At work, I make decisions easily, but when it comes to other things, I usually I like to talk it out. Over the last several months, I’ve been working on a garage project in the side yard of my house. It’s been a design-build type of process, which is just a fancy way of saying we’re making decisions as we go along. It’s both rewarding and frustrating. Acting as the pseudo-general contractor has its perks - I can shape things exactly the way I want them - but it also has its challenges.
It’s easy to scroll through Pinterest, browse Google images, or flip through magazines to find ideas. We’ve all done it - typed in “garage design,” “small office layout,” or “best flooring options,” and let the algorithm flood us with beautiful, curated images. I’m no different, but when it comes down to actually choosing a paint color, flooring, or lighting, I always end up asking the same question: “Well, what do you think?”
Whether it’s my wife, a friend, a contractor, or a family member, I find myself seeking someone else’s opinion before making any final decisions. Even if I’ve done all the research and think I know the answer, there’s something about hearing another person’s perspective that feels validating. It’s that little nudge that confirms you’re on the right track ormaybe challenges you to see things differently.
Lately, I’ve been thinking about this in the broader context of how artificial intelligence is reshaping the way we make decisions. There’s a lot of talk about how automation is going to take over everything that doesn’t require a physical, on-site presence. If a job doesn’t absolutely need a person standing there to do it, chances are it’s going to change. Machines and algorithms can offer instant suggestions on everything from color palettes to financial investments. In fact, during this garage project, I could easily have typed into some AI platform: “Here’s my budget, here’s the room size, give me the best xyz options.” And in a few seconds, I’d have a whole host of choices, complete with colors, finishes, and fixtures that all go together.
And that’s incredibly helpful. There’s a place for AI-generated suggestions and the convenience they offer, but even with all those options at my fingertips, I still find myself turning to people I trust and asking, “Well, what do you think?” While AI can offer options, it can’t offer the kind of validation and connection that comes from another human being.
This question - “Well, what do you think?” - isn’tjust about garages or home projects. It comes up in all kinds of decisions: investments, insurance policies, vacation rentals, restaurant choices, even whether or not to trust AI itself.
Sure, we’ll adapt to a world where AI and automation play a bigger role in how we make choices, but I believe we’ll always want that second opinion from another person. We’resocial creatures, and we thrive on human connection. There’s something reassuring about knowing that someone you trust - someone whose opinion you value - sees the world in a similar way or can offer a different perspective.
That’s why we have bustling cities, busy neighborhoods, and vibrant communities. That’s why we gather in places, whether it’s for work, worship, or fun. We might like a little alone time now and then, but very few people want to be completely alone forever. We’re meant to connect. We’re meant to ask each other, “Well, what do you think?”
So, today’s blog is really just an observation about how that simple question shapes so much of what we do. Who do you turn to for a second opinion? Who do you trust to validate your ideas and help you see things in a new way? Can you imagine a time when you wouldn’t need that - when you’d rely only on algorithms and never on another person’s gut feeling?
I’m not sure that time will ever come, not fully. At the end of the day, we’re not just looking for information or data, we’re looking for connection. We’re looking for that human validation that says, “I see what you’re doing. I get it. I think you’re on the right track.”
As you’re making your next decision - big or small - pause for a second and ask someone you trust: “well, what do you think?” You might be surprised how much that one question can shape the outcome.
Mark J Modzeleski, CFS, CLTC, AIF
President, Legacy Wealth Advisors of NY