Earlier this week, I (finally) made it to a meeting of the Fort Collins chapter of the Rocky Mountain AI Interest Group (RMAIIG). As I was listening to two truly compelling presentations on AI and security – a bit more about them can be found here – I came face to face with the reason why so many of us in Colorado absolutely love living and working here.
And why do we love it here? The reason was symbolized by a young deer standing right outside our conference room.
Over the several decades that I’ve lived in Colorado, I’ve spent untold hours in conference rooms. And I’ve seen untold numbers of deer, as well. But this was the first time that I saw a deer just outside the door of one of those many conference rooms, a deer looking as if she wanted nothing more than to come in and check out the scene. (To be fair, Andres Sepulveda Morales, founder of the FoCo chapter of RMAIIG, did name the group, "Fort Collins AI for Everyone.")
At any rate, with her appearance, Bambi symbolized the wonderful balance that those of us who live in Colorado have come to expect from the state. We can truly claim the best of both worlds: We have incredibly smart, talented, interesting, and driven people working on pioneering projects and revolutionary tech – and starting new companies at a rate equalled by no other place on the planet – and we also have some of the world's most amazing recreational opportunities just outside our office door.
We can be sitting in a conference room, learning about cutting-edge issues and concerns involving AI and security – and all of a sudden, the beauty and immediacy of the natural world interrupts our focus.
To that point, I suppose I’ve driven or taken the bus home from Denver to Boulder thousands of times over the years. And yet, every single time that I crest that last hill on 36 before the road descends into Boulder Valley, I never fail to take notice of the singular view. The foothills of the Rocky Mountains stretch out across the (very close) horizon, with the taller peaks just behind them, typically snowcapped in winter and sometimes still dusted with white even in August.
Gen Z likes the expression “touch grass” – and so do I. And believe it or not, even though we are here in Colorado, the phrase doesn't refer to reefer (as it used to be called). Instead, it means just what it says: Unplug, disconnect, get outside, and literally touch some grass. Go for a walk or a hike, and keep your eyes peeled for deer, an elk, or even a bald eagle.
It turns out that balance isn’t just about managing time on our calendars. It’s about keeping our eyes open to the world around us. And it’s not just a nice idea – science backs up just how important this is. The American Psychological Association notes that time in nature is linked to improved cognition, mood, and creativity. And Stanford researchers have found that simply walking outdoors can boost creative thinking by as much as 60%.
Note that in the Age of AI, improved cognition and creativity are going to be even more important than before. And, y'know, happiness is kind of important, too.
So, the next time AI – or the world today – feels overwhelming, maybe the best advice is the simplest one: Remember that inspiration, innovation, and happiness often can be found on the other side of the door.
