I think there are many on-point thoughts in here. Differentions between American English and UK English have greatly decreased over the last 30 years as have many cultural habits homogenized across the planet, but also think there are many differences between the internet and the human brain/identity while maintaining significant crossover. Man’s desire for commercialization and control over others are not something yet really naturally occurring on the internet or AI but neither is the desire to cure diseases. Also there is a propensity in many humans for non conformity whether it be coming up with alternate uses for existing protocols or even political decension. Will there still be room for some degree of human control as technology develops further? Will there be considerations for anyone who doesn’t fit the overwhelming majority of society (ie disabled). I’d like to think so but I’m not sure. Will society evolve to a more utopian place where people only work minimally and have all possible needs handled for them by the AI “gods”? Obviously a lot of complex questions but I’m sure that’s part of why you’re writing. Of course, will the other reasons you’re doing this continue to be a significant motivator for personal expression?
I like how meta this conversation is. I share your concerns about individuals being left behind, and not just disabled or differently abled folks. I'm thinking about the overwhelming majority of folks who, in the short term, are not going to participate in any meaningful way in the next year of rapid change. I think those who bury their heads and refuse to participate will be quickly left behind by those who don't. This is only going to exacerbate wealth and income inequality, at least in the short term. Can we even make it past that phase? I sure hope so.
I also agree that the "Internet is conscious" meme is flawed but useful. Let's keep the metaphor going in our heads for a few more months as this thing evolves; if nothing else, it's another lens through which to try and understand what may be the most important thing to happen in our lives.
Honestly I’m most worried about the transition period as people learn to adapt to working with new technology and their roles with tasks. Many will lose their occupations as they know it though I believe roles with similar skills will still exist but most people don’t handle change well. As you pointed out, those aware of what might likely come are poised to have the least stress.
What I'm trying to say is: I think that the folks who are left behind are not just going to miss out on work or get laid off; they're going to be truly left behind by the rest (minority?) of humanity. There's going to be no keeping up at a certain point.
I think we might be really close to a point of no return, of merge or go extinct. I don't know if we're already here, or if we'll be here in a few months or in a few years, but if I had to guess, I'd guess much sooner rather than later.
Wow. That’s more dystopian than I would’ve thought you’d be. For me it depends on how fast technology develops. The slower the better chance for everyone imo. Maybe?
Absolutely; society needs time to adjust to the new technology as it rolls out. I just don't think society is going to get a chance this time! I also think that, for folks who are using autonomous agents and taking full advantage of the opportunities they have, there will be a critical mass of folks who run with this, making agents (or perhaps some related technology) proprietary and expensive. Imagine having a virtual personal assistant who can go out into the world and generate $100,000 in a year for you. I bet you'd pay a lot of money for that... and of course, the "haves" who have agents will be able to generate money. I'm worried about that virtuous/vicious cycle that keeps a very small number of folks rich and powerful, and the distance between them and everyone else gets wider and wider. I think we already see this happening today.
Sure, the bottom 80% of the world is largely better off than they were 30 years ago. Life expectancy is higher, and extreme poverty is much lower now. But the wealth gap has widened tremendously, and it may be approaching insurmountability.
Yes, it seems you have made the connection. Perhaps you might go deeper to find if it was made out of fear or something else…
I think there are many on-point thoughts in here. Differentions between American English and UK English have greatly decreased over the last 30 years as have many cultural habits homogenized across the planet, but also think there are many differences between the internet and the human brain/identity while maintaining significant crossover. Man’s desire for commercialization and control over others are not something yet really naturally occurring on the internet or AI but neither is the desire to cure diseases. Also there is a propensity in many humans for non conformity whether it be coming up with alternate uses for existing protocols or even political decension. Will there still be room for some degree of human control as technology develops further? Will there be considerations for anyone who doesn’t fit the overwhelming majority of society (ie disabled). I’d like to think so but I’m not sure. Will society evolve to a more utopian place where people only work minimally and have all possible needs handled for them by the AI “gods”? Obviously a lot of complex questions but I’m sure that’s part of why you’re writing. Of course, will the other reasons you’re doing this continue to be a significant motivator for personal expression?
I like how meta this conversation is. I share your concerns about individuals being left behind, and not just disabled or differently abled folks. I'm thinking about the overwhelming majority of folks who, in the short term, are not going to participate in any meaningful way in the next year of rapid change. I think those who bury their heads and refuse to participate will be quickly left behind by those who don't. This is only going to exacerbate wealth and income inequality, at least in the short term. Can we even make it past that phase? I sure hope so.
I also agree that the "Internet is conscious" meme is flawed but useful. Let's keep the metaphor going in our heads for a few more months as this thing evolves; if nothing else, it's another lens through which to try and understand what may be the most important thing to happen in our lives.
Honestly I’m most worried about the transition period as people learn to adapt to working with new technology and their roles with tasks. Many will lose their occupations as they know it though I believe roles with similar skills will still exist but most people don’t handle change well. As you pointed out, those aware of what might likely come are poised to have the least stress.
What I'm trying to say is: I think that the folks who are left behind are not just going to miss out on work or get laid off; they're going to be truly left behind by the rest (minority?) of humanity. There's going to be no keeping up at a certain point.
I think we might be really close to a point of no return, of merge or go extinct. I don't know if we're already here, or if we'll be here in a few months or in a few years, but if I had to guess, I'd guess much sooner rather than later.
Wow. That’s more dystopian than I would’ve thought you’d be. For me it depends on how fast technology develops. The slower the better chance for everyone imo. Maybe?
Absolutely; society needs time to adjust to the new technology as it rolls out. I just don't think society is going to get a chance this time! I also think that, for folks who are using autonomous agents and taking full advantage of the opportunities they have, there will be a critical mass of folks who run with this, making agents (or perhaps some related technology) proprietary and expensive. Imagine having a virtual personal assistant who can go out into the world and generate $100,000 in a year for you. I bet you'd pay a lot of money for that... and of course, the "haves" who have agents will be able to generate money. I'm worried about that virtuous/vicious cycle that keeps a very small number of folks rich and powerful, and the distance between them and everyone else gets wider and wider. I think we already see this happening today.
Sure, the bottom 80% of the world is largely better off than they were 30 years ago. Life expectancy is higher, and extreme poverty is much lower now. But the wealth gap has widened tremendously, and it may be approaching insurmountability.