Your essay reminds me of my app that sent weekly empathy messages through Slack to development team members. Just a little special something to get them through the week. Thought it would change the world. Maybe in fiction 🤪
I really appreciated this, Ben. I feel as though I don't have anywhere near enough of a decent understanding of AI's true capabilities to have a solid opinion, though I find myself veering towards a hesitant and uneasy feeling about it--largely because, I think, it seems so distant from the things that I trust most (eg. death, birds, the natural world) but I appreciate that AI grew out of the natural world in the same way that I did, fundamentally. I think that whatever happens, having positive visions of the potential outcome to hold is vital. So I'm grateful for you creating that, here.
You know what, I really love this, Ben - I think like any tool or technology, we can invest it with the best or the worst of us, and we usually do both. Why not imagine a world where AI follows a protocol based in nurturing rather than destruction? If we can dream it, we can do it. I'm reminded of Data and Lor from Star Trek NG (we are just finishing up watching all seven seasons) - the two sides of that coin.
I'm down with this, Ben. It's hopeful. It's a great exploration of an ideal, and a believable one, too.
I'm tempted to say a version of such a chip was invented a good while ago -- a little pill with four capital letters that brought nothing but love for others -- that, sadly, became illegal.
When I was about five years old, I had a Teddy bear. I had it with me all the time, especially at night when it helped protect me from the monsters under the bed.
I also had two loving parents who really did protect me. Not from mythical monsters, but from real life issues. They guided me and my three siblings. They did a helluva job, if I do say so.
Today, my Teddy bear is a fond memory, but how my parents raised me is the basis for who I am.
While AI has great advantages as a tool, too many people think of it as their Teddy bear, there to protect them from mythical monsters. Whatever 2030 or 2050 is like, it won't be so very much better as a result of software, regardless of how advanced it becomes.
It seems a little specious to speculate about the future. Let's speculate occasionally about the past. How was it then? How did we get from then to now? Are our lives better now than then? In what ways is life worse?
Coincidentally, I've recently written an essay that discusses some of that. I'll release it in about a week.
There is no sure way to predict the future. Did the Wright brothers envision today's air travel? They couldn't have. Did Alexander Graham Bell envision cell phones and all their apps? Not a chance. We can accurately predict very little. Don't stress too much about it. The Wrights and Bell had no clue the extent of the advantages they would bring to us, yet here we are.
Technology advances exponentially, yet we are still the same people. A hundred years from now, we will STILL be the same people. If we can all tell the difference between a Teddy bear and real love and compassion, we will probably be all right. But if we mistake ideologies, software, and fetishes for reality, if we let them set our direction, we are headed off a cliff.
This a wonderful exploration, Ben, and what's interesting is I've thought about this very thing. Mental health treatment is expensive and complicated and AI could help in significant ways. It won't replace human connection, but it could make it more attainable for those that struggle. Thanks for sharing!
Your essay reminds me of my app that sent weekly empathy messages through Slack to development team members. Just a little special something to get them through the week. Thought it would change the world. Maybe in fiction 🤪
I really appreciated this, Ben. I feel as though I don't have anywhere near enough of a decent understanding of AI's true capabilities to have a solid opinion, though I find myself veering towards a hesitant and uneasy feeling about it--largely because, I think, it seems so distant from the things that I trust most (eg. death, birds, the natural world) but I appreciate that AI grew out of the natural world in the same way that I did, fundamentally. I think that whatever happens, having positive visions of the potential outcome to hold is vital. So I'm grateful for you creating that, here.
I'm a big fan of your mind, Ben. And the heart that keeps it turning.
You know what, I really love this, Ben - I think like any tool or technology, we can invest it with the best or the worst of us, and we usually do both. Why not imagine a world where AI follows a protocol based in nurturing rather than destruction? If we can dream it, we can do it. I'm reminded of Data and Lor from Star Trek NG (we are just finishing up watching all seven seasons) - the two sides of that coin.
I love the idea that this empathy chip could have the power to change the world for the betterment of all humankind. Like you said, a girl can dream!
Love this. Sounds like, in a way, the chip makes us kids again--each with our own imaginary friend. Reminds me of the power of childhood.
I'm down with this, Ben. It's hopeful. It's a great exploration of an ideal, and a believable one, too.
I'm tempted to say a version of such a chip was invented a good while ago -- a little pill with four capital letters that brought nothing but love for others -- that, sadly, became illegal.
Thanks, Ben, for your illustration.
When I was about five years old, I had a Teddy bear. I had it with me all the time, especially at night when it helped protect me from the monsters under the bed.
I also had two loving parents who really did protect me. Not from mythical monsters, but from real life issues. They guided me and my three siblings. They did a helluva job, if I do say so.
Today, my Teddy bear is a fond memory, but how my parents raised me is the basis for who I am.
While AI has great advantages as a tool, too many people think of it as their Teddy bear, there to protect them from mythical monsters. Whatever 2030 or 2050 is like, it won't be so very much better as a result of software, regardless of how advanced it becomes.
It seems a little specious to speculate about the future. Let's speculate occasionally about the past. How was it then? How did we get from then to now? Are our lives better now than then? In what ways is life worse?
Coincidentally, I've recently written an essay that discusses some of that. I'll release it in about a week.
There is no sure way to predict the future. Did the Wright brothers envision today's air travel? They couldn't have. Did Alexander Graham Bell envision cell phones and all their apps? Not a chance. We can accurately predict very little. Don't stress too much about it. The Wrights and Bell had no clue the extent of the advantages they would bring to us, yet here we are.
Technology advances exponentially, yet we are still the same people. A hundred years from now, we will STILL be the same people. If we can all tell the difference between a Teddy bear and real love and compassion, we will probably be all right. But if we mistake ideologies, software, and fetishes for reality, if we let them set our direction, we are headed off a cliff.
This a wonderful exploration, Ben, and what's interesting is I've thought about this very thing. Mental health treatment is expensive and complicated and AI could help in significant ways. It won't replace human connection, but it could make it more attainable for those that struggle. Thanks for sharing!
I’m sad you didn’t win. Yours was def my favorite.