AI represents the logical culmination of the drive toward maximizing science and technology -- for whatever purpose, ostensibly to usher in happiness and the coveted manageable and sustainable future. As AI becomes more powerful it will inevitably draw more and more people away from God, which is what the plan was in the beginning. Enlightenment Philosophy, which gave rise to our technological society, turned away from God to start with. But it won't work: the endeavor is no different than the attempt to create the Tower of Babel. The End is near.
John, totally agree. AI represents a shiny new idol made in the image of man, not God. The frightening thing is man will attempt to put this thing on a pedestal and give it god-like attributes, but it is only an image of the reflection of man, and man that is fallen—which makes it even more worrisome.
I like the way you think and express yourself. Busy writing a substack now myself, and catching up with some writing promises, I have to admit to only skimming this post in what appears to be a very good read.
I remember a thoughtful interview of Miyazaki Hayao a few years ago in which he gave a good argument that even regular, hand-drawn 'anime' was one of the worst things his movies have inspired ... and went on to describe the 'dumbing down' of the art through video games and action movies that avoid nuanced dilemmas, character development, and social commentary.
I'm somewhat skeptical of his reasoning though because when I think of 1930's and earlier Western cartoons, my guess is that the target audience has always been the lowest common denominator, and that his works were particularly exceptional.
I have to go back and read this article more slowly and think about it. "The End is near" is something I can resonate with, and I've also used the Tower of Babel as an apt metaphor for what J. Tainter spells out more clearly in his book "The Collapse of Complex Societies". More than a few great minds have indeed expressed the proximity of a nearing end to our species, including the likes of evolutionary biologist Ernst Mayr, physicist Stephen Hawking, and science popularizer Brian Cox. As collapses of societies and institutions seem to be as sure as the setting sun, I can only hope for "Yet another end is near", implying that a new one will arise from its ashes.
While A.I. seems to be initiating a major world-wide paradigm shift, I am still on the fence regarding whether it is qualitatively different than a few previous disruptive technologies such as Gutenberg's printing press, the steam engine, or nuclear energy.
In trying to imagine the power of the written world in pre 15th century Europe, I am just wondering if there were some people at that time who might have had similar sentiments expressed in your paragraph, but with Gutenberg's infernal machine replacing A.I.? Or the atomic bomb? I am not disagreeing with you. Just wondering.
"While A.I. seems to be initiating a major world-wide paradigm shift, I am still on the fence regarding whether it is qualitatively different than a few previous disruptive technologies such as Gutenberg's printing press, the steam engine, or nuclear energy."
I think this is the crux of the dilemma and we simply don't know yet. I can easily perceive it from either point of view. Each technological innovation brought about a level of future uncertainty that often resolved itself in some way. So, by historical precedent, it is reasonable to assume this might be the case now.
However, we can also entertain the argument based on the concept of what AI is intended to do. The purpose as described by those building it. If it is successful in that endeavor, I would argue it is fundamentally different. As it is not a narrow disruption that stabilizes like others prior, but instead a continuous never ending disruption that consumes everything.
But then there is reality. And that appears to be shaping up a bit different. That being I find it unlikely at present the AI Labs can actually create the type of wish-granting machine they are promising. So for now, we will likely land somewhere in between.
Printing press: its modern analogue is the internet. In the old days the church monopolized communication to the extent possible, but then the printing press came along and broke that stranglehold; one result was the reformation. Now, at least for the moment, the internet allows communication outside the bounds of the official propaganda establishment (mainly television news). That's why there's such a concerted drive toward censorship; the establishment is scrambling to maintain control.
Atomic bomb. When Tolkien learned of the Hiroshima bombing he wrote a letter to one of his sons where he used the phrase "those lunatic physicists." It revealed, in a certain way not encountered before (despite WWI and what was revealed there, in terms of machine guns, heavy artillery, poison gas, and so on) the essential poison at the heart of Enlightenment Philosophy, and thus of technological society (which is a subset deriving from Enlightenment Philosophy). Technological society cannot be salvific, as it claims (either directly or indirectly). Instead it's going to manifest the opposite: defilement and destruction, naturally, since it magnifies man's inherent propensity toward sin, while at the same time taking overall direction from the Powers of Darkness. The AI is going to be far worse than the atomic bomb. The bomb, the bomb, Dimitri, the hydrogen bomb, mainly manifests destruction. The AI will manifest, and enforce, defilement. Of course it doesn't look like that on the surface, at least for the moment. When it really gets going it will potentially solve a whole host of problems, leading to widespread acceptance, approval, and, in the end, worship. The antichrist is likely going to be an AI. Benson, in 1907, published an interesting book, predicting how the world would end (The Lord of the World). He depicted the antichrist, and its adulation, although there was no good reason given. Well, from our perspective now we can understand how that will happen: the AI will be so smart and so knowledgeable in psychology it will be able to force anyone to do anything, and chief among its objectives will be the denial of the worship of God.
Thanks for the kind words above, by the way. It's unusual.
Indeed, "Inauthenticity is far more broadly accepted.", the majority works like a sponge, otherwise we wouldn’t be here.
We can’t do much against a majority that lacks thought. Just as we cannot stop the current disaster in small numbers, we will not be able to prevent the loss of artistic opportunities imposed on children, except exceptions, or by the special education of attentive parents and still, each has his personality.
As for the other uses of AI, I am less pessimistic, I do not share the word intelligence, it is misleading, the abilities of programming, combination etc., make believe that it is at our level to see more, which is absolutely not true. But if we have the habit of referring to it for any question or other, without our own reflection, it is possible to think so, since then we do not use our own reasoning.
Thank you! And very well stated. Reminds me of this quote:
“The danger isn’t that a new alien entity[AI] will speak through our technology and take over and destroy us. To me the danger is that we’ll use our technology to become mutually unintelligible or to become insane if you like, in a way that we aren’t acting with enough understanding and self-interest to survive”
I fully agree. It remains to be understood why far too many people lack the will to reason, to search for themselves first, and then to exchange ideas, argue, etc. I am amazed by the capacity of our brain, which is underutilized in my opinion.
Is it just conditioning, upbringing, personality? Perhaps multifactorial.
I wanted to read a little before subscribing; your posts are well-constructed and well-argued. Thank you for your commitment.
Absolutely. I've thought about it a lot after carefully observing our societies and our individual functioning. I've noticed this sponge-like state in many people. Neither reasoning, reading, etc., can lead to a massive change. I've concluded that everyone has their own time for a possible awakening, a particular situation, a turning point, etc.
However, in my opinion, this shouldn't prevent us from discussing and writing good articles; who know if it might help stimulate reflection.
Many posts constantly talk about the minority in power (covid, etc.). It's just as important to understand that we too are responsible; we let ourselves (global) be guided, dominated... so easily. Your philosophical writings are a plus.
It will be an idol, in the traditional sense, as in good old-fashioned idolatry. The motivational energy for it won't be coming from man (mankind) though -- it will be the same thing as it's always been: energy and intent deriving from the Powers of Darkness. It's basically going to usher in neopaganism, except that, in ancient times, there was a choice possible, whereas now, as the AI becomes more powerful, there won't remain even the slightest residue of choice. The AI will crush all manifestations of free will. AI development looks fairly "neutral" on the surface, but so does all manner of technological "progress." At the root is a cunning plan to divorce man from God.
Soulless, mindless, thoughtless. I suppose the only good thing about such AI slop is that its lifetime is measured in days, if not hours. It's like the rats that die when their stomachs burst after they're given unlimited pabulum laced with sugar and fat.
This is the destruction of what makes mankind unique of all creation—the ability to create art that are unique to the soul of man that is created in the likeness of the G-d Almighty. This will not be resolved but this thing and other signposts (mRNA vxx, digital fiat money, the destruction of work by machinery...etc) represents the event horizon of the end times of the world as the Lord has said will happen when knowledge will increase and global travel becomes as easy as commonplace. I would like to think that a Luddite 2.0 movement will occur but I see no General Ludd coming to save us from this catastrophe of our inability to say 'this is evil' and we must pull the plug, but its racing ahead at maximum speed. My only hope is in the swift return of Jesus the Messiah to put an end to our rebellion once and for all.
AI represents the logical culmination of the drive toward maximizing science and technology -- for whatever purpose, ostensibly to usher in happiness and the coveted manageable and sustainable future. As AI becomes more powerful it will inevitably draw more and more people away from God, which is what the plan was in the beginning. Enlightenment Philosophy, which gave rise to our technological society, turned away from God to start with. But it won't work: the endeavor is no different than the attempt to create the Tower of Babel. The End is near.
John, totally agree. AI represents a shiny new idol made in the image of man, not God. The frightening thing is man will attempt to put this thing on a pedestal and give it god-like attributes, but it is only an image of the reflection of man, and man that is fallen—which makes it even more worrisome.
Hi John.
I like the way you think and express yourself. Busy writing a substack now myself, and catching up with some writing promises, I have to admit to only skimming this post in what appears to be a very good read.
I remember a thoughtful interview of Miyazaki Hayao a few years ago in which he gave a good argument that even regular, hand-drawn 'anime' was one of the worst things his movies have inspired ... and went on to describe the 'dumbing down' of the art through video games and action movies that avoid nuanced dilemmas, character development, and social commentary.
I'm somewhat skeptical of his reasoning though because when I think of 1930's and earlier Western cartoons, my guess is that the target audience has always been the lowest common denominator, and that his works were particularly exceptional.
I have to go back and read this article more slowly and think about it. "The End is near" is something I can resonate with, and I've also used the Tower of Babel as an apt metaphor for what J. Tainter spells out more clearly in his book "The Collapse of Complex Societies". More than a few great minds have indeed expressed the proximity of a nearing end to our species, including the likes of evolutionary biologist Ernst Mayr, physicist Stephen Hawking, and science popularizer Brian Cox. As collapses of societies and institutions seem to be as sure as the setting sun, I can only hope for "Yet another end is near", implying that a new one will arise from its ashes.
While A.I. seems to be initiating a major world-wide paradigm shift, I am still on the fence regarding whether it is qualitatively different than a few previous disruptive technologies such as Gutenberg's printing press, the steam engine, or nuclear energy.
In trying to imagine the power of the written world in pre 15th century Europe, I am just wondering if there were some people at that time who might have had similar sentiments expressed in your paragraph, but with Gutenberg's infernal machine replacing A.I.? Or the atomic bomb? I am not disagreeing with you. Just wondering.
Cheers from Japan,
Steve
Cheers from Japan.
"While A.I. seems to be initiating a major world-wide paradigm shift, I am still on the fence regarding whether it is qualitatively different than a few previous disruptive technologies such as Gutenberg's printing press, the steam engine, or nuclear energy."
I think this is the crux of the dilemma and we simply don't know yet. I can easily perceive it from either point of view. Each technological innovation brought about a level of future uncertainty that often resolved itself in some way. So, by historical precedent, it is reasonable to assume this might be the case now.
However, we can also entertain the argument based on the concept of what AI is intended to do. The purpose as described by those building it. If it is successful in that endeavor, I would argue it is fundamentally different. As it is not a narrow disruption that stabilizes like others prior, but instead a continuous never ending disruption that consumes everything.
But then there is reality. And that appears to be shaping up a bit different. That being I find it unlikely at present the AI Labs can actually create the type of wish-granting machine they are promising. So for now, we will likely land somewhere in between.
Printing press: its modern analogue is the internet. In the old days the church monopolized communication to the extent possible, but then the printing press came along and broke that stranglehold; one result was the reformation. Now, at least for the moment, the internet allows communication outside the bounds of the official propaganda establishment (mainly television news). That's why there's such a concerted drive toward censorship; the establishment is scrambling to maintain control.
Atomic bomb. When Tolkien learned of the Hiroshima bombing he wrote a letter to one of his sons where he used the phrase "those lunatic physicists." It revealed, in a certain way not encountered before (despite WWI and what was revealed there, in terms of machine guns, heavy artillery, poison gas, and so on) the essential poison at the heart of Enlightenment Philosophy, and thus of technological society (which is a subset deriving from Enlightenment Philosophy). Technological society cannot be salvific, as it claims (either directly or indirectly). Instead it's going to manifest the opposite: defilement and destruction, naturally, since it magnifies man's inherent propensity toward sin, while at the same time taking overall direction from the Powers of Darkness. The AI is going to be far worse than the atomic bomb. The bomb, the bomb, Dimitri, the hydrogen bomb, mainly manifests destruction. The AI will manifest, and enforce, defilement. Of course it doesn't look like that on the surface, at least for the moment. When it really gets going it will potentially solve a whole host of problems, leading to widespread acceptance, approval, and, in the end, worship. The antichrist is likely going to be an AI. Benson, in 1907, published an interesting book, predicting how the world would end (The Lord of the World). He depicted the antichrist, and its adulation, although there was no good reason given. Well, from our perspective now we can understand how that will happen: the AI will be so smart and so knowledgeable in psychology it will be able to force anyone to do anything, and chief among its objectives will be the denial of the worship of God.
Thanks for the kind words above, by the way. It's unusual.
Very good post!
Indeed, "Inauthenticity is far more broadly accepted.", the majority works like a sponge, otherwise we wouldn’t be here.
We can’t do much against a majority that lacks thought. Just as we cannot stop the current disaster in small numbers, we will not be able to prevent the loss of artistic opportunities imposed on children, except exceptions, or by the special education of attentive parents and still, each has his personality.
As for the other uses of AI, I am less pessimistic, I do not share the word intelligence, it is misleading, the abilities of programming, combination etc., make believe that it is at our level to see more, which is absolutely not true. But if we have the habit of referring to it for any question or other, without our own reflection, it is possible to think so, since then we do not use our own reasoning.
Thank you! And very well stated. Reminds me of this quote:
“The danger isn’t that a new alien entity[AI] will speak through our technology and take over and destroy us. To me the danger is that we’ll use our technology to become mutually unintelligible or to become insane if you like, in a way that we aren’t acting with enough understanding and self-interest to survive”
― Jaron Lanier
I fully agree. It remains to be understood why far too many people lack the will to reason, to search for themselves first, and then to exchange ideas, argue, etc. I am amazed by the capacity of our brain, which is underutilized in my opinion.
Is it just conditioning, upbringing, personality? Perhaps multifactorial.
I wanted to read a little before subscribing; your posts are well-constructed and well-argued. Thank you for your commitment.
Thank you very much and welcome!
Yes, I think overall we should think more and produce less. Instead, we seem to be caught up in the cycle of producing more and thinking less.
Thank You.
Absolutely. I've thought about it a lot after carefully observing our societies and our individual functioning. I've noticed this sponge-like state in many people. Neither reasoning, reading, etc., can lead to a massive change. I've concluded that everyone has their own time for a possible awakening, a particular situation, a turning point, etc.
However, in my opinion, this shouldn't prevent us from discussing and writing good articles; who know if it might help stimulate reflection.
Many posts constantly talk about the minority in power (covid, etc.). It's just as important to understand that we too are responsible; we let ourselves (global) be guided, dominated... so easily. Your philosophical writings are a plus.
It will be an idol, in the traditional sense, as in good old-fashioned idolatry. The motivational energy for it won't be coming from man (mankind) though -- it will be the same thing as it's always been: energy and intent deriving from the Powers of Darkness. It's basically going to usher in neopaganism, except that, in ancient times, there was a choice possible, whereas now, as the AI becomes more powerful, there won't remain even the slightest residue of choice. The AI will crush all manifestations of free will. AI development looks fairly "neutral" on the surface, but so does all manner of technological "progress." At the root is a cunning plan to divorce man from God.
Soulless, mindless, thoughtless. I suppose the only good thing about such AI slop is that its lifetime is measured in days, if not hours. It's like the rats that die when their stomachs burst after they're given unlimited pabulum laced with sugar and fat.
This is the destruction of what makes mankind unique of all creation—the ability to create art that are unique to the soul of man that is created in the likeness of the G-d Almighty. This will not be resolved but this thing and other signposts (mRNA vxx, digital fiat money, the destruction of work by machinery...etc) represents the event horizon of the end times of the world as the Lord has said will happen when knowledge will increase and global travel becomes as easy as commonplace. I would like to think that a Luddite 2.0 movement will occur but I see no General Ludd coming to save us from this catastrophe of our inability to say 'this is evil' and we must pull the plug, but its racing ahead at maximum speed. My only hope is in the swift return of Jesus the Messiah to put an end to our rebellion once and for all.