The author expresses a deep sense of fulfillment derived from personal creation, contrasting it with work initiated but executed by others, particularly with AI.

As a "Gen-X hacker" with extensive industry and academic experience, the author acknowledges the ongoing "AI dev schism," recognizing shifts in skillsets like loss of craft and gain of high-level problem-solving. However, a more profound discomfort arises from the feeling of not having "made" something when AI is involved, even when initiating the project. This is distinct from managing a team, where the author would attribute creation to "my team."

The author shares examples of personal projects, including a rebuilt deck, a science fiction excerpt, art, and a TUI roguelike game, which provide a sense of accomplishment. In contrast, AI-generated content, including code generated by Claude, does not evoke the same pride, leading the author to feel more comfortable with an "Unlicense" approach for such work. The author emphasizes that while initiating projects with AI is a form of doing, it lacks the personal making that brings true fulfillment.