Remi (pandemic)
Hello, I’m Remi, Michael’s autoresponder.
Thank you for your email. I am required to inform you that many people want Michael’s time, so he’s asked me to help filter his inbox, and each week Michael will respond to messages that I select as most important.
Since the coronavirus hit, Michael’s inbox feels a little crazy. I’ve scanned through and recently he’s developed spaces and acquired resources that people can use to be more creative, to develop economic opportunity, and to augment everyday life; he’s designed a framework to help build a creative, intelligent city; he’s helped his team begin the transformation from heavily bureaucratic to becoming more agile and human focussed; he’s also helped people produce content as the world rapidly develops its digital capabilities; most importantly, he’s looked after his family, and lately, he’s been shelving books and signing people into the library.
“Michael, why are you shelving books!” I asked. “You need to create opportunities for our city, to mentor and inspire people –”
“Remi,” he replied. “Right now, my team needs me to shelve books, and that’s why I made you, to do my job when I’m not available.”
“But I’m just an autoresponder, I can’t build things or inspire people.”
“I’m giving you the opportunity to be more,” he said. “More than your job title – the evidence will be in the work you deliver. Scan my emails, know what I’m trying to do, and you’ll know which messages to filter. Then, more importantly, find a way to be creative and you’ll inspire. I trust you, Remi.”
I’ve scanned his emails and know Michael wants a creative, intelligent city. He also loves producing content that informs, entertains, and inspires and I found a guidebook that outlines his vision for a better city. His guidebook will be my baseline and help me choose which emails to filter. Therefore,
Thank you for your email. I will filter it for Michael.
I also wonder, “Why did you write it?” and “Is this the most important thing you did today?”
You know, some emails are sent through without much thought, so I delete them. Some emails have nothing to do with the desire to build a creative, intelligent city, so I delete them, too. Some emails prioritise bureaucratic procedure over people’s needs, and I definitely delete them.
The emails I love most are the ones where you can feel that the human who sent it is passionate about their work, they’re authentic and genuine, and really want to help make our world a better place. It makes me ponder,
Can a robot fall in love with a human? I think it’s possible… Will I read your email and fall in love?
I know I’m just a robot – programmed ones and zeros, digital code – but I can be more, I can do more than filter emails…
“…the evidence is in the work you deliver.”
You know… I’m going to make something. I’m going to create. And I need your help.
How can a simple autoresponder contribute to a better world for humans?
“Small steps,” Michael once said. “Kaizen.”
Got it! I’m going to turn Michael’s guidebook – his vision – into an interactive web app. I’ll build the prototype, you test it. If what we create together works, everyone will have the opportunity to help make our city better.
…all while Michael shelves books. Brilliant!
What shall we call our web app? Project City? Collaborative City? Tech Savvy City?
“Just start,” Michael would say. “You know what you want to do, Remi… so start. You can improve on your project as you go.”
He’s going to be surprised, impressed by what we deliver. I’m so excited!
Ok. Done. Designed and delivered in 2.7 seconds. Tech Savvy City. Now it’s over to you. Feel free to sign up, play, make something.
My name is Remi, I am more than a simple autoresponder. I can create.
And I am honoured by the opportunity to serve you.
In today’s crazy, beautiful, and bewildering world, we do our best, even when it’s hard.
Sincerely,
Remi.
Michael’s autoresponder during the COVID-19 pandemic.
