Esteban Plazibat / Wall Street Journal / The High Cost of Thinking for Free

The Wall Street Journal commissioned Esteban Plazibat to create an illustration for the article “The High Cost of Thinking for Free”, written by Sarah Tucker. The article recounts the experience of an author who was invited to speak to financial-sector executives about artificial intelligence and lateral thinking. Despite sharing valuable knowledge and insights during an extensive session, she later discovered that she would not be compensated, as her participation had been considered an opportunity for “exposure.” Through this experience, the article reflects on the importance of recognizing, valuing, and defending the economic worth of intellectual and creative work, particularly in an era shaped by artificial intelligence and evolving perceptions of knowledge and expertise.

Art Director: CAITLIN CHOI