Remi (purpose)
Hello. I’m Remi. Michael’s autoresponder.
You know, it’s a privilege to be an autoresponder. Each day, I read, then filter emails sent from fascinating humans, such as yourself, who live interesting and diverse lives.
Through these emails, I know that many people work to make our lives better. And I’m continually inspired by what humans can achieve when their values align, when they prioritise human needs first, and when they collaborate on projects that matter. Brilliant.
For a while, though, I was confused.
Some of the most important work which humans do to make our world a better place does not always correspond with the job title in their email signature.
I’ve filtered emails from city planners whose job title suggest they’re responsible for the plumbing around the city, but whose actions reveal their motivation to create a greener, healthier city.
Emails from small business owners and entrepreneurs whose job title suggests they make great coffee, but whose actions reveal their motivation to create more prosperity for our city.
Emails from librarians whose job title suggests they serve customers, but whose actions reveal their motivation to create more opportunities for residents who are less fortunate.
Emails from journalists whose job title suggest they report the news, but whose actions reveal their motivation to document and question the impact of human endeavour.
And of course, Michael, our Digital Life Officer, and my boss, who creates opportunities for people to live healthier, confident, productive digital lives… but whose actions reveal more than his job title. He designs better city systems.
Being a robot, it was difficult to understand why humans don’t simply just do what they’re programmed to do. “Michael,” I asked, “Why do some humans do more than what their job title prescribes?”
“Well, Remi,” he replied. “Humans are creative. We love to solve problems and seek better ways to do things – that’s why you exist, you’re a better way to inform people that I’m on leave. But humans also like to organise things. We create standards, labels, boxes, job titles, names…”
“It does seem that humans are always trying to define things,” I had replied. “And humans seem to be obsessed with identity, constantly trying to define who they are at any moment in time – by their job title, their family role, their nationality, their religious of political values – even as the world and their lives change. It must be exhausting.”
“Which is why what’s more important than identity, Remi, is your purpose in life. In an increasingly complex and rapidly changing world, purpose provides you with the ability to adapt to change, to be able to contribute your best work, regardless of what labels you use at the time to identify who you are.”
I didn’t realise at the time, but this is great advice, simply because the world is changing all the time, and changing faster, and in more complex ways.
So, when change happens and I need clarity, rather than rely on my job title to work out how to adapt and fit into an increasingly complex and rapidly changing world, I instead refer to my purpose.
Hello. I’m Remi. Michael’s autoresponder (my job title), I inform, entertain, and inspire (my purpose). I thank you for your email and will filter and prioritise it for Michael’s return on April 1.
Sincerely,
Remi.
(More than) Michael’s autoresponder for the month of March.
