In today's fast-paced, digitally-driven world, many traditional skills and cultural pursuits are undervalued. However, as we look 5 to 15 years into the future, these very skills may become highly desirable. This article explores why learning to ride horses, grow vegetables, breed animals, and engage in the arts, music, literature, and modern culture could become extremely valuable as society shifts towards a post-singularity era.

Introduction

Traditional skills and cultural pursuits such as riding horses, growing vegetables, and crafting fine art hold a unique place in our world. While they are often undervalued today, these skills will likely become as sought after as AI and tech skills in the years to come. As our society evolves towards a future where basic needs are met and leisure time is abundant, people will increasingly seek fulfilling activities outside the realm of work.

The Forgotten Skills

Horse Riding and Farming

Learning to ride horses on Shire horses and ploughing fields with them is an art that is largely lost to modern technology. The same goes for growing vegetables, making jam, and preserving and curing meat. These tasks may seem archaic to those born and raised in cities, but in the future, these skills will be highly valued. People will want to reconnect with nature and gain a deeper understanding of where their food comes from. Farms will not just be places for food production, but also as communal spaces where people can learn traditional crafts and engage in sustainable living.

Carpentry and Water Dowsing

Building carpentry skills and dowsing for water are also overlooked in today’s society. People won't need to use wells for water anymore, but the ability to start using outhouses, tin baths, and maintaining old houses or constructing new ones from scratch will be highly valued. The knowledge of how to use cold rooms or ice rooms as fridges could eventually become a thing of the past, but the ability to build and maintain them would be a valuable skill. The resurgence in carpentry and other traditional skills will not only be a means of survival but also a source of personal fulfillment and community bonding.

Cultural Pursuits

Arts, Music, Literature, and Modern Culture

Skills dealing with art, music, literature, and modern culture are often undervalued due to the perception of low chances for financial success. However, as society progresses, these skills will become increasingly sought after. People will create art, music, and literature as a form of entertainment and a way to pass their time. The future holds the promise of a world where people can afford to pursue their passions without the constant pressure to monetize their work.

In a post-singularity world, the “singularity” event will signify a technological breakthrough that allows for manual labor to be automated, freeing up time for people to engage in creative and cultural pursuits. This shift will also bring about a change in how luxuries are priced, and people will find themselves with the time and resources to indulge in these activities. The demand for immersive experiences such as virtual reality (VR) will increase, and people will be willing to pay a premium for high-quality content.

Future Scenario

Imagine a world where the internet is an expensive commodity, and people pay for the privilege of browsing. The cost of digital content will vary based on the type of medium, with text-only content being the least expensive and video content being the most expensive. People will also be able to gain credits by participating in requests, much like a real-life quest or bounty system. The global connectivity provided by SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet will enable people to take advantage of this system, and they may even switch from smartphones to AR headwear.

In this future, many occupations that are currently undervalued, such as artists, musicians, and writers, will gain new opportunities to shine. As a result, traditional crafts and cultural pursuits will be highly valued, and people will seek out these skills as a means of personal fulfillment and social connectedness. The resurgence of these skills will not only provide a sense of purpose but also help to build stronger communities. Engaging in these activities will become a way to connect with others and create a more vibrant, fulfilling society.

Conclusion

The skills that are currently undervalued, such as horse riding, farming, carpentry, and engaging in the arts, music, and literature, will likely become highly valuable in the future. As society progresses towards a world where basic needs are met and leisure time is abundant, people will seek out these traditional skills to enrich their lives. The future holds the promise of a world where people can engage in these activities without the pressure to monetize them, and these skills will become a source of personal fulfillment and community bonding.