11/12/2025
I’ve just completed this Paper Clip signet ring for a customer, and found it a surprisingly satisfying piece to make.
When I googled the symbolism of the paper clip I discovered a remarkable history from WW2. They were worn on the lapel in occupied Norway as a secret symbol of resistance. The Norwegian term for a paper clip is binder, so held together. This same symbol of a unified coming together against a common enemy, has been co opted by anti Trump protestors. However when I asked my customer if this was the case, they said they hadn’t heard of this phenomenon, and for them it was a symbol of AI alignment. Further googling on my part revealed why the simple paper clip had come to represent AI alignment. The idea goes that if you set AI the task of making paper clips, the danger might be that it uses all the world metal to make endless paper clips. Who knew the humble paper clip could embody so much meaning.
