My recent journey to Palembang, the capital of South Sumatra, offered a powerful glimpse into a future not dominated by algorithms, but defined by human connection.
I had been invited to teach a yoga class, an opportunity that arose not from a corporate booking, but from a simple, human interaction on social media.
A follower’s question in my TikTok live stream blossomed into a direct message, which led to a phone call from a local yoga teacher, and culminated in my visit to Okami Fitness.
This chain of events, sparked by genuine engagement, set the stage for a profound lesson in resilience.
During my time there, the gym owner who invited me shared an insightful perspective on the local fitness landscape.
He explained how homegrown brands like his were successfully carving out a space alongside international franchises.
His success, however, was not rooted in undercutting prices or flashy marketing.
The cornerstone of his business was a deliberate and authentic focus on building a strong community.
The gym was more than a place for physical exercise; it was a social hub.
Members greeted each other like family, creating an atmosphere of mutual support and belonging.
This loyalty, he understood, was his most valuable and non-negotiable asset, built on ethical practices and positive relationships with both clients and staff.
As one of his employees drove me to the airport, I asked how long he had been working at Okami Fitness. He said, “Been working there for 3 years…” That means he has been working there since the opening of the gym.
I asked further what made him stay that long. “It’s the owner. He’s very understanding and nice,” the employee told me. He handed me several kilos of pempek, which I can never eat on my own.
This experience in Palembang resonated deeply as I considered the global anxieties surrounding artificial intelligence.
In an era preoccupied with job scarcity and automation, the fitness industry—and more importantly, the community it fosters—stands as a compelling bastion of humanity.
While AI can optimize workout plans or analyze form through a camera, it cannot replicate the empathetic encouragement of a human trainer, the shared struggle of a group class, or the spontaneous camaraderie that turns acquaintances into friends.
The fear that AI will render us obsolete is, at its core, a fear of becoming dispensable to one another.
The true end of humanity would not be a robotic takeover, but a world where we no longer need each other.
Our innate longing for connection, for the exchange of feelings, thoughts, and encouragement, is our fundamental defense against such a hollow future.
The lesson from Palembang is a blueprint for thriving in this new age. It is not enough to simply possess a skill; one must weave that skill into the fabric of a community.
I manage several communities myself—across social media platforms, a book club, and a local website. These networks may not generate instant wealth, but they generate something more critical: trust, interaction, and mutual support.
Human connection inherently entails exchange—of ideas, skills, empathy, and, yes, financial resources.
By focusing on how we can help our community thrive, we shift from a transactional mindset (“selling a service”) to a relational one (“growing together”). In this model, success is collective.
Ultimately, surviving the “AI storm” requires a humility that technology lacks. It demands that we keep our egos in check and prioritize the trust and well-being of the people within our circles.
We are not solitary figures standing against the tide, but integral elements of a larger whole.
The key is to treat others with the respect and kindness we seek for ourselves.
The more genuine connections we nurture, the more resilient we become, creating a network of support capable of weathering any crisis.
At the end of the day, the most promising technology we have is not artificial intelligence, but the enduring, unautomated power of the human heart, beating in concert with others.
How about you? Do you have a community or are you part of a community? (*/)
P.S.: I wrote the draft and AI helped me sharpen my argument.
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