Memories of Earth
We are the wizards our grandkids are looking for
I’ve always believed that each new generation gets from their environment what they will need to navigate civilization as adults. No matter how alienated I am by their teenage fads, by their music and by the technology they use, these things are somehow preparing them for the future.
I might be wrong about this, but it’s been comforting.
This week I emailed my grandson pictures of current teen trends that I found on the internet, and asked which he was interested in. He liked the BragMen fitness center. The description says,
Inspired by the iconic series, it is set to open in Tokyo and is … a unique space that honors the different adventures from the series in the now 13th compiled volume. Notably, it also has a point system to encourage training and a pirate school for the youth.
Another he chose is an easy entry for me into kids’ technology world, the “Power Idolz” wireless chargers by Numskull Design, shown below.
Each charging dock features an anthropomorphic packaging figure that will securely hold your phone upright as it charges. … They are all ‘10w fast charger[s] for extra fast charging time.’
Although I’m uneasy with “pirate school” and “anthropomorphic”, I think his choices were a good balance of physical and mental activities.
But I’m concerned about a few other things I found. How about the Haptic Feedback VR Vest? I’m not sure it’s real. I hope it’s not.
The “OWO Vest”, it says,
is a new virtual reality (VR) innovation that allows VR users to feel digital events in real life. The OWO Vest has a multi-part haptic system that connects to a companion application to create what OWO calls 'Sensations Technology.' The Sensations Technology system has been pre-programmed with a variety of sensations, such as virtual gunshots, hugs, or the feeling of rain.
The application that pairs with the OWO Vest can control the intensity of each of the sensations that have been programmed, increasing or decreasing them based on user preferences. On top of this, users can create their own sensations and save them to the Sensations Technology system if they discover a feeling that has not yet been pre-programmed, such as the feeling of crashing a car in virtual reality.
My instinct is to stop right here. But this is our grandchildren’s reality.
Reset.
Our copy of The Atlantic just arrived in the mail. Real paper magazine, real mail.
On page 18 is the article, “In Defense of Humanity: We need a cultural and philosophical movement to meet the rise of artificial superintelligence", by Adrienne LaFrance.
LaFrance points out that future uses of AI (artificial intelligence) are now up for grabs. Good old-fashioned PR (public relations) is at work. She writes,
Corporations that stand to profit off this new technology are already memorizing the platitudes necessary to wave away the critics. They’ll use sunny jargon like “human augmentation” … But these terms are as shallow as they are abstract. What’s coming stands to dwarf every technological creation in living memory: the internet, the personal computer, the atom bomb. It may well be the most consequential technology in all of human history.
This is what our grandkids will have to live with. Right now, as if training to survive in FutureWorld, they’re playing games where they try out all kinds of “skins”, or identities.
They must sense that the Dragons are already here. But do they know where the helpful Wizards are?
First let’s look at the monster Dragon, AI. You can do this through a safe distancing device. You’re there, but you’re not there!
The product descriptions says that this $800 headset lets you
see more of your environment-a wide 120 Degree field of view (FOV) expands the VR [virtual reality] viewing experience. The increased angle better aligns with the human eyes, letting you see more naturally.
What is this with “human eyes” and “more naturally”? Obviously PR is using nostalgia for a time when people’s eyes were just natural. Like my time. I grew up in the computer age, with IBM’s new mainframe, System/360 in the background. The open book in the photo below looks like PR nostalgia to reassure the public.
I’ve heard it said that a machine like IBM’s was only as good as the programmer. I’d like to ask my grandson, “Who is programming today’s AI? What values are going into these new machines?”
Today’s values: divisions among people; revenge and hatred on social media; the Earth’s climate out of balance. Some religions are trying to dominate others. Leadership lies. Money rules. Guns and war crimes are normal. Government still has a social contract with the people, but the trend is toward private ownership and profit. Fake news sells.
I remember how the Me Generation of the 1970’s valued “self-realization” and “self-fulfillment”, making cooperation and generosity less relevant. Winning Through Intimidation was a 1973 best-seller. Now 50 years later, it’s ok for a CEO to earn about 400 times more than an worker, and AI will replace 300 million jobs world-wide.
Today’s competitive AI developers are likely to see violence, dominance and narcissism as marketable qualities. This is a serious problem for humanity.
So what “philosophical movement” could LaFrance possibly be calling for in her Atlantic article?
To offer a suggestion, I know that kindness, listening, the repair and re-use of objects, truth, satisfaction and respect are ideals. And I know we have infinite work to do to make our society free, with human rights and equality for all.
Still — I’d like to say to young people,
We elders carry precious data about a ‘more natural’ world. We can tell you how to patiently hold a book, use a pen and paper, enjoy quiet company, garden, walk in the woods, care for animals, help someone, share a viewpoint without feeling threatened.
A truly Open AI will never fully exist, but an Open Humanity must.
I hope that we wizards are up to the task, Deda. I know that YOU are!
A brave look into the future
A thoughtful reflection on our importance as wizards, and gifts we can offer!