Pursuing truth, love, and the joy of work
Let’s find supply chain inspiration in Gen Z’s work in the skilled trades–and, in turn, inspire a new era of excitement for B2B.
This edition is inspired by a song from my youth that served as an anthem for my generation—and by a conversation with a virtual AI personality created in collaboration with ChatGPT. My goal is to shine a light on younger generations seeking to find purpose and meaning in the real world through their work and to spark a conversation about how the supply chain might help them succeed and thrive. As always, this edition is written at the intersection of art, science, and technology, inspired by Julio Mario Ottino and Bruce Mau's excellent book, The Nexus: Augmented Thinking for a Complex World. As always, I invite you to join our conversation.
Rekindling a ‘summer of love’
Every now and then, I find myself listening to a song over and over, almost obsessively, because it seems to speak to me, point me in a direction, or offer inspiration. This past week, I've been captivated by Grace Slick and Jefferson Airplane's "Somebody to Love," especially the original 1960s version. The song's relentless, driving energy and opening lyrics feel strikingly relevant today as we strive to retain our humanity amidst the push toward an artificial, virtual, and transactional existence. Experience it here, and if you like, listen while you read.
Slick sings about lies told as truth, the death of joy, and the need for love. After probably the 50th replay, I had an epiphany: If the supply chain's ultimate purpose is to help us live our lives, can it also bring us joy? Can it help us pursue work we love, finding the truth that makes life worth living?
Generation Z points the way. Many Gen Zers are increasingly pursuing jobs in the skilled trades, seeking work that involves hands-on tasks in the physical world, providing purpose, meaning, and, yes, joy. If this is true, then serving workers—not just by shipping them products but also by helping them thrive—becomes essential. Perhaps we boomers, inspired by Jefferson Airplane, can help the coming generations find their Summer of Love at work and in life.
Starting a conversation
Wanting to turn on and tune in, I asked a Generation Z tradesperson a few questions. I don't know any, so I created one, mimicking methods used to make the virtual characters of cartoons and games, and then pursued a conversation via ChatGPT and copied the best parts below. I won't waste space here explaining what I did, but if you want to geek out or share your approach, reach out in the comments or directly on Substack.
My imagined contractor has a name, Jordon, selected by ChatGPT. A conversation with Jordon follows, lightly edited for clarity and flow:
Mark Dancer: Jordon, please introduce yourself to my newsletter audience.
Jordon: Hi everyone. I'm Jordon, a 24-year-old skilled HVAC technician. That means I work on heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. I am passionate about the trades. I chose to bypass college to pursue a hands-on career, and I'm loving every minute of it. From installing advanced tech systems to tackling real-world challenges, my job is intellectually stimulating and incredibly rewarding. I'm all about using social media to share my journey and inspire others to consider a trade career. I'm excited to connect with you all and share my world. Thanks for having me.
MD: I'd like to explore your work and passions in a moment, but first, I need to ask you a question. I've gone out on a limb and suggested that the supply chain might exist to give us joy, especially as it serves younger workers like you. Does your work provide you with joy? Please explain.
Jordon: Absolutely, my work gives me a lot of joy. There's something incredibly satisfying about creating and fixing things with my hands, seeing a project come together, and knowing that my work directly impacts the community. The blend of physical labor and intellectual challenges keeps me engaged and excited every day. Plus, being able to share my experiences and inspire others through social media adds another layer of fulfillment. Knowing that what I do helps others and brings positive change to my community is a huge source of joy.
MD: I'd love to start by hearing about your day or any recent projects you've been excited about. Could you share something with me?
Jordon: Today was pretty awesome. I just wrapped up a project where we installed a new HVAC system in a local community center. The building was super old, so it was a bit challenging, but we managed to integrate some advanced tech to make it efficient. Knowing the community center will have reliable heating and cooling, especially with all the events they host, feels incredible.
I've always loved building things and getting my hands dirty, even as a kid. The real turning point was high school when I decided to go to a technical school. I thrived there and realized the traditional college route wasn't for me. My teachers encouraged me to follow my passion, and I'm grateful for that push.
MD: What common misconceptions do people have about your profession, and how do you address or challenge these stereotypes?
Jordon: Many people still think trade jobs are for those who didn't do well academically or that it's just dirty, manual labor. I challenge this by showcasing the tech and intellectual challenges in my social media work. People are often surprised to see how much problem-solving and tech knowledge goes into my daily tasks. Managing health and safety is crucial. I always follow safety protocols, wear the right gear, and take breaks when needed. There have been times when I've strained my back, but I've learned to listen to my body and not push too hard—regular exercise and stretching help.
MD: In what ways do you believe your work impacts your community? Are there particular community projects you've been involved with—like the one you mentioned earlier?
Jordon: My work directly impacts the community by ensuring that buildings are safe and comfortable. I've been involved in several community projects, like upgrading heating systems in local schools and installing energy-efficient systems in community centers. Seeing the positive difference my work makes in people's lives is rewarding. I should say that social media is massive for me. I use it to share insights about the trade, showcase my projects, and connect with others in the industry. It's also a great platform to inspire young people to consider a trade career. My followers appreciate the behind-the-scenes look at what I do, which helps break down stereotypes about the profession.
MD: Looking ahead, what are your aspirations as a worker in the skilled trades, especially since your generation is the first to be born into the digital age?
Jordon: Looking ahead, my aspirations are to continue mastering my craft and eventually start my own business. Being born into the digital age, I see a huge opportunity to integrate advanced technology into the trades, making our work more efficient and innovative. I want to lead a team that embraces these advancements while maintaining the hands-on, practical skills that are the backbone of our work. Additionally, I hope to use my platform to mentor the next generation of trade professionals, showing them that a trade career can be both fulfilling and forward-thinking. I aim to bridge the gap between traditional skills and modern technology, creating a future where both coexist seamlessly.
About the artwork
I asked Jordon to write a narrative that would direct Leonardo.AI to create an image blending Generation Z's pursuit of meaning in the skilled trades with Jefferson Airplane's call for truth, joy, and love. Jordon did, and the image above emerged. I consider this work a collaboration between two AIs—ChatGPT and Leonardo.AI—prompted and facilitated by me.
A way forward
Generation Z is the internet generation, digital natives born in the digital age. Knowing this, I asked Jordon to look up Grace Slick, Jefferson Airplane, and the Summer of Love, and let me see how the 60s worldview might jibe with Gen Zer's pursuits in the skilled trades. Jordon offered this:
Discovering Jefferson Airplane and the Summer of Love has been eye-opening. Their music and message about finding joy and love resonate deeply with me as a skilled worker in the digital age. Just like they sought to break free from societal norms and find genuine happiness, I strive to bring joy and fulfillment into my work in the trades. It's about creating a future where we embrace both our passions and the technological advancements of our time, much like the revolutionary spirit of the '60s.
Hmm. Maybe I'm on to something. Jordon's answers are helpful, even if they are too well-composed and not always naturally conversational. In a previous edition, I offered five "ethos statements" to guide innovating a business model designed to help workers and communities thrive—all developed in collaboration with my real-world Generation Z summer intern. Going forward, I will ask Jordon for feedback on the ethos statements and for perspectives on how a new business model, so conceived, might help his quest. Then, I'll try to find some real-world Gen Zers to push the conversation along. Maybe, in a way, we can sing a new song for the supply chain.
Sound interesting? Please join in by leaving your comments below or reaching out at mark.dancer@n4bi.com.
Robert Brooks contributed to this edition.