Therapist Identifies 'Care Crash' as AI's Impact on Work Motivation
A licensed clinical social worker and Certified IFS Therapist, Matthew Willner, has identified a new phenomenon he terms the 'Care Crash,' which he attributes to the widespread adoption of AI in various industries. Willner observes that while AI is often promoted as a tool for increased productivity, it frequently leads to an increase in workload rather than a reduction. This shift has resulted in a collective indifference among workers, particularly men, who feel that their competence no longer matters and that meaning has drained from their careers. Unlike burnout, which is characterized by depletion, the 'Care Crash' is described as divestment, where the ability to care remains intact but the perceived return on that care has diminished. Workers, who were once taught that investing effort in their careers would lead to wealth, stability, and goal achievement, are now finding that going above and beyond no longer protects their jobs, leading them to quietly stop investing emotional energy.
