guardrails to protect the public from misuse.

• No protection for creators whose work fuels AI systems.

The irony is almost painful: we need AI’s help to communicate better — but our inability to communicate clearly about how to handle AI is allowing it to be weaponized against truth and creators alike.

If we want a healthier democracy and a more functional society, we need to tackle both problems at once:

• Socially: Practice habits like The Let Them Theory — release the illusion of control, focus on your own boundaries, and open the door to calmer, more productive conversations.

• Technologically: Build legal and governance frameworks that protect citizens and creators while making AI a force for connection and truth — not exploitation and division.

🎧 AI Therapy, “Mankeeping,” & Screen Addiction — Pivot Podcast: Listen here

In the end, “Let Them” isn’t about giving up — it’s about letting go of the fights that drain us so we can focus on what truly matters. If we can reclaim the ability to speak and listen with respect, we can begin to repair the fractures in our personal relationships and our politics. 

And if we can demand real protections and smart governance for AI, we can ensure it serves people rather than exploiting them. The health of our democracy and the future of our technology both depend on it — and both start with how we choose to engage right now.

Cheers! Slainte! Na zdravie!

Compiled with aid of ChatGPT