Ya— I’m hoping by shedding light on some of these emerging trends we can make better choices in the present. Although the topics can be uncomfortable at times
I'm with you; I got your back 100%. We have to wake people up. I learn so much from you, and I spread your message like Crazy... I'm bringing you a book to Investfest. I hope Lew can make sure I meet you. I missed you at Radio City. I went the prior year, I was so mad when I saw you was there. LOL.
Good article - I like how you frame the importance of losing shared ground. However, I worry that we put too much faith in AI literacy to address multiple AI challenges. We've had pushes for things like media literacy (social or traditional) in the past and people still end up in information bubbles. Those who are most engaged and proactive may work to avoid the default state with AI of highly curated experiences, but many others won't. We may have to start asking (and testing approaches for) how society can function reasonably in a "multi-reality" state.
I agree with your assessment, but one thing that concerns me is the men in power combined with the AI machine. Most people lack critical thinking. It's not because they aren't smart or are incapable. It's by design. If you talk to people that seem uninformed but seem knowledgeable in misinformation it's because they are intentionally being misinformed. When you can provide evidence of misinformation to them, the most common response is, well I don't have time to research everything. They are overworked and underpaid. Which when you are, you often times don't have the energy to seek the truth. Now add AI to the mix and misinformation becomes so much more accessible and beleiveable. Most billionaires lack the empathy to resonate with less fortunate people and the regular problems of society on a daily basis. Therefore, they never care about what happens to the rest of us as long as they can build their wealth, which contributes to them holding power. I don't know if this made sense lol, I'm in a packed waiting room for my mother's appointment. As always thank you for helping us understand better.
our current information environment, in particular, is not at all designed for clarity and deep thinking. I recently read Renee DiResta's book: Invisible Rulers, and it was incredibly grounding. She postulates, imagine if social media was designed with the principle: attention is scarce and must be persevered.. instead of today's principle: the more information the better. On the one hand, it does show how much of the challenges we are steeped in are related to human decision making (we can make new decisions!), but unfortunately, most of the key decision makers are solely motivated by profit. The good thing about the AI age we are speeding into is that we learned a lot from social media, people are more alert this time.
Well articulated. The first counterpoint might do all the magic since its components include critical thinking and deliberate awareness and sensitivity to trust and mistrust.
I think AI is just further fragmenting the versions of reality different individuals experience.
Prior to social and the internet it was easier to homogenize what constituted mainstream “reality.” Social media as a phenomenon already allowed for greater fragmentation of worldview and experienced reality. AI just pushes this even further (all the way down to the level of individual simulation, to your point)
If the entire world of experience is relative (again not new, just being revealed in this time), the only place to stand is on a ground of truth, which transcends this world, which is why you see Christianity and seeking God in general on the rise. In my opinion, the next step is either an ascendance towards higher knowledge of ourselves in light of God, or a descent into madness and eventual death of our humanity by merging with machine (as there will be no reason not to, without knowledge of our own divinity)
Would love to know your take on all this!
Really appreciate your thoughtful perspective on these topics Sinead
Yeah, that’s a good point, I wasn’t even thinking about the reputability of the text of the Bible itself. Certainly is the most widely studied and historically sound document that the world has in existence.
Beyond that, at some point, you have to put your faith in something beyond the capacity of your logical mind to fully grasp, or believe that everything is completely relative and thus nothing is true (not a good, or productive place to be).
In my experience, I have not found a better point of orientation for that faith on every level of the stack (example of how to live the highest human life, greatest spiritual truth, way to know and walk with God, etc) than Christ.
So if we are going to pick one cornerstone of ground truth that will not lead us to our own destruction, I think that is a pretty logical place to start
That’s a really interesting frame. Sort of like sports being one of the last vestiges of monoculture, in many ways religion offers protection around what’s true or not. Obviously to say there is a sense of trust and common ground is a bit reductive, but the Bible is pretty fossilized for what it is and thus less susceptible to manipulation vs like a news clips or current events coverage.
Great article! However, I believe we discovered AI not invented it. Meaning, just like the planet earth, what's not human we can't fully control. We have to dance to its rythim the best we can. The history of humanity is forever changing in inexplicable ways - we truly never know what happen to the extremely developed Egyptian Ancient civilization - maybe the encounter the same technological advancements and who knows what that fully meant to them. As we don't know what will fully mean to us. I conclusion, humanity eventually will reach its extinction or exist in a different reality so the new one can begin in this one. Until then maybe we have to foster more and more community and opportunities for humans to connect with each other to balance the AI experience.
This phenomenon does not bode well for the future as you've already identified. How does society and our Republic maintain cohesiveness in light of this trend? I will aim to raise this added concern over on The Long Tomorrow.
Interesting read, thanks for starting this conversation.
I realize that AI is a powerful tool and is able to ‘deceive’ humans’ reality as we know it. However, from the angle of reality, it really is no different than any other experience.
I know this can be controversial but I don’t see a difference between the perceived (and potentially truly real) experience that an individual may have with their religious deity (god) and the emotional experience that people may have with an AI generated band, bot, etc. The experience is true for the individual. Don’t get me wrong, I do think there is a conceptual and spiritual difference between these things, but for the individual, that experience is real because it felt real.
When it comes to AI, and any other tool out there, it is never about the tool itself, but always about the people who use it.
I think AI is an experience in our lifetime that is shining a mirror on humanity collectively. It didn’t just appear, we have ALL been and continue to contribute to this in our own ways. Part of the reason why I also think these conversations are useful is because, hopefully, they help us take a look at ourselves individually and ask ourselves questions. How does the way I use AI impact my life, the lives of those around me, and the collective? because it does, even what you do behind closed doors with it does.
I have worked in internal technology for various companies for over 10 years and my job was always focused on building solutions that would automate but that would be adopted by users. As a result, I have learned to observe individuals and their tendencies as it relates to how they engage with each other and with technology. I find the various ways in which people are using AI fascinating, and I also notice the way in which some of us incorporate these newer, more sophisticated technologies into our lives. How easy it is to trust, to give in, and more importantly how little time we take to reflect.
No matter how we feel individually, we either adapt and try to gain or get used by it. Thank You SB
Ya— I’m hoping by shedding light on some of these emerging trends we can make better choices in the present. Although the topics can be uncomfortable at times
I'm with you; I got your back 100%. We have to wake people up. I learn so much from you, and I spread your message like Crazy... I'm bringing you a book to Investfest. I hope Lew can make sure I meet you. I missed you at Radio City. I went the prior year, I was so mad when I saw you was there. LOL.
Good article - I like how you frame the importance of losing shared ground. However, I worry that we put too much faith in AI literacy to address multiple AI challenges. We've had pushes for things like media literacy (social or traditional) in the past and people still end up in information bubbles. Those who are most engaged and proactive may work to avoid the default state with AI of highly curated experiences, but many others won't. We may have to start asking (and testing approaches for) how society can function reasonably in a "multi-reality" state.
For me I don’t see it as either or. It’s both and:)
I agree with your assessment, but one thing that concerns me is the men in power combined with the AI machine. Most people lack critical thinking. It's not because they aren't smart or are incapable. It's by design. If you talk to people that seem uninformed but seem knowledgeable in misinformation it's because they are intentionally being misinformed. When you can provide evidence of misinformation to them, the most common response is, well I don't have time to research everything. They are overworked and underpaid. Which when you are, you often times don't have the energy to seek the truth. Now add AI to the mix and misinformation becomes so much more accessible and beleiveable. Most billionaires lack the empathy to resonate with less fortunate people and the regular problems of society on a daily basis. Therefore, they never care about what happens to the rest of us as long as they can build their wealth, which contributes to them holding power. I don't know if this made sense lol, I'm in a packed waiting room for my mother's appointment. As always thank you for helping us understand better.
our current information environment, in particular, is not at all designed for clarity and deep thinking. I recently read Renee DiResta's book: Invisible Rulers, and it was incredibly grounding. She postulates, imagine if social media was designed with the principle: attention is scarce and must be persevered.. instead of today's principle: the more information the better. On the one hand, it does show how much of the challenges we are steeped in are related to human decision making (we can make new decisions!), but unfortunately, most of the key decision makers are solely motivated by profit. The good thing about the AI age we are speeding into is that we learned a lot from social media, people are more alert this time.
Chilling article! And in a weird sense, both eye opening and grounding at the same time. Thank you for all your insights!!
Thank you! I know.. it’s a lot to think about. But we have time to get out ahead of it. We just need to start moving😬
Well articulated. The first counterpoint might do all the magic since its components include critical thinking and deliberate awareness and sensitivity to trust and mistrust.
Thank you!
I think AI is just further fragmenting the versions of reality different individuals experience.
Prior to social and the internet it was easier to homogenize what constituted mainstream “reality.” Social media as a phenomenon already allowed for greater fragmentation of worldview and experienced reality. AI just pushes this even further (all the way down to the level of individual simulation, to your point)
If the entire world of experience is relative (again not new, just being revealed in this time), the only place to stand is on a ground of truth, which transcends this world, which is why you see Christianity and seeking God in general on the rise. In my opinion, the next step is either an ascendance towards higher knowledge of ourselves in light of God, or a descent into madness and eventual death of our humanity by merging with machine (as there will be no reason not to, without knowledge of our own divinity)
Would love to know your take on all this!
Really appreciate your thoughtful perspective on these topics Sinead
Yeah, that’s a good point, I wasn’t even thinking about the reputability of the text of the Bible itself. Certainly is the most widely studied and historically sound document that the world has in existence.
Beyond that, at some point, you have to put your faith in something beyond the capacity of your logical mind to fully grasp, or believe that everything is completely relative and thus nothing is true (not a good, or productive place to be).
In my experience, I have not found a better point of orientation for that faith on every level of the stack (example of how to live the highest human life, greatest spiritual truth, way to know and walk with God, etc) than Christ.
So if we are going to pick one cornerstone of ground truth that will not lead us to our own destruction, I think that is a pretty logical place to start
That’s a really interesting frame. Sort of like sports being one of the last vestiges of monoculture, in many ways religion offers protection around what’s true or not. Obviously to say there is a sense of trust and common ground is a bit reductive, but the Bible is pretty fossilized for what it is and thus less susceptible to manipulation vs like a news clips or current events coverage.
Great article! However, I believe we discovered AI not invented it. Meaning, just like the planet earth, what's not human we can't fully control. We have to dance to its rythim the best we can. The history of humanity is forever changing in inexplicable ways - we truly never know what happen to the extremely developed Egyptian Ancient civilization - maybe the encounter the same technological advancements and who knows what that fully meant to them. As we don't know what will fully mean to us. I conclusion, humanity eventually will reach its extinction or exist in a different reality so the new one can begin in this one. Until then maybe we have to foster more and more community and opportunities for humans to connect with each other to balance the AI experience.
This phenomenon does not bode well for the future as you've already identified. How does society and our Republic maintain cohesiveness in light of this trend? I will aim to raise this added concern over on The Long Tomorrow.
https://thelongtomorrow.substack.com/
Interesting read, thanks for starting this conversation.
I realize that AI is a powerful tool and is able to ‘deceive’ humans’ reality as we know it. However, from the angle of reality, it really is no different than any other experience.
I know this can be controversial but I don’t see a difference between the perceived (and potentially truly real) experience that an individual may have with their religious deity (god) and the emotional experience that people may have with an AI generated band, bot, etc. The experience is true for the individual. Don’t get me wrong, I do think there is a conceptual and spiritual difference between these things, but for the individual, that experience is real because it felt real.
When it comes to AI, and any other tool out there, it is never about the tool itself, but always about the people who use it.
I think AI is an experience in our lifetime that is shining a mirror on humanity collectively. It didn’t just appear, we have ALL been and continue to contribute to this in our own ways. Part of the reason why I also think these conversations are useful is because, hopefully, they help us take a look at ourselves individually and ask ourselves questions. How does the way I use AI impact my life, the lives of those around me, and the collective? because it does, even what you do behind closed doors with it does.
I have worked in internal technology for various companies for over 10 years and my job was always focused on building solutions that would automate but that would be adopted by users. As a result, I have learned to observe individuals and their tendencies as it relates to how they engage with each other and with technology. I find the various ways in which people are using AI fascinating, and I also notice the way in which some of us incorporate these newer, more sophisticated technologies into our lives. How easy it is to trust, to give in, and more importantly how little time we take to reflect.