This assignment helped me connect abstract ideas from mythology to my own experience with modern technology. At first, the concept of hubris and nemesis felt distant, something tied more to storytelling than to everyday life. However, as I worked through the prompt, I began to see how these patterns still apply, particularly in my relationship with digital tools and artificial intelligence. Using AI during the writing process helped me organize these connections and move from general ideas to a more focused analysis.
One of the most helpful aspects of working with AI was its ability to support structure. It allowed me to take a broad concept—such as hubris—and break it into specific elements that I could relate to my own habits. This made it easier to move beyond simply retelling the myth and instead use it as a lens for interpretation, which reflects what we emphasized in class about applying ideas rather than just describing them.
At the same time, I became more aware of the need to guide the process intentionally. AI could help generate structure and clarify language, but it did not determine the meaning of the argument. I had to decide how the myth connected to my own experience and what aspects were most relevant. This reinforced a key idea from the course: that technology can support thinking, but it does not replace human judgment or interpretation.
This assignment also changed how I think about efficiency and productivity in relation to technology. I began to see that the desire to optimize everything can come with unintended consequences. This directly connects to the concept of hubris, where more is assumed to be better without considering limits. Through this process, I recognized the importance of maintaining balance and awareness when using powerful tools.
Overall, this experience helped me see that ideas from mythology are not just historical or symbolic, but still relevant to modern life. It also reinforced a broader lesson from the course: that technology reflects human choices, and those choices require ongoing reflection. By applying the myth of Midas to my own use of technology, I was able to better understand both its benefits and its potential costs.