The article discusses Ed, a cowboy poet in a small town, who performs as a weeper at funerals amidst growing concerns about job automation. This profession, depicted in a novel by Peter Mendelsund, reflects a historical tradition wherein individuals mourn in public, tapping into deep emotional reservoirs that many people today struggle to access. Mendelsund suggests these weepers possess an innate ability to connect with sorrowful sentiments, contrasting the emotional numbness experienced by modern society. The conversation highlights both the enduring need for human connection and the evolving roles people play in a changing world.
In a world where just about everyone may worry they'll soon be replaced by smart machines, a cowboy poet named Ed has found enduring work.
I think it’s a range. Everybody in this union who does this work has something they’re born with, a talent or a liability.
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