Is originality becoming a remix game?
Lately, I’ve been reflecting on how AI’s training on the past shapes what it creates — and how that might be shaping us, too.
It feels worth questioning because:
AI thrives on patterns,
It’s built to remix what already exists,
“New” ideas now often start with a prompt, not a blank slate,
And we’re all starting to think in templates.
I wonder:
What does “original” even mean when everything is built on everything else?
Question for thinkers and creators:
How do you push past the remix and make something that feels truly your own? 🎨
Replies
In my opinion, I’ve always come to see originality as more of a personal remix than a true blank slate. In my experience—even before AI—I was always pulling inspiration from Dribbble, Behance, real-world interactions, then filtering those bits through my own taste, intent, and constraints. To me, creativity has always been about spotting patterns, making judgment calls, and giving something a new spin.
AI hasn’t really upended that principle—it’s just made the remix cycle faster and more accessible. Sure, I can ask a model to spit out layouts or copy in seconds, but I still need to choose what fits, toss what doesn’t, and weave it all into something that feels like my voice. So if I’m trying to push past the remix, I lean into the things AI can’t replicate: my personal constraints, aesthetic judgments, the stories I want to tell. That’s where I feel something truly my own can emerge.
What do you think? :)
Kalyxa
@shemetsberger I really like the way you put it.
AI might speed things up, but it’s still on us to shape the final outcome. Personal taste and judgment are where the real originality shows up. Definitely made me think a bit deeper too.